Pseudoscientific and Unhealthy Approaches to Gastrointestinal Health and Detoxification in Natural Medicine.

Abstract

This paper discusses concerns with specific approaches in identifying and eliminating gastrointestinal (GI) pathogens, as well as detoxifying toxic metals, that may be misleading and harmful to a patient's health. These are non-scientific methods that claim to improve GI microbial balance and mineral nutritional status that persist in the nutritional and natural medicine market, and unfortunately many are actively promoted through specific products and protocols marketed by nutritional supplement companies that should know better. The potential toxicity and mucosal damage of the long-term use of aggressive laxative herbs such as Cascara sagrada, rhubarb and/or Senna, as well as potential adverse events from ingredients containing fulvic acids and/or humic acids are discussed.