Lately, a lot of people have been talking about the benefits of doing a 48 hour colon cleanse. Even some celebrities have endorsed them. The 48-hour colon cleanse involves ingesting Epsom salt or using it in an enema. While the benefits can be great, there are also very serious risks associated with Epsom salt enemas. Read this short article and stay informed so you can decide what is best for you.
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. While magnesium sulfate is relatively safe to ingest (it is found in many, many foods we eat), it can be very dangerous if ingested in large amounts. It is rare, but deaths have even occurred as a result of excess magnesium sulfate in the system. A condition called hypermagnesemia can appear if someone introduces too much Epsom salt into their system. Often times, different Epsom salt recipes will require dangerous amounts of magnesium sulfate to be injected into the system and should not be followed.
If you have a pre-existing stomach condition, such as ulcers or heartburn, Epsom salt enemas should not be given. Magnesium sulfate can be harsh on the stomach in large amounts, and while it helps cleanse the colon, it can do far more harm than good if ingested in large amounts.
Magnesium sulfate can also cause very adverse reactions if you are currently taking other medications. There is a long list of medications that do not mix well with magnesium sulfate, so if you decide to perform an Epsom salt enema, you absolutely must make sure that no medications you are taking conflict. Also, pregnant or lactating women should not ingest large amounts of Epsom salt.
Harmful consequences rarely occur from performing the 48-hour colon cleanse, but you need to know the possibilities. Doing an Epsom salt enema is not recommended because of the potential for adverse side effects and because an enema can be just as effective without it.
