Here’s the video of Carol’s interview with Fox News

To view the meal plan she suggests, CLICK HERE

To view the recipes, CLICK HERE

Judging from all of the yogurt and laxative ads on TV, people are taking a greater interest in the health of their colon. These health concerns have definitely been an advantage for the alternative medicine industry. Herbalists, naturopaths, and other alternative practitioners claim that colon cleansing has the power to increase energy, reduce joint pain, improve skin condition and “best of all…lose weight”. ᶦ Companies that market colon cleansing products are pushing the concept of “autointoxication” to potential buyers.  Autointoxication is the claim that the “stagnation of the large intestine causes toxins to form that are absorbed and poison the body.” Experts, however, say there is no such thing as autointoxication. Further marketing claims to zero in on constipation being caused by hardened feces which accumulates for months on the walls of the large intestine and block it from absorbing or eliminating properly.² As convincing as this may sound to many people, there is no scientific based evidence to prove that colon cleansing offers any health benefits.

Makers of colon-cleansing formulas proclaim that “most colons are clogged with 10, 20 or even 40 pounds of impacted fecal material and a strong laxative is needed for cleansing.”³ Dr. John Inadomi, chairman of gastrointestinal medicine at UC San Francisco, dismisses such claims by pointing out that when preparing for a colonoscopy , the patient is given a powerful laxative that thoroughly empties the colon. He explains, “even with a total scrubbing, only 2 to 5 pounds of fecal content is excreted.”³

Besides being deemed as unnecessary by experts, colon cleansers can also cause harm to your colon and body.  The colon is where our vitamins and minerals are absorbed from our food and frequently using colon cleansers can interrupt this absorption, leaving you with a vitamin and mineral deficiency.⁴ Using colon cleansers, such as stimulant laxatives, can damage the nerves within the colon wall causing the body to increase the frequency of constipation. Regular users may find that their colons are so dependent upon the laxative that they are unable to have a bowel movement without them.²

Users can perform the procedures themselves, but many visit hydrotherapists or colon hygienists. These providers of colon cleansers are not licensed and their training is not scientifically regulated. Without the proper training and education, there are many things that can go awry. The process of inserting the tube can be uncomfortable and cause pain and cramping. Also, if the tubes and equipment are not properly sterilized between treatments, germs can be passed from one patient to another and serious infections can occur. Another dangerous occurrence is that the colon can get small tears or perforations if the tube is not inserted correctly.²

The healthiest way to “cleanse your colon” is through proper diet and exercise. Eating a balanced diet, which contains between 25 and 38 grams of fiber a day, plus adequate water intake, is the best way to naturally cleanse your colon. Melinda Johnson, MS, RD, says that you can “think of fiber as acting like a ‘toothbrush’ passing through your colon”.⁴ Making an effort to consume fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains is an easy way to get fiber in the diet, while also preventing vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Drinking water is extremely important with fiber consumption to avoid constipation, and to prevent dehydration.  Finally, staying physically active increases blood flow throughout the body and the better your blood flow, the easier it is for your colon to work efficiently .⁴

Colon cleansers are big business, but they are also a business full of false claims and side effects that can cause nutrition deficiencies. Experts agree that cleansing the colon is “no way to slim down”.³ The colon was doing its job of ridding the body of waste long before colon cleansers were around, and it is best to allow the colon to continue doing its job instead of offering it unsolicited help from colon cleansing products.¹

Four Things to Tell Patients About Colon Cleansing ⁶

1. Colon irrigation is not wise – particularly if you have a history of gastrointestinal disease (including diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis) or a history of colon surgery, severe hemorrhoids, kidney disease, or heart disease. These conditions increase the risk of adverse effects.

2. Possible side effects of colon cleansing include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, acute kidney insufficiency, pancreatitis, bowel perforation, heart failure, and infection.

3. The devices that practitioners use for the procedure are not approved for colon cleansing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Inadequately disinfected or sterilized irrigation machines have been linked to bacterial contamination.

4. Colon cleansing practitioners are not licensed by a scientifically based organization. Rather, practitioners have undergone a training process structured by an organization that is attempting to institute its own certification and licensing requirements.

References:

1. Che, C. Myths and Realities: Colon Cleansing: Healthful or just a load of @$%!. Available at www.clinicalcorrelations.org/?p=1605. Accessed on January 30, 2012.

