Are Detox and Colon Cleansing Capsules useful?

It is not a universal tool, nor is it completely useless. It depends on where you use it and what product you choose.

The medical bowel cleansing capsules prescribed by the hospital last year before the colonoscopy were mostly made of mild polyethylene glycol. After taking the prescribed dosage, the intestines were cleared within a few hours. Later, I had constipation for almost a week and my stomach was so distended that I could not bend down. I took the same low-dose capsule prescribed by the doctor and it was cured on the same day. This compliant medical capsule has clear ingredients and controllable dosage. It is effective for temporary severe defecation difficulties and pre-operative intestinal preparation. This is the main reason why many people think it is "useful".

But if you believe what Internet celebrities say in their advertisements: "Detoxify the stool, remove toxins, remove acne and slim down the belly," then you are 100% paying an IQ tax. I have been in a trap before and followed the trend and bought a "pure natural herbal detoxification capsule" promoted by a certain WeChat business. On the first day after taking it, my legs became weak and I lost two pounds. I was so happy that I ate it for half a month. However, if I didn't eat it later, I couldn't poop at all. I had to have a bowel movement. The microscope found that the intestinal mucosa was blackened. The doctor said that most of these Internet celebrity models secretly add anthraquinone stimulant laxatives. The essence is to force intestinal spasm and contraction to defecate. Most of the excreted water and electrolytes are "poisons". Where does this "poison" come from? Long-term eating is equivalent to using crutches every day for the intestines that can walk on their own. Over time, their peristalsis function will be directly destroyed, which will aggravate constipation and even risk inducing intestinal lesions.

Nowadays, there are many brands that specialize in "laxative-free probiotic intestinal cleansing capsules". I later tried an imported model that cost a few hundred yuan and took it for a month. To be honest, I didn't feel any obvious effects on my old constipation. However, my colleagues in the office who have a weak stomach said that they had smoother bowel movements after taking it. However, friends from the nutrition department also said that it is difficult to guarantee the activity of probiotics in this type of product. Very few of them can reach the intestines alive and play a role. At most, they can be regarded as supplements to assist in conditioning. The price/performance ratio is far less than eating more spinach and celery or taking a half-hour walk after eating.

After all, the intestines have a stable metabolism and detoxification rhythm. If there is no problem, don’t mess with it by taking capsules. If you really have difficulty defecation, see a doctor first. Don’t buy Internet celebrity products and eat them blindly, which will damage the good intestines.