Many people who practice alternative medicine recommend the 7 day colon cleanse for a variety of reasons. Some subscribe to what is called "auto-intoxication" when it is believed that the body creates toxins and poisons itself when these are not properly eliminated, Modern diets are often very processed and lack the fiber for efficient bowel function, requiring the use of a colon cleanser of some kind to facilitate elimination.

Most people with a basic understanding of how the body works know that bowel health can be improved through a healthy diet. However, many people don't eat well due to time constraints or bad dietary habits. A colon cleanse thus seems more logical than greatly altering one's diet. Given the choice, many people would prefer a 7 day colon cleanse to a new, permanent dietary regime.

There are many colon cleanser products available on the market. Some are stand-alone products, while others are kits containing several different items meant to be used together. Many colon cleansing protocols require colonic irrigation and/or enemas to completely empty the bowels. Some plans require occasional fasts or special diets, with a few allowing no solid food intake during the seven days during which the cleansing is to occur.

It is asked sometimes, why seven days are needed to ensure the colon is throughly cleansed. There are a lot of reasons for this timeline. On explanation is it is a time frame that most people can accept willingly, yet long enough to ensure the process is effective. Others believe the length of the cycle is in relation to the phases of the moon, or even a mentrual cycle. Still others believe it takes that long to cleanse toxins from the blood or lymph nodes. Consequently, seven days has become the acceptable standard.

Many 7 day colon cleanse advocates believe that there is a lot of fecal material stuck within the digestive tracts of most people. Others, including most traditional physicians, reject this belief entirely. In either case, there appears to be little harm from using bulk formers and otherwise inducing bowel emptying for seven days. As with any product designed to improve one's health, safety must come first. Consult your doctor to make sure that this program will not threaten your health.

The majority of the 7 day colon cleanse type of regimes rely on psyllium seed as the main ingredient; it's a natural product that works very effectively, when combined with water, to stimulate the intestines to function and empty. Psyllium is commonly used in the majority of the laxative/fiber supplements produced for routine usage due to it's gentleness. Some colon cleanse routines will add other components, like bentonite clay (for removal of toxins), or senna (a laxative/purgative), but these types of additives run the risk of causing cramping and bloating, and thus may be less safe.