{"id":7338,"date":"2017-11-08T09:03:46","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T17:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fxnutrition.com\/?p=7338"},"modified":"2025-08-28T15:05:54","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:05:54","slug":"difference-between-a-detox-and-a-cleanse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fxnutrition.com\/blog\/difference-between-a-detox-and-a-cleanse","title":{"rendered":"Holistic Colon Care: The Difference Between a Detox and a Cleanse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you written a love letter to your colon lately?<\/span><\/p>\n

Seriously!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Your colon (or large intestine) deserves some genuine love\u2014whether you never think about it because it does just what it\u2019s supposed to do for you, without muttering a peep, a groan or a gurgle. Or if it demands some attention with aches, pains, noises or erratic eliminations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some health practitioners have said that all health is rooted<\/a> in the colon; that <\/span>this<\/span><\/i> is where disease originates. Whether you believe this to be true or not, I\u2019m here to remind you that the health of your colon is worth considering as you continue your quest to feel your best.<\/span><\/p>\n

A love letter to my colon<\/span><\/h3>\n

Several years ago I wrote an actual love letter to my own colon to send my thanks. And every so often I like to give it the gift of some extra care and attention to extend more affection, gratitude and appreciation. (I\u2019d love to help you do the same for yours!)<\/span><\/p>\n

And while I don\u2019t normally share the love letters I pen with the public, I will reveal what I wrote to my colon (with the hopes that you\u2019ll commit to supporting your colon health right along with me!)<\/span><\/p>\n

My dearest colon,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

I have a confession to make\u2026 I adore you, though some people may say that\u2019s gross. What you do matters to me more than you know!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

You rid my body of the leftovers it no longer needs. You help create the poop that leaves my body and is filled with the kinds of bacteria that truly do me no good. When you\u2019re doing your best, as I know you try to do every single day, you keep me from feeling any bloat, gas or pain. You are one of my biggest and most productive forms of detoxification, and for that I am grateful.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Truly, I want you to know that I vow to care for you as you have for me.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

With love and gratitude,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Supporting our colon\u2019s natural detoxification prowess is one way we can provide a little extra love to accompany that letter. <\/span><\/p>\n

Detox vs cleanse\u2026 what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n

I know many people use the terms <\/span>detox<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>cleanse<\/span><\/i> interchangeably, and the two words have been developing some negative connotations in mainstream media of late. But at the Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA), we\u2019ve created a distinction between these two concepts that\u2019s important to understand. It\u2019s that distinction that will help you to make the appropriate investment of your time and resources to reach your optimal health goals and support your body to perform its natural functions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Decoding detoxification<\/span><\/h3>\n

When we use the word \u201cdetox\u201d, we are referring to the body\u2019s natural processes of elimination and excavation. Depending on your health needs at that moment, our goal may be to help your body when it\u2019s overburdened or just fortify what it\u2019s already doing for you. You can think of it like bathing your body, flossing your teeth, or using a neti pot for nasal irrigation. <\/span>\u201cDetox\u201d is a verb, not a noun.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to your insides, we may consider your digestion and inflammatory load as ways to support your body\u2019s abilities to handle waste removal. Simultaneously we may be focused on your sleep, your poop, or your blood sugar balance \u2013 what we call your Non-Negotiable Trifecta<\/a>. These are all functions that help your body with its job to transform what it doesn\u2019t need into waste\u2026 and support its removal!<\/span><\/p>\n

Holistic methods of supporting waste removal<\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/span>Clinically, our goal may or may not be to eliminate some dietary items that are \u201cmuddying the waters\u201d and confusing our understanding of how you feel or the symptoms you\u2019re experiencing. We might temporarily remove substances that slow you down, make you sick, clog your sinuses, cause gas and discomfort, make you feel bloated or heavy, or leave you feeling tired and foggy. <\/span>Who wants any of that?<\/p>\n

Sometimes the things we\u2019re addressing are foods or other things that we consume, and sometimes they\u2019re behaviors or beliefs, patterns and habits that are holding us back.<\/span><\/p>\n

And at FxNA, we never remove without replacing. We aim to ensure that you don\u2019t feel deprived through this fortification so that you\u2019re learning about yourself through the process and making sustainable changes that inform your everyday self-care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bottom line: The goal is to help your body to do what it naturally does for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

OK, so if that\u2019s a detox, then what\u2019s a cleanse?<\/h2>\n

Whereas \u201cdetox\u201d is a verb (and something that your body does <\/span>for<\/span><\/i> you, that can be enhanced with some support and practices), a \u201ccleanse\u201d tends to be thought of as a noun; something that you go <\/span>on<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At FxNA there are times when we would consider a cleanse for a client or patient, but certainly not for all, and not without careful Assessment<\/a> and evaluation. During a cleanse, we\u2019re likely (and temporarily) removing those substances that can leave you feeling high and dry in the ways I mentioned above. Yet we\u2019re also diving into your insides a bit deeper. We\u2019re delving into a certain organ of detoxification and actually working to give it a little extra \u201cscrub\u201d so it can function better\u2014loving your body so you can, indeed, love it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your colon\u2019s dedicated care<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s look at your colon as an example of this distinction\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Your colon (or large intestine) is working constantly to gather what the body needs and expel what it doesn\u2019t. A healthy colon is clearing any toxins, debris or non-beneficial bacteria from your body and removing them so that the body can stay vibrant, strong and without undue pressure from unnecessary waste build-up.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I mentioned, many experts say that the health of the colon is reflected in your overall health. What this means is that if you suffer diarrhea or constipation, you can likely link some of your other ailments to those signs of imbalance. And an imbalance is not an imperfection or something that needs a \u201cfix\u201d. It\u2019s something that is calling your attention to that area of your body. It\u2019s asking for support.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to naturally support your colon with a cleanse<\/span><\/h3>\n

Colon support can come in many different forms, depending on the signs and symptoms you\u2019re experiencing. Three of my top favorite ways to love my colon are:<\/span><\/p>\n