[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The colon is a commonly misunderstood organ. It is known as the large intestine or bowel, and it’s the last step in the digestive process, designed to eliminate bodily waste effectively and efficiently. Besides digestion and elimination, a healthy colon is also home to friendly bacteria, also known as gut flora. These friendly bacteria play a crucial role in
maintaining one’s immune system and general health.
It can be easy to forget how important it is for the colon to function properly. An active and clean colon not only keeps you comfortable, it also can help keep you
healthy. The best way to maintain a healthy gut is by following a balanced diet, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, introducing
friendly bacteria and drinking enough water. A diet
high in fiber and including the correct amount of
healthy fats should keep your gut going.
What happens when diet is not enough, and what can you do if your diet is not up to par? For some people, there are times when the colon needs to be cleaned out. That’s when a colon cleanse may be in order.
Colon Cleansing: How to Keep the System Running Smoothly
Clarity on cleansing
There are two ways to cleanse the colon. One is a bottom-up approach; the other goes from the top-down. The “bottom-up” method involves introducing large amounts of water and sometimes other medicinal substances through the rectum and then removing that water along with any other toxins and waste materials found in the intestines. It is sometimes necessary to do such a colonic irrigation as preparation for medical tests or procedures.
As for health, there is limited scientific evidence that such a
bowel cleanse is helpful. The colon was created with the ability to push out waste naturally. Overwhelming that system and forcing it to eliminate large amounts of waste in a short amount of time can sometimes
cause discomfort and temporary health problems.
Still, a person may want to support the health of their colon. That’s where the “top-down” approach comes in.
The other way to cleanse the colon is by introducing the correct nutrients and minerals through the regular digestive route. A cleanse should be gentle, support healthy elimination and maintain gut health. Such a gentle gut cleanse may include
vitamin C,
magnesium,
prebiotics and probiotics. It may also include nutrients and herbal compounds to support the cleansing process while keeping the person comfortable.
Why cleanse?
Since the intestines host fecal matter on its way out of the body, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, parasites and other ills. As waste is cleared out of the system, it becomes easier for the intestines to absorb the good nutrients.
Maintaining a
healthy gut is important for maintaining a healthy body.
Gut health has been linked to
brain function, mental and cognitive development, emotions and behavior. Friendly bacteria have also been associated with several
psychiatric and neurological disorders like
depression,
anxiety,
Alzheimer's and epilepsy. Of course,
digestive health is also associated with a healthy colon, as that is the last stage of digestion.
While there is little scientific evidence, people relate feeling better following healthy colon cleanse. The reported benefits include:
- Regularity: People share that following a colon cleanse, they have better bowel movements more frequently and regularly.
- Energy: People claim to have more energy when their digestive system operates properly.
- Concentration: People relate that they have better concentration and are more alert when their colon is clean.
- Weight loss: People associate cleansing their gut with losing weight.
- Health: People feel that their general health is better when their intestine is clean and that nutrients are more easily absorbed in that state.
More bowel boosters
Cleansing and detoxing are not the only way to keep your colon clean. There are other ways to get your bowel going.
- Diet – A diet high in lean fibers, healthy fats and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables help the gut microbiome thrive. Each healthy food group contributes to the population of different healthy bacteria. Some specific health-conscious diets like vegan, vegetarian or the Mediterranean diet, make it easier to build up a good microbiome. It’s interesting to note that positive change in gut flora can be achieved in as little as 24 hours after a beneficial change in diet patterns. What’s even more interesting is that the resident flora can revert to previous levels within 48 hours of stopping a healthy diet.
- Hydration – Filling up with the right food is not enough. In order to get fecal matter to have enough motility to move through the intestines, there needs to be enough water in the system. As stool moves lower down in the intestines, more water is absorbed by the intestinal walls. If there isn’t enough water, stool becomes denser and more difficult to pass. Drinking enough water is imperative.
- Exercise – Exercising is about maintaining health and building strength. Exercise improves blood flow around the body, builds muscle mass and has a positive effect on almost every aspect of health. When it comes to intestinal health, exercise also plays a role. Regular physical exercise can help maintain regularity.
- Training – A good way to achieve and maintain regularity is by training the body to have regular bowel It’s a good idea to make a habit of going to the bathroom 20-40 minutes after a meal, as that’s when the bowels are most active. Some physical stimulation may also be helpful. It’s not a good idea to ignore the urge for a bowel movement when your rectum feels full. The feeling of a full rectum is supposed to serve as a signal for a bowel movement. Ignoring that signal can make it harder to produce a bowel movement later.
True colon health is best maintained by following a healthy diet and hydrating properly. That said, digestive health can be supported by a gentle cleanse supplement that includes beneficial vitamins, minerals and pre- and probiotics. It is important to remember that for a colon cleanse to be effective and beneficial, it doesn’t necessarily have to be performed in an office or by a hydrotherapist. Sometimes, such a colonic irrigation can be a shock to the system and should only be performed upon the advice of a medical professional.
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