2. Barrett, S. Gastrointestinal Quackery: Colonics, Laxatives, and More. Available at www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/gastro.html. Accessed on January 30, 2012.

3. Woolston, C. Does do-it-yourself colon cleansing really improve health? Available at http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/24/health/la-he-skeptic-20100524. Accessed on January 26, 2012.

4. Kovacs, J. S. Colon Cleansers: Are they safe? Available at www.webmd.com/balance/features/colon-cleansers-are-they-safe. Accessed on January 26, 2012.

5. Walsh, N. Colon Detox Not Backed By Science. Available at http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/AlternativeMedicine/27820?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&userid=1348. Accessed on January 26, 2012.

6. Mishori, R, Otubu, A, Alleyne Jones, A.  The dangers of colon cleansing. J of Family Pract. 2011;60:454-457.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, diced
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 tsp dried Oregano
1 lb Corn, frozen
2 (14.5 oz) cans HEB Stewed Tomatoes Mexican Style
1 (15 oz) can Central Market Dark Red Kidney Beans, Low Sodium
1.25 lb Ground Turkey
2 tsp Chicken Bouillon Granules
1 cup Water
¼ tsp Black Pepper
1 ½ cup Tomato Sauce, Unsalted
2 Tbsp Tomato Paste Unsalted

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey and drain.
2. In a large pot, cook onion in oil over medium heat for 1 minute. Stir in the cayenne pepper and oregano and cook 1 minute more.
3. Stir in the corn, tomatoes, kidney beans, chicken bouillon granules, ground turkey, water, pepper, tomato sauce and tomato paste.
4. Cook uncovered until heated and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Label- CSLNS_Corn Chili

HOUSTON – While New Year’s Eve celebrations do not always involve adult beverages, most parties include them, so why not avoid gaining too many empty calories by drinking smart?

FOX 26 reporter Natalie Bomke visits Brennan’s of Houston where bar manager Richard Middleton prepares various party drinks and registered Dietitian Carol Lapin evaluates their caloric content.

Amaretto sour** (Sweet and sour mix, almond amaretto liqueur, tequila, orange juice) 421 calories

Bloody Mary** (Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, lime) 120 calories

Chocolate martini** (Vodka, Creme de Cacao) 2.5 1.67 188 calories

Cosmopolitan** (Vodka, Triple Sec, Rose’s lime juice, cranberry juice) 131 calories

Daiquiri** (Light rum, limes, powdered sugar) 137 calories

Gin and tonic** (Gin, tonic water, lime) 189 calories

Hurricane** (Dark rum, light rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, Grenadine, 151 proof rum, cherries, pineapple and sugar 384 calories

Irish coffee** (Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, whipped cream) 159

Mai Tai** (Dark rum, light rum, sweet and sour mix, grandaine, 151 proof rum, ice) 306 calories

Kamikaze (Vodka, Triple Sec, lime juice) 180 calories

Manhattan** (Whiskey, Vermouth, Bitters) 132 calories

Margarita** (Coarse salt, lime, white Tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, crushed ice) 327 calories

Martini** (Gin, dry Vermouth) 119 calories

Mudslide** (Vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, vanilla ice cream) 820 calories

Pina colada** (Malibu run, pineapple juice, cream 312 calories

Rum and coke****) 361 calories

Screwdriver** (Vodka, orange juice) 208 calories

Whiskey Sour** (Whiskey, lemon juice, powdered sugar, cherry, lemon slice) 125 calories

Read more: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/health/111230-new-years-eve-drinks#ixzz1iJyMbp4r

by Katherine Whaley / KHOU 11 News

Ingredients:

4 Tomatoes, large

2 lb Zucchini, medium

2 Tbsp Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tsp Garlic, minced

2 Tbsp Basil, fresh, minced

1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Parsley leaves for garnish

Directions

1. Blanch tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute. Refresh under cold water and remove skins. Slice lengthwise and then into ½ inch cubes.

2. Slice zucchini into ½ inch slices.

3. In large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic; turn to low heat and sauté until brown.

4. Add the zucchini and tomatoes for about 5 minutes. Add basil and pepper. Cook 1 more minute.

5. Garnish and serve. (Serves 6)

Excellent Source:

• Vitamin A – 28%  
• Vitamin C – 75%  
• Vitamin K – 38%
• Manganese – 24%  
• Molybdenum – 32%
• Potassium – 20%