Natural Colon Cleansers

If you are looking for natural colon cleansers, the good news is that all colon cleansers are natural. The question is, what type suits you and your lifestyle best.

There are several options for natural colon cleansers:

Colon-cleansing diet

A diet rich in colon-friendly foods is the ultimate natural colon cleanser, recommended whatever else you do for your colon. A colon cleansing diet will boost the effectiveness of other colon cleansing therapies as well as reduce the need for them in the long-term.

Starting a colon cleansing diet is as simple as learning which foods are natural colon cleansers, introducing them into your diet and eliminating those that aren’t. There is no need to buy unusual or expensive foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables and grains are all colon-friendly foods.

Specialty colon-cleansing foodstuffs

Many foodstuffs are known to be particularly good natural colon cleansers. For instance, flax seeds, oat and wheat brans. These can be added in to a healthy diet to boost its colon cleansing abilities.

Herbal colon cleanse and detox supplements

Many all natural herbal colon detox cleansers are available, from daily supplements to intensive herbal detox courses taken for a limited period of time only.

Colonics

Also known as colon hydrotherapy, irrigation or high colonics, this option for colon cleansing may not seem natural in that it is a “procedure.” However, colonics do not involve any chemicals whatsoever, only water, which is flushed gently in and out of the colon.

Water

Water is a great natural cleanser, helping not just the colon but the skin and kidneys to flush out toxins. Water helps the colon flush out toxins by making stools, which carry toxins out of the body, soft and easier to pass. About six to eight glasses of water a day are recommended. Drinking too much water is harmful.

Copyright 2008 Lindy Sinclair

Homemade Colon Cleanse

For many, the ideal colon cleanse is a homemade colon cleanse. After all, not everyone is happy discussing “tummy troubles” with a health store advisor, or visiting a colonic hydrotherapist to have everything flushed out.

There are many options for home colon cleansing which give you complete control as well as privacy.

First there is fasting. This ancient approach to colon cleansing is too drastic (and potentially dangerous – ask your doctor) for modern times. A more practical (and safer) alternative is homemade fruit or veggie juice “fast.”

In the long-term, the most beneficial home colon cleansing option is a colon cleansing diet rich in all the foods that cleanse the colon. There is no need to shop at speciality stores or learn new recipes. A simple understanding of which foods cleanse the colon and which to avoid is all it takes to plan a homemade colon cleansing diet.

A colon-friendly diet is always a good idea, whatever else you are doing for your colon. The ultimate goal of all colon cleansing options is to help the colon reach the point where it functions well without any other assistance than a friendly diet.

Supermarkets have made homemade colon cleansing diets easier by introducing an expanding range of colon-friendly products that can be added to everyday food. For instance, a wide variety of fibrous and colon-friendly foodstuffs such as wheat germ, oat bran and flax seeds. These can easily be incorporated into recipes for homemade colon-cleansing meals and snacks.

More probiotics are available too, in the form of small drinks. Probiotics boost the healthy or “friendly” bacteria that populate the colon.

A home colon cleansing regime can also include super-fibers like psyllium husk (aka Metamucil) available at most pharmacies, for occasional use only whenever you feel your colon needs a little extra help.

Pharmacies and health food stores also offer a wide range of herbal colon cleanse and detox supplements. Once you are familiar with the ingredients and how your body responds you may want to make your own homemade herbal colon cleanses.

For an intense colon cleanse, many people consider colonics, also known as colon hydrotherapy. Equipment for homemade colonics is available online. However, a homemade colonic can be dangerous and is not advised.

As you can see, there are many options for creating a homemade colon cleansing routine that suits your lifestyle and your wallet. Whatever options you choose, be sure to drink plenty of water (but not too much), try to take more exercise and give your colon the long-term benefits of a colon-friendly diet.

Colonics

Also known as colon hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation or high colonics, colonics is a colon cleansing therapy available at many health spas and specialty clinics. It is one of the more “aggressive” options for colon cleansing in the sense that it accomplishes in one appointment what herbal colon detox and dietary approaches can take weeks to achieve.

How do colonics work?

During a colonic, tubing is gently inserted into the rectum. One part flushes water into the colon and another carries waste away, with the aid of gravity. The colon is gently and rhythmically flushed with about 15 gallons of water while the colonic hydrotherapist gently massages the abdomen and certain pressure points. A colon hydrotherapy session usually lasts about 45 minutes.

The benefits of colonics

Firstly, a colonic, like other colon cleansing treatments, strips the colon clean of harmful waste and toxins that over time adhere to the colon wall and hamper the colon’s ability to work as it should.

