Colon Flow is an all-natural colon cleanse formula that is said to help “Your Body Function The Way Nature Intended… Without The Unpleasant Side Effects!” I had a feeling of what might be in Colon Flow when I saw the TV commercial but wanted to write this review in case people were curious. I hope by the end of this review you will know if Colon Flow is right for you.
Who makes colon flow?
According to colonflow.com the company is called Natural Health Network dba (doing business as) Colon Flow. They list this address : 2500 E. Imperial Hwy Suite 201-273 Brea, CA 92821 USA. The link I provided shows what looks like a strip mall that includes several business such as Trader Joes and Petco. This is the same address that is listed for the Natural Health Network, which appears to be the parent company of Colon Flow.
As of 7/7/12 the Better Business Bureau does not have a rating for Colon Flow. The BBB does however give a rating of “B-” to Natural Health Network LLC. Check the link for updates as BBB ratings sometimes change.
The contact number for both Colon Flow and the Natural Health Network is (800) 252-3314. For additional information about the Natural Health Network, see the BBB file.
Natural Health Network is also the company that markets the blood sugar supplement, Glucosulin so see that review for additional information.
Colon Flow ingredients
According to ColonFlow.com, Colon Flow is made from a Proprietary Blend of the following 11 ingredients:
- Cascara Sagrada Bark
- Cape Aloe
- Psyllium Seed
- Psyllium Husk
- Ginger
- Apple Fruit Pectin
- Slippery Elm
- Barberry
- Garlic
- Fennel
- Cayenne
There seems to be no published peer reviewed studies on Colon Flow itself, so let's briefly review the research on its ingredients.
Cascara Sagrada (its scientific name is Frangula purshiana) is a type of tree. As far back as 1883
(that's not a typo) The bark of the tree has been use to relieve constipation. Cascara used to be used in over-the-counter laxative products. While it is apparently no longer used in over-the-counter drugs, it can be used in dietary supplements. This is why Colon Flow has it. The Wikipedia page for Cascara has additional information.
Cape Aloe. This is another name for the plant, aloe. Cape aloe has the scientific name Aloe ferox according to its Wikipedia page. There are many different names for aloe. Wikipedia lists all of the different species of aloe.
Psyllium Seed. Also called Plantago psyllium. Psyllium seed is a laxative according to Wikipedia.
Psyllium Husk. Also called Plantago ovata. Psyllium husk is a laxative.
Ginger. The scientific name for ginger is Zingiber officinale. While I can't find any good proof that ginger helps constipation, WebMD indicates that parts of ginger have been used in laxatives.
Apple Fruit Pectin. Pectin is a fiber found in the skins of several fruits. Colon Flow says they use fiber from apples. Because it’s a fiber, pectin also will help constipation.
Slippery Elm. Also called Ulmus rubra. The word “slippery” is a tipoff to what slippery elm does. Slippery elm is used to help things (in this case, poop) slide easily. As such, it also has a laxative effect.
Barberry. Also called Berberis vulgaris. While I am hard-pressed to find proof that barberry is a laxative, various alternative websites do state that barberry is indeed a laxative. Barberry is also an ingredient in some ZXT weight loss supplements, products that I have suspected for a long time acted because they were laxatives.
Garlic. This herb (its scientific name is Allium sativum) is often recommended to help more things than you can shake a stick at. When it comes to helping to keep us “regular” I can't find any studies, however the US government site Daily Med does list “constipation” next to Allium sativum (garlic) in at least one product they reviewed.
Fennel. This herb (scientific name Foeniculum vulgare) contains magnesium, which is well known to help constipation (think milk of magnesia).
Cayenne (also called Capsicum). I believe cayenne is in Colon Flow in the hopes that it might irritate the intestines, causing them expel their contents easier.
