While the whole subject of a colon detox or a colon cleanse is up for much debate and even ridicule by most of the medical profession if you have over-eaten this Thanksgiving it may be just the thing you need to get you back on the healthy eating track.
Linda Szarkowski, graduate of the internationally renowned Living Light Culinary Institute says that a good cleanse of the digestive system is especially beneficial after a binge-eating holiday like Thanksgiving.
Dr Mark Houston, who specializes in hypertension, lipid disorders, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases with nutrition, said on the the recent gluten summit that a good cardiologist needs to know how to clean the digestive system to get the best results.
There is no doubt that a healthy digestive system plays a huge role in the health of the rest of the body. Dr Houston also stated that if everyone ate a proper diet and did proper exercise then there would be a 70% reduced risk of disease.
The saying “Death Begins in the Colon” has been attributed to a number of different people from the report of 57 eminent doctors from a meeting in London in 1912 concerning alimentary toxemia that is filed in the British Library to the naturopath Bernard Jensen, known as the father of colonics.
Jensen is reputed to have said “the accumulation of toxic debris and substances due to inadequate and infrequent elimination produce poisons that can kill you.”
Whether you decide to go for a full on colon detox or a more gentle bowel cleansing diet here is some timely advice from my guest author Evan Jensen.
How to Avoid Colon Problems
Many people suffer from colon problems every now and then. This is because of the unhealthy diet people have today. Because of the availability of delicious yet unhealthy food choices like fast food, junk food and high calorie beverages, colon problems are now widespread. These include everything from simple problems like diarrhoea and constipation to serious problems like diverticulitis and colon cancer.
The good news is that there are many ways you can do to avoid colon problems. Again, the root cause of colon problems is the diet. Even simple modifications can prevent serious diseases in the long run. Here are the best tips for the prevention of colon problems.
Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables
Instead of consuming a diet high in processed food, you need to consume a diet high in unprocessed food like fruits and vegetables. It may be difficult in the beginning especially if you’re not used to it but it will become enjoyable and fulfilling quickly.
Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and other essential digestive nutrients that can make the digestive process more efficient. Fruits and vegetables are amazing for improving colon health. You should also eat whole grains and other food high in fiber. Fiber is very effective in cleaning up the colon and treating and preventing colon cancer.
Avoid Junk Food
As stated before, junk food is bad for your colon health. This kind of food is usually high in preservatives, sodium and other ingredients that can cause colon problems. Fast food should also be avoided since these are usually high in saturated fat, sodium and sugar.
Watch What You Drink
If possible, avoid carbonated drinks, diuretics and alcohol. These beverages can disrupt the normal functioning of your digestive system including the colon. It can cause bloating, gas and other colon problems that can leave you feeling weary and lethargic.
Instead, you can drink as much water as you want. Water helps cleanse the body and get rid of toxins. Water is also very important in the digestive process. Lack of water intake can lead to constipation and other colon-related problems.
Regular Colon Cancer Screening
If you are among the many that are at high risk of colon cancer like if you have family history of the disease, you need to undergo regular screening before the age of 50. You also need to be aware of the symptoms of the deadly disease. Of course, you need to extra take care of your colon health. Colon cancer is highly treatable during the early stages.
Author Bio
Evan Jensen is an American writer with an MA in Journalism. He specializes in writing about diet, weight loss programs, nutrition, exercise, and preventive care. He’s also a long-distance runner who has finished 30-plus marathons and a 100-mile mountain endurance race.
Have you ever done a colon detox? How did you feel afterwards? Please share your results with my readers in the comments. And if you enjoyed this article please share it with others using the share buttons below. Thanks 🙂
Glass of water photo by Christopher Craig