AUTOINTOXICATION: COLONIC ENEMAS
Report #7201
At the turn of the century, many people took enemas regularly because they thought that it would prolong their lives. Many people still do this today.
The theory of autointoxication is that food that is not absorbed in your upper intestinal tract passes to your colon, where bacteria ferment it to form poisons that are absorbed into your bloodstream and shorten your life. You should get frequent enemas to rid yourself of the unabsorbed food. There is no scientific evidence in the world's literature to support such foolishness. While many of you may find this story funny, realize that at the turn of the century, the theory of autointoxication was proposed by Ilya Metchnikoff, a Nobel prize winner and one of the most respected scientists of his day, and enemas were part of John Harvey Kellogg's treatments at the Sanitorium in Battle Creek, Michigan.
If you suffer from constipation, check with your doctor to see if you have thyroid disease or an obstruction. If you have no disease, the odds are overwhelming that you can treated just by avoiding white flour and bakery products, and eating whole grains (such as barley, brown rice, wild rice, wheat berries and quinoa), vegetables, beans and fruit. See reports #G211 and 9811.
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D., for CBS Radio News
1) E Ernst. Editorial: Colonic irrigation and the theory of autointoxication: A triumph
of ignorance over science. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 24: 4 (JUN 1997):196-198. 2) Sandine: J Milk Food Tech35:691,1972. 3) Paul: Am J Clin Nutr25:763,1972.
Reported 9/1/97; updated 9/5/05