Ingredients in Colon Flow that are fiber
- Psyllium Seed
- psyllium husk
- Apple Fruit Pectin
Ingredients in Colon Flow that are laxatives
- Cascara Sagrada
- Aloe
- Psyllium Seed
- psyllium husk
- slippery elm
- ginger (maybe)
- barberry
- Garlic (maybe)
- Fennel
- Cayenne (maybe)
Is Colon Flow a laxative?
Yes. I believe Colon Flow acts primarily as a laxative. Here's the thing about laxatives. They work on the colon only. The colon is where the poop is. Laxatives do not work at the small intestine. Its at the small intestines that we absorb calories.
This means that colon flow does not stop us from absorbing calories but rather, just makes us poop more. The result is we lose weight – but its only water and poop.
How much is Colon Flow?
It depends on how long you take Colon Flow. See the next section for the details.
The Colon Flow free trial offer
If you want the 30 day free trial of Colon Flow, you will be agreeing to revive a 60 day (2 months) supply and will be enrolled in the ” The Colon Flow Trial Offer Program.” This means that they will charge you only the $9.95 shipping and handling fee on the day you order. Then, if you do nothing, in 30 days, your credit card will be billed $79.88 (39.99 per bottle).
You will also automatically get another 2 months supply of Colon Flow every 2 months (for up to 120 days) after that for $29.99 per bottle (in other words, you'll be charged $59.98 every 2 months) until you tell them to stop. You will also charged shipping and handling for each new shipment (I assume this will be $9.95).
After 120 days (4 months), you become a “VIP customer” and the price of Colon Flow will be discounted and it will cost you $24.99 per bottle (you pay $24.99 x 2 bottles = $49.98 per 2 months supply). I assume you will also pay $9.95 for shipping and handling too.
If you are not happy with Colon Flow and want to return it, you must call them and send back the bottles along with any unused portion. You will be expected to pay shipping and handling fees to return the bottles. All of this is explained in the Colon Flow Terms and Conditions. You must put a check in the Terms and Conditions box when you order Colon Flow on their website to state that you agree to this.
You can avoid all this by just getting Colon Flow on Amazon.
How to return Colon Flow?
If you purchased the product from its website, people should call Colon Flow customer service at 1-800-218-6210 to return the product. The email address, info@naturalhealthnetwork.com, is also given. I recommend calling for faster replies. when people call they will be given a return authorization number (RA #) which needs to accompany the returned bottles of Colon Flow. Returns that do not have this return authorization number will be charged $10 for processing,
Again, you avoid all this if you get it from Amazon.
Will Colon Flow help weight loss?
Colon Flow is marketed as a product to help people be more regular with going to the bathroom. It is not marketed to help weight loss.
Colon flow side effects
I'm not aware of any side effects of Colon Flow at the time I wrote this review. To their credit, the company behind Colon Flow does say this on their website: “we recommend you consult a competent health care provider if you are taking prescription medications…”
Below are some possible side effects of colon flow ingredients. Whether the same side effects are true for Colon Flow itself, I do not know. All the more reason to check with your doctor first.
As a laxative, it's possible that long term use of Colon Flow may cause significant loss of electrolytes like sodium and potassium. In extreme cases this loss of electrolytes may lead to changes in blood pressure and the way the heart beats. This can be especially dangerous in people who take medications for heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney problems.
Cascara Sagrada may cause the urine to change color (orange / pink color). Aloe might also do this. Cascara is also thought to interact with several medications including some heart drugs. See doctor before using.
There is some speculation that aloe laxatives may cause colon cancer. This is very controversial and would likely depend with the part of the aloe plant used. There is no proof that Colon Flow causes colon cancer.
Some lab rat studies suggest that aloe may lower blood sugar. I'm not aware of any human proof of this. Diabetics should see their doctor /endocrinologist / pharmacist for more information on this.
Aloe gel may have a blood thinner effect and interact with blood thinner medications.
Psyllium husk can reduce blood sugar levels.
Ginger may interact with blood thinner medications.
