Colon Cleanse to Lose Weight

In recent years there has been a lot of emphasis on the impact of a colon cleanse to lose weight. While cleansing does have an effect on weight loss, it is secondary to the biological processes that are actually responsible for those pounds melting off. Some weight will, of course, be lost immediately as the intestines are flushed of built up undigested foods and fecal matter, but that is just the beginning of a sound weight loss regimen.

Cleansing for Restored Digestion

The actual reason why many people take advantage of a colon cleanse to lose weight is because of the effect it has on the digestive process. As undigested foods build up along the walls of the intestines it becomes virtually impossible for digestive enzymes to get in to break down foods being consumed, and the foods which can be broken down are not able to make it out to be utilized by the body. For a while the body can continue to function, but over time this has a significant impact on both metabolism and, in fact, the overall health of the person.

Metabolism and Weight Loss

Once the intestines have been flushed and digestion has returned to normal, the metabolic rate at which calories are burned increases considerably. Nutrients that provide fuel for metabolism are finally able to reach the mitochondrial cells where metabolism takes place. The best way to envision this is with an analogy to a fireplace. There is wood in the fireplace which needs to be burned but it can’t ignite without some sort of spark and/or lighter fluid. That is exactly what happens in the human body when there are calories (fat cells) to be burned but nothing to get the fire started.

One Common Danger in a Colon Cleanse to Lose Weight

There is a very real problem with using a colon cleanse to lose weight. Once it becomes apparent that weight is being lost due to cleansing, there is a tendency to ‘overdo it’ which can have serious consequences. Just as purging and the overuse of laxatives are prevalent in individuals with anorexia, cleansing can become a means of flushing pounds through in the hopes of avoiding weight gain. A colon cleanse to lose weight can be healthy if it is not abused. Over cleansing can be just as dangerous as allowing the colon to remain toxic because nutrients will be flushed before they can be absorbed to sustain life.

In this light, a colon cleanse to lose weight is an effective adjunct to a well rounded weight loss program but should not be the primary focus. It is effective in preparing the body to naturally burn pounds of excess fat cells, but it is not the way to take off weight over an extended period of time. Colon cleansing foods and supplements that are high in fiber can be safely utilized to keep the digestive system operating efficiently during a weight loss regimen, but a true colon cleanse to lose weight is only the beginning and should be treated as such.