# Sources: Detox Cleanses and Gut Health Claims Back to [[Topics/Detox Cleanses and Gut Health Claims/Detox Cleanses and Gut Health Claims|Detox Cleanses and Gut Health Claims]] | Source | Link | Supports | |---|---|---| | PolitiFact, "Feeling weighed down? It's not because there are 5-15 pounds of…" (Jan 27, 2023) | [politifact.com](https://politifact.com/factchecks/2023/jan/27/facebook-posts/feeling-weighed-down-its-not-because-there-are-5-1/) | The "5–15 lb of stuck stool" claim is False | | Mayo Clinic, "Colon cleansing: Is it helpful or harmful?" | [mayoclinic.org](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/colon-cleansing/faq-20058435) | No proven benefit of colon cleansing; side effects and risks | | McGill Office for Science and Society, "You're full of crap, literally?" | [mcgill.ca](https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health/youre-full-crap-literally) | Autointoxication history; "mucoid plaque" is made by the products | | NCCIH, "Detoxes and Cleanses: What You Need To Know" | [nccih.nih.gov](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/detoxes-and-cleanses-what-you-need-to-know) | Little evidence for detox programs; safety concerns | | Healthline, "Salt Water Flush" (medically reviewed, updated Feb 16, 2024) | [healthline.com](https://www.healthline.com/health/salt-water-flush) | Works as an osmotic laxative; 2 tsp salt per quart; no evidence it removes parasites or waste buildup | | Jalanka et al. 2015, "Effects of bowel cleansing on the intestinal microbiota", *Gut* | [doi](https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2014-307240) | Cleansing briefly reduces gut bacteria, which recover in about two weeks | | Medscape on the FDA's 2011 methylene blue safety warning | [medscape.com](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/751978) | Serotonin-syndrome risk with serotonergic psychiatric drugs |