Secondly, the gentle flushing and emptying of water tones the colon muscles responsible for shifting waste out of our body, a task made more difficult when it is coated with impacted waste.

Thirdly, the combination of gentle flushing and massage techniques reshapes the colon which may have been distorted by problems such as constipation and straining, causing bulges in weak spots which can lead to diverticulitis.

Finally, colonics stimulate reflex points which interconnect with and benefit other important systems and organs.

Another benefit of colonics is that most waste is eliminated there and then. If you do need to go to the bathroom in the next few hours, no need to rush – urges will not be uncontrollable or accompanied by painful cramps.

After a colonic, most people report an immediate improvement in their sense of well-being. In particular a sense of lightness. Many people are surprised by how much they enjoy a colonics session and find it a pleasurable and far from unpleasant experience.

As with all new treatments it is important to be aware of potential side effects. It is also important to select a colon hydrotherapist with care to ensure a safe and beneficial colonics session.

Colon Problems

Most if not all people will have some kind of colon problem in their life. In most cases they will be common problems such as constipation. For others, problems are more serious, including colorectal (colon) cancer now the third most common cancer in the US.

Many colon problems are not recognized as colon problems but almost taken for granted as “one of those things.” For instance, bad breath and skin problems.

One thing is for sure, an unhealthy, poorly-functioning colon is the root cause of a surprising diversity of diseases and disorders.

Common colon health problems

Constipation is probably the most common colon problem, affecting about 4.5 million people in the US at any one time. It is most often the result of a diet short on indigestible materials such as fiber which make up the bulk of stools. Not enough bulk means stools are small, hard and difficult for the colon to move along towards the rectum and anus.

Constantly straining to expel stools irritates and swells the veins around the anus leading to hemorrhoids.

In a poorly-functioning colon, where stools spend more time in the colon than they should, toxins accumulate and are absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then released through the skin and lungs, causing bad breath, body odor and acne.

Serious colon problems

Straining to pass stools can create diverticula – bulges or pouches in the weak spots of the colon wall. These can trap stools and harmful bacteria, and become inflamed and infected – a condition known as diverticulitis. In serious cases, surgery may be required to treat diverticulitis.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a painful, long-term condition that creates a great deal of stress for sufferers. Symptomatic of a malfunctioning colon, researchers believe IBS is linked to bacterial infection in the gastro-intestinal tract, including the colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term for any colon problem involving an inflamed colon. The most common IBD is colitis, believed to be caused in part by harmful bacteria and toxins in the colon. As with many colon problems, the first line of treatment is diet change for a cleaner, healthier colon. More severe IBDs include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer

Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) is now the third most diagnosed cancer in the US. Colon cancer most commonly begins with colon polyps - growths of extra tissue in the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless but larger polyps can become cancerous. A clear link has been established between poor colon function and an increased risk of developing potentially cancerous polyps.

Not surprisingly, many people are taking recommended steps to reduce the risk of developing colon polyps. For instance, adopting a colon-friendly diet and healthier lifestyle and exploring options for colon cleansing - measures that optimize colon health and reduce the risk of developing not only colon polyps but other colon disorders associated with colon cancer.

This is just an overview of a long list of colon health problems. The good news is that most colon problems can be prevented or treated by eliminating the underlying causes of colon problems – harmful toxin-rich waste residing in and often blocking and damaging the colon.

The cleaner and healthier your colon is, the more you will avoid a wide range of colon problems from constipation to colon cancer.

Copyright 2008 Lindy Sinclair

Herbal Colon Detox

Available online or in health stores, herbal colon detox cleansers are all natural options for cleansing the colon of accumulated waste and toxins. They are available as daily supplements or as rigorous herbal cleanse and detox therapies taken for a limited time only.

There are many herbs that contribute in various ways to colon heath and cleanliness. For this reason herbal colon detox formulations typically contain a variety of herbals – seeds, barks, roots and leaves – to provide a basket of benefits.

A good herbal colon detox product will:

• Draw out impacted fecal matter
• Cleanse the colon of toxins including heavy metals
• Eliminate parasites
• Control the growth of candida albicans
• Promote friendly bacteria (intestinal flora)
• Stimulate colon muscle activity for easier bowel movements
• Disinfect and heal
• Boost the production and flow of bile acids

Because they are all natural, herbal colon cleansers are safe and a quality herbal detox product should not cause any serious side effects. However, it important not to underestimate herbal colon cleanses.

Potent formulations that rapidly detoxify the colon may (if rarely) cause headaches, nausea and other symptoms, often referred to as a “healing crisis.”

