Starting the day with a steaming cup of coffee may be the normal routine of many of you! Most of you might go through additional cuppas all through the day to sail through the professional stresses. Probably, you are not aware of the ill effects of caffeine on the human body!

A dependence on the caffeine either through coffee or drugs may lead to the caffeine intoxication. The common symptoms of caffeine intoxication are:
Faster heart beats, occasional headache, stomach upset, increased level of cholesterol, heart burn, insomnia and many more. These are the situations when you need to follow a caffeine detox diet.

If you are seriously considering a caffeine detox, your goal should be to get completely rid of the addiction. Here is a step by step guide for relieving your body of caffeine toxins.
– The first thing that you should remember with regard to caffeine detox is: your body should be adequately supplied with essential nutrients during the detox program when body is releasing the toxins.
– The key to get rid of caffeine intoxication is following an alkaline diet. The intake of the foods causing acid like meat or sugar should be gradually reduced. Also avoidance of such foods as refined foods and baked foods will speed up the detox process.
– An ideal caffeine detox diet consists of fresh fruits, vegetable salads, soups, greens, seaweed, corn, whole grains-cooked and sprouted, soy products, and some nuts and seeds.
– You have to complement the diet by drinking at least six to eight glasses of filtered water every day. From time to time sip mineral waters. Consume baking soda or, potassium bicarbonate tablets, to enhance the alkaline effect.
– Vitamin C supplementation is a must for caffeine detox diet. It also eases out the withdrawal symptoms and supports the adrenals. They also provide you an anti-stress protection. So a caffeine detox program must be replete with several grams of vitamin C along with minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
– In order to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms, intake of vitamin B complex with extra pantothenic acid is highly recommended.
– A caffeine detoxification, program should be stretched over a period of one week or two. This will help in avoiding extreme withdrawal symptoms.

As you shift from caffeinated beverages, you can include a number of herbal substitutes to give you a stimulating and refreshing boost. You can consider drinking the tea made of roasted herbal roots like barley, chicory, and dandelion, which will nourish your body in addition of boosting up your spirit. Herbal teas prepared with lemon grass, peppermint, ginger root, red clover, and comfrey are also good energizing alternatives to caffeinated beverages.

Thank god, there are variety of such products that come to your help in cleansing your system at the times when the toxin level touches the mark of danger. How do you know that it is the times to take assistance of these detox aids? Well, there are times when you start putting up weight without any explanation, start donning dark circles under your eyes that scare away everybody from you, or you feel so drained out all day long that you hardly find out any interest in carrying out the everyday chores.

These were few symptoms of rising toxin level in the body. Here are brief descriptions of some of the most effective detox aids that would help you to gain back the health and vitality.

The detoxification aids are nothing but a range of herbal supplements and variety of other ‘nutraceuticals’ and functional foods.

Milk thistle is probably the most popular detox aid in the recent times. It is a kind of herbal supplement. The product contains a useful chemical element called silymarin. Silymarin is traditionally believed to enhance the liver functions and thus consumption of milk thistle boosts up natural detoxification function of the body.

Another popular detox aid comes in the forms of Pre- and probiotics. These products are believed to enhance the activities of gut bacteria, one of the friendly bacteria that take part in the body’s elimination process. The probiotics are found in huge amount in the food supplements as well as in the ‘live’ or ‘bio’ yoghurts. The probiotics are in the nature of live bacteria themselves and they help the other helpful bacteria flourish in the body and prevent the growth of the harmful bacteria. As a result the body’s elimination process works smoothly.

Use of artificial purgative practices and consumption of laxatives are other popular forms of detoxification. The colonic irrigation is increasingly becoming popular as the safest and most effective way of getting rid of the toxic substances from the body. The laxatives containing wheat bran has always been regarded as a simple but effective way of regular expulsion of toxin from the body.

Once you get back a clean inside with the help of detox- aids, stick to a balanced high fiber diet; this will help your body to resume and continue with its natural detoxification functions and you will not require undergoing any detox regimen in future.

