Mucoid plaque
Claims | Claimed to be a harmful material coating the gastrointestinal tract. |
---|---|
Related scientific disciplines | Medicine |
Year proposed | Early 20th century |
Original proponents | Richard Anderson |
(Overview of pseudoscientific concepts) |
Mucoid plaque (or mucoid cap or rope) is a
Many such "
History
Various forms of colon cleansing were popular in the 19th and early 20th century.
While colonic irrigation enjoyed a vogue in the early 20th century as a possible cure for numerous diseases, subsequent research showed that it was useless and potentially harmful.[9] With the scientific rationale for "colon cleansing" disproven, the idea fell into disrepute as a form of quackery, with a 2005 medical review stating that "there is no evidence to support this ill-conceived theory that has been long abandoned by the scientific community."[10] Similarly, in response to claims that colon cleansing removes "toxins", Bennett Roth, a gastroenterologist at the University of California, stated that "there is absolutely no science to this whatsoever. There is no such thing as getting rid of quote-unquote 'toxins.' The colon was made to carry stool. This is total baloney."[11] The preoccupation with such bowel management products has been described as a "quaint and amusing chapter in the history of weird medical beliefs."[12] Nevertheless, interest in colonic "autointoxication" as a cause of illness, and in colonic irrigation as a cure, enjoyed a revival in alternative medicine at the end of the 20th century.[9]
The term "mucoid plaque" was coined and popularized by
Though Anderson argues that his beliefs are backed by scientific research, his claims are primarily supported by
Medical evaluation
Practicing
Another pathologist, Edward Friedlander, noted that, in his experience, he has never observed anything resembling a "toxic bowel settlement", and that some online photographs actually depict what he recognises as a blood clot.[6] Commenting on claims that waste material can adhere to the colon, Douglas Pleskow, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, stated, "that is the urban legend. In reality, most people clear their GI tract within three days."[11]
In a review of websites promoting products that claim to remove 'mucoid rope' or plaque from consumers' intestines, Howard Hochster of New York University wrote that these websites are "abundant, quasi-scientific, and unfortunately convincing to a biologically uneducated public." He noted that although such sites are entertaining, they are disturbing in that they promote a belief that has no basis in physiology.[2]
Hochster also noted that a preparation marketed to remove mucoid plaque contains laxatives and bulky fibrous ingredients. Thus, the rope-like fecal material expelled from people who consume this product "certainly is a result of the figs and senna in this preparation," rather than any sort of pathologic 'plaque'.[2] Other 'colon cleanser' products contain bentonite clay that, when ingested, would also result in production of bulky stools.[3]
In many cases, customers purchase supplement products that are said to help the body excrete the so-called 'mucoid plaque'. The customer may consume a number of pills, and then within 12–48 hours, will pass a rope-like fecal material in their subsequent bowel movements. This fecal material is said to be the 'mucoid plaque'. However, analysis of supplements consumed by the customer shows that the active ingredient is very similar to that of clay used in clumping cat litter. This clay takes a negative mould of the large intestine which is then excreted during the customer's next bowel movement. [14]
References
- ^ a b c d "Colon cleanses thrive despite scant proof". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
- ^ S2CID 195301831.
- ^ a b c Joe Schwarcz (April 5, 2008). "I have a gut feeling something's wrong here". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012.
- ^ PMID 15360949. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-31.)
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link - ^ a b Uthman, Edward (7 January 1998). "Mucoid Plaque". Quackwatch. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
- ^ a b Friedlander, Ed. "Ed's Guide to Alternative Therapies: Colonics". Retrieved 2007-02-21.
- PMID 7665877.
- ^ Bastedo WA (1932). "Colonic irrigations: their administration, therapeutic application and dangers". 98. JAMA: 736.
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: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ PMID 9252839.
- S2CID 8060335.
- ^ a b Foreman, Judy (June 30, 2008). "Beware of colon cleansing claims". Los Angeles Times.
- New York Times.
- ^ Anderson, Richard (2000). Cleanse & Purify Thyself, Books One and Two. Christobe Publishing.
- ^ "The Detoxification Myth".