In The Media

'You Are What You Eat'

Recently Channel 7 on Australian Television broadcast the programme 'You Are What You Eat.' In each episode Dr Gillian McKeith, an internationally acclaimed clinical nutritionist, required each overweight participant to have a colonic irrigation. This clearly indicates that, although 'Colonic Irrigation' has for long been considered a 'fringe therapy' in the medical world, more doctors are beginning to recognise its immense value. We contend that the medical profession should take the benefits of colonic irrigation more seriously, and we believe that in the 'not-to-distant future' its significance will be fully recognised. Presently many consider it as being in the category of 'alternative 'alternative medicine.' Eventually, we believe, it will take its rightful place in the 'mainstream.'

Colonic Irrigation researched by medical scholars

In November 2004 a group of scholars in England (Angela Gardiner BSc(Hons), MPhil, LRSC, GRSC, is clinical physiologist and endoscopist; Jill Marshall RGN, is stoma care nurse specialist; and Graeme Duthie FRCS(Ed), MD(Hons), is reader in surgery and consultant surgeon, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, East Yorkshire) presented the research paper 'Rectal Irrigation for Relief of Functional Bowel Disorders.'

They comment, 'FUNCTIONAL BOWEL disorders (FBDs) are difficult to treat and often leave patients feeling embarrassed, inadequate and socially isolated (McIntyre and Pemberton 1993). Conservative therapies have their place in symptom management although not every therapy is successful. Surgical options vary but have complications and variable outcomes. There is an increasing tendency to avoid surgery in FBDs and hence irrigation is becoming increasingly popular." The purpose behind the research was to offer a management of patients' symptoms without medication or surgery.

In an objective and well argued paper the authors of the report conclude: 'Rectal irrigation provides a valuable treatment option in the symptomatic relief of FBDs (functional bowel disorders) in certain groups of patients. ... Rectal irrigation is a simple and effective treatment for FBDs. The technique is simple to learn and does not necessarily require hospital attendance. ... Many of the patients who may potentially benefit from the treatment option may never need review by a bowel specialist.'

The full report may be found here.