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How Often Do You Need a Colon Cleanse?
© Neva J Howell, All Rights Reserved
Question on healing: How do you know what type of detoxing you need? There are detoxes for parasites, colon, liver, etc. Does a person need all of them?
Healing Facilitation Response: Yes, I agree that the choice of cleanses out there can be quite daunting. I have taken cleanses for every system of the body at different times in my life. In addition, I routinely do colon and liver cleanses a couple of times a year, whether I think I need them or not. However, that's me. I self-treat and have for years so I'm willing to take responsibility for making those choices.
If you have any type of medically diagnosed problem involving the colon, liver, blood, kidneys, or immune system, you should always check with your doctor before going on any type of cleanse.
Assessing your need for a blood or liver cleanse or a detox for yeast overgrowth: Without medical testing, one could not definitively say if the blood or liver needed detoxing. However, most who feel fatigued, sick, run down, no energy, etc... for no reason (medical problems should, of course, be ruled out) feel better after a cleanse addressing both those important areas.
It can also be challenging to diagnose cases of candida, or systemic yeast, without medical testing but if the symptoms are there, a cleanse may be benefical. The symptoms of candida infection including having a strange taste in your mouth when you eat sweet foods, frequent yeast infections, food allergies, a burning pain in your throat or your mouth, chemical sensitivities, thrush, chronic fatique, problems with concentration, menstrual problems, and more.
Assessing your need for Heavy Metals cleansing: An accumulation of heavy metals in the body is another reason many people cleanse. Heavy metal levels can be tested medically and you should be tested if you feel heavy metal toxicity could be present.
Who is at high risk for heavy metals poisoning? If you've worked in atmospheres with chemicals, such as in at a service station, in a beauty salon, or as a painter, you may have heavy metal poisoning.
If you've worked in construction work for any length of time, I'd just about bet you've been exposed to heavy metals in welding, sanding, painting, or other situations. Good idea to cleanse regularly if working in any type of industrial or automotive industry.
If you have one or more dental amalgams (fillings), you may be at risk for mercury poisoning.
A word of caution: When doing heavy metal cleanses and body detox programs aimed specifically at cleansing heavy metals, it is vital to do this in a way that supports your immune system and replenishes minerals that will be flushed out with a cleanse, along with harmful heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.
Please do your research before undertaking a heavy metal cleanse, do things to boost your immune system before and during a heavy metal cleanse and be sure to take a mineral supplement daily to replace lost minerals from the cleanse.
Drinking more water is also vital when doing this type of cleanse, as well as making sure your bowels are moving on a regular basis to assist with heavy metal detoxing.
Mercury is released primarily through the bowel so you must have good elimination during a cleanse for it to be effective. I personally use this Total Body System Cleanse because it is so comprehensive and covers all the bases for a really good cleanse.
In detoxing as in all healthcare choices, monitor your body response and do not continue any cleanse if you become ill or feel you are having adverse affects beyond normal detox symptoms of temporary fatique and flu-like symptoms.
Learn more about detoxing heavy metals:
Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning
Heavy Metals - Aluminum * Heavy Metals - Arsenic * Heavy Metals - Copper
Assessing your need for a colon cleanse: The colon is rather easy to self-assess. You know whether you often feel bloated or sluggish after meals. You know if you are constipated or not.
One note on constipation.....Among most practitioners within the holistic health community, a person who experiences less than 2-3 softly formed and effortlessly eliminated bowel movements per day would be considered to have below-optimal eliminatory function.
In the medical profession, the definition of constipation is far less strict. Some doctors will say one movement a day is normal. Others will even say it's ok to go a day or two without a movement. I even had one lady tell me that her doctor said it was ok that she only went once a week. I found that astonishing.
Assessing your need for a colon cleanse include a decrease in motor skills and balance. If you notice yourself becoming more clumsy, and it lasts over time, suspect heavy metals.
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Detoxing and Internal Cleansing Health Disclaimer: The holistic health care information contained in this body detox article is not intended to replace other medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals. Any action taken based on the contents found in this or any educational health information provided is at the sole discretion of the reader.
If you suspect you may have heavy metal poisoning, get the proper tests to find out what metals are involved and their concentration in your body. If you have colon problems such as IBS, colitis, diverticulitis or Krohn's Disease, please consult with your doctor before undertaking a colon cleanse or detox.