Colonic irrigation, a treatment widely offered in health spas as a natural way to lose weight and detox the body, has no health benefits and can cause dangerous side effects, scientists said yesterday.
The procedure, which involves flushing the colon with water through a tube inserted in the rectum, can lead to nausea, cramping, bloating and in some extreme cases, renal failure and even death, according to a study by Georgetown University.
Dr. Ranit Mishori, the lead author and a physician at the university, said, “There can be serious consequences for those who engage in colon cleansing, whether they have the procedure done at a spa or perform it at home.”
“Colon cleansing products in the form of laxatives, teas, powders and capsules ... tout benefits that don’t exist,” she added.
The spas and clinics administering the treatment have no significant medical training, the study said.
Even the National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy does not require practitioners to have much more than a high school diploma, the researchers wrote in the Journal of Family Practice.
Mishori recommended natural ways to improve well-being, advising health-conscious people to “eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get six to eight hours of sleep and see a doctor regularly.”
Colonic irrigation can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians but was discredited by the American Medical Association early in the 20th century.
The treatment has made a comeback in recent years and has been championed by celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Love.
— NewsCore
The procedure, which involves flushing the colon with water through a tube inserted in the rectum, can lead to nausea, cramping, bloating and in some extreme cases, renal failure and even death, according to a study by Georgetown University.
Dr. Ranit Mishori, the lead author and a physician at the university, said, “There can be serious consequences for those who engage in colon cleansing, whether they have the procedure done at a spa or perform it at home.”
“Colon cleansing products in the form of laxatives, teas, powders and capsules ... tout benefits that don’t exist,” she added.
The spas and clinics administering the treatment have no significant medical training, the study said.
Even the National Board for Colon Hydrotherapy does not require practitioners to have much more than a high school diploma, the researchers wrote in the Journal of Family Practice.
Mishori recommended natural ways to improve well-being, advising health-conscious people to “eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get six to eight hours of sleep and see a doctor regularly.”
Colonic irrigation can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians but was discredited by the American Medical Association early in the 20th century.
The treatment has made a comeback in recent years and has been championed by celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Love.
— NewsCore
