Sorbents are special substances that remove harmful components from the stomach and intestines. They retain dangerous toxins, metabolic products, combine with them and promote removal along with feces. Today, almost all sorbents are sold without a doctor's prescription. They can be used by adults and children and at any age.
What are sorbents and how do they work?
Sorbents are special substances that remove toxic substances from the body, including dangerous metabolic products. These are large molecules with a special structure, thanks to which they can literally absorb unnecessary components like sponges and mechanically remove them along with feces. This process is called sorption, and the substance removed is called sorbate.
Thanks to this, such drugs provide several advantages:
- remove toxins;
- normalize digestion processes;
- redistribute enzymes in the body;
- improve metabolism;
- prevent the development of symptoms of poisoning and allergic reactions.
Mechanism of action
It is optimal to choose modern drugs (for example: with the active ingredient Polyethylene glycol).
| Drug name | Mechanism of action |
| Fortrans | Prevents the absorption of fluid from the intestines into the bloodstream. |
| Lavacol | |
| Moviprep | |
| Endofalk | |
| Fleet Phospho-soda | Increases water retention in the small intestine through osmotic processes. |
| Picoprep | Irritates the intestinal mucosa and has osmotic and laxative effects. |
| Espumisan | Reduces surface tension at the liquid/gas interface, destroying foam and gas bubbles. |
| Plenvou | Stimulates peristalsis and intestinal function, causing diarrhea. |
| Kolokite | Through osmotic processes, it retains fluid, stretches the intestinal wall, enhances peristalsis and stimulates bowel movements. |
Absorbents for the intestines: main types
Depending on the characteristics of the effect, sorbents are divided into several types:
- Adsorbents – filter substances on the surface.
- Absorbents - absorb substances into themselves.
- Ion exchange – remove toxins through ion exchange reactions.
- Complexing agents – remove harmful substances through the formation of chemical complexes.
Enterosorbents are also distinguished separately. This is a type of adsorbents that do not enter into a chemical reaction with toxins, but simply remove them mechanically. Such drugs protect the mucous membrane of the digestive organs by enveloping them. They protect cells from damage by dangerous substances.
There is also a classification of sorbents depending on their composition:
- carbon-based (activated carbon);
- silicon-based (synthetic and natural products);
- based on polymer compounds;
- natural sorbents, for example, apricot shells, nuts, pine cones.
Cleaning products used
The best way to speed up the process of endoscopic examination is preparations for colonoscopy. However, they can only be prescribed by the attending physician, who takes into account the history of concomitant diseases and selects the optimal dosage. In modern medicine, many medications from this group are used before colonoscopy. Among them:
- Espumisan. an auxiliary drug and is not used as a means of preparation, but we recommend adding it to any regimen. Its standard dose: 2 capsules 3 times a day, as well as another 2 capsules on the day of the procedure. The main advantage of Espumisan is the reduction of surface tension at the interface, which complicates the formation and promotes the destruction of gas bubbles in nutrient suspension and mucus.
- Movieprep. An excellent drug for bowel preparation: 1 liter in the evening + 0.5 ordinary water and 1 liter in the morning + 0.5 ordinary water. Many patients know the benefits of this medication for cleansing the colon in preparation for a colonoscopy. This means a smaller amount of drug solution, significantly less preparation time and a pleasant lemon taste.
- Fortrans. Its recommended dose is 1 sachet of powder / 1 liter of solution per 15-20 kg of body weight. It is characterized by a rapid onset of effect (due to active absorption) and a small list of contraindications, so it can be prescribed to people of various categories. But drinking less than 4 liters is not recommended.
- Endofalk. With a one-stage regimen, it is taken in a dose of 200-300 ml immediately 3-4 hours in the evening before the procedure, and with a two-stage regimen - half the day before and half in the morning on the day of the procedure. Endofalk has a pleasant taste due to the absence of sodium sulfate in its composition.
- Picoprep. Adults should take the contents of the sachet diluted in water in the evening the day before the endoscopic examination. It has a rapid onset of effect and a minimal number of side reactions, but has several restrictions on use (pregnancy, breastfeeding).
- Lavacol. There are 2 methods of administration: one-stage and two-stage, therefore medical consultation is required. It is characterized by a low likelihood of developing such undesirable reactions, free sale (without a prescription) and the absence of an unpleasant taste.
