Are You Healthy? Check Your Colon!
Posted by Vicki | Under Digestive Health
Did you know that your health begins in your colon?
Many of us go along thinking that as long as we feel fine, and maybe even working out, eating healthy sometimes, or so we believe, that we’re doing as well as we can be.
But what happens in our digestive system is usually taken for granted. Thousands of chemical reactions and enzymes are at work breaking down our food as it passes through our stomach and small intestine.
By the time it reaches our large intestine, it should be digested to the point that the walls of the colon can absorb the nutrients from our food. This is where nutrient absorption takes place.
But sometimes things that we absorb are not so healthy, and actually accumulate on the walls of the colon, causing not only a depletion in nutrient absorption, but a toxic buildup as well.
These toxins are then able to pass into our bloodstream in place of the nutrients that are no longer allowed to pass through the blockages.
We all know that we should be getting colon screenings by age 50. Why is that?
It is because colon cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer as long as it is caught early.
Not only that, it is preventable! And it’s not just colon cancer you should worry about.
The colon is as much responsible if not more for ridding your body of toxins as your kidneys and sweat glands. These are the only ways that your body has to remain at the peak of health.
But even so, over time, there begins a buildup in the colon walls that prevent both absorption of nutrients AND the elimination of toxins. You do not even notice this, but you might notice that over the years you see smaller and smaller diameter stools.
Yet the ways and means to prevent this buildup, and potentially not only colon but other cancers to begin to grow are so simple, and require only a bit of attention on our part!
The three primary things just happen to be three primary keys to your overall wellness, the correct amounts on a daily basis of water, fiber, and do not forget exercise (yes, even for your digestive health!).
Why? Your health begins in your colon!
So pay close attention, it is never too late to turn things around. If you are overweight or even if not, think about this. Even if you think you are healthy.
A dear friend of mine who is just about 150 lbs, very fit and thin, recently had two bouts of extreme constipation to the point we thought it was appendicitis and he ended up in the emergency room in dire pain (an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10).
The CT scan they gave him required a fluid that he could barely get down, it took him over an hour and a half to drink it all. Thankfully they eliminated both diverticullitis and appendicitis.
But of course after a second bout of the same thing within 2 months hehad an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled, and is now aware that he has Celiac disease (gluten intolerance).
That one took 2 of the smaller and 3 hot water bottle size warm water enemas to clear the blockage.
Now he’s on a regimen of fiber (and of course, getting the required 1/2 oz. per lb. of body weight in water!), digestive enzymes and probiotics which have helped him recover (and will still take a while, the enemas clear the lower intestine of the good flora which is necessary for healthy digestion).
I too had issues that were of great concern to me a few years ago. For over a year and a half my entire digestive system was in a degenerative state, finally ending up with no solid waste at all, and constant gas and bloating.
After a year of trying various probiotics, I finally found some that had me regulated within 48 hours and ever since. Then adding digestive enzymes, the upper digestion has been completely normal, quiet, no gas or acid reflux to speak of.
Since then I make sure to get my 25 grams of fiber per day and plenty of water, along with a healthy diet.
My point is that you should be concerned if your digestive health is not good, because this can be a warning sign that you are not only accumulating toxicity, but even getting less nutrition into your system to counteract that toxicity.
Paying attention to your body is a must, and taking the proper steps to ensure your health is a must for preventing serious chronic disease in the future!
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Americans seem to think that it’s very hard to get fiber, but this is only true if you consume a diet high in refined starches and meat. A few very simple changes to diet can make it very easy to get more than the fiber you need.
My advice:
(1) always choose whole-grain breads, crackers, breakfast cereals, rice (choose brown rice), pasta, etc. Go for ones that are made of 100% whole grain, instead of ones made primarily of enriched white flour with only a dash of whole grains.
(2) Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Rather than fruit juice, eat whole fruit. Make sure to eat some vegetables and fruit with every meal.
(3) Replace snack foods like chips or pretzels with more natural, less-processed snacks like dried fruit (raisins, dried apricots, figs, etc.) and nuts. Both are very high in fiber. Fresh fruit or vegetables are also a good snack.
(4) consider reducing your meat intake and in its place, adding protein-rich plant sources such as beans, quinoa, or even potato skins (the interior of the potato is all starch–the skin is mostly protein and fiber–so small potatos are better because they have more skin).
If you do these simple things you will get more than enough fiber without having to think about it. Just remember to always drink enough water. A higher fiber intake requires a higher water intake for healthy digestion…so as you start consuming more fiber, also make sure you are drinking enough fluids.
Amen to that Alex!
Thanks as always for your added value. You are right, if you eat sensibly then it’s not hard at all to get the required fiber. But if you do eat a diet high in simple carbs, meat and dairy, then you may need to readjust.
Great advice here, thanks again for the addition!
To Your Continued Health!
Wonderful resource for all. This is a great article on colon health, which is so important for all facets of the functioning systems of our body.
Malabsorption is the source of most degenerative diseases, so addressing the colon is so important.
Keeping a balance in the gut flora and regularly cleaning out the toxic build-up has made all the difference for me and my clients.
I agree with you on the big 3 things to do – fiber, water and exercise!!!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all.
Christen Peattie, HHP
Hi Christen!
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I am glad you reiterated that malabsorption is the source of most degenerative disease. We do most of our nutrition absoprtion through the colon walls and without a healthy colon we end up with so many deficiencies, the tiniest of which can be so detrimental!
And I am glad you agree about the fiber, water and exercise. Water is so essential especially with a high fiber diet. And exercise that strengthens the core goes a long way to helping the digestive system stay healthy!
Thanks again for your added value!
Wishing You Continued Health!
My husband has colitis. Being that too much fiber “sets it off” … what is good for colitis and even curing it?
Hi Susan!
I was diagnosed with colitis as well a few years ago. What I finally did was start taking the Enzymes and Probiotics which turned me around completely. The enzymes help you digest and should be taken 2 before each meal (1 if just a light meal) and the probiotics 2 in the morning and 2 at night, without food on the stomach and with a glass of water. After he sees some improvement he can probably cut back in both, but these made all the difference for me in a short period of time (a few days).
I hope it helps!
