Unfortunately, many people are unable to make a regular, daily bowel movement and therefore suffer from constipation. In fact, it has been estimated that more than four million people in the United States have frequent constipation, storing between 5 and 10 pounds of old fecal matter in their bodies. This is the most common digestive complaint in the United States, outnumbering all other chronic digestive conditions. (1)
There can be many different things that cause this—stress, nerve issues, medications, lack of fiber, thyroid problems, lack of water, too much dairy, diabetes, overuse of laxatives, inactivity, resisting the urge to go, processed food, pelvic floor disorders, GI issues, dysbiosis, or microbiome changes.
Regardless of the cause, complications associated with chronic constipation can be serious. Aside from just the discomfort associated with bloating, hemorrhoids, and fishers (tears), constipation can cause various carcinogens in the stool to become more concentrated. As these come in contact with cells that are lining the colon and rectum, it can increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
Chronic constipation can also cause toxins to be reabsorbed into the body via the colon (2) and gut microbes to become imbalanced (a reduction in good bacteria and overgrowths of harmful bacteria). (3)
Often, people turn to laxatives or extreme colon cleanses to alleviate constipation. But this comes with several risks:
Some herbal laxatives can cause liver damage (4) and hepatitis (5)
Some forms of extreme colon cleansing methods can result in cramping, abdominal pain, fullness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, perianal irritation, soreness, electrolyte imbalance, renal failure, aplastic anemia, and liver toxicity. (6)
Some OTC laxatives, such as MiraLax, contain Polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350), which is a petroleum-based substance made from the chemical Ethylene Glycol (EG) in antifreeze. The FDA says PEG 3350 is safe for adult consumption but also warns of possible “neuropsychiatric events.” (7) It’s not surprising, considering Ethylene Glycol is chemically broken down in the body into toxic compounds that affect the central nervous system, the heart, and the kidneys. (8) Additionally, PEG can destroy intestinal bacteria just as drastically as antibiotics, leading to dysbiosis which we’ve already discussed at length.
Lastly, most conventional treatments are inefficient. When rotting waste materials stay in the colon too long, they can begin to harden and stick to the colon wall. This can be a huge problem because they can form a 2-3-inch thick layer that is as hard as tire rubber, making it extremely difficult to get rid of. Laxatives and cleanses may help move waste through the colon, but rarely do they address the fecal matter on the colon wall, which can be just as problematic.
An Alternative
If you are not comfortable with conventional treatments because of the risks, ask your doctor about Plexus Bio Cleanse™. The main ingredient in Bio Cleanse is magnesium hydroxide. I’ve already talked extensively about the numerous benefits of magnesium on other systems, but there are even more benefits when it comes to intestinal health. Not only does it work like an antacid (magnesium hydroxide combines with hydrogen ions in stomach acids to create water and eventually neutralize stomach acid), but it also is an effective treatment for constipation. Magnesium hydroxide draws water into the colon, making the stool softer so it can be passed more easily.
What I think is also beneficial about Plexus Bio Cleanse™, though, is the added ingredients—namely, vitamin C, sodium bicarbonate, and the bioflavonoid complex that includes orange peel, lemon peel, and quince. Why are these important? Well, because they work synergistically with the magnesium hydroxide for increased effectiveness.
You see, this synergistic effect can break apart the magnesium-peroxide bond. This then releases ozone and peroxides into the body which can soften that thick, “tire-rubber-like plaque” on the intestinal wall that I mentioned earlier. It can also kill pathogenic microbes. The ozone and peroxides then break down even further (into oxygen), which purifies and energizes the cells in the body. The magnesium then creates a colon-flushing reaction which sends the softening plaque and dead bacteria out of the body through a bowel movement and prevents reabsorption of the toxins.
This is especially important if you are taking Plexus® ProBio 5. In my opinion, ProBio5 and Bio Cleanse should always go hand in hand, but you must talk to your doctor first. As ProBio 5 works to destroy harmful bacteria, it is important to have Bio Cleanse working simultaneously to remove those dead microbes—especially when it comes to Candida. When Candida dies, it releases all the harmful substances that were in it, which includes more than 70 toxins, like ethanol, uric acid, and acetaldehyde. It is essential to open up detoxification pathways so that the body can flush those out.
However, even though I personally consider Bio Cleanse to be one of the most valuable tools in the toolbelt, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking Bio Cleanse, especially if you are taking any medications (like statins and thyroid medications) because magnesium can interfere with their absorption.
It can also interfere with Dasatinib (Spyrcel), Delavirdine (Rescriptor), Digoxin (Digox or Lanaxin), Mycophenolate, Atazanavir, Phosphate supplements like potassium phosphate, Tetracycline antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline, Quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin, Azole antifungals like ketoconazole and itraconazole.
Therefore, Bio Cleanse may need to be taken several hours apart from medications, or as your doctor sees fit.
References
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2910654
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2224051/?page=1
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25073603
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15956233
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19925744
(6) http://e-lactancia.org/media/papers/ColonLimpieza-FamPrac2011.pdf
(7) https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Surveillance/AdverseDrugEffects/ucm295585.htm
(8) https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/EmergencyResponseCard_29750031.html
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