Avoid Barberry if pregnant or breastfeeding. Barberry can harm babies. Barbary also appears to have a blood thinning effect (think natural COX 2 inhibitor).
Garlic can effect blood clotting and may interact with blood thinner medications as well as many other medications.
Does Colon Flow work?
I think it depends on how we define “work.” Colon flow is a laxative so if that's what you are looking for, I think it will work – but, the larger question is will it work better than lesser expensive laxatives? For those who are hoping colon flow will help them lose weight – in other words, burn fat – this won't happen. Laxatives do not stop us from absorbing calories because this occurs in the small intestine. Laxatives work in the large intestine, where the waste is stored. See what others are saying. Here is Colon Flow on Amazon.
What do you think?
Sharon, I have also had severe constipation for the past 40 years, all tests done. Unfortunately when I gave birth to my first son it should have been a C-section and wasn’t. I had so much bruising right to my knees…….. the dr. should have been fired…. The reason I am writing this is I totally understand your situation, for me the drs. said the only recourse for me is biofeedback as part of mine is “mental” due to the extreme force of having my baby.
I also have a longer colon. For people that don’t understand that, like you and I we have tried every solution, every veggie, every fibre source with no avail. I feel your pain, your discomfort and embarrassment as our bowels ‘rule’ our daily live and social activity. Take care of you and we will continue to try anything, but this is not mild constipation. It is life changing.
I have never found a colon cleanse supplement that works at all for me. Constipation has been a life long issue for me. The longest time period I have ever had between bowel movements was 3 weeks and was when I was 18 years old and on a graduation trip to Europe with other high school graduates from my high school. I had no laxatives or other type medications with me. It was very uncomfortable situation.
I am now 60 years old. I have had a couple of colonoscopies and also a procedure where my colon was x-rayed, which showed I had a condition called a “redundant colon”, which means I have a couple of extra loops and a longer colon than normal.
This, of course, means that food stays inside me longer, which has caused me lifelong problems. I’m not sure how long I would go if I didn’t take a laxative (which I always do). It takes more and more laxative pills to work. I am up to 12-14 tablets of extra strength Ex-lax every 3, 4, or 5 days.
For a while, about 20 years ago, I was getting a weekly colonic. Not sure why I stopped doing that, possibly fear that it might harm me. I am also afraid my risk for colon cancer is higher than average. Also, my father had pre-cancerous polyps in his colon when he was alive.
Do you have any suggestions concerning my problem? I do get colonoscopies every 5 years, instead of every 10 years, to be on the safe side (and it is also recommended by my gastroenterologist). I have read that taking laxatives long term causes your body not to work on it’s own, but I’m past that point now. It’s a miserable condition.
Do you have any suggestions or places I could look for help? Thank you.
Hi Sharon, what kind of foods do you normally eat? How many fruits and veggies do you eat per day? Just wondering if increasing the fiber and water intake might help your constipation problems.
Most of the colon supplements I see contain fiber so, by upping the fiber from foods you would get the same benefit plus all the antioxidants and other nutrients those foods contain.
Simply eating foods with whole grains usually works better than a “magic laxative pill.” Personally I bake goods (cookies, muffins, etc) using nothing but whole wheat flour. I personally never had a problem being “regular.”
If you really find the need to test your intestinal fortitude, schedule a colonoscopy. As preparation, they will provide counsel and guidance to purchase enough electrolyte and dulco-lax or equivalent to eliminate most any possible residual debris.
Understand that when you do this, you are voiding your entire flora and biotic regimen there and that is our own personal immunity to colds, bacteria and flu. You have to build it all back up when you wash it all out. Do what the doctors tell you. The best prevention is timely and proactive. Be well.
Joe great work as always you are diligent, I guess if you keep yourself regular your colon should be good, I like Apple Juice and 64 oz of Distilled water throughout the day some fiber and Vitamin C to bowel tolerance, also Magnesium and Aloe Vera Gel Caps all these help me avoid constipation and I take them everyday.