Colon cleaners may do more harm than good

Do you think special diets, pills, powders or enemas are needed to rid the body and colon of toxins? UT Southwestern Medical Center experts say you should think again.

“The lining of the gut regenerates about every seven days, so you probably don’t need colon cleansers,” says Dr. Anne Larson, associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern who specializes in digestive and liver diseases.

Not only are colon cleansers unnecessary, colon cleansers could imbalance the body’s fluids and lead to dehydration, salt depletion and low blood pressure. Long-term dangers include anemia, malnutrition, heart failure and breaking the colon wall. Unclean enema equipment could lead to infection.

So what should you do if you’re worried about a buildup of toxins because of constipation?

“Stick with what’s proven to be safe,” Dr. Larson says. “Drink plenty of water, and eat food high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.”

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/digestive to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in digestive disorders.

Media Contact: LaKisha Ladson

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