- Kolokite. The evening before, 20 tablets are taken, and in the morning on the day of manipulation - 12 tablets. The advantage of Kolokite is that there is no need for a large amount of liquid to drink, but the disadvantage is that the tablet dose is large (32 tablets).
- Plenvu. A promising drug - only 1 liter, but not yet sold in Russia
Indications and contraindications
The drugs must be used in the following cases:
- allergic reactions;
- food poisoning;
- drug poisoning;
- bronchial type asthma;
- damage by toxic substances;
- dysbacteriosis;
- atopic dermatitis;
- infection in the digestive organs;
- liver and kidney dysfunctions.
Sorbents can be used by patients of different ages, including small children. Pregnant women and during breastfeeding can use them with caution.
At the same time, one should not forget about contraindications:
- colitis;
- gastritis of various nature;
- ulcerative lesions of the digestive system;
- hypersensitivity to any component of the product;
- intestinal obstruction;
- bleeding in the intestines, stomach.
Why is “normal” constipation dangerous?
Stool retention is not so harmless. Constipation is the cause of many health problems:
- Hemorrhoids worsen, anal fissures appear, and the risk of rectal prolapse is increased - in 7 out of every 10 patients.
- A dysfunction appears - irritable bowel syndrome.
- There are predisposing factors to the development of colitis and allergies.
- The body does not receive the necessary vitamins and minerals.
- The patient becomes irritable, suffers from depression and neurosis.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common concern.
Those who suffer from constipation are at increased risk of:
- diverticulosis of the colon (protrusion and thinning of the intestinal wall) and its complications, up to intestinal perforation and peritonitis - in every fifth
- Intestinal polyps are found in every tenth person
- Colon and rectal cancer affects every 20th person.
Do not take it to extremes - treat constipation in a timely manner.
Hypoallergenic diet for the intestines
To prevent harmful substances from entering the body, it is recommended to follow a hypoallergenic diet. Specific recommendations are developed by the doctor, depending on gender, age and other indicators. There is a general rule - patients should include the following types of foods in their diet:
- meat, including poultry, lean;
- kidneys, liver, stomachs;
- fermented milk drinks, such as kefir;
- cheese and cottage cheese;
- low-fat varieties of fish like pollock, hake;
- oatmeal, buckwheat, millet;
- any greens;
- all vegetables except orange, red and other bright colors;
- green apples, pears;
- gooseberries, white currants;
- any vegetable oil;
- butter;
- dried fruits, excluding dried apricots, dates and raisins;
- compotes, weak tea, unlimited water.
You should exclude foods such as, for example, fatty meat, fatty fish, citrus fruits, vegetables and fruits of bright colors, as well as juices based on them. It is not recommended to consume turmeric, strong tea and coffee, as well as different types of mushrooms, bread, buns and other baked goods.
Who and why to cleanse the intestines
The intestine consists of 2 sections - the small and large intestine. In the first, the digestion process occurs, in the second, feces are formed from food gruel and removed from the rectum.
Colon cleansing is a procedure for removing undigested food debris, bacteria, and waste products from the gastrointestinal tract.
Active reproduction of pathogenic microflora leads to intoxication, causing a general deterioration in health.
Indications for colon cleansing:
- excess weight;
- gastrointestinal dysfunction, constipation;
- allergy;
- decreased immunity;
- frequent respiratory diseases;
- inflammation, rashes on the face and body;
- uncontrolled appetite;
- pregnancy planning;
- fatigue, drowsiness, apathy, irritability.
The processes of decay are accompanied by characteristic symptoms - an enlarged hard abdomen, a white coating on the tongue, a specific putrid odor from the mouth not associated with dental diseases. Frequent headaches are observed, the condition of the skin, hair, and nails worsens, and allergic reactions intensify. With prolonged intoxication, the development of chronic diseases of the digestive system and autoimmune disorders is possible.
Kefir-buckwheat diet
To cleanse the intestines, it is recommended to switch to a diet based on buckwheat and kefir. From cereals, you should only consume whole kernels, and not flakes or flour. They contain a lot of fiber, which removes undigested food from the intestines, toxins, etc. In addition, buckwheat contains various vitamins (A, B, P) and minerals (phosphorus, iron, iodine, copper), proteins, and flavonoids.
Cleansing the intestines with buckwheat and kefir is much faster also due to the beneficial properties of the fermented milk product, which:
- gives a mild laxative effect;
- prevents rotting and fermentation;
- removes toxic substances;
- fights pathogenic bacteria;
- improves organ peristalsis;
- colonizes it with lactobacilli.
