Every day, we're bombarded with toxins: additives in the food supply, pollution in the air and water, and chemicals in the products we put on our bodies. The overabundance of common impurities that we all encounter can overwhelm our natural ability to detoxify. Many of these toxins find their way to the liver, kidneys, intestines, and colon. Cleansing is a great way to flush your body and reboot your overall well-being, and cleansing the gut can boost your natural self-healing and detox mechanisms.
The Colon & Its Function
The colon is part of the large intestine. It lies between the small intestine and the anus. A healthy colon is about two inches in diameter, between five and six feet long, and occupies most of your lower body cavity. The "U" shaped colon subdivides into four sections – the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. The primary role of the colon is to reclaim water from digested food, absorb nutrients, and provide an environment for the helpful bacteria that regulate digestion and other important processes.[1]
What Is a Gut Cleanse?
A gut cleanse is a process that flushes the digestive tract to help rid the gut of harmful toxins, organisms, and accumulated waste. Many people report that a regular gut cleanse is one of the single most effective strategies for boosting their overall wellness.
Signs Your Gut Needs Cleansing
People who follow the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is rich in dairy, meats, sweets, and processed foods, usually have accumulated waste in their digestive tract. When toxins build up, a systemic change can manifest in your body and make you feel sick.
These changes can be felt inside your body and noticed outside of your body. For example, an unpleasant odor in your sweat or your breath is a sign of a toxic gut. If your overall health is suffering, you may have sluggish bile production or develop health conditions such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.[2, 3, 4] Unhealthy bowels may also be affected by colorectal polyps, diverticula, and gut strictures that create sluggish digestion.
The accumulation of toxins that results from eating unhealthy food can lead to an imbalance in your gut flora, allowing unhealthy organisms to take hold. One of the most harmful is a fungus called Candida albicans that can cause Candidiasis – a type of yeast overgrowth that affects the entire body.[5]
Signs that you need a gut cleanse include:
- Low energy
- Poor appetite
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Body odor
- Bad breath
- Constipation
- Skin blemishes
- Mental fog
- Poor sleep
What Are the Benefits of Gut Cleansing?
Maintaining a healthy gut supports a healthy digestive system and promotes overall well-being. The gut is central to your body’s most critical functions, and it directly affects nearly every aspect of your health. A gut that's overrun by toxins has a difficult time absorbing nutrients and water. Not only are your detoxification abilities affected, but the nutritional value of your food is reduced. An organic gut cleanse irrigates the bowels to get you back on track.
A Boost of Energy
Many people report that one of the biggest benefits of a gut cleanse is an increase in their energy levels. Sluggishness frequently disappears after cleansing the gut and adopting healthier food choices. We receive a lot of positive feedback from people who say gut cleansing simply makes them feel better.
Develop New, Healthy Habits
Many people kick-start healthy eating and wellness habits during their cleanse. Drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, and getting exercise are all habits that keep the bowels running smoothly and get the blood flowing through the gut.
Removal of Compacted Waste
By omitting processed and fatty foods during a gut cleanse, the gut has an easier time pushing out waste. Drinking plenty of water helps flush this unhealthy waste out of your body. Certain fruits have a natural fibrous quality and further help move waste out of your gut. Once this toxic matter is gone, your gut is better able to function.
Better Digestion
Most people say they experience better digestion after completing a gut cleanse. Resetting the gut helps the digestive tract process food more efficiently. Not only does this promote consistent, regular bowel movements, but it also helps relieve occasional constipation.
What Are the Different Types of Gut Cleanses?
There are a variety of gut cleansing methods and products, with varying degrees of efficacy and safety.
Dietary Cleanses
Some cleanses merely involve a change of diet and eliminating certain foods, like dairy, wheat or gluten, or meat, that cause health concerns. Whether it's temporary or a complete lifestyle change, eliminating some or all of these foods serves as a diet-based cleanse.
Meat, dairy, and processed foods that contain unhealthy additives cause waste to buildup along the intestinal walls. Replacing these unhealthy foods with high-fiber, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water flushes the bowels and cleanses the gut.
Simplifying your diet can make it easy to identify foods to which you're sensitive. Some people like to cleanse with a raw or vegan diet, and then slowly reintroduce other foods. After following a simplified gut cleansing diet for seven to 30 days, you can reintroduce items. After eating a new food type, you should wait a few days before trying another type of food to observe changes in your body or mood. You can also combine a cleansing diet with a gut cleanse supplement.
Colonic Hydrotherapy or Irrigation
Colonic hydrotherapy, also called colonic irrigation or colonic lavage, is performed in a clinical setting by a colonic hygienist or hydrotherapist. Although it's a relatively common procedure, the safety of the technique has been called into question. A tube from a machine is inserted into the rectum to flush water through the intestines. The hydrotherapist may also massage the abdomen to help release waste, which is expelled through a different tube. This process is usually repeated several times and may last up to an hour.[6]
Colonic irrigation isn't without risk. There have been reports of rectal perforation from colonic irrigation. Contaminated equipment is also a potential concern. During the late 1970s at one clinic in Colorado, contaminated water led to 36 cases of parasitic infection, ten colectomies (surgical removal of part of the colon), and six deaths.[7]
Although there are do-it-yourself hydrotherapy kits available, the services of a professional hygienist or hydrotherapist ensure optimal results and safety. Colon irrigation equipment is regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and a professional hydrotherapist should have equipment that's registered with the FDA. Be sure that the hydrotherapist uses filtered, purified water, and disposable rectal nozzles. If stainless steel nozzles are used, they should be sterilized by autoclave.
