Humans are really lucky to have so many internal "self-cleaning ovens." Dr. Jen Gunter, obstetrician-gynecologist and author of The Vagina Bible, has vociferously emphasized that all things related to vaginal cleansing, jade egging, steaming, spraying or deodorizing are completely unnecessary and potentially dangerous, as the vagina is what she refers to as a 'self-cleaning' oven. The bacteria present in normal vaginal flora (yes, there are supposed to be bacteria there) keep it in balance, help protect it from infections, and keep the pH where it's supposed to be. The other super powerful self-cleaning oven we have is our colon. The colon certainly has a different set of bacterial flora to keep things in balance than the vagina (or the mouth, skin, or the nose, for that matter), but the flora are there for good reason. Now also known as the intestinal microbiome, this population of trillions of bacteria helps keep the gut in check by helping with metabolism and preventing infections. What comprises a healthy intestinal microbiome has been the subject of much research in recent years. Some studies have shown that the more diverse species of bacteria present, the healthier the individual will be, especially when it comes to the elderly. Other studies have suggested that certain bacteria more robustly colonized in the gut can be associated with obesity. Diet and prior and current use of antibiotics also have an impact on the bacterial population in the gut.
One thing we do know-- these bacteria are necessary. Unless they are part of an acute infection such as bacterial gastroenteritis (due to food poisoning or contaminated water such as the recently trendy waste of money known as "raw water"), having a hefty load of bacteria colonizing your colon is a good thing. It helps keep the bad ones out, helps with metabolism, and even helps with one's immune system. And yes, the bacteria in the colon help flush out the so-called toxins to which we are exposed every day. They are why your colon is a self-cleaning oven. You do not need a colon cleanse to do this. Remember, colon bacteria are good. Colon cleansing is simply an artificial (see, it's not 'natural') means of ridding the colon of just about everything, and carries more risks than benefits. Unless you are prepping for a colonoscopy or lower gastrointestinal tract surgery, which may include drinking materials to clean you out and (in rare cases) using an enema, colon cleansing for the sake of detoxification is utter nonsense. Here's why:
- These cleanses often involve several gallons of water, with other sundries such as herbs or coffee, flushed into the colon via a tube in the rectum. The concept is to flush out the toxins. Doesn't work that way, and there have even been some deaths reported from using coffee colon enemas.
- There is no evidence that colon cleansing improves health issues such as arthritis, high blood pressure, or immune issues.
- There are real risks, including rectal and colon perforation, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and infection
- Once you eat your next meal after your cleanse, all of those "toxins" come back to the colon. The bacteria take a bit longer to repopulate, but again, these bacteria are the good ones.
The colonic microbiome has become so hot that there has been much research on how boosting it or altering it directly may play a role in treatment of certain illnesses. It may even be a means of better understanding and managing obesity. Stool from a healthy donor is now being transferred to those with certain illnesses-- either inserted directly to the colon, or taken as a (coated) pill. This is known as a fecal transplant. While many would cringe at this idea, the concept is to provide a healthy set of gut bacteria to someone whose flora isn't what it should be. This first became recognized in treating individuals suffering from a diarrheal illness caused by overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium difficile, or "C. diff." This miserable infection is often seen in hospitalized patients, but is also out in the community, often due to bacterial imbalance after taking antibiotics. In many cases, C. diff can be treated successfully with a different type of antibiotic that targets this bacteria, but in some cases (up to 30% of patients with C. diff), the infection will recur. There has been promising work in using fecal transplantation to help clear C. diff in those with persistent disease.
More recently, individuals with obesity and lean individuals are being assessed to see if their gut microbiomes differ, and whether or not these differences could contribute to causes of obesity. Indeed, obese individuals have been found to have different gut flora than leaner subjects. This altered microbiome can impact insulin metabolism, and metabolic rate overall. In turn, altering this microbiome via fecal transplant may enable those with obesity to improve metabolic function and eventually lose weight. A multi-center clinical trial, published in July 2019, evaluated whether fecal transplant via oral capsules from lean individuals to obese individuals would impact weight over a several month period. While the early findings did not show any weight changes in study subjects, the early results showed that the process was safe, and that the gut flora in obese individuals was successfully altered to closely match that of lean individuals.
While "eating sh*t" may not be your cup of tea, the science behind it is emerging, and will likely lead to some useful results. But in the meantime, drink coffee, drink water, and feel free to drink herbal tea. Just keep them out of your rear. Eating poop with good bacteria is already being shown to be better than cleaning your colon "artificially."
