Causes of Colon Problems
Almost everyone suffers some type of colon problem during their life and a good step towards prevention is to understand what causes colon problems.
Modern diet
The type of food we eat causes many colon problems for the simple reason that the colon is part of the digestive system – a system that for thousands of years has been happily digesting natural and natural and largely unprocessed foodstuffs.
In the last century – in the blink of an eye so far as the colon is concerned – the typical western diet has changed dramatically. The types of foods that promote good colon function have taken a back seat.
Instead, the colon must process foods that are essentially alien and far from natural: highly-processed sugars, fats and chemicals, large quantities of meats, and very little in the way of fiber. In addition, modern cooking and heating methods alter the natural molecular structure of foods.
As one of the functions of the colon is to break food down, these refined, processed and unnatural foods are a challenge. To make matters worse, the friendly bacteria in the colon responsible for breaking it down, as well as manufacturing nutrients and fighting harmful bacteria, get too little of the fiber they need to survive and thrive. Inadequate fiber also slows “motility” – the movement of waste (stools) through the colon.
The end result is high levels of harmful bacteria in the colon, impaired nutrient production and absorption, and an accumulation of toxin-rich fecal matter that often blocks and damages the colon. Toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream instead of being efficiently expelled in stools. They must be managed by the kidneys, lungs, skin and liver instead. Because of this, the modern day diet causes not just colon problems but other types of health problems too.
Pharmaceuticals
Modern-day medicines are wonderful but often cause colon problems. On the one hand they increase the chemical load and on the other, can dramatically alter the environment in the colon.
Antibiotics - one of the most common medications - are a very common cause of colon problems because they work on a “take no prisoners” basis. They eliminate not just the harmful bacteria in the colon but the good bacteria too. As we’ve seen, healthy colon function is dependent on a thriving community of friendly bacteria in the colon.
Lifestyle
Modern-day living is stressful and stress causes many colon problems including ulcerative colitis. Stress-relievers often include “feel-good” foods which are not good for us at all!
At the same time, basic colon health measures such as taking regular moderate exercise and drinking plenty of water, both of which promote the healthy movement of stools through the colon, are neglected. This worsens colon problems caused by the modern day diet, its lack of fiber and the build up of toxins in the colon due to slow-moving stools.
Laxative dependency
Ironically, one of the most common causes of colon problems are over the counter “remedies” to relieve one of the most common colon problems - constipation. Americans spend close to a billion dollars annually on laxatives, and many have become dependent on laxatives – their colons cannot function efficiently without them. This is because laxatives work by irritating nerve endings in the colon. After prolonged use they no longer respond.
Making a change
As you can see, colon problems are closely linked to the negative elements of the modern Western lifestyle. The key to improved colon health is essentially a return to more natural, colon-cleansing diets, a healthy intake of water and more active lifestyles. Many people are discovering the benefits of colon cleansing, to give a long-neglected colon a fresh start and keep it in tip-top condition.
Elimininating the causes of colon problems prevents not just colon problems but a number of problems stemming from a poorly functioning colon, for all-round optimum health.
Copyright 2008 Lindy Sinclair
