Natural Options For Colon Health

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You often hear that fiber is necessary for good intestinal health, but what exactly is fiber? Fiber is that portion of grains, fruits, and vegetables that is not digested by your system. Soluble fiber can dissolve relatively easily