Colon Hx
Colon Hx
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Our product highlight will be something that will surprise you. It is Colon Hx! Now I bet I know what you are thinking, but Dr. Claire isn’t Colon Hx just a fiber for helping with constipation? What does it have to do with the liver or detox? Well, the answer is it is much more than “just a fiber for constipation.” Colon Hx’s blend of nutrients make it a terrific addition to any detox protocol! Let us get into it, shall we?
One of the main jobs of the liver is to detoxify any toxins in the body through phase 1 and phase 2. Once a toxin has gone through phase 1 and then phase 2, the toxins travel to the colon to exit the body via a bowel movement. If you experience constipation (have less than 1 bowel movement a day), these toxins just sit in the colon. The toxins can then absorb into the body, which is not ideal. These “recycling toxins” can increase the overall toxic burden on the body. (1) Colon Hx has four grams of fiber, shown in studies to increase stool frequency. (2) In my clinical experience it is important to drink enough water when adding fiber to your diet.
One of the first nutrients in Colon Hx is Psyllium seed husk. What is even psyllium seed husk? It is exactly what it sounds like. It comes from the seeds of a plant called Plantago Ovata. It is a soluble fiber that works as a bulk forming laxative. Studies have found that psyllium seed husk helps relieve constipation, mild diarrhea, hemorrhoids and may even help to regulate blood sugar levels. Other benefits of psyllium seed husk include helping with high cholesterol, both IBD and IBS and even helping with weight loss. (2) Psyllium seed husk can also help with detoxing since the fiber absorbs toxins and helps with their removal from the body. (3)
The next nutrient is triphala. This is a combination of three plants. Studies have found that triphala can help relieve constipation. Shown to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Studies have also found that using triphala can help with IBS symptoms. Studies have even found that it can help to heal stomach ulcers. Other additional benefits include reducing stress, being anti-inflammatory and even helping with blood sugar. (4) Studies have also found that triphala is hepatoprotective and that it protects our liver. (5)
One of the last nutrients is bentonite powder. This is where Colon Hx really shines in its ability to help with a detox protocol. One study found bentonite could bind aflatoxins and thus aid in their detox or removal from the body. (6) Other studies have found that bentonite has applications for “numerous health conditions as a detoxifying agent” in the body. (7) Bentonite clay has also been found to help treat C.Difficile infections when added to a therapeutic protocol. (8) Bentonite may even help keep the rotavirus from replicating. (9) One study found that bentonite can help to detoxify heavy metals. (10) In fact, a recent study found it helped detox both lead and cadmium. (11) Now I am sure you noticed that Colon Hx contains Iron. This is because bentonite is a natural source of iron. (12)
Finally, is Calcium D-Glucarate. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering this can help metabolize estrogens and help with their detoxification. This process is important in certain cancers. (13)
While I do not often write about quality control, it was important to do so in this blog. All Invite health products are third party evaluated to ensure they are free of any contaminants such as heavy metals. This is important because it is possible for bentonite to have heavy metals. (13) This is just one reason quality does matter. Do you remember that old saying, you get what you pay for? With vitamins this is true!
Next up we will explore the Gallbladder! What does it even do? Well, you will have to see!
Sources:
- https://brittreuter.com/post/the-enemy-of-detoxification-constipation/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3544045/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10572817/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8287969/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6989347/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32013819/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9168092/
- https://gutpathogens.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13099-017-0172-2
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5632318/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10020323/
- https://www.britannica.com/science/bentonite
- https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/calcium-glucarate
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325241