Q. I am constantly amazed at the out-of-the-box alternatives you offer for health problems. I hope you can do the same for my wife.
For years she has suffered from constipation, with just one or two difficult bowel movements per week. The doctor-prescribed treatments have not helped.
We recently received promotional literature about a colon-cleansing product that is said to remove toxic buildup in the colon. Would this be safe? Do you have any other recommendations?
A. We discourage colon cleansing since these products often contain laxatives that can cause diarrhea and upset electrolyte balance. Perhaps your wife will find this story helpful:
“I am a 61-year-old woman who has struggled with constipation from the time I was a child in the 1950s. My mother would chase me around the house to give me an enema! A nurse practitioner suggested taking vitamin B6 with magnesium and it has worked very nicely.”
We are sending you our Guides to Digestive Disorders and Constipation, with more information on magnesium, fiber, Power Pudding (containing applesauce, wheat bran and prune juice) and flaxseed.