However, there has been a renewed interest in colon cleansing in the recent years as the number of colon related ailments have seen a steady rise. This can be attributed to our lifestyle where most of our diet consists of high processed foods and there is very little time for us to exercise. All these factors have compounded to make the colon unhealthy. So many practitioners of alternative medicine are advocating the efficacy of colon cleansing. Although not accepted by a large section of practitioners of conventional medicine, there is a sizeable portion of the same community which finds merit in the process of colon cleansing. And the colon cleansing industry has recently got a big boost from the Food and Drug Administration of the United States.

The FDA has recently provided formal approval to the colon hydrotherapy device developed by Prime Pacific Health Innovations Corporation. They are a manufacturer that deals exclusively in Colon Hydrotherapy, Colon irrigation, Colonics, Home Colonics or High enema equipment. The model that has received this approval is the AQUANET EC-2000 model.

This model is a result of the continuous research and development that the company had invested its resources in. this device is much more advanced than the conventional colon hydrotherapy devices which were in use till date.

The AQUANET EC-2000 model employs a highly sophisticated technology. The technology helps it to work in a gentle gravity flow mode at any time during a colon hydrotherapy treatment. Again when required it can be switched to pressurized mode as per the requirements of the patient, his sensitivity and how much he can tolerate. Of the various other new features, the AQUANET EC-2000 includes newly introduced safety components that would make the therapist and the patient much more confident about the entire process. The AQUANET EC-2000 colon hydrotherapy device also comes with a new advanced disinfecting system and a water purification unit.

Through time, most renowned practitioners of alternative medicine have claimed that an unclean colon is the most dominant cause of all kinds of diseases. Without regular and proper bowl movements, the waste material that is supposed to be driven out of the body remains inside. They in turn produce toxins which are slowly absorbed by other parts of the body including the organs. This in no way can be something good for the body. In fact the toxic waste can severely affect our health.

The concept of cleansing the colon has been there for sometime now. In fact if we go back in time, the very first mention of colon cleansing can be traced as far back as the Egyptian civilization. In fact the Egyptians believed that the root of all physical ailments can be traced back to the colon. So, most of the treatment that they practiced was targeted in getting the colon work properly.

It is therefore necessary to maintain a clean colon. The ideal way to tackle an unclean colon is to go for a colon cleansing. There are several methods available to us these days which can ensure that our colon is cleansed properly. These would include:
– Colon hydrotherapy – Colon cleansing herbs – Oxygen-based colon cleansing laxatives – Regular laxatives practiced in conventional medicine

Once you have got your colon cleansed the next step would be to alter your regular diet. The normal diet we have is full of processed foods. So what we miss out on is fiber. Fiber actually helps to clean our system. Without enough of it, our bowels never quite become clear. So we must increase our fiber intake. It should be anything between 25-30 grams everyday. It can be either consumed dissolved in water or with your food.

Water is another critical element in getting your colon clean. There is a simple method to calculate how much water you need for your body. Whatever your weight be in pounds drink half of it in ounces. So if you weigh 200 pounds, then drink 100 ounces of water which would be approximately 2.5 liters.

Colon cleansing not only ensures a better chance of you to avoid colon cancers but also other diseases like the Crohn’s Disease and Diverticulitis.

All across America people are waking up to the fact that the number of cases of colon-rectal cancer is growing at an alarming rate. In fact the problem is most acute in United States than anywhere else in the world. The cause for that can be attributed to various factors the chief being the lifestyle and eating habits of the Americans. With a diet that is chiefly based on high processed food the fiber content is almost nil. With no roughage, bowel movements are bound to become irregular.

The first step towards colon cleansing is to alter your regular diet. The normal diet we have is full of processed foods. So what we miss out on is fiber. Fiber actually helps to clean our system. Without enough of it, our bowels never quite become clear. So we must increase our fiber intake. It should be anything between 25-30 grams everyday. It can be either consumed dissolved in water or with your food.

Water is another critical element in getting your colon clean. You can calculate how much water you need for your body by following a simple method. Whatever your weight be in pounds drink half of it in ounces. So if you weigh 150 pounds, then drink 75 ounces of water which would be approximately 2 liters. However, you can always drink more water, and there would be no harm whatsoever.

