Hi Karen,

I don't know if I'm able (willing, more like it) to eliminate all the things from my diet that cause the mucous to build up, like meat, dairy and soy (I'm a recovering compulsive overeater and go to Overeaters Anonymous and it's very difficult for me to "control" what I eat!). I know you said it's best to stop eating these things and do the cleanse, but do you think it's possible just to do the cleanse? Would it be of some benefit at least to clear out what's already in there, even if it may build back up again?

- E.F., California, USA

Karen's reply:

Colon cleansing is of benefit, no matter what your diet, but if you eat junk food whilst doing it then all it will probably help with is clearing out what you eat as you do it, rather than the toxic residues that have built up over years. At least cut down on, or better still, eliminate sugar while colon cleansing (read Sugar Blues by William Dufty to put you off sugar for ever!).

In my books I recommend that anyone doing colon cleansing seek out the advice of a qualified herbal practitioner, and this is especially vital for someone with an eating disorder. Please do not use long-term colon cleansing as a substitute for improving your diet - that's not the idea at all, and can be harmful.

Finally, be sure to read up on the subject before doing colon cleansing. The book I recommend most often is The Colon Health Handbook by Robert Gray. It's short, simple and very informative.