Now, water is an essential component of a cleanse. Unfortunately, we either get too little of it or we get it the wrong way. If you intend to perform a do it yourself colon cleanse anytime soon, you will need to drink lots of water. Here are some tips for boosting your water intake.

Tip 1: Filter Your Water

In its October 5, 2004 issue, The Washington Post revealed cities all over the U.S, among them New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, have been manipulating results of tests which were administered to detect the presence of lead in water. Not only does this manipulation violate federal law, it puts Americans at risk, giving them false sense of security where their drinking water is concerned.

Don't be a sitting duck for contaminants in your water. Get yourself a filter!

Tip 2: Follow Intake Guidelines

According to the U.S National Research Council, you should drink 1 mL of water per calorie that you eat. Thus, if you eat 1,500 calories, you should drink 1,500 mL.

You will need to drink more water, though, while you're exercising or when the weather is really hot. As a rule of thumb, for every hour that you spend exercising, you should increase your water intake by an extra quart.

Tip 3: Drink Room Temperature or Warm Water

It's believed that cold liquid disrupts your body's flow of energy, on top of shocking the system. So, for your do it yourself colon cleanse, it's best to stick to room temperature or warm fluids.

Finally, keep in mind that a lot more goes into colon cleansing than simply staying adequately hydrated. Here are some precautions to take:

• Take note of the herbal ingredients and their respective amounts in the colon cleansing product you intend to use — some herbs may cause health problems.
• Be wary of inflated or broad claims that colon cleansing will automatically cure illnesses.
• Check with your doctor first, before doing the cleanse. Do this especially if you have health problems or are under medication.