You can also use a herbal colon cleanse which is a natural form of laxative. There are several herbs which can facilitate the removal of waste material from your body. These would include cascara sagrada bark, aloe vera leaf, fenugreek seed, etc. These ingredients are also found in the herbal formulas that are being sold in drug store and health food stores.

There is one more kind of colon cleanser. A high quality oxygen based colon cleanser is available in the market today. It consists of oxides and peroxides of magnesium. Theses oxides and peroxides are pressurized with oxygen. When taken the chemical will release oxygen inside out digestive tract where the oxygen reacts with the hydrochloric acid that is present in our stomach.

Using herbal colon cleansers is a relatively safe method but one should not continue with it more than required. Even if someone thinks that the herbs haven’t had their full effect, still no one should have the herbs continuously for more than a week. These are generally very potent substances and results begin to show in less than 6 to 12 hours. But it is because they are so potent that they also have serious side effects and should be discontinued after a short period. If someone is already under medication it would be wise first to consult his physician to know whether he can have the herbs in conjunction with the medicines he already is having. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not be allowed to take the herbs.

One would ask what would be the importance of having their colon cleansed at regular intervals. The answer is it would help you stay away from several ailments like indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, body odor, acne, mucus colitis, gas, fatigue, obesity etc. That is a whole lot of problems being solved just by having a clean colon. When the colon gets filled with toxic waste material, all these problems begin cropping up.

So when would you need a colon cleansing? Doctors would tell you that having irregular bowel movements can be normal, and though humans are supposed to have one bowel movement every day it is not uncommon for them to have one in two or even three days. But those who have gone through sever bouts of constipation would tend to disagree. The time for having a colon cleansed is when you feel uncomfortable and notice that your bowel movements have got irregular.

With a clean bowel you will feel rejuvenated, your skin will become clearer and have a glow in it, you will be able to concentrate better on things and your body will be able to better absorb the vitamins and minerals from the food you have.

First the patient has to lie on a table in the fetal position. While he is in this position the therapist will insert a plastic tube trough the anus. After the tube has been inserted properly the patient is asked to roll over gently without disturbing the tube. Then purified water is pumped through the tube into the patient’s colon. If you are going for this therapy, you might feel a bit weird. The uncomfortable sensation increases as the pressure of the water flow builds. And the strange feeling recedes only when the pumping of the water is stopped.

As the patient lies on the table with his knees bent he can actually see all the stuff that comes out from his colon through the transparent tube. In fact all the waste is then transferred through another larger clear tube which is illuminated so that the therapist can inspect the floating material more clearly.

As the stuff comes out of the patient’s colon, the therapist massages his colon sometimes by pressing and at other times pulling near his lower abdomen area. This is done so that all the waste matter that has been accumulated inside the colon is released. The massage is generally repeated thrice during a session.

Each session generally lasts for something around 45 minutes to an hour. Once the tube is removed from the patient’s body he is advised to spend some time in the toilet to see if any extra fluid is left to be removed.

If you are planning to go for a colon cleansing program make sure that you have no important work lined up after the first day’s session. This is because generally it has been seen that cleansing the colon for the first time can be quite taxing on the body. So one should actually keep aside the following day to take rest and recover from the effects of the therapy. However subsequent sessions generally don’t make you feel so tired. It is just the first time round that you face such issues.

To induce bowel movements and thereby clean the colon there are some who prescribe various kinds of medical herbs. Touted as alternatives to commercial laxatives there are genuine risks attached to having such herbs. Some of the most popular colon cleanse herbs are cascara sagrada, rhubarb, senna, etc. All these herbs contain substances called anthraquinones. These are the key substances responsible for the laxative effects of the herbs. But they also come with side effects.