It is best to select a staged herbal colon detox that detoxifies over time or start with milder formulations to test your tolerance of various herbs.

As you become familiar with various herbal colon detox cleanses and which work best for you, you can adjust dosages or try formulations with additional ingredients. With some research into the ingredients used in herbal colon cleanses and cautious experimentation many people create their own homemade herbal colon cleanse and detox formulas.

As with all colon cleanse therapies, a herbal colon detox is helped along by healthy (but not excessive) intake of water and a colon-cleansing diet rich in grains, fruit and vegetables for long-term colon health.

Colon Cleansing

If you are new to colon cleansing, you may be surprised to know it is not a modern trend. It has a long history stretching back thousands of years.

But what exactly is colon cleansing and why is it necessary?

The colon is the “large intestine,” part of the digestive system. In a nutshell, the function of the colon is to absorb nutrients, salts and water, and expel the rest as waste – as stools. This waste includes harmful toxins and bacteria along with other materials not wanted or needed by the body.

Though colon cleansing has a long history, it is more necessary today. The job of the colon has become more difficult. The modern diet contains a high proportion of refined and processed ingredients but far less of the fruits, grains and vegetables that help the colon do an efficient job of eliminating waste.

The purpose of colon cleansing is to rid the colon of toxins and fecal matter that have accumulated on the colon walls. It is estimated that the average person has accumulated several pounds of old waste in their colon – a breeding ground for toxins and harmful bacteria.

Not surprisingly, a clogged and dirty colon is associated with a number of common colon problems, from bad breath and acne to constipation, bloating and hemorrhoids. A poorly-functioning colon underlies more serious colon problems too, such as diverticulitis and a greater likelihood of developing polyps that are associated with a greater risk of colon cancer.

In short, a colon cleansing detoxifies and helps the colon function as it should for improved health and wellness. Most people report immediate benefits from a colon cleanse – an improvement in their sense of well-being and health – and are not surprised when they see what has been clogging up their system!

Colon cleansing cannot be achieved with laxatives. Laxatives merely fast track loose matter through the colon but do not have the necessary cleansing properties to de-scale the colon wall of impacted waste.

There are many options for colon cleansing, from herbal colon detox supplements to colonics, also known as colon hydrotherapy as well as homemade colon cleanses. All colon cleanses are natural and ideally are accompanied by a colon-cleansing diet high in food that helps the colon cleanse and detoxify itself.

The ultimate aim of colon cleansing is a colon that functions well without our help, other than taking care what we put into it.

Colon Cleansing Diet

Whatever else you do for the health of your colon, a colon cleansing diet is essential for long-term colon health.

A colon cleansing diet will boost the effectiveness of any colon cleansing therapies you choose to take. Ultimately – and most importantly – it will help the colon function efficiently without help, or with just the occasional cleanse to keep it in tip-top condition.

Certainly a colon-friendly diet is recommended by the medical profession. The exact causes of many disorders and diseases of the colon remain unclear but in almost all cases a poor diet is a known risk factor. That is, people who do not eat a colon-friendly diet are known to have a greater risk of developing colon problems including colon cancer.

So what is a good colon cleansing diet?

A good colon diet helps the colon do its work easily. It includes foods that are easy to break down as well as materials that cannot be digested. Unfortunately, the modern diet is short on both.

Modern food contains complex, processed and super-refined ingredients that are relatively new to man, and therefore the colon. For instance, refined sugars, saturated fats, preservatives and chemicals. Friendly bacteria in the colon have to work hard (and not always successfully) to break them down.

The modern diet also contains little in the way of “indigestibles.” It may seem pointless to eat foods the body cannot digest but they essential for a healthy colon. A key function of the colon is to eliminate waste – toxins, harmful bacteria and so on – in the form of stools. Indigestibles provide stools with bulk. The bulkier the stools, the easier it is for the colon walls to push them down and out towards the rectum.

In short, a good colon cleansing diet needs to be everything the modern day diet is not – high in natural, unprocessed foods and ingestibles such as fiber. Or to put it another way, as close to the type of diet our ancestors used to eat as possible.

This means that starting a colon cleansing diet is as simple as learning which foods cleanse the colon, which to avoid and making healthier choices in the supermarket.

A colon cleansing diet can be supplemented with specialty foodstuffs such as flax seeds and brans, as well as herbal colon cleanse and detox supplements. It is also important to drink plenty of water but not too much – consuming far more water than you really need is can cause hyponatremia. Exercise is also good for colon health. Again, no need to overdo it – a regular daily walk will help keep things moving.

