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The Urge to Purge

"Purge" comes from the Latin purgare, to cleanse, and so does Purgatory—the realm (in Roman Catholic theology) where sins are purged away before the soul enters Heaven. The idea that stagnation and decay in the colon produce toxins that poison the body is an ancient one, sometimes called "auto-intoxication," and down through the ages people have used strong laxatives, enemas, and other colon "cleansing" practices as cures for almost every medical complaint, as well as for spiritual benefits. But these ideas and practices have long ago been discredited. Colon cleansing is now recommended for a few medical tests, such as a colonoscopy—for which you fast and take strong laxatives. That is all most people want know about colon cleansing.

Still, the fear of "auto-intoxication" is real for some people. While colonic irrigation "parlors" were at one time held in low esteem, the Internet has given them new life. The most casual online search will reveal dozens of clinics listed state by state, as well as sites selling expensive home kits or inviting you into Internet support groups. Celebrity endorsements abound.

Colonic irrigation is also known as "hydrotherapy." It involves inserting a tube into the rectum and far into the colon and pumping in large quantities of water, in successive doses or continuously. This is very different from a standard enema. The water usually contains various additives, such as soapsuds, herbs, coffee, coffee grounds, and a whole list of other potentially irritating substances. Treatments cost about $60 each, and you’ll be told that one is not enough. You may also be told to take frequent enemas at home, using a variety of substances.

Colonic irrigation is touted as a treatment for constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, a cure for acne and splotchy skin, the magic path to weight loss as followed by Hollywood stars, and a means of ridding your body of harmful environmental pollutants.

Particularly disturbing are wild claims that colonic irrigation will prevent colon cancer or cure all sorts of cancers. It does this, supposedly, by preventing constipation. But no connection between constipation and cancer has ever been shown. This does not stop most promoters of colonic irrigation from stating or strongly implying the contrary. Some practitioners also do hair analysis, which they claim will reveal the presence of heavy metals in your body (hair analysis is highly inaccurate). Some refer to themselves as "clinical ecologists"—there is no such medical specialty.

Be kind to your colon

It simply is not true that your colon is filled with toxic fecal matter that you cannot get rid of except by enemas or irrigation. Even if you had high levels of heavy metals such as lead or mercury in your body, colonic irrigation and enemas would not rid you of them. Fecal matter is not rife with toxins; it is indeed populated by bacteria, some of which are actually beneficial. Your digestive system is wonderfully efficient at cleansing itself and ridding the body of waste. That’s one of its chief purposes, and other systems (the kidneys, liver, lungs, sweat glands) help, too. It is odd that so many purveyors of "natural" medicine fail to credit the natural processes of the body.

Your large intestine is not the cause of skin problems, headaches, or other symptoms. If you are constipated, eat a diet high in fiber, drink plenty of fluids, and get regular exercise. If you worry about toxins, don’t smoke—tobacco smoke is the worst bodily pollutant. A good diet and exercise, not colonic irrigation, will help keep your colon clean and healthy.

UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, January 2010