Sometimes my junk mail has other items in it instead of just promises to increase the size of certain body parts, parts that I don't have - or things to keep that part going happily all night.
There are the pathetic pleas from the poor deposed State Secretary of Mozambique who just needs to use my bank account or sure-fire can't miss investments. Occasionally in the mix I'll get one of these emails promising a colon cleansing miracle! Besides promising to cure all sorts of ailments, body detoxification is the magic cure for obesity. Yeah, right.
One of these colon detoxifying programs claims this (and they all sing the same basic tune): "Studies show that when your colon doesn’t eliminate in a timely fashion, seventy percent of what is reabsorbed from your colon bathes your organs with toxins prior to making its way back to your liver. As a result, most of us have livers that are at least as challenged as the colon by the continuous flow of toxic traffic.....If you don’t digest and eliminate in a timely fashion, the toxic back-up in your system causes damage and disease.
The results may be as seemingly benign as gas, uncomfortable bloating, or indigestion; as painful as hemorrhoids and anal fissures; as unpleasant to cope with as fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or diverticulitis; or as emotionally devastating as weight gain and infertility. All of these symptoms may be related to mild to severe constipation and toxic poisoning on a cellular and genetic level." Nowhere on their website do they provide references for these studies.
The magic colon cleansing potion consists of the cleansing potion: Cascara sagadra bark, buckthorn bark, rhubarb root, ginger root, goldenseal, raspberry leaf, fennel seed, cayenne pepper. And then the "restoring" potion: aloe, barberry root, black radish root, echinacea, marshmallow root, red clover flower, burdock root, mullein leaf, parsley leaf, wood betony herb, dandelion root, ginger root, cramp bark.
{Lalala, an all "natural" way to cleanse your colon. Pffft. Herbs are drugs that just happen to be produced naturally, not in a laboratory. Research any of these herbs and you will find they have side effects just like any other drug. You wonder how these might interact with each other, or medications that you may need to take? The colon cleanse specialists sure won't tell you!)
Cascara is a strong laxative, so strong, in fact that it can cause nerve damage to the cells of the colon wall. Use it too often and you may become dependent upon it and be unable to have bowel movements without it.
A gross thing that these colon cleansing potions claim to do is to help you lose several pounds of "impacted matter" that has supposedly accumulated on the intestinal wall. Well, forget that - it is more than likely "casting" of things on the move in the intestines mixed with the excessive fiber in the prepared concoction.
Another ridiculous and dangerous cleansing scheme is colonic irrigation. The process can be very uncomfortable - a high-powered enema - the tubing can cause severe cramps and pain - if not sterilized properly, disease germs can be transmitted from one large intestine to the next one in line. Cases of heart failure and electrolyte imbalance have also been reported, along with numerous deaths.
CMT has this show, "Almost Famous: The Warren Brothers" and in one episode they show the two guys going to a "hip" Los Angeles colon cleansing center for a high colonic. Totally and completely gross!
My friend who is trying so hard to lose weight but can't stay away from fast food - she has fallen for these colon cleanse potion schemes. My stepdaughter, an itty bitty thing, also got convinced by some kook at a health food store that she needed to do it after she gave birth to "cleanse her body from the toxic byproducts accumulated during pregnancy." It did nothing for either of them except wasted their money.
Anyhow, Tom Venuto has a great cut-to-the-chase article on his website, complete with plenty of reputable references: http://www.burnthefatinnercircle.com/public/375.cfm?sd=2
He also has a great little article entitled, "Are Toxins Lurking in Your Fat Cells Released During Weight Loss?" He knows how to debunk a scam. :)
~o~
Today's workout: 30 minutes progressive resistance HIIT on the Octane. 50 minutes of circuit (Push focus). 10 minutes treadmill, 4.0 mph, 8.25 incline.
Today's circuit
dumbbell squat 12/70
dumbbell incline chest press 12/70
sumo squat 20/35
french press 15/35
Repeat for total of 3 sets
--1:30 sprint on the Sci-fit, 6% incline
leg press 15/300, 12/305, 10/310
calf press 15/300, 12/305, 10/310
ab machine 15/120, 12/125, 12/130
leg extension 15/100, 12/105, 12/110
delt fly 15/90, 12/95, 12/100
--1:30 sprint on treadmill
pushups on stands 15
step ups 24/14" step
dropsies, 24/14" step
squat press 10/40
Repeat for total of 2 sets
--1:30 hill sprint on treadmill
plank up 10
weighted stability ball crunch 30/25
boat pose hold 30 seconds
Repeat for total of 2 sets
