Noel Berg

I know a few people who are really into the Colon Cleanse fad. They are always talking about how great they think the products are that will move the digested food through the body faster. They are talking about how doing that will improve your health, and help you lose weight.  They are always encouraging me to try their favorite product, insisting that I will be happier and healthier.  I try to be polite, but I really am not interested in trying anything that is going to have me spend any more time sitting on the hopper than I already do!

From what I understand, the human body has developed over the years to process nutrients a certain way.  Most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients into the human body is actually done in the intestines, not the stomach.  As the food moves through the intestines, the nutrients are absorbed.  If you move the food faster through the intestines, fewer nutrients are absorbed.  Now if all you are eating is garbage and you don’t WANT the nutrients that you ate absorbed, then having it move quickly would be a good thing.  However, if you eat healthy food, then you really don’t NEED it moving out quicker.  If you are already healthy, then your body is doing the right thing.  If your body is ill, then consulting a doctor is appropriate.  But just taking a colon cleanser without a REAL medical need seems pretty silly to me.