Enemas
An enema is like a mini colonic, although enemas only cleanse the rectum, the lower part of the colon, and not the entire digestive tract.[8] Enemas can be self-administered at home or in a clinical setting. When an enema is administered, a measured amount of a liquid solution, such as mineral oil, sodium phosphate, or water, is squeezed into the rectum through a tube and bag or a bottle with a special tip. Once the liquid enters the rectum, massaging the abdomen can help loosen fecal matter. After about five minutes, the urge to defecate arises and the enema liquid and feces leave the body as a bowel movement.
Coffee enemas are a popular therapy, but there is evidence that frequent coffee enemas can cause electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. There are also reports of death from blood poisoning (septicemia) immediately after their use.[9, 10] Because contamination is a potential issue when introducing any foreign object into the rectum, a disposable, one-time use enema is recommended for safety.
Laxatives
Americans spend more than $700 million per year on laxatives. Despite how common they are, regularly using laxatives has serious negative health effects. Laxatives are harsh, irritating to the intestines and colon, and can cause pain, cramping, and bloating. Although they may be a temporary solution for constipation, they can actually cause chronic constipation, leading users to become dependent. Worst of all, laxatives are ineffective as a gut cleanser. Their action is inconsistent, incomplete, and produces uncomfortable side effects. A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found a 49% increase in the risk of colorectal cancer in individuals age 50-76 who used non-fiber-based laxatives four or more times a year.[11]
Herbal Laxative Teas or Supplements
Some people use herbal laxative teas or herb-containing gut cleansing capsules or tablets as a natural way to relieve constipation. The herbs most commonly used as laxatives, or for cleansing or "slimming" are:
- Cascara sagrada bark
- Senna
- Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
- Yellow or curly dock (Rumex crispus)
- Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)
- Artichoke leaf (Cynara scolymus)
- Gentian root (Gentiana sp.)
- Rhubarb root (Rheum sp.)
- Aloe vera
Although some of these herbs are beneficial, some, particularly senna and cascara, are linked to harmful health effects. Regular use of senna and cascara laxative tea may cause dark spotting on the inside of the colon; the long-term impact of these dark spots on overall health is not yet known. Some herbal cleansing teas contain caffeine, which stimulates the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Caffeine, however, can adversely affect your stomach and intestines by increasing gastric acid secretion.
Other herbal teas, such as peppermint tea, offer benefits beyond cleansing. Peppermint has been studied to help patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).[12] Hibiscus, black, and green teas are a source of antioxidants which may support normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and healthier organ function.[13] Turmeric, ginger, aloe, and other herbs have excellent therapeutic properties and support the digestive system.
Fiber and Psyllium-Based Cleansing Supplements
Some over-the-counter bulk-forming gut cleansing supplements contain psyllium, a fiber-dense seed husk from the Plantago plant. When ingested, psyllium produces mucilage, a thick gooey substance that bulks up in the colon and helps move feces through the digestive system.
While fiber, and psyllium, in particular, can help with occasional constipation, they also have safety risks. Psyllium can cause dehydration, as it is highly water-absorbent. It can also increase bloating, and some individuals using psyllium have experienced allergic reactions. Some psyllium-based gut cleansers promise to clear your colon of black mucoid plaque. However, the long, stringy black substance that is defecated after taking these cleansers is merely fecal matter combined with mucilage from the psyllium. The FDA has ruled certain psyllium-containing laxatives are "not generally recognized as safe due to potential esophageal obstruction."[14]
Oxygen-Based Gut Cleansers
Gut cleansers that utilize ozonated (oxygenated) magnesium are another option to cleanse the gut, and they're arguably the best. By increasing the oxygen in the gut, specifically the colon, they help liquefy the compacted waste along the colon wall so it can be expelled from the body. Ozonated magnesium cleansers also provide a boost of energy and encourage healthier digestion.
Are Gut Cleanses Safe?
Most natural, dietary cleanses are safe for healthy people. However, colonic irrigation, enemas, and over-the-counter laxative pills, or certain herbal laxative teas have the potential for uncomfortable side effects, may irritate the intestines, or lead to dependency. Some herbal ingredients, like turmeric, ginger, and dandelion are safe, gentle, and assist in detoxing. But, if your goal is to fully cleanse your entire digestive system, the best approach is an oxygen-based gut cleanser like our 15-day gut cleanse that's made with pure ingredients and provides a gentle cleansing effect.
