# What is the alleged benefit of a 'colonic'? 'Detoxification'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2007, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589 "2007-02-25T06:32:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/21 "2007-02-27T00:14:09Z")
[QUOTE=MsRobyn] Probably not, or if it did, it’d probably be short-term. You’re probably just reacting to something in the onion. Related question: Do you have the same (or similar) issues after eating garlic? IANAD, but a friend has your problems tripled. She’s sensitive to the point where she can’t trust restaurant food. Robin [/QUOTE] Garlic makes my sweat smell rancid and nasty. Since I now work a real job around live humans I avoid onion, garlic and beans/legumes of all sorts. I really dont feel like farting and stenching around people. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/22 "2007-02-27T00:20:32Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] No. But more fiber and probiotics might help a persitant long term gas problem, and Beano might help in this particular case. [/QUOTE] Well, I follow a pretty strict diabetic food pyramid with low carb leanings [i tend to favor veggies other than rice/grain/potato/legumes] and go straight for the yummy stuff like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, spinach in mass quantities [i loves me an ice cold spinach salad with shreds of radish, carrot, celery and a crumbled hard boiled egg with a homemade olive oil balsamic vinaigrette] and fruitwise i love strawberries, blueberries, pomegranite, and pineapple. I tend to get about 6 servings of veggies and 2 or 3 of fruit a day. Beano doesnt do anything for legume or onion farts=( ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/23 "2007-02-27T00:29:37Z")
> [@](#): > > The medical establishment, kills more people in a month, than natural medicine has in 50 years. And what exactly is natural about a colonic? Did primative man go around looking for rubber hose bushes to squat on? Seems to me, the natural order of things is strictly one way. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/24 "2007-02-27T00:52:31Z")
[QUOTE=aruvqan] Well, I follow a pretty strict diabetic food pyramid with low carb leanings [i tend to favor veggies other than rice/grain/potato/legumes] and go straight for the yummy stuff like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, spinach in mass quantities [i loves me an ice cold spinach salad with shreds of radish, carrot, celery and a crumbled hard boiled egg with a homemade olive oil balsamic vinaigrette] and fruitwise i love strawberries, blueberries, pomegranite, and pineapple. I tend to get about 6 servings of veggies and 2 or 3 of fruit a day. Beano doesnt do anything for legume or onion farts=( [/QUOTE] There’s a product for people who have had intestine surgery and have, um, wind problems. You can google up “Devrom” and check it out. All it is is bismuth subgallate. Don’t expect it to work overnight. Give it a little time to kick in. Then on a weekend you’ll be mostly alone you might try a little onion to see if it works for you. And BTW brussel sprouts and related cabbages can create wind, too. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/25 "2007-02-27T02:03:17Z")
[QUOTE=aruvqan] Well, I follow a pretty strict diabetic food pyramid with low carb leanings [i tend to favor veggies other than rice/grain/potato/legumes] and go straight for the yummy stuff like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, spinach in mass quantities [i loves me an ice cold spinach salad with shreds of radish, carrot, celery and a crumbled hard boiled egg with a homemade olive oil balsamic vinaigrette] and fruitwise i love strawberries, blueberries, pomegranite, and pineapple. I tend to get about 6 servings of veggies and 2 or 3 of fruit a day. ( [/QUOTE] You seem to have enough (maybe too much?) fiber. But I see no source of Probiotics. Trust me, they help with gas- they helped me. Having smelly farts or BO can be fought with Chorophyll pills. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/26 "2007-02-27T09:40:04Z")
