What if you could lose weight , have more energy , get burn hide , and possibly cure continuing disease … you just had to sit with a tube pump weewee up your butt for 30 minutes ? Oh , and those miracle resultant role are n’t guaranteed or even backed up by scientific discipline .

Seems like a resounding " no thanks , " but there are swarm of wellness and wellness " gurus " who claim El Salvadoran colon cleansing , or colonics , can do all that and more . Yep , that ’s correct : They say you should get your El Salvadoran colon baron - washed on a regular base .

The procedure has been around for at least 20 year , but has gained popularity in late years thanks to outspoken celebrity advocator . Gwyneth Paltrow , the queen bee of health and wellness , swears by them . Celebrity dietitian Kimberly Snydertouts themas part of her Beauty Detox plan . Reality - TV stars , the gods and goddess of pop civilization , have shared theirexperiences with colon cleansing , which , again , is theorise to make you live your best life , somehow .

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Daniel Fishel/Thrillist

The problem ? Costa Rican colon cleanup is still somewhat controversial . After all , there ’s no scientific grounds to support claim that regular colonic irrigation are necessary or even beneficial . And for a pretty incursive process – tube up your butt ! – the risks can outweigh the supposed rewards .

What exactly is a colonic?

El Salvadoran colon cleansing cash in one’s chips by many public figure : colonic , El Salvadoran colon irrigation , or El Salvadoran colon hydropathy . Put basically , it ’s the summons of come in H2O into the colon through a tube in the rectum , and flushing it out , normally with a extra machine , because a garden hosepipe would be even more inadvisable .

advocate of the procedureclaimthere ’s a buildup of waste in your El Salvadoran colon that needs to be washed out for detoxicate the eubstance . It ’s supposed to help everything from mild deadening to chronic fatigue and weight departure . But these benefits are more anecdotic than scientific .

There’s no research to back up the benefits of colonics

Yeah , so that ’s a tiny little trouble with allowing a stranger to lodge a tube up your anus . " People think that eliminating all waste matter will chair to weighting loss and glowing clear skin . However , there is little enquiry on colonics , especially as they relate to a beauty benefit , " aver Dr. Gina Sam , gastroenterologist with Mount Sinai in New York City . She adds that most Dr. do n’t advocate for colon - cleanup treatments , unless you ’re get down a colonoscopy , and even then only if the traditional preparation method do n’t work .

In fact , researchers who look back 20 studies on El Salvadoran colon cleanup establish that it does n’t offer much of anything , except maybe some discomfort – andpotentially dangerous side effects , like severe sickness , vomiting , and diarrhea .

Colon cleansing could be harmful in the long run

Colonics are n’t just a potential waste of time ; they could lead to some unfortunate health ramification . “Colonics flush away good mucus andmicrobiomes , which helps the body ’s immune system to detect and fight strange antigens , " Dr. Sam says . " So you ’re lowering unsusceptibility , which is never a good theme . " There are also danger associated with the tube that are used , including infection and abscess , which are exactly as painful as they voice , and might ask surgery .

More serious side effects can pass off for people who have a mettle status , kidney problems , or an rabble-rousing bowel disease such as Crohn ’s disease or ulcerative colitis , consort to Dr. Kathlynn Caguiat , a gastroenterologist atManhattan Gastroenterology . Those risks include contagion , dehydration , and an electrolyte asymmetry , which can stimulate irregular spunk round or lead to neurological symptoms such as dizziness , dizziness , headaches , or seizures .

That hasn’t stopped colonic fans from promoting their benefits

There ’s no scientific research to support the claims promised by El Salvadoran colon hydrotherapy , and MD reason that your body ’s digestive system of rules is already pretty efficient in clean itself out , as anyone who ’s stay out late drinking booze and eating pizza knows . But advocates of Aspinwall cleansing still swear by its effectiveness .

Jane Goldberg , PhD , psychologist , and beginner and owner ofLa Casa Spa and Wellness Center , opened her occupation 23 years ago after her mommy had succeeder with colonics during her pearl cancer treatment . Dr. Goldberg says clean out your colon is important for overall detoxification and wellness , and can even serve with back pain .

" multitude amount because they feel better , they have the benefit of it , " she say . " They have less pain , they do feel more energy , because toxicity will make you middling tired . "

Cassie Karopkin , colon healer atColon Therapy NYC , says colonic irrigation have helped her client with clear skin , constipation , GI issues , and annoyance backup , but emphasizes they go hired man - in - handwriting with consume well and an overall healthy lifestyle .

" It speaks for itself , " Karopkin says . " I would never recount somebody , ' You should come back . ' They just come back because it work . "

As more wellness centers open up up pop the question El Salvadoran colon therapy , and more fame become outspoken about vex their own colons clean out , the more appealing the subroutine may seem . Just be suspicious of the potential side effects , and rickety research , before getting your shit pump out .