We will list a few of the side effects of having such herbs:

-Severe muscle contractions in the abdomen leading to unbearable cramping and gripping pain in the abdominal region
-An electrolyte imbalance in the body because of loss of potassium. There is also a lot of loss of body fluid
-Nausea
-Diarrhea with blood
-Rashes
-If used over a long period of time a condition called the melanosis coli may develop which leads to a dark pigmentation of the colon.
-If someone is under medication for some heart ailment then these herbs can be harmful for the person
-No pregnant woman or nursing mothers should ever take these sort of laxatives. Even children should not use these herbs
-These herbs have been cited as potential causes for liver toxicity, kidney impairment, hepatitis, heightened risk of adenoma or colorectal growths and cancer.

The best option for colon cleansing is to regulate your diet. Increase fiber intake and that would ensure that more roughage goes into your body. Consequently bowel movements should be more regular. Although the results may take time to show, but it is a much safer path.

To induce bowel movements and thereby clean the colon there are some who prescribe various kinds of medical herbs. Touted as alternatives to commercial laxatives there are genuine risks attached to having such herbs. Some of the most popular colon cleanse herbs are cascara sagrada, rhubarb, senna, etc. All these herbs contain substances called anthraquinones. These are the key substances responsible for the laxative effects of the herbs. But they also come with side effects.

If however you have already tried the herbs and are now experiencing the side effects, then you should immediately discontinue taking them.

Juice Fasting

It is better to practice juice fasting than simple fasting to get your colon in proper shape. Vegetables and fruits contain a lot of fiber in them and this helps in bowel movements. Since you are not consuming anything else there is nothing additional that gets deposited. However consuming entire fruits and vegetables would not be a nice idea as the fibers in that form can be harder to digest. When you take them in the form of a juice you are much likely to yield better results. Also the fact that since most fruits and vegetables have high nutritional value, your body will not be deprived of energy to work which would have been the case if it was a complete fast.

Enema

In enema what you do is to flush out excess amount of waste that has accumulated in your stomach with water. The kits for enema are available in the market and you can bring one home for your own purpose. If you are using the enema kit for the first time you may feel cramps in your stomach. Do not worry about this. It is simply because the hard waste that has accumulated for so many days is being removed.

Laxatives

There are many laxatives available but you need to have the prescription of a practicing physician to buy them. If you don’t have a prescription you can always opt for the herbal alternatives which are widely available across drug stores and health food stores. These laxatives are very potent and yield results in half a day. But you may need to be at home for a couple of days as you might need to go to the toile quite often.

Colon cleansing is not something new and its roots can be traced back to as far as the Egyptian civilization when colon was thought to be the cause of all ailments. The idea was pretty much in vogue even during Restoration England. There has been a renewed interest in colon cleansing in the recent years. Colon cleansing is performed to keep the colon completely free of any toxic substances. It is also ensured that the colon retains its proper shape and size and can function at its optimal levels.

These laxatives should be consumed in moderate doses and one must see that he doesn’t develop a dependency for the drug as extensive use of it can cause severe side effects.

The colon cleanse herbs and the herbal laxatives claim to be harmless and position themselves as alternatives to commercial laxatives. The bone of contention is that whether they are justified in their claims.

It is a fact that most of the popular colon cleanse herbs do contain substances which fall under the category of anthraquinones. These would include cascara sagrada, rhubarb, and senna. That the herbs have laxative effects can be attributed to the presence of the anthraquinone substances. But at the same time they are also source for several other side effects. Here, we provide a list of some of the side effects that you can face after the consumption of a colon cleanse herb or herbal laxatives.

Muscle contractions in the stomach region leading to strong and acute pains. The pain is cramping and gripping in nature.

Balance of electrolyte inside our body getting disturbed due to loss of potassium and body fluids.

Nausea accompanied by diarrhea and occasionally rashes.

If the herbs are used over a period of time then there can be a dark pigmentation of the colon. This is called melanosis coli.

Herbs taken may actually not suit well with any heart medication the individual is taking.

Pregnant or nursing women and children should never use laxatives.

So we can well imagine what kind of risks one is taking in going for a colon cleansing herb. It should not be tried until absolutely necessary. One should also take care to inform his physician about the new herb so that he can prescribe his medications accordingly. So the final word would be, be sure if you really need any herbal laxative.