Thousands of harmful substances enter the human body each and every day, just by living our normal lives. From the food that we eat to the pollutants in the air we breathe, we constantly ingest and inhale many different chemicals, pesticides, PCBs, and more. Yikes! It’s a scary thought but this is our reality.
Fret not! As our body has its own detoxification system that allows us to maintain our optimal health. From your nostril hair that hinders foreign particles from entering your body to your kidneys filtering the toxins out of you, our bodies are wonderful biological machines that are quite resilient and built to last.
An organ that plays a huge part in of the bodily detoxification process is the mighty colon. The Colon is an organ that helps facilitate the digestion process. The colon’s main function is to reabsorb fluids and other nutrients back into the body while processing waste products and prepare for its elimination. The colon is crucial to the excretion and detoxification process of our body.
We can’t lead a normal life without a correctly functioning colon. That is why we must become proactive about our health and take action now. This article will go in depth of what the colon is, how to perform a colon cleanse, review the best colon cleanse products of 2018, and enlighten you on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle!
Click here to read my article on the Best Colon Cleanse Products of 2018
What Is The Colon & What Does The Colon Do?
The colon is a very important organ that helps to facilitate the digestive process. This vital organ is located in the end portion of the human gastrointestinal tract which includes the large intestine, rectum, and anus. In order for the human body to maintain optimal health, it must effectively eliminate food and bodily waste. The main function of the colon is to reabsorb fluids and minerals while also functioning in the formation and elimination of waste products.
The colon also contains multitudes of different bacteria that aid the body in the following ways:
- Aids digestion
- Promotes vital nutrient production
- Maintains pH (acid-base) balance
- Prevent the growth of harmful bacteria
- Synthesis of folic acid, vitamin K and some vitamin B’s
The colon plays a very important role in how our bodies use the food we eat. Here is a quick rundown of how food travels through the body.
- Food first begins in the mouth where you chew it with your teeth. Along with the chewing process, your salivary glands release saliva as well, which aid in making your food into smaller pieces. This will allow the food you eat to easily move through your esophagus and down your throat.
- The food will eventually be lead to your stomach where your stomach acid will start to break down your food into even smaller bits. The stomach uses its powerful muscles in order to churn the food to promote digestion. Your stomach acid, also known as gastric juices, has enzymes that further aids in the breaking down of your meals.
- After your meals are thoroughly broken down, it is then passed along into the small intestines. Various juices from your pancreas, liver, and gallbladder will all blend together to further break down the food so that it could begin being absorbed through the lining of your gut. This is when all the essential vitamins and nutrients are extracted from your food and absorbed into your blood where it is then taken throughout your body in order to provide sustenance and energy. These nutrients are used in your growth and cell and tissue repair.
- Whatever is left is then passed along your large intestine in order to be further absorbed back into your body. At this point, your food will be broken down so much that it will most likely be in liquid form. The large intestine excels at absorbing liquids and passing along any leftovers to your rectum.
- Here at the rectum is where your waste material is storge. When it is time, your body will signal that it is time to relieve yourself of these unwanted toxic waste material and you will then proceed to use the bathroom. The muscles in your rectum will move your waste, also known as stool, out of your body for elimination.
When the body is unable to eliminate waste materials effectively due to irregular or infrequent bowel movements, toxic residues from the by-products of undigested foods remain and build up in the colon. This is why a colon cleaning is so essential. The process of digestion of an average person (from consumption of food to defecation) usually takes between 12 to 24 hours when the colon is fully functional.
Along with food being able to be properly digested, a person with a healthy colon will have 2 to 3 bowel movements per day. Elimination should be complete and easy. The stool should be light brown in color, long and large diameter. There should be no extreme offensive odor, should be solid, and should look healthy. This describes the normal function of a healthy colon. Does it describe yours?
The colon is a miraculous organ that plays a vital role in reabsorbing much-needed nutrients back into our body WHILE eliminating harmful toxic waste.
Without a proper working colon… we are doomed to various health complications including:
- diverticulitis
- irritable bowel syndrome
- certain forms of cancer
- constipation
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- heart and blood problems
- and much more!
That is why it is imperative that we must put in the effort to maintain our health!
What Is A Colon Cleanse?
One way is through a colon cleansing, which helps to remove the toxins from the colon and intestinal tract by removing any accumulations of feces. There are many ways to perform this body detox, such as through the use of colon cleansers, laxative teas or drugs.
To remove all the gunk from our bowels, it is recommended that you perform a Colon Cleansing at least be done twice a year, especially as you grow older. You will feel lighter, more energetic, with no feeling of heaviness! You may even lose a few pounds! Your intestines will be more effective at absorbing more nutrients from consumed food items and will be able to eliminate more toxic residues.
