Leave your colon alone!

This just in from the Tufts Health & Nutrition Newsletter:

No Proof of Colon-Cleansing Benefits - Just Risks
Does your system occasionally need a complete cleaning out? Despite the health claims for "colon cleansing" and similar procedures, a new review of the scientific evidence concludes there's no proof of any benefit - and there is a risk of pain, vomiting and fatal infections. The reviewers noted that practitioners may be certified by groups such as the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy, but are not necessarily licensed healthcare providers and may have little more than a high-school diploma plus CPR training. The FDA, the report added, has issued numerous warning letters over unapproved use of colon-cleansing equipment. The review concluded that physicians should warn patients of possible adverse effects and that "colon cleansing is not medically advisable, particularly for patients who have had any gastrointestinal disorder or other health problems." - Journal of Family Practice