Is Colon Cleanse The Best Weight Loss Therapy?

Have you ever felt that you weigh more but you eat less? One of the reasons we weigh more than our actual weight is the presence of waste on the walls of the colon that does not get flushed out of the system. Cleansing your colon would instantly make you feel lighter. Also, a healthy colon ensures better digestion and absorption of nutrients. When your body absorbs a good amount of nutrients, you will feel less hungry all the time.

Let’s check out in detail about colon cleansing and why it will help you lose and manage your weight:
Colon Cleanse For Weight Loss
1. What Is Colon Cleanse?
2. How Does Colon Cleanse Work?
3. How To Cleanse Your Colon For Weight Loss?
4. How Much Weight Can You Lose By Colon Cleanse?
5. Natural Colon Cleanse Weight Loss Recipes

Triphala
Lemon And Honey
Senna
Aloe Vera
Ginger And Apple Juice
Papaya And Mint Smoothie
Vegetable Juice
Flaxseeds And Milk
Water
6. Benefits
7. Side Effects
8.Dos and Don’ts
9. FAQs
1. What Is A Colon Cleanse?

Colon cleansing is a weight loss and detoxification method practiced by doctors or trained professionals to flush out toxins from the colon. The colon or the large intestine helps to remove water, salt, and other nutrients. When we eat foods that contain low fiber or more fat, they move slowly through the colon, which results in the production of excess mucus. The toxic waste does not get flushed out of the body completely as the excess mucus weighs it down. The waste accumulates on the walls of the colon, which makes you weigh a few pounds more.
Colon cleanse helps you to get rid of this harmful toxic waste by triggering bowel movement. There are various ways to cleanse the colon such as colon cleansing powders or liquids that you can take with lukewarm water. You can also go for an enema, which is painful, and the procedure should be done by a trained professional.
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2. How Does Colon Cleanse Work?
The colon cleanser formulations increase the fluid content in the colon to soften the toxic wastes and help them move out of the body. A typical colon cleanser contains polyethylene glycol, sodium, and sulfate. The components increase the fluid volume in the colon without altering the secretion and absorption of salts, water, or any other compound. However, colon cleansers that contain sodium phosphate increase the colon fluid volume by altering the secretion and absorption of salts and fluids in the colon.

3. How To Cleanse Your Colon For Weight Loss?
Cleansing your colon will not only help you lose a few pounds but also improve your overall health. Flushing out toxins ensures better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Here are the steps to follow for cleansing your colon.
a. Balanced Diet

Kick start your day with detox drinks. Have the detox drink on an empty stomach. You can also start your day by drinking warm water.
Never skip breakfast. You can have fiber and protein-rich foods like brown bread, eggs, milk, fruit juice, oats, wheat flakes, etc.
For lunch, have a carb or starch-free diet. You can eat whole grain bread, and chicken/ mushroom/ veggie sandwiches.
Fruit juice, yogurt, buttermilk, salads, soups, etc. will be perfect for you. Steer away from fried and greasy foods.
If you feel hungry post lunch, you can snack on any fruit.
For dinner, eat foods that are high in fiber content. Try to eat small portions. Also, eat before 8 pm.
b. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Keep-Yourself-Hydrated

It is very important to keep yourself hydrated. Try to drink enough water. You can also drink fruit juices or detox/flavored water. Detox waters are easy to make at home, and you can carry them easily anywhere with you. Make sure not to add sugar or artificial sweeteners. If you want to add artificial sweeteners, add in small quantity.
c. Supplements For Colon Cleansing
Supplements-For-Colon-Cleansing
Image: iStock
Colon cleansing supplements can be taken orally or rectally. These are available in the market. You should always consult your doctor before deciding to take any of them. Here are a few colon cleansing supplements:
Laxatives
Herbal teas
Colon cleanse capsules
Enema
These supplements are found either in the powder or liquid form. You can add two tablespoons of colon cleanse powder to a glass of water and drink it. If you are not comfortable drinking the powder, you can opt for capsules or herbal teas.
You can also opt for an enema, but this procedure can be very uncomfortable. A trained professional will insert a tube into your rectum and pass a colon cleanser solution into your colon. The tube will then be removed, and another tube will be inserted. A trained professional will massage your abdomen to flush out the toxins in your colon through the tube.
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4. How Much Weight Can You Lose By Colon Cleanse?
Realistically, you can lose up to two to six pounds, depending on the amount of waste present in your colon. Do not depend on or make colon cleansing an obsession for losing few pounds as it can be harmful. I would advise you to eat healthy, keep yourself hydrated, get proper sleep, and exercise. Being active will not only make your physically healthy but also improve your mental health.
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5. Natural Colon Cleanse Weight Loss Recipes
Here is the list of a few natural foods that will help cleanse your colon. These natural colon cleanse recipes are super easy to recreate.
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a. Triphala
Triphala