The typical diet consists of a person contains many different chemicals and other compounds that just weren’t meant to be consumed. Yet for some reason, some of these toxic substances are legal to use in the preparation of our food items. These processed foods are full of harmful substances like synthetic additives, chemicals, and preservatives that could accumulate in the body. YOur body will have to work extra hard to flush these substances out and which could start to accumulate in your intestine, kidneys, liver, and colon.
This is why it is essential to carry out a Colon Cleansing using either supplements or through a Natural Colon Cleanse to help our body flush out these negative toxins.
During a Colon Cleansing, it is necessary to be mindful of your diet. It would be in your best interest to maintain a diet without dairy products, irritating foods, and too much protein. The best option is to eat vegetables, fruits, and fiber. Another tip is to never stop drinking water. We often think we drink enough water each day, but there are many times when we forget a glass or two. As the days go by, the amount of water not consumed increases which eventually takes its toll on our bodies.
REMEMBER! Drink more water!
After flushing your colon with whatever method you prefer, whether it is through the use of commercial pills or through a natural colon cleanse, be sure to reintroduce probiotics into your system!
Probiotics are bacteria too, by the way. But they’re the good guys! They help to build resilience and strengthens your body! Eat natural yogurt, supplement with bacilli, yeast or sauerkraut.
Click here to learn more about probiotics through my article!
To avoid Colon Diseases such as colorectal cancer, irritable bowel, colitis, polyps, diverticulitis… a healthy diet should be incorporated into your routine!
Check out this video to learn more about how to cleanse your colon!
Before we review some of the top rated colon cleansers of 2018, there’s another benefit to performing a colon cleanse and that is…
Colon Cleanse For Weight Loss
When you do a colon cleanse, there is a possibility that you can lose up to a few pounds! This is due to all the gunk passing through your system! Colon cleanse weight loss is just a natural part of the detoxification process. Colon Cleansing removes the accumulation of the waste materials in the walls of the intestines that contains toxic substances and harmful bacteria.
You might be asking… how much weight will you lose while doing a colon detox?
The simple answer to this question is: it all depends.
- It depends on how you strictly follow the recommended instructions.
- It depends on how receptive your body is to the treatment.
- It depends on your physical lifestyle and how active you are
- It depends on your food choices as everyone has a different amount of blockage in their gastrointestinal system.
The connection between colon cleansing and weight loss has been long established, but it the amount of weight you will lose all depends on how much gunk is in your colon!
Let me emphasize that this weight loss will not be permanent if you do not stick to a healthy diet and an exercise routine. These are essential lifestyle changes that will promote long-lasting health. Remember to avoid eating junk food, with high sugar content and processed foods. Otherwise, all the effort you put in towards a Colon Cleansing will be for naught; all the benefits of the detox process will be undone essentially!
So Now You’re Probably Thinking… “How Do I Keep My Colon Healthy?”
The answer is 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 sometimes… 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.
There are several basic things to keep in mind about good nutrition practices and choices, and how they can also supercharge your cleansing and detoxification experience:
Water: drink plenty of clean water each day, minimum of 8 to 10 glasses- Carbohydrates: 6 servings daily (whole grains over white)
- Meats: 8-9 servings weekly
- Healthy Fats: 3-9 servings daily
- Fruits: minimum of 4 servings daily
- Vegetables: minimum of 5 servings daily
- Dairy: 3 servings daily
- Herbs/Spices/Seasonings: Experiment daily to benefit from the natural health-promoting qualities of herbs
You Must Also Exercise!
Maintaining a healthy diet is one thing… the other essential ingredient is to incorporate more exercise sessions into your lifestyle!
No mess, no fuss, and don’t make it complex.
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 bodybuilder. Stretching, doing yoga or walking for 10-15 minutes a day is sufficient to help keep your colon healthy.
When we sustain an unhealthy diet, the food tends to get clogged in our bowels. An unhealthy diet coupled with a lack of exercise essentially rusts our bodies and bodily system, making it much more difficult for our bodies to maintain its equilibrium.
One More Thing… Or Things!
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. Here are some other things to keep in mind…
The Importance Of Fiber
Fiber-rich food is a great choice in order to maintain a healthy colon. Fiber is the mother of all things when it comes to a natural colon cleanse. Fiber essentially helps to normalize bowel movements and helps to give your stool that perfect, lovely shape it should be. 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 of diverticulitis disease.
Eating a good amount of high-fiber foods is a great start the body detoxification process.
Take note that we must also try our best to avoid refined foods. For example, some types of whole bread are usually not made with integral flour, but rather with white flour, which is then added with bran. This is why it is better to always choose food containing fiber and the least processed possible. The fresher, the better!
