So you read up on the colon and why it is so important in order to sustain a health lifestyle. Now you must be wondering…
How Do I Maintain A Health Colon?
The answer it simple! The main thing you have to do is eat a healthy diet. However, like myself and the most of us, eating healthy just doesn’t come easy some times…
With the onslaught of easy microwave dishes, fast food joints, processed food, and what have you… our body definitely takes a beating over the years.
By incorporating some of the following tips into your lifestyle, you will be effectively prolonging your life by assist with the risk-reduction of potentially preventable illnesses like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, and colon cancer.
In addition, following these tips can alleviate the discomforts of bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, and gas.
1. FIBER
Fiber-rich food is a great choice in order to maintain a healthy colon.
Eating a good amount of high-fiber foods is a great start the body detoxification process. Some examples of fiber-rich foods are:
raspberries- bananas
- prunes
- peas
- broccoli
- beans
- celery
- whole grains
Fiber helps the digestion process by keeping food waste moving along your digestive tract. This helps your intestines stay squeaky clean and can decrease your risk for diverticulitis disease.
2. VITAMIN D
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that a regular intake of Vitamin D can go a long way in preventing colon cancer from forming and with maintaining a healthy colon,
The best way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D is through exposure to the sun. This is great incentive for you to go for a walk or do some other form of exercise while catching some sunshine.
Foods such as bread, fatty fish, milk, and cereal are also good sources of Vitamin D.
If your foods do not supply enough Vitamin D, taking a supplement may be warranted.
3. DON’T HOLD IT
No seriously, don’t. It’s unhealthy for you and unnatural. If you feel a bowel movement coming along, head for the bathroom and let loose.
If you try to hold it in, built-up fecal matter can release toxins into your body, which has the potential to cause diverticulitis and IBS.
Regular bowel movements helps to flush these toxins out and is one of the ways your colon keeps itself clean, healthy, and functioning.
4. WATER
Not drinking enough water can cause dehydration. Dehydration can lead to the body being unable to effectively remove waste. This can lead to the build up of toxins in the body.
As those toxins accumulate, the risk for constipation, bloating, gas, IBS, and fatigue increases.
If you’re trying to keep your colon healthy, try to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water in a day to cleanse your body.
5. EXERCISE
Exercising is an essential part of any healthy lifestyle. It is inevitable that exercise will also play a huge part in how to keep your colon healthy.
Exercising helps to increase the blood flow and circulation throughout your body, which means your colon and your entire gastrointestinal system gets more oxygen. This may help ward off colon cancer and other diseases.
Your fitness routine doesn’t need to be extreme; you don’t have to run marathons or become a body builder. Stretching, doing yoga or walking for 10-15 minutes a day is sufficient to help keep your colon healthy.
6. COLONOSCOPIES
For individuals over age 50, a colonoscopy is a medical procedure that is heavily recommended and is considered a necessary step in maintaining colon health.
Although a colonoscopy is by no means a fun experience, it’s essential in the prevention and early detection of colon cancer and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
Also, ask your doctor about a colonoscopy if you are experiencing on-going diarrhea or constipation, as these can be signs of colon and intestinal problems.
7. CLEANSING YOUR COLON
There are also many other ways to keep your colon clean. Some of the ways to perform this body detox is through the use of commercial colon-cleansing drugs, laxative teas, diuretics, or other natural methods.
Colon flushes are a popular procedure, and are believed to wash out toxins and waste material that have become trapped in your colon.
If you suffer from constipation, a colon flush can be the best way to regain regular bowel movements and restore your colon’s health.
With a variety of special herb and mineral infusions available, colon cleanses can be tailored to suit your unique needs.
-James Kim