Colon Cancer

Today, colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the US for both men and women. In 2007 there were an estimated 110,000 new cases and more than 50,000 deaths. Not surprisingly, many people want to do all they can to prevent colon cancer.

A good first step towards prevention is to understand colon cancer.

The colon is the “large intestine.” It is responsible for absorbing any nutrients, salts and water from a soupy mix of mostly-digested food passed on from the small intestine. Once processed, nothing is left but waste which is passed on to the rectum, at the end of the colon, in the form of a stool.

Because the colon and rectum are joined, cancer can affect one or both. For this reason colon cancer is often referred to as “colorectal” cancer.

As with all cancers, no one cause of colon cancer has been identified. Instead there are several risk factors known to make some people more likely to develop colon cancer than others. These include age, family history of cancer, diseases and disorders of the colon such as polyps and ulcerative colitis, and an unhealthy diet.

A diagnosis of colon cancer usually begins with screening – tests conducted as a routine preventative measure or because the patient has symptoms of colon cancer. These include routine rectal exams, stool tests and internal exams with lighted scopes.

Any polyps found – tissue growths than can turn cancerous – are removed, often by non-invasive surgery, and a biopsy performed to check for abnormal cells. Often patients are given the “all clear,” and scheduled for regular check ups.

When test results suggest colon cancer, further tests are carried out to confirm or eliminate a diagnosis of colon cancer.

If confirmed, a second phase of tests including x-rays and CT scans is conducted to determine the extent (stage and spread) of the colon cancer and most appropriate course of treatment.

In most cases, colon cancer is treated with surgery. A colostomy is unlikely – colostomies are more common in rectal cancer. Patients may also receive chemotherapy (a treatment that attacks cancer via the bloodstream) and sometimes radiation, for pain management.

Patients who do their best to exercise and eat a healthy, colon-friendly diet before, during and after their course of treatment recover better than those who do not, and are less likely to have a recurrence of colon cancer.

The good news is that colon cancer incidence and mortality rates are falling by about 2% a year. This is due to increased screening for polyps and other colon conditions that increase the risk of developing colon cancer.

If you are over fifty, or at high risk, talk to your doctor about regular colon cancer screening. Dietary and other easy measures for a clean and healthy colon also contribute to a decreased risk of developing colon cancer.

For in-depth information about colon cancer visit the National Cancer Institute’s Colon and Rectal Cancer pages, which include an online booklet “What You Need to Know About Colon and Rectal Cancer.”

Anatomy of the Colon

This article outlines the anatomy of the colon, also called the “large intestine.” The colon is part of part of the digestive system which starts at the mouth and ends at the anus.

Where does the colon fit in?

In a nutshell, food travels from our mouths to the stomach where it is broken down into a watery soup-like substance called “chyme.” It then enters the small intestine which despite its name is an astonishing 20 feet long.

After traveling through the small intestine, the chyme passes into the large intestine – the colon. About three pints (1.5 liters) of fluid enter the colon from the small intestine each day.

Compared to the small intestine the colon is relatively short, measuring “only” around five feet in length. However is has a diameter of 2.5 inches - twice that of the small intestine. Hence it is called the “large intestine.”

Although not part of the anatomy of the colon, the colon is populated by hundreds of varieties of bacteria, also referred to as “microbial bacteria” or “intestinal flora” which chemically break down the chyme.

A remarkable aspect of the anatomy of the colon is its water absorption properties. The colon walls are capable of absorbing up to ten pints (4.5 liters) of water a day – far more than enters the colon.

As a result of water absorption, the watery chyme gradually thickens as it progresses along the colon. By the time it passes into the lower or “descending” part of the colon it has thickened into stools.

The walls of the colon are ringed with band-like muscles. The colon walls are thinner and weaker between these muscles and vulnerable to damage and infection. Two or three times a day nerve, hormone and electrical activity cause these muscles to contract in a wave-like manner, called “peristalsis.”

Peristalsis shunts the waste in the colon back and forth but mostly down towards the anus. This movement of waste through the colon is known as “motility.” Thus people with constipation have “poor motility.”

The colon produces and stores about 3 to 8 ounces of stool a day which is eventually delivered to the rectum ready to be excreted through the anus.

When all is well, the entire process of digestion takes 12 to 24 hours and results in 2 to 3 bowel movements a day. However, colon problems are common, ranging from constipation and cramps to colon cancer (colorectal cancer).

Most colon problems can be prevented by taking steps to eliminate the key causes of colon problems and promote healthy colon function, including a colon-friendly diet, colon cleansing, drinking more water and taking more exercise.