You can find fibers in…
Fruits and Vegetables:
- Dried fruit
- Dark-colored vegetables
- legumes
- Potatoes
- Exotic fruits
- Raspberries
- Apples,
- bananas,
- oranges,
- strawberries,
- Avocados
- and much more!
Bread and Grains
Whole-grain bread- Check cereal labels
- Whole grains
The Snack Aisle
- Popcorn
- Nuts and seeds
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.
The Importance of 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.
The body produces vitamin D when the skin is directly exposed to the sun. This is why vitamin D is often called sun vitamin. This is a great incentive for you to go for a walk or do some other form of exercise while catching some sunshine. You can also take a brief sunbath at the beginning and end of the day. About 15 to 20 minutes is usually sufficient.
Foods such as bread, fatty fish, milk, and cereal are also good sources of Vitamin D. There are also foods that naturally contain this vitamin such as Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and eggs. If your foods do not supply enough Vitamin D or you don’t live in a sunny area all year round, you can take supplements for a specified period of time.
The Importance Of Water
When there is an increase in the intake of fiber in your diet, there must also be an increase in your water consumption as well.
Water is essential for your digestion.
It helps to keep the food you eat moving along in your intestines and also aids in keeping your innards smooth and flexible.
Drink 6 to 10 glasses a day… MINIMUM. The amount of water you need will depend on your age, physical activity, and outdoor temperature.
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, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and fatigue increases.
Which Brings Us To… Don’t Hold It In!
No seriously, don’t. It’s unhealthy for you and unnatural. If you feel a bowel movement coming along, head to the bathroom and let loose. If you try to hold in your waste materials, it will eventually lead to a build-up of fecal matter and can ultimately release toxins into your body,. This has the potential to cause negative effects on your body and lead to the development of digestive issues such as diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and many others. Regular bowel movements help to flush these toxins out and are one of the ways your colon keeps itself clean, healthy, and functioning.
The Importance of Calcium
Studies have shown that calcium reduces the risk of colon and rectal cancer. Always remember that foods that contain nutrients naturally are always best. Enriched and overly saturated processed “things” are best in small doses…. never is even better!
You can find it in the following foods:
- Sesame (seed, tahini, oil)
- Vegetables (spinach, broccoli …)
- Salmon
- sardines
- Almonds (tapered, made of milk)
The Importance Of Folic acid
Folic acid, or vitamin B9, helps the body to create new cells and also plays a vital role during pregnancy. Folic acid also helps to reduce the risk of Colon Cancer.
You can find it in:
- Vegetables (broccoli, spinach)
- Asparagus
- The peas
- The lenses
- Chickpeas
- Strawberry
- Orange
- Papaya
The Importance Of Magnesium
This mineral is used to treat digestive problems related to intestinal transit, such as irritable bowel, and it also helps to reduce the risk of cancer.
The idea is to consume foods rich in magnesium every day:
- cocoa
- Squash and pumpkin seeds
- linseed
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Cashew nut
- Brazil nut
- White beans
- Peas
- Vegetables
You can also take supplements based on magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate for two or three months.
Beware Of Red Meat
You should note that certain foods are not favorable to the well being of your intestines. Red meat is a great source of protein and other nutrients, but in excess, it can have very detrimental effects on the colon. Consuming too much red meat leaves toxic deposits in your intestine which degrade your health over time.
Alternatives such as poultry meat, fish, eggs, and certain vegetables are recommended in order for you to get your daily need for essential nutrients. These foods bring the necessary protein and energy to our body.
Don’t get me wrong… you’re more than welcome to eat red meat. But please be sure to be mindful of how much and how often! This is the case for processed red meats. It is, therefore, better to turn to organic poultry meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, etc…
Beware Of Dairy Products
If you suffer from an irritable bowel syndrome, you should avoid milk and its products in addition to red meat. You can try for a month and then reintroduce them into your diet. If you do not tolerate them well, your body will react immediately.
And Remember To Get Colonoscopies!
As we grow older, our bodies are not able to effectively function as they did when we are in our prime. For individuals over the age of 50, it is highly recommended that you get a colonoscopy performed on a regular basis. This is a necessary step for you to ensure your colon health. It is unfortunate but the diet of an average person usually consists of meals that contain main chemicals and additives.
As such, digestive medical issues are prevalent. Getting colonoscopies done will aid in the prevention of medical illness, such as early detection of colon cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases, and help you to maintain optimal levels of health. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any digestive issues, ongoing diarrhea or constipation, as these could be signs of certain colon and intestinal issues.
SIncerely,
James Kim
