The colon is the part of the large intestine that is located in the abdomen and lies in the last part of the digestive tract.

It is an extremely important organ as it performs a number of vital functions, including the digestive process involving the absorption of water with soluble nutrients as well as the synthesis of certain vitamins.

The colon is an important part of the excretory system and is responsible for the elimination of food and other body wastes. In addition, it protects us from infections and diseases.

In normal colon functioning, all this is achieved with the help of billions of bacteria that inhabit the weight of our fecal waste.

However, the delicate balance of this internal ecosystem can be easily altered by a number of factors that negatively include stress, pollution, poor diet, sugary drinks, certain medications, tobacco and exposure to toxic substances.

Colon hydrotherapy is one of the most important treatment methods available for numerous health problems. Many experts believe that the disease begins in the colon. To have optimum health of the colon, it must be operating at full capacity.

The colon along with the kidneys, lungs and skin are responsible for removing wastes from the body. Over time, the colon may lose its ability to properly flush all the waste in the gastrointestinal tract due to the combination of poor diet and lifestyle.

Introduction To Colon Hydrotherapy

The colon hydrotherapy is a gentle treatment during which a certain amount of hot water is introduced into the rectum with special speculum (an apparatus to insert into vagina or similar part). Each treatment session lasts about 45-60 minutes.

Once the speculum is inserted into the rectum, warm water flows smoothly into the rectum and travels further to the colon, or large intestine. The patient is temporarily filled with a certain volume of water to individual tolerance. This induces peristaltic contractions in the colon, and the patient will begin to expel the fecal matter through the hose inserted in the rectum that leads back to the machine through a transparent plastic tube.

It is very interesting to see what is expelled during a normal colon hydrotherapy treatment. One can see mucous parasites and very old stink material (known for its dark black color) through this tube.

While the patient is being treated, the therapist can perform light massages on various parts of the abdomen to help loosen and detach the areas of fecal impaction. It is very important that the therapist uses appropriate amounts of water. If the therapist uses too much water, treatment can be uncomfortable or painful and can lead to negative results. If this therapy is performed correctly, it should not be painful or uncomfortable.

At the end of therapy, people experience a pleasant feeling of lightness. Many of them actually lose some weight during treatment, like many kilos of waste material accumulated in the gut. Only one colon hydrotherapy session is equivalent to having 20 to 30 regular bowel movements.

Benefits Of Colon Hydrotherapy

• Strengthens the immune system
• Improves metabolism and helps in the absorption of nutrients
• Helps with weight loss by eliminating toxic build-up
• You can lose between 2 and 4 kilos of waste after 1 session
• Pressure is relieved on the abdominal organs, which reduces pain and discomfort in this area.
• Increase blood flow from the lower extremities and the pelvic region.
• Improves circulation and digestive problems without the help of prescribed medications.
• Tones the abdomen
• Maximizes the functions of the large intestine, lymph and nervous system
• Eliminates parasites / worms
• It can act as a preventive measure against cancer, especially colon cancer.
• Improves mental clarity and rejuvenation by removing toxic material, which causes premature aging.
• Loss of volume and lightness of weight in people and weight gain in thin people for a better assimilation of nutrients.
• Prevention of infectious diseases by improving the immune system.
• Decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Disadvantages

As there are advantages, there are also drawbacks and one is that "good" bacteria or microorganisms could be expelled along with bad bacteria. Good bacteria are useful because they are important for good digestion as well as helping the internal organs, such as the liver and kidneys, to function properly. However, these helpful bacteria that have been lost can be recovered by taking probiotic supplements before and after colon hydrotherapy.

People with conditions, such as colitis, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, are not qualified to undergo colon hydrotherapy. People with Chron's disease and tumors in the rectum and colon are also not indicated to undergo this type of therapy.

Colon hydrotherapy should always be performed and supervised by a physician specializing in natural and complementary medicine that discards certain pathologies not indicated for this treatment to be a safe and harmless technique.

How Much Weight Can You Lose With Colon Hydrotherapy?

If you opt for a colon hydrotherapy (colon cleansing), the amount of weight lost varies for each particular person because it depends on the wastes that are in the intestinal tract.

All hydrotherapy classes stimulate expulsion of stool from the colon; for that reason the amount of pounds you lose depends mainly on the waste generated by your body. With these therapies you also eliminate the fluids, which can be the cause of some extra pounds in your body by the retention of fluids.

Waste Of Your Body

An average bowel movement weighs about 450 g, equivalent to 1 pound. With colon hydrotherapy, you can expect to lose at least that amount of weight. However, some proponents of colon hydrotherapies claim that the intestinal tract carries between 10 and 15 pounds (4.50 to 7 kg) of impacted feces; If this were true, you would lose that amount of weight after each hydrotherapy session.

The colon is impacted when you suffer from long-term constipation, according to MedlinePlus, the medical information website of the National Institutes of Health. So keep in mind that especially if you have regular bowel movements, you are unlikely to get those weight losses after a colon hydrotherapy session.

Dehydration

Along with the movement of debris, you eliminate more fluids than the normal way. Colon hydrotherapy increases the rate at which waste moves through the intestinal tract. With the normal process, the walls of the intestine extract and absorb the liquid from the stools; If you accelerate the process of bowel movement, your body can not absorb as many fluids as it normally does, so the results of losing a few pounds will be greater.

Greases

Instead of focusing your attention on losing pounds (pounds), focus on the fat. Excess weight is a consequence of excess fat. Colon hydrotherapy does not reduce fat, it just removes waste from your body faster than normal; of course this has an impact on the balance, but the results are short-term. As soon as you drink fluids and ingest food, it is possible that the weight you lost returns.

Calories

The best option is to change your lifestyle. If you are overweight, it is because you are eating too much or exercising too little. To combat excess weight you should limit your calorie intake and incorporate a daily exercise routine. Both activities will help you achieve what is known as caloric deficit. You need a 3500 calorie deficit to lose one pound (450 g) of fat: If you hit a deficit of 500 calories per day, you will lose 1 pound (450 g) per week.

References

MedlinePlus; fecal impact; January 2011
MayoClinic.com; colon cleansing: is it beneficial or harmful? Michael Picco; March 2011
Harvard Health Publications: Doubtful Detoxification Practice
Reuters; everything you ever wanted to know about deposition; Teri Coles
New Colon Sweep: Does Colon Cleansing and Weight Loss Go Hand in Hand?