Colonics vs Coffee Enema

I did my first juice cleanse in 2010. And also I did my first colon-hydrotherapy session (or in short, colonics) back then. I did a few more sessions in the coming years. I was not aware of how dangerous these actually can be.

Thanks to the HMI Nutrition School I learned that colonics is a practice that needs to be avoided!

What is colon hydrotherapy, colonics, or colon irrigation? It is the process of removing accumulated fecal matter from the colon by filling up the colon with large amounts of water. It is a process where about up to 60 liters of water will be passed through your rectum for the duration of a 45-minute session.

So why it is dangerous?

First, these colonics centers use the same machines on all patients! Yes, of course, the equipment is being thoroughly sanitized and a new tube is used each time for each new patient. But imagine if it wasn’t done properly? The risk of sepsis infection is really huge. I am super skeptical.

Second, colons might have some very unpleasant side effects:

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain

• Fullness

• Mild cramping

• Bloating

• Vomiting

• Perianal soreness

Third, as I learned from the HMI Nutrition School: “Proponents claim that colonic irrigation works by boosting immunity through the removal of accumulated toxins. However, “cleaning out" the colon is counter-productive because proper digestive function depends upon a colony of friendly bacteria (approximately three to four pounds worth in a healthy adult) that lives in the large intestine.

We all know that the large intestine is our body's critical immune center. The good bacteria keep intestinal walls healthy and prevent dangerous bacteria we consume in food from leaking out of the intestine and migrating elsewhere to cause inflammation and disease.

By flushing out these helpful bacteria, colonic irrigation interferes with efficient digestion and immune function.

Another very real potential danger is that the colon maintains the balance of fluids and electrolytes. Colonic irrigation disturbs this balance and affects the proper maintenance of sodium levels. Very serious and health-compromising dehydration can occur.”

That is why once I learned all the above, I stay only with a coffee enema. The equipment is only yours, you can sanitize and clean it properly too, and only 1 quart of the coffee solution is held only for 15 minutes. In such practice, there are no dangers. Coffee solution stimulates the liver’s glutathione-s, which increases the liver’s detoxification capacity by 600 times. I also shared more details about coffee enemas in my earlier post.

I will briefly recap here as stated by the Gerson Institute:

• “During a coffee enema, only a small amount of liquid is retained in a colon, and is only held for 15 minutes”

• “Coffee enemas are used to increase the liver’s detoxification capacity”

• “Certain substances in the coffee stimulate an important detoxification enzyme in the liver”

• “A secondary benefit of the coffee enema is to increase peristalsis which helps to empty the bowel”

  Coffee enemas as safe to do for everyone except following conditions as per the Gerson Therapy Institute:

  a. Currently undergoing chemotherapy
  b. Renal, cardiac, or respiratory failure
  c. Bleeding and/or ulceration in the colon tract
  d. Ulcerative Colitis
  e. Crohn’s disease
  f. Ileostomy (no colon)
  g. Hypertension and/or tachycardia
  h. Pregnant (consult with your primary physician or Gerson Practitioner)
  i. Acute or ongoing chronic diarrhea until investigated by a physician
  j. First 6-8 weeks post-surgery (always check with your primary physician or Gerson Practitioner)