Even in the gloves-off world of natural health, there are some topics we tiptoe around. The equivalent of Harry Potter’s “He Who Must Not Be Named,” if you will.

That brings us face to face with the topic of colonics—basically, an enema administered with pressurized water that cleanses the large intestine. Chances are, we all know someone who’s done it. Maybe we’ve even done it ourselves. But it’s one of those things no one really talks about, kind of like cheating or taxes (or cheating on taxes)—the idea makes us a little squeamish and we’d rather avoid too much information.

Which is a shame, really, because a colonic can be downright health altering, according to some experts.

The Nitty Gritty

A quick refresher: The colon is like the Last Stop Cafe for food after it’s been digested, filtered, and absorbed into the body. Whatever remains is ready to be eliminated, a process that’s a cornerstone of our body’s detox program. And our ability to detox effectively has everything to do with the state of our health.

To that end, we have about five feet of colon packed into our abdomen, where it’s ideally situated to store and eliminate waste. A diet high in fiber keeps things moving, of course, but over the years there’s a gradual build-up of crud on the colon walls. This layer of impacted matter isn’t the pleasantest stuff to begin with, and it can also lead to various conditions, including constipation, allergies, and acne.

A Good Cleanse

Colonics, or colon hydrotherapy, have been around for centuries, dating back to the endlessly inventive Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Today’s technology surely makes the process more pleasant. A trained, certified colon therapist (see “Go for a Pro”) will use U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved equipment, disposable rectal nozzles, and warm filtered water and may begin the session with a relaxing abdominal massage.

The therapist carefully controls water flow into the colon, while the client lies on a table. Now the scientific fun begins—the water that’s leaving the body passes through a clear viewing slot that allows the client to see what’s being flushed out. It’s both enlightening and lightening, literally. You’re likely to see an incredible (and horrifying?) mix of mucus, putrefied fecal matter, bubbles, and sometimes even parasites.

We look much better on the outside, don’t we?

This cleansing has both obvious and less obvious benefits. First, it tones the colon muscles and gets rid of built-up toxins. It also peps up the lymphatic system, which can become clogged with toxic debris that makes us tired, slows us down, and can even cause us to gain weight.

Here’s another hidden benefit. All told, the amount of impacted waste lining the colon can actually add up to several pounds. Getting rid of it may reduce a potbelly and can even result in additional weight loss once the colon begins to operate efficiently. A properly balanced and toned colon is also less likely to become constipated. There is even some evidence that colon cleansing and removal of toxins may significantly improve mental state.

Hardly water over the dam, but surely enough good reasons to stop tiptoeing around colonics.

Keep the Colon Clean

Eat lots of fiber! Soluble fiber (found in apples, carrots, lentils, and oat bran) dissolves in water and soaks up toxins as it moves through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Insoluble fiber (found in flaxseed, popcorn, whole-wheat breads, and cereals) remains basically intact, moving matter through the intestines and removing toxins from the colon. Both are great detoxifiers; aim for 35 grams or more daily.

Go For a Pro

Check with the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy to find a certified colon hydrotherapist: 210-366-2888, or www.i-act.org.