I have noticed this trend myself. It seems like colon cleansing is a hot topic in weight loss lately. I have even seen that many weight loss brands have gotten on board with this trend and promote a “kick start” to your weight loss program by starting with a 7 day or even 14 day cleanse or detox. These products suggest that starting your weight loss program with a “cleanse” will increase the effectiveness of your weight loss efforts. This cleanse may come in the form of pills, a liquid or even a tea. These products often contain the herbs senna or psyllium that induce Intestinal “cleansing” by producing multiple bowel movements. Sure, you probably will weigh less after spending the good part of 7 days on the toilet but don’t let this number fool you. There is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that intestinal cleansing promotes fat loss. So while you may weigh less after your “cleanse” is complete, what you have really lost is a whole lot of water! And don’t be surprised if after your cleanse, you experience abdominal bloating and constipation. In response to losing all that water and waste material, it might be days before you visit the toilet again! Colon cleansing can be very dangerous. Many people report feeling dizzy, nauseated, weak and lethargic during a colon cleanse. On top of flushing all those precious electrolytes down the toilet every hour, the body will also rid itself of good bacteria which can lead to infection and illness.

It is much safer to try a clean diet to cleanse and detoxify your body. You can do this by eating more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains and eating less processed foods, fried foods and hard to digest red meat. The fiber naturally occurring in fresh produce and whole grains will aid your digestion and you will find all kinds of health benefits without the inconvenience of going number 2 every 10 minutes! Here are some tips to help you cleanse in a safe and healthy way!

Femme Phorm Tips for a Healthy Colon

1. Increase your water intake (see my blog about water intake here). Drinking lots of water helps to lubricate your intestines and naturally flushes toxins and waste out of your body.
2. Increase your intake of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of the fruits and veggies with the highest fiber counts are: raspberries, broccoli, peas, apples, cauliflower and apricots.
3. There are many unexpected foods that have high fiber counts. Split peas, almonds, lentils and beans contain a lot of fiber and you hardly notice them when you add them to a stir fry or salad. What an easy way to add fiber to your meal plan!
4. Supplement your diet with fiber: if you are a male, you should aim for 30-38 grams a day and women should try for 21-25 grams (per American Dietetics Association recommendations). If you don’t get enough fiber in the foods you eat, you can supplement with an over the counter fiber supplement like Benefiber or Metamucil.
5. Get regular exercise: on top of making you look and feel great, regular cardiovascular exercise will promote regularity. I recommend at least 30-45 minutes of cardiovascular activity 4-5 times a week MINIMUM!

I hope you find my tips helpful! I’m always interested in hearing your feedback and answering your fitness and nutrition tips. You can email me at Gillian.Risebury@1stphorm.com.

Until next time, happy training, Femme Phorm readers!

Gillian

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