“According to some estimates, over 50 million people in America suffer from some kind of bowel problem, which are often related to an unhealthy colon.”
Are you or someone you know experiencing the symptoms below?
Nausea
Vomiting
Gas
Bloating
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Acne
Constipation
Headaches
Excessive flatulence or burping
Cramping
Bad Breathe
Infections caused by excessive yeast (athlete’s foot, jock itch, etc)
Thin, weak, cracking finger nails
Brittle hair that breaks or falls out
Blood in or on the stool (either bright red or very dark in colour)
A persistent change in normal bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or both, for no apparent reason
If yes, your colon may be toxic….
Your Colon’s Role in the Digestive System
The colon is one of the last stops your food makes before turning into waste. To better understand the role of your colon let’s quickly review how the digestive system works….
The digestive process begins in the mouth. As you chew, saliva in the mouth helps break down food making it easier to swallow. The chewed food then travels slowly down the esophagus until it reaches the stomach where gastric juices (also called enzymes) help break down the food into even smaller pieces. The stomach muscles then churn the food until what you’ve consumed becomes a creamy liquid. The next stop is the small intestine. With help from the pancreases, liver, and gallbladder the small intestine breaks down the food even more. It is here where your body absorbs the food’s vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The food is then passed through the liver (the body’s toxic waste plant) where the nutrients are kept and toxins are turned into bile. Once this is complete, the food makes its way into the large intestine. At this point most of the nutrients have been removed from the food, and must be passed out of the body. Before it goes however, it must pass through the part of the large intestine called the colon. The colon is where the body gets its last chance to absorb water and some minerals into the blood. As the water leaves, and the waste moves through the large intestine it becomes harder and harder until stool is formed. The large intestine then pushes the stool into the rectum where it stays until you are ready to go to the bathroom. A healthy colon and rectum will rid your body of the waste it does not need. If your colon or rectum isn’t working the way it should, you will experience problems such as bloating, gas and pain.
The Importance of Colon Health
I read somewhere that the average person, 30 years or older, has as much as 5- 25 pounds of hardened fecal matter lodged in their colon, from meals that were consumed over many years. That’s kind of disgusting to think about it, isn’t it? That’s why colon health is so important. If your colon is malfunctioning, toxins and waste become trapped in your body causing a variety of annoying and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. When you take care of your colon, conditions such as: acid reflux, low energy, headaches/migraines, acne, rashes, and bad breath, start to diminish.
How Can You Tell If Your Colon is Healthy?
One of the best indicators for colon health is the appearance of your stool. Yes, you heard me- your stool.
Did you know that…
• You should have a bowel movement within a half-hour after you eat, every time you eat. (This is the ideal. However, it’s important to note that this is only possible for those eating a very clean diet. The more processed foods one consumes, the longer it will take for the body to digest the food and a bowel movement to be had. Doctors state that individuals should have 1-2 bowel movements per day).
• The stool should be at least 2 inches round. Anything less than 2 inches is a sign of constipation.
• Your stool should not sink to the bottom of the bowl; it should float on top of the water.
• Your stool should never have a horrid smell. If there is a horrid smell it means the waste has been there way too long.
• Your stool should have the same imprint found on the inside of the colon. If your stools come out smooth, it is an indication that you are constipated, (even if you are having five bowel movements a day).
How to Keep Your Colon Healthy
Want to keep your digestive tract on track? Here are some of gastroenterologist Dr. Clarence KW Wong, associate professor of medicine at the University of Alberta, tips:
• Drink plenty of water and other caffeine-free fluids
• Drink caffeine and alcohol in moderation
• Don’t smoke
• Get regular exercise
• Eat a balanced diet that’s high in fibre . Women should aim to get 25 grams of fibre daily and men should get 32 grams.
Colon Cleansing
If the recommendations listed above do not help improve colon function, a colon cleanse might be needed. Colon cleansing refers to a number of alternative medical therapies intended to remove feces and nonspecific toxins from the colon and intestinal tract. By removing waste from the colon, you are making it easier for your digestive tract to absorb minerals and nutrients, thus improving your bowel function and overall health.
Colon cleansing may take the form of:
1) Colon hydrotherapy (also called a colonic or colonic irrigation)
2) Oral cleansing regimens, such as dietary supplements.
I believe both methods to be viable options. It really comes down to which method you prefer. Colon hydrotherapy involves introducing purified, temperature and pressure regulated water into the colon. During a colon hydrotherapy session, the individual lies comfortably on a treatment table and inserts a small speculum into the rectum. The therapist then monitors the temperature of the water infused into and out of the large intestine, as well as the pressure within, by way of the inbuilt precision equipment.
If you’d prefer an oral treatment, I suggest pairing the following Douglas Laboratories supplements to help clear your colon and improve its function:
• LVD Detox
• Probiotic 50
• Fibreplex
• Digestive Enzymes
These supplements should be taken for 2-3 months. However, a longer duration may be needed for those who have severe digestion and intestinal problems. With that said, I strongly suggest that everyone introduce a high quality Probiotic supplement into their diet. It will help with run of the mill digestion problems, as well as support your immune system.
The Es-Teck Full Body Analysis and Your Colon
Interested in finding out if your colon is functioning optimally? Santé Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers the Es-Teck Full Body Analysis. The ES- Teck System is advanced technology and is a Health Canada registered Class III Medical Device. Using a finger “Oximeter” it allows for observation of heart rate, tissue oxygen uptake, arterial stiffness, hemodynamic indicators and autonomic nervous system (ANS) levels of activity. It is able to detect whether there are imbalances within your colon, allowing us to provide you with personalized recommendations so that you can live a healthy, long life!
Book your very own Es-Teck Full Body Analysis by calling the clinic at (613) 837-2883.
If you found the information in this blog useful, please pass it along to your family and friends! You never know…it could save their life!
Oh, and be sure to leave any questions, comments, or feedback below! We’d love to hear from you!
References
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-colon
http://commonsenseherbs.com/colon-health.aspx