Progast^® Oxy-Colon Cleanse – Real Ingredients

Constipation and constipation-type gut conditions such as IBS-C (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation) needs a comprehensive integrated management approach. The ingredients in Progast^® Oxy-Colon Cleanse have been specifically chosen to effectively support gut motility and colon health. We cannot be healthy if we keep absorbing toxins from a stagnant colon.

Ingredients in Progast^® Oxy-Colon Cleanse

1. Magnesium oxide

2. Aloe Ferox powder

3. Dry Rhubarb extract

4. Sennoside A & B

5. Turmeric

6. Citrus Bioflavonoids

7. Apple Pectin

1. Magnesium oxide

Relieves symptoms of indigestion (such as acid reflux) and helps to relieve constipation.

Magnesium plays a critical role in muscular contractions; cramp prevention and calcium and oxygen transport throughout the cells of the human body. Magnesium based oxides release oxygen throughout the digestive system to assist in the removal of accumulated toxins and mucous, that obstruct cellular membranes and clog elimination systems. For all oxygen functions in the body, the bowel is as important as the lungs! Magnesium has a direct positive effect on our gut flora.^1,2

The well-known laxative, milk of magnesia, is liquid magnesium hydroxide; similar to magnesium oxide in structure and function. In the presence of water, magnesium oxide actually turns into magnesium hydroxide. There is plenty of water in the body, making magnesium oxide and hydroxide interchangeable with regard to biological activity.

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2. Aloe Ferox powder

Aloe is an adaptogen and assists in the regulation of the elimination cycles.

Aloe ferox (commonly known as the bitter aloe or Cape aloe) is an important traditional medicine against many ailments in its native South Africa.³ One such use is as a laxative agent. The aloe bitters contain anthraquinones, mainly aloin and alecin, as well as resins. Aloin is pharmacologically inactive, but when ingested it is converted by the bowel flora to aloe-emodin anthrone, which has primarily a laxative effect. As the aloin has to reach the colon before any effect can occur, it takes about 8 hours to work. A dose taken at bedtime, therefore results in a bowel movement the next morning.⁴

The genus name Aloe, from Latin and Greek, is translated as ‘famous for its bitterness’. The bitterness is due to the yellow bitter leaf juice that flows from the fleshy leaves when you cut them diagonally at the base of the leaf. This dries into a hard, dark brown, opaque mass, which is known as ‘Aloe’.

The anti-inflammatory effects of orally administered aloin have been demonstrated in animal experiments.⁵ The inactive aloin passes harmlessly through the stomach on the way to the colon leaving the stomach unaffected. Aloe ferox has been traditionally used as a vermifuge.⁶ Aloe also helps to decrease the amount of unfriendly gut bacteria, keeping intestinal flora in balance.

In a 2010 study published in the journal BMC Gastroenterology,⁷ the effect of Aloe Ferox powder compared favourably with the laxative Senokot. Aloe ferox was effective in ‘influencing increased defecation frequency, fecal volume and motility of the colon.’

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3. Dry Rhubarb extract

A well-established medicinal plant for the treatment of constipation.

Rhubarb has been used as a first-choice herb for constipation, for thousands of years in China. There are about 200 compounds isolated from rhubarb, including its main chemical compositions: anthraquinones, stilbenes and polysaccharides. Rhubarb shows extensive pharmacological activities including gastrointestinal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.⁸

The liver detoxifies toxins produced in the gut and Rhubarb protects the liver.⁹ Furthermore, Rhubarb, with diuretic and other effects, protects the kidneys and speeds up the excretion of waste. Rhubarb is used to treat haemorrhoids, gastrointestinal bleeding clinically as it has a contracting effect on the tissues or blood vessels.¹⁰

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4. Sennoside A & B  (Senna leaf)

Senna is the gentlest of the stimulant laxatives.

The leaves and the fruit of the Senna herb, have been used to make medicine at least since the 700s. Their action is due to free anthraquinones (also found in rhubarb and aloe mentioned above). Anthraquinone glycosides called sennosides, have been identified as: A, B, C and D.¹¹

Sennosides are known as stimulant laxatives, used to clean out the intestines before a bowel examination such as colonoscopy or before surgery. The breakdown products of Senna irritate the colonic wall to induce fluid secretion and colonic motility.¹²

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5. Turmeric (Curcumin longa)

Curcumin has an anti-inflammatory effect on bowel symptoms.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the root of a flowering plant of the ginger family. Turmeric has been traditionally used in Indian, Chinese and Western herbal medicine for managing abdominal pain and bloating, bacterial infections and digestive issues for thousands of years.

Turmeric’s extract, curcumin, is a naturally occurring phytochemical, well respected for its anti-inflammatory action. With proven pharmacological properties (antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic) curcumin has become increasingly popular over the last decade.

Turmeric improves intestinal flora, aids in digestion of protein, and treats gas and colic.¹³ Because of its higher bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract than in other organs, the therapeutic potential of curcumin has been investigated in several studies of digestive diseases.

A potential role for curcumin in ulcerative colitis patients is supported by a randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study.¹⁴ In another study, curcumin supplementation showed decreased abdominal pain intensity and improved quality of life in IBS patients.¹⁵ Curcumin clearly has an effect on bowel symptoms and the emerging role of intestinal inflammation and immune activation in functional bowel diseases.¹⁶

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6. Citrus Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids help protect your cells from free radicals and oxidation.

Bioflavonoids are colourful substances that occur widely in the plant kingdom. Citrus bioflavonoids (a lesser-known nutrients in citrus fruits) have strong antioxidant properties. They help clear the body of toxins and to fight microbial infection. Free radicals are byproducts of natural processes like digestion and respiration.

Bioflavonoids can increase capillary resistance and strengthen the walls of blood capillaries, –  helpful for hemorrhoids.¹⁷ There are many studies which have demonstrated the antimicrobial and antifungal effect of citrus bioflavonoids.¹⁸

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7. Apple Pectin

A fibre rich prebiotic that feeds gut flora and inhibits microbes.

Apple pectin is extracted from apples, which are some of the richest sources of fibre. Considered a prebiotic, apple pectin promotes gut health by feeding the beneficial bacteria and at the same time inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. Apple pectin may alleviate both diarrhea and constipation as it normalizes stool formation.¹⁹ Apple pectin may alleviate heartburn and acid reflux.²⁰

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