Triphala (Tri: three, Phala: fruit) is an Ayurvedic formulation consisting of three fruits – Amlaki, Bhibitaki, and Haritaki. It is a natural laxative that has been used since ancient times for treating constipation.
What You Need
Triphala Powder
Water
How To Prepare
Buy Triphala powder available in any pharmacy.
Add one tablespoon of this powder to a glass of water.
Drink this every morning without adding any sugar or artificial sweeteners.
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b. Lemon And Honey
Lemon-And-Honey
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Lemon has vitamin C and helps in cutting down extra body fat by mobilizing bile from the liver to the small intestine. Honey has a good glycemic index and promotes better digestion.
What You Need
1 lemon
1 tablespoon honey
Water
How To Prepare
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon (you can use the juice of one whole lemon as well) in a glass.
Add honey.
Add warm water, stir well, and drink every morning.
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c. Senna
Senna
Image: Shutterstock
Senna is a powerful laxative and is a colon stimulator. The leaves and the pods of senna contain anthraquinones that help in metabolism and digestion of food.
What You Need
Senna leaves Or Senna tea bag
Water
How To Prepare
Take five to six senna leaves and crush them. You can use senna tea bags.
Boil some water and let it cool down.Pour the water into a cup and add the crushed senna leaves or the senna tea bag.
Let the goodness of the senna leaves infuse in the water for about 10 minutes.
Strain well and drink it.
You can also steep senna leaves in cold water for about 12 hours and drink it in the morning, or take senna supplements.
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d. Aloe Vera
Aloe-Vera

Aloe vera contains a host of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. It has antibacterial properties and is a good laxative.
What You Need
Aloe vera leaf
2 tablespoons lemon Juice
Water
How To Prepare
Take an aloe vera leaf, split it, and take out the gel.
Take two tablespoons of aloe gel and put it into the processor.
Add two tablespoons of lemon juice.
Give it a spin.
Add it to a glass of water and drink it.
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e. Fiber-rich Food
Fiber-rich-Food

Fiber-rich foods improve bowel movement by softening the wastes present in the colon. Here are few fiber-rich foods:
Fruits – Papaya, banana, apple, oranges, berries, pears, etc.
Vegetables – Broccoli, artichokes, carrots, spinach, etc.
Bread – Brown or whole grain bread.
Nuts/Seeds – Almond, walnut, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.
Whole Grains – Brown rice, black rice, oats, etc.
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f. Ginger And Apple Juice
Ginger-And-Apple-Juice
Image: Shutterstock
Ginger is used in many food recipes and is a good source of antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes the gastrointestinal tract. Apple contains vitamin A and is rich in fiber, which makes it an excellent laxative.
What You Need
2 apples
Ginger
Water
A pinch of black salt
How To Prepare
Cut two apples in wedges and throw them into the blender.
Add a small amount of ginger root or ginger powder to it.
Add a little water and give it a spin.
You may add a little black salt for taste.
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g. Papaya And Mint Smoothie
Papaya-And-Mint-Smoothie
Image: Shutterstock
Papaya is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps in the smooth flow of bile from the liver to the small intestine, where bile helps in breaking down fats. Mint also relaxes the stomach muscles, and, of course, adds flavor.
What You Need
1/2 papaya
Mint leaves
A pinch of black salt
How To Prepare
Cut half a papaya into cubes and throw it in the blender.
Add a few mint leaves.
Add a little black salt and spin it.
You may add ice while drinking.
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h. Vegetable Juice
Vegetable-Juice

