Colon hydrotherapy: will it benefit you? Princess Diana was an outspoken fan of colon hydrotherapy, which uses sterile water to flush debris from the colon. The legendary Mae West also believed in the benefits of colon cleansing, which she claimed greatly contributed to her unusual vitality and lasting beauty even into her senior years.

The health payoff of colon hydrotherapy, according to proponents, is a strengthening of muscles in the digestive tract, restored pH balance, better assimilation of nutrients, a feeling of heightened energy, a stimulated immune system, an overall boost in health and vitality, and improved regularity.

A certified colon hydrotherapist carries out the procedure. A disposable plastic hose, which is connected to a FDA-approved irrigation machine, is inserted into a patient via a speculum. During the entire 30- to 40-minute procedure, the hydrotherapist adjusts the volume and temperature of the water that is pumped in. With gentle pressure, the water is released through an evacuation hose in cycles, washing impacted waste from the colon walls and leaving your internal "plumbing" far less toxic.

Litany of Maladies

According to experts, most people carry 10 to 2 5 pounds of dried fecal matter inside their colon, which could contribute to a litany of maladies including constipation, diarrhea, frequent headaches, backaches, fatigue, body odor, irritability, weight gain, skin problems, abdominal gas, bloating, and joint problems. "Because the typical American diet is so desperately low in fiber and so astronomically high in processed foods, fatty meat, refined sugar, and various preservatives and toxic chemicals, the necessity of colon hydrotherapy is absolute," says Amber Wimby, a certified colon hydrotherapist of the Health and Longevity Center in Atlanta. "Even if you have maintained a decent diet, we live in a toxic environment."

Medical doctors disagree among themselves on the value of colon hydrotherapy, and the American Gastroenterological Association (www.gastro.org) refuses to make an official judgment. "We have no position on colonic irrigation," says Carole Anikis of the AGA News Bureau.

However, many physicians strongly sanction the procedure. Leonard Smith, a board certified gastrointestinal surgeon of more than 25 years fully endorses colon hydrotherapy, especially for ill patients and specifically those with cancer. "Seriously ill patients tend to be chronically constipated, which results in generalized toxemia," Smith says. He asserts that frequent colon hydrotherapy keeps such toxicity to a minimum, aiding in recovery. Smith recommends that healthy people undergo colon hydrotherapy every couple months. Postchemotherapy patients, or anyone who has recently been on a lot of medication, benefit tremendously from more frequent visits.

Wiser Approach

Skeptical doctors question the value and safety of colon hydrotherapy. "It has definite risks," says Lucy Perezzo, M.D. Colon hydrotherapy equipment, if not properly sterilized, can trigger serious infections. And Perezzo doesn't buy the "autointoxication" basis for the treatment. "The simple job of the colon is to package the final indigestible particles of what we consume into stools. It would only be filled with toxins if, in fact, one ingested them in the first place," she explains. "The wiser approach would be for people to avoid the hydrogenated fats, processed foods, smoked and pickled foods, deep fried foods, food dyes, and so forth, in the first place, and let the colon do its happy little job without getting bad press." Furthermore, Perezzo advises that those with medical conditions such as diveticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (Chron's and ulcerative colitis), colon or rectal tumors (cancer), severe hemorrhoids, or a pre-surgical bowel, to bypass the procedure.

Wimby insists, "To avoid infection ... go to a center that uses disposable speculums." Experts agree that, as long as the equipment is FDA-registered and the hydrotherapist is licensed, the procedure is safe for most individuals.

"My philosophy is that if people are benefiting from it, they should continue to use this modality," says Belinda Marcus, M.D., FACEP, who has served as a professor at Emory Medical School. Marcus does caution, however, that if a patient experiences any new problems, he should seek advice from a medical doctor before undergoing colon hydrotherapy.

While colon hydrotherapy may not be the cure for all colon problems, proponents agree that it does seem promising as an effective, natural way to promote well-being and help prevent future health issues.

Colon Hydrotherapy QUICK FACTS

* Colonics cost between $65 and $90 per session.

* Some insurance companies do cover colon hydrotherapy.

* "Open systems" require a much smaller tube to be inserted. They are more private, and do not require the constant presence of a hydrotherapist.

* "Closed systems" are 100 percent supervised by a hydrotherapist.

*Certification is governed by the International Association for

*Colon Hydrotherapy (www.i-act.org).

Angela Braden writes from Atlanta, Georgia.