It’s almost ironic how the colon is used as a transporting agent of human waste and dirt; yet, it has to be kept clean. Isn’t that a contradiction of sorts?
Not really. While the colon does serve as an “exit ramp” for all of our unwanted garbage, it must be kept clean and clear of any embedded dirt so that it can continue to perform the function it was intended for.
We lead hectic lives in a fast-paced society and while we’re blessed in certain aspects of life – we’ve seen how advances in technology and machinery have made our lives easier – we are at the same time cursed. Cursed because our eating habits have not improved, and from sheer lack of time we choose fast food over home-cooked food. Guess what happens to our colon in the long term?
Doctors have long lamented about the North American diet being high in fat and too low in fiber. Combine that with 21st century stress and little exercise, and we have a colon under duress. When fecal matter builds up, so do high toxin levels; these toxins are absorbed by the blood and travel to all parts of the body. Your doctor may have told you at some point that this build-up may cause diarrhea, constipation, dull eyes, poor skin, joint and muscle pain and depression.
Bear in mind that our colon is the processing network of food. It must execute that function effectively for optimum health. This is the principal reason why we should keep our colon clean – so that like a tube, it takes in food, and then flushes out what it doesn’t need. If it is blocked, imagine what this build-up can cause. You’ve witnessed what happens in a house when the tubes and pipes are clogged.
Colon cleansing – also known as colon hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation – is done with large infusions of water. A true colon cleansing requires that the individual stay home as he may need to use the toilet frequently.
There is no unanimous opinion on colon cleansing. Some doctors would recommend it as a regular practice, while some doctors would only prescribe it when tests have to be made. It is definitely required before a colonoscopy.
Other medical professionals agree that to keep the colon in top working order, we need to abstain from soda drinks, coffee, candy and other dairy products. Perhaps the most essential advice is this: drink plenty of water. Eight to ten glasses of water a day should help your colon tremendously, water being the best cleansing agent. You also need to eat higher amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Experts also advise greater intake of fiber, and a decrease in red meat consumption. The Institute of Medicine recommends 38 grams for men and 25 grams of fiber daily for women younger than 50, and 30 grams for men and 21 grams for women who are 51 and older. Fiber works more efficiently with substantial amounts of water.
It is interesting to note that medical professionals promote colon cleansing when individuals exhibit symptoms of ills caused by the large intestine being stressed by a high amount of fecal matter. Practitioners of alternative medicine say that autointoxication comes about when toxins are absorbed by the body because of the colon’s toxic load.
Hydrotherapists, on the other hand, believe that colon cleansing promotes wellness, and still others believe that it also helps in certain illnesses such as chronic fatigue, sinusitis and arthritis. It also improves the colon’s muscle tone. Caution, however, must be exercised. Autointoxication is not officially endorsed by the medical profession.