Vegetables are a rich source of minerals and vitamins. Here is how to prepare a mouthwatering vegetable juice at home.
What You Need
1 carrot
1 tomato
2 lettuce leaves
Spinach
Lemon Juice
Salt
Roasted cumin powder
Coriander leaves
How To Prepare
Cut a carrot into small cubes and throw it in the blender.
Cut one tomato and one cucumber in cubes and put in the blender.
Add two lettuce leaves and a handful of spinach.
Squeeze one-fourth of a lemon, add a pinch of salt and spin it.
Add a pinch of ground roasted cumin powder and few coriander leaves before drinking.
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i. Flaxseeds And Milk
Flaxseeds-And-Milk
Image: Shutterstock
Flaxseeds help you lose weight and are also a good laxative. Here is how to make your milk more tasty and healthy:
How To Prepare
Add two tablespoons of flaxseed powder to a glass of warm milk and stir well.
Add a pinch of cocoa powder before drinking.
You can also add the flaxseed powder added milk to your bowl of wheat flakes.
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j. Water
Water
Image: Shutterstock
Last, but not the least, is water. Drinking water in the right amount every day can keep many diseases and conditions at bay. For cleansing your colon, there can be nothing better than drinking enough water to keep you hydrated and to keep your bowel movement unhindered. Drink warm water first thing you wake up in the morning. Remember to keep a bottle filled with water at your workstation and take few sips intermittently.
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6. Benefits Of Colon Cleanse
Helps to get rid of the toxins in the colon, helping the colon to absorb nutrients more efficiently.
Colon cleansing can improve your brain health and improve concentration.
Helps you to sleep better.
Will energize you. You will feel more active and alive.
It helps to fight off colon cancer.
Helps to maintain the body’s pH balance in the bloodstream.
Excess waste in the colon can press the uterus. Therefore, cleansing the colon can increase your fertility.
Helps to prevent constipation and improves digestion.
Improves your overall health.
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7. Side Effects
You may experience nausea, dizziness, and cramps.
It can lead to a perforated bowel.
May lead to infection.
It may wash out the good bacteria in the colon.
On the day of the cleanse, absorption of nutrients or medicines might get hindered.
There can be an imbalance in minerals present in the body.
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8. Dos And Don’ts
Dos Don’ts
Drink adequate water every day. Avoid foods that are high in fat content.
Start your day with a detox drink. Do not get a colon cleanse done without consulting your doctor.
Exercise. Do not opt for enema frequently.
Eat veggies and fruits.
Get good sleep.
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9. FAQs
FAQs
Image: Shutterstock
Is colon cleansing safe?
Before deciding to lose weight by cleansing your colon, you must consult your doctor. Depending on your medical history, your doctor will be able to give you sound advice. Colon cleansing can have adverse effects if your medical condition doesn’t allow you to opt for it. Even if you want to take Ayurvedic capsules or powders, you must consult your doctor. If you opt for an enema, make sure it is done by a trained professional. Do not get enema done very frequently.
Can I have my colon cleansed during pregnancy?
It is better to wait it out. You may get it done after your delivery, but do consult your doctor.
Can I have a colon cleanse right after childbirth?
You may have a colonic after two months. However, if you had complications during pregnancy or childbirth, it is better to wait until you feel healed totally. Consult your doctor if you want to get the colonic done sooner.
Is enema more effective than laxative capsules?
If you are comfortable with enema, and if you get it done by a trained professional, it can show good results. However, I prefer the Ayurvedic laxative powder or capsules. If you want to get your colon cleansed, consult your doctor first.
Will colon cleansing hurt?
Colon cleansing is uncomfortable for many people. If you opt for an enema, you will feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but the trained professional will use massage therapy to make you feel comfortable. With supplements, you will not feel uncomfortable, but you may need to go to the bathroom to get the junk out of your system.
How much weight will I lose by colon cleansing?
You may lose up to two to six pounds. However, this depends on many factors such as your current weight, eating habits, medical history, etc. Also, the weight loss will be amplified if you exercise regularly.

Courtesy : stylecraze