Along your health and wellness journey, you may have encountered articles and healthy lifestyle gurus introducing juice detoxes, gluten-free cleanses, and 7-day bikini body diets, promising quick results. However, these approaches may not work for everyone. Generally, everyone’s health and wellness journey will look different since our bodies are different. Therefore, you must find a diet or health approach that best suits your needs.
Suppose one of the health approaches you are looking into is cleansing and detoxing. In that case, it is best to look into the pros and cons of embarking on such a health journey to better understand what your body will be put through. At Sato Pharmaceutical, we believe that health education is a form of self-care, and it is important in improving your overall well-being. As such, we’re here to give you an overview of cleansing and detoxing, as well as the methods of a popular kind of cleanse — the colon cleanse.
Understanding the Difference Between Detoxification and Cleanse
Some people often interchange the terms cleanse and detox as they are similar at face value, especially since they both centre on a diet of clean, healthy foods that are light and nutrient-dense and completely cutting out other so-called “harmful” foods. Although they offer similar outcomes, the two have some slight differences.
Detoxification or detox is the natural physiological process of the body neutralising and eliminating harmful substances. In a health and wellness sense, detox refers to practices or interventions that support the body’s natural detoxification process. Practices may involve adopting healthy lifestyle habits, like a balanced diet and regular exercise.
On the other hand, a cleanse refers to a short-term dietary or lifestyle intervention with the goal of removing toxins, waste or other unhealthy substances from the body while simultaneously boosting energy levels and enhancing your immune system. It often involves following a specific diet or programme for a defined period, including consuming certain foods or beverages, avoiding certain foods, and adopting a healthy lifestyle. One popular practice of cleansing is the colon cleanse, which aims to flush out the large intestine.
Get to Know Colon Cleansing and Its Methods
A colon cleanse is a practice that involves removing toxins and waste accumulated in the colon or large intestine. This type of cleansing aims to improve digestive health, boost energy levels, and promote weight loss. Some celebrities even go through colon cleanses in the form of colonic hydrotherapy at the doctors, where a tube is inserted into the rectum, and a large amount of water is pushed through the tube to flush the colon, which is then released through the colon like in any bowel movement.
However, there are other methods of colon cleansing. Before trying these colon cleansing methods, you should consult a medical professional to make sure it is the right fit for you.
1. Juice Cleanse
A juice cleanse involves consuming only fruit and vegetable juices for a specific duration. There are claims that juice cleanses can detoxify the body, promote weight loss, and improve your overall health. This includes colon health, though these claims may be limited. During a juice cleanse, you may have to minimise the intake of solid foods as most of the calories you get are from the juices.
2. Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements used for colon cleansing typically contain a combination of herbs and natural ingredients that are believed to support bowel movements and detoxification. These supplements may come in capsules, powders, or teas. Commonly used herbs in these supplements include cascara sagrada, senna, psyllium husk, aloe vera, and ginger.
Cascara sagrada and senna are known for their laxative properties and can stimulate bowel movements. Psyllium husk is a high-fibre ingredient that can add bulk to the stool and promote regular bowel movements. Aloe vera is believed to have a soothing effect on the digestive system. Ginger is also often included for its potential anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
3. Laxatives
In some cases, laxatives are used as means of colon cleansing, believing it will help remove toxins and waste from the colon. Generally, laxatives work by stimulating the muscles in the intestines and altering water balance to soften the stool and increase bowel movements. It’s important to note that laxatives primarily target the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract and may not effectively cleanse the entire colon. Additionally, using laxatives for colon cleansing is not a substitute for adopting a healthy lifestyle. Overusing laxatives can result in health complications, such as severe dehydration, disturbance of electrolyte and mineral imbalances, and laxative dependence.
Get Quality Supplements for Better Self-Care
Whether you plan on detoxing or cleansing, you must use quality supplements for your overall health. Sato Pharmaceuticals offers the Sankaijo Botanical Laxative and Satolax Vegetable Laxative if you’re looking for mild laxatives made from vegetable-based ingredients. We recommend using our laxatives for regulating your large intestine and constipation relief.
Should you want to supplement your healthy lifestyle with additional supplements, our Japanese Vitamin C drink and collagen supplements are worth considering. Our Vitamin C drink, the Hakubi White C Drink, can replenish key nutrients in your body and also prevent spots, freckles, and pigmentation caused by sunburn. On the other hand, our collagen supplements, the Hakubi Collagen Supplements, contain royal jelly, which promotes collagen production. It also has vitamins B and C that can aid in protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Learn more about the Hakubi Series products and how they can help with your skin concerns.