Cleansing with buckwheat and kefir is recommended every 4-6 months. The therapy lasts 20 days, but it is difficult to last this long on a limited menu, so experts advise doing two approaches of 10 days each. The break between them is 1.5 weeks.
Diet options based on buckwheat and kefir:
- Rinse 50 g of cereal and pour boiling water over it. Pour a glass of kefir and leave in the refrigerator in a closed container overnight. Eat it for breakfast in the morning. After an hour, you can drink a cup of water, and after a couple of hours, vegetarian food is allowed.
- Rinse a glass of kernels and pour 1.5 liters of boiling water. Decant and refill with the same amount of water. Cover the container, wrap it in a towel and leave for several hours. Then eat the dish, washed down with kefir. Keep it up all day. 4 hours before bedtime, you must stop eating.
- For breakfast, eat 150 g of buckwheat porridge (steamed) and 1 green apple. For dinner - only porridge. During the day, a snack in the form of a vegetable salad is allowed.
During the diet, it is strictly forbidden to cook cereals in the usual way, or add any oil, sugar, salt, or spices to it.
Colon Cleansing Basics
The intestines are divided into thin and thick sections and are considered a kind of conveyor belt along which food moves through the body.
The longest part is the small intestine - up to 6 m. It includes the jejunum and ileum. The walls are represented by smooth muscles, which are responsible for peristalsis. The mucous membrane has villi, under which there are blood and lymphatic vessels. The small intestine is responsible for digesting food, liquefying it into pulp, and moving it around. Nutrients are absorbed through the villi.
The large intestine is up to 150 cm in length, but its diameter is 2 times wider than the lumen of the small intestine. Here are microorganisms that participate in the breakdown of fiber and produce vitamins K and B12. The large intestine absorbs water and extracts energy from food.
In order to clean the organ at home without harm to the body, you need to properly prepare. Initially, you need to determine the need for the procedure based on the following symptoms:
- constant flatulence;
- frequent colds;
- frequent constipation;
- unpleasant odor from the mouth, from the body;
- fast fatiguability;
- breathing problems;
- skin ailments.
Before you begin cleaning, you should consult your doctor. Then you need to start preparing for detoxification. To do this, you need to switch to proper nutrition (eat only cereals, vegetables, fruits). If you wish, you can visit the bathhouse or sauna. Be sure to monitor your drinking regime - drink about 2 liters of liquid per day.
Thanks to intestinal detoxification, you can lose weight, cleanse the entire body and rejuvenate it. But there are also contraindications:
- chronic constipation;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines;
- gastritis;
- inflammatory processes in the digestive tract;
- recent poisoning;
- uterine bleeding;
- cholelithiasis;
- chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- renal failure;
- cancer;
- diabetes.
It is prohibited to clean during periods of menstruation, pregnancy and lactation.
The harm and benefits of colon cleansing
According to the theory of autointoxication, the inclusion of meat and fish in the menu leads to excessive synthesis of mucus, which contributes to the accumulation of toxins that enter the bloodstream. In traditional medicine, specialists do not consider colon cleansing as a method of getting rid of toxins. Under normal health conditions, the intestinal microflora promotes the independent removal of food waste from the body, and the liver neutralizes toxins and oxidants.
When deciding to use various detox techniques, you should weigh the pros and cons.
Beneficial features:
- Helps cope with bloating and constipation.
- Frees the digestive tract from rotting products.
- Intestinal motility improves, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized.
- The absorption of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients is restored.
Negative consequences are observed with long-term use of laxatives or procedures.
Possible side effects:
- The tone of the intestinal walls decreases, problems with defecation arise.
- Together with pathogenic microflora, beneficial bacteria are removed, which leads to dysbacteriosis.
- When using enema therapy, trauma to the mucous membrane of internal organs is possible.
Contraindications
Cleansing the intestines of waste and toxins has a number of limitations. If there are contraindications, the condition of the intestinal microflora can be improved by eliminating fast food, alcohol, sweets and spicy smoked dishes. Changes in diet will help to significantly normalize your well-being and gradually get rid of uncomfortable symptoms.
Contraindications:
- ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn's disease;
- haemorrhoids;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- kidney dysfunction;
- rehabilitation period after surgery;
- oncology.
Following the principles of rational nutrition is considered the most effective and safe method of cleansing the intestines.