[QUOTE=aruvqan] Dumb question … I have problems with onions causing farts that can clear a room … and i will keep farting for more than 24 hours. I have secretly wanted to get a colonic to clear me out just to stop the farting [i loves me some french onion soup but it is not worth a day or more of farting ☹] Would that actually work? [/QUOTE] I could be totally off-base, but I hear great things about the wonderful ass-bacteria in live culture yogurt… ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/27 "2007-02-27T10:46:51Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] Quackwatch on colonics: [Gastrointestinal Quackery: Colonics, Laxatives, and More | Quackwatch](http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/gastro.html) Quackwatch on detoxification: ["Detoxification" with Pills and Fasting | Quackwatch](http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/detox.html) Lots of evidence on both practices. Stay away from them. Far away. [/QUOTE] So wait… Enema advocates are full of shit? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/28 "2007-02-27T10:48:51Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] You seem to have enough (maybe too much?) fiber. But I see no source of Probiotics. Trust me, they help with gas- they helped me. Having smelly farts or BO can be fought with Chorophyll pills. [/QUOTE] LOL, nobody asked me about dairy =) I tend to avoid most liquid milk because of lactose intolerande, but cheese is good, and I make a killer yoghurt based tzitaki sauce, and a great yoghurt based salad dressing, and I will occasionally mix plain yoghurt [the only kind we buy as it is an ingredient in a lot of stuff we like to make] with unsweetened applesauce and a touch of cinnamon for dessert. Looks wierd but is very tasty. I have found that cruciforms [cabbages, broccoli etc] dont make me fart, not sure why, just seems to be onions and beans. ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/29 "2007-02-27T11:29:04Z")
[QUOTE=aruvqan] LOL, nobody asked me about dairy =) I tend to avoid most liquid milk because of lactose intolerande, but cheese is good, and I make a killer yoghurt based tzitaki sauce, and a great yoghurt based salad dressing, and I will occasionally mix plain yoghurt [the only kind we buy as it is an ingredient in a lot of stuff we like to make] with unsweetened applesauce and a touch of cinnamon for dessert. Looks wierd but is very tasty. I have found that cruciforms [cabbages, broccoli etc] dont make me fart, not sure why, just seems to be onions and beans. [/QUOTE] Well, obviously, the problem with YOUR ass is that you spell it with an 'h". 😉 ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/30 "2007-02-28T12:43:05Z")
> [@](#): > > legitamite Mmmmmmmmm … legitamite sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![iPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@iPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iPost)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/31 "2007-02-28T14:16:21Z")
[QUOTE=Jackmannii] In the 19th century people went to spas to eat grains and get enemas. [/QUOTE] Ah, they’re 1800’s style “Health Spas”. ---
**Author:** ![Mikemike2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikemike2/32/305_2.png) [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/32 "2007-02-28T16:05:32Z")
I just heard a Dr. speaking on the radio about colonics. He first listed their supposed benefits, and then said there is not one shred of evidence showing they are effective and can be harmful. No “ifs” or “butts.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/33 "2007-02-28T16:13:21Z")
[QUOTE=Eleusis] I could be totally off-base, but I hear great things about the wonderful ass-bacteria in live culture yogurt… [/QUOTE] True dat. It seems that one’s digestive system may change during the course of a life. I’ve found I’m more sensitive to onions, peppers, and all sorts of vegies that I love. Eating probiotic yogurt makes a _big_ difference. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/34 "2007-02-28T20:37:53Z")
[QUOTE=Eleusis] I could be totally off-base, but I hear great things about the wonderful ass-bacteria in live culture yogurt… [/QUOTE] That’s Probiotics. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/35 "2007-02-28T21:27:26Z")
[QUOTE=Canadjun] I wonder if the advocates of colonics do them to their pets as well? [/QUOTE] At least one does. I saw a cat a few years ago that collapsed shortly after an enema. The cat died during triage. The owner used a Fleet (R) enema, which has a ton phosphorus in it. Cats are very sensitive to hyperphosphatemia. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2007, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/36 "2007-03-08T21:30:08Z")
I can’t believe no one has linked this… [http://www.catenema.com/cat1.html](http://www.catenema.com/cat1.html) ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589/37 "2007-03-09T01:02:17Z")
Didn’t this nonsense get started by Dr. John Kellogg? (of the cereal business). Dr. Kellogg thought that the intestines needed cleaning-and advocated all kinds of weird therapies to do this (yoghurt enemas, water flushing, etc. I wonder how many people he killed? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-alleged-benefit-of-a-colonic-detoxification/393589.md?page=1)