When performing any cleanse, dehydration may occur if you do not consume enough water. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day while you're cleansing. People who experience trouble with their bowels, or have issues such as hemorrhoids, should consult their healthcare professional before performing a gut cleanse.[15]
What Do You Need To Perform a Natural Gut Cleanse?
I only recommend one gut cleanse plan, and below, I will provide the simple, easy steps. The gut cleanse lasts fifteen days and includes only fresh fruit (preferably organic), purified water, a probiotic supplement, and a high-quality, oxygen-based gut cleansing supplement.
Supplies Needed
The supplies needed for this gut cleanse work together to support digestive health, gut microflora balance, and the purging of toxins from the gut. You’ll need the following supplies:
- One bottle of our 15-Day Gut Cleanse
- One bottle of your favorite probiotic
- Fresh fruit
- Purified water (aim for half your body weight in ounces per day)
Fresh Fruit
These fruits are chosen for this cleanse because they are easy on your intestines and a good source of nutrients and water. It’s best to add variety to your fruit intake daily.
- Apples
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- White grapes
If you prefer vegetables over fruit, you can substitute leafy greens, garlic, artichokes, and Brussels sprouts into your diet.
How To Do a Gut Cleanse
Below is a daily schedule to maximize the benefits of this 15-day gut cleanse. Days one through fifteen follow the same routine. When you pick a fruit, that is the only one you will eat for that meal. Thoroughly chew and savor each bite for better digestion.
Waking Up
- Say a positive affirmation first thing in the morning, and repeat nine times. It will put your mind on the right track for a healthy day.
- One possible affirmation is, “I am clean and healthy.”
Breakfast
- Take the recommended serving size of probiotic 20 minutes before your morning meal.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit until you are full.
- Drink plenty of purified water.
- Repeat your affirmation.
Mid-Morning Snack
- Have a mid-morning snack halfway between breakfast and lunch if you would like.
- Eat a piece of fresh fruit.
- Drink plenty of purified water.
- Repeat your affirmation.
Lunch
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit until you are full.
- Drink plenty of purified water.
- Repeat your affirmation.
Mid-Afternoon Snack
- Your mid-afternoon snack should be consumed halfway between lunch and dinner.
- Eat a piece of fresh fruit.
- Drink plenty of purified water.
- Repeat your affirmation.
Dinner
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit until you are full.
- Drink plenty of purified water.
- Repeat your affirmation.
Bedtime
- Take four capsules of 15-Day Gut Cleanse two hours after dinner.
- Drink plenty of purified water.
- Before closing your eyes, repeat your affirmation to encourage a restful night’s sleep.
Repeat
- Follow this schedule for a total of fifteen days.
- After the first day, you should have three to five bowel movements daily.
- If this does not occur, increase your serving by two capsules until you achieve three to five bowel movements the following day.
Will a Gut Cleanse Disrupt My Life?
Most people report that they can follow the 15-day gut cleanse without any disruptions to their normal work or life schedule. Since the capsules are taken at night before bed and work through the night, your body will need to eliminate after you awake. If you start on the weekend, you can determine how your body reacts to the 15-Day Gut Cleanse.
How To Maintain Gut Health
Once you’ve finished your cleanse, it’s important to maintain a healthy, organic diet. Eat foods that naturally cleanse your gut, including organic fruits and vegetables, healthy nuts and beans, and plenty of purified water. Avoiding tap water and eliminating alcohol from your diet is also encouraged.
Another way to maintain your intestinal tract is by using the same serving size you used during your cleanse. Taking this serving once or twice a week will keep everything moving smoothly.
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- Shanahan F. "The colonic microbiota and colonic disease." Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2012;14(5), 446-52. Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.
- "Bile Duct Diseases." Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. harvard.edu. Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.
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- "Information summary and recommendations: colon hydrotherapist." Sunrise Review. Washington State Department of Health. Jan. 2009.
- Istre GR, et al. "An Outbreak of Amebiasis Spread by Colonic Irrigation at a Chiropractic Clinic." N Engl J Med 1982; 307, 339-342.
- "Taking care of your bowels - the basics." University of Washington School of Medicine. washington.edu. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.
- Margolin KA, Green MR. "Polymicrobial enteric septicemia from coffee enemas." West J Med. 1984; 140(3): 460.
- Keum B, et al. "Proctocolitis caused by coffee enemas." Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(1), 229-30.
- Citronberg, et al. "A Prospective Study of the Effect of Bowel Movement Frequency, Constipation, and Laxative Use on Colorectal Cancer Risk." Am J Gastroenterol. 2014; 109, 1640–1649.
- McKay D, et al. "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.)" Phytother Res. 2006;20(8), 619-33. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.
- Serban C, et al. "Effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." J Hypertens. 2015;33(6), 1119-27. Accessed 14 Dec. 2017.
- FDA. "Laxative drug products for over-the-counter human use; psyllium ingredients in granular dosage forms. Final rule." Fed Regist. 2007; 29;72(60):14669-74. Accessed 29 Mar 2018.
- "Sodium phosphate rectal." U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. medlineplus.gov. 15 Feb. 2017. Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.