about colonics. I am of the opinion that KP and other skin problems are likely due to underlying problems, like lack of something, too much of something, toxins, something like that. The more I read about internal cleansing the more I think I am willing to give it a try. Any thoughts? Anyone ever do it? I know it is an unpleasant thing but this KP stuff is too.

COLONICS********
Autointoxication, or "self poisoning" occurs when the colon is clogged. Colon cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US. Leading health practitioners consider autointoxication to be the underlying reason for ALL DISEASE.

The symptoms of autointoxication are: * Tension * Irritability * Craving for food * Bad Breath
* Fatigue * Nervousness * Anxiety and worry * Swelling of legs
* Allergies * Nausea * Insomnia * Asthma
* Indigestion * Depression * Abdominal discomfort * Poor Appetite
* Headaches * Overweight * Menstrual problems * Loss of memory
* Backache * Hemorrhoids * Lack of sexual response * SKIN PROBLEMS
* Colds/Flu * Acne/Pimples

Are you talking about at-home stuff? Like the colon cleansing kits? Or actually going to someone? I think even if it doesn't help KP, things like that can benefit everyone. I read in a magazine about a liquid fast that lasted 2 days I think, and cleansed your body. I thought about doing it, but the only time I would want to is on the weekends, and that's when I always always always pig out.

I was actually thinking of going for the treatment. I have been reading up on it and have found a lot of articles saying pretty much what JNally is saying here. There are different ways to accomplish the same thing...supplements, fasting, colonic treatment. It seems to me that a combination of all three would make the most sense.

I was told of a friend of a friend who did a 9 day cleanse. 3 days of only brown rice and veggies, followed by 3 days of only apple juice with some kind of powder in it, followed by 3 days of brown rice and veggies again. She lost 30 lbs in 9 days! I don't know if she had any improvement in her skin but she feels great. I don't know if she had any skin problems to begin with.

I could do the brown rice and veggies days but I would have a hard time with the liquid only days. And I have to wonder if much of her weight loss was muscle since she had no protein for 9 days.

Wow, do you lose muscle that quickly? That's quite a bit in 9 days- she must have had a lot of water retention as well. I think the gradual fasting probably helped a bit as well, since if go from eating to strictly not eating, your body will try to store fat for a couple of days before losing it, whereas just radically reducing your intake doesn't shock your body quite as much and there's a little more to burn. I could probably do it that way, but the thought of a week without any solid food scares me. I was looking at fasting/cleansing plans today and saw a lot of these.

You're probably right, it is probably some water. Maybe some muscle and some fat and some of the icky stuff that we supposedly, according to the cleansing advocates, (and I believe it) have stored in our colons. They say anywhere from 5-25 lbs. Can you imagine???

I am thinking of going to a nutritionist to figure out which way to go but I think it is worth a try for my skin and also to jump start some weight loss.

Is it covered under insurance? Not that I have any anyways, LOL. I wonder how expensive it is. I would love to do that because my eating habits are just terrible and I've always had digestive problems and I know I would benefit a lot from a good cleansing. Keep us updated on everything. I'm not squeamish at all, but if you don't feel like sharing that's ok. I would love to know what you find out, though!

My friend had his colonic covered but his chiropractor arranged it and it was considered a chiro appt. I don't go to a chiro and even if I did I doubt such strings would be pulled. My friend is lucky I think.

Actually, I think that any weight loss treatment can be tax deductible if your primary care doc recommends that you lose a certain % of your weight. I forgot to check into that last year since I did have a gym membership and weight watchers membership. But it doesn't sound like you have a weight issue (judging my your user name

I'll let you know what I decide to do and if it helps my skin!!

Not sure why people seem to think that the old treatment of colonics has benefits. Your entire intestinal lining sloughs off on a regular basis and everything is moved through with the normal movement of the intestines called peristalisis. The colonic only affects the lower portion of the bowel. That area is very important to maintain water balance and manufacture vitamin K and to absorb fat soluable vitamins. To keep irritating it with things that "clean you out" why? what proof is there other than "claims"? Your body makes mucous that washes off the lining just like in your nose.

Some people have emotional issues and they actually get some psychological reward for stimulating the lower bowel. Don't get me wrong, having a bowel movement is certainly known to give pleasure from a relief. But don't mix up the placebo effect and psychological reward as fact for treatment.

Colonics can be dangerous. You can over do it and have problems with loss of Vitamin K resulting in bleeding disorders. You can also absorb some of those irritants into your blood stream and have a bad reaction. Somethings get absorbed as fast from the lower intestine as fast as having an injection into the muscle.

Just be careful how you treat your body.

I agree with Lasernurse. I came upon this abstract for a journal article. It appears to highlight the current scientific opinion concerning colonic irrigation. I'm sceptical of blaming 'toxins' (whatever they are) for our condition, which is in reality an overproduction of keratin. Sorry to be dismissive, but the procedure can be dangerous and is unlikely to help.


(J Clin Gastroenterol. 1997 Jun;24(4):196-8.)

Colonic irrigation and the theory of autointoxication: a triumph of ignorance over science.

Ernst E.

"Autointoxication is an ancient theory based on the belief that intestinal waste products can poison the body and are a major contributor to many, if not all, diseases. In the 19th century, it was the ruling doctrine of medicine and led "colonic quackery" in various guises. By the turn of the century, it had received some apparent backing from science. When it became clear that the scientific rationale was wrong and colonic irrigation was not merely useless but potentially dangerous, it was exposed as quackery and subsequently went into a decline. Today we are witnessing a resurgence of colonic irrigation based on little less than the old bogus claims and the impressive power of vested interests. Even today's experts on colonic irrigation can only provide theories and anecdotes in its support. It seems, therefore, that ignorance is celebrating a triumph over science."

I just found this article:

http://www.ncahf.org/pp/colonic.html

Doesn't bode well for CI. I tt have diffculty seeing how we can blame toxins for overproduction of keratin.

Anywa, have read of the article and see what you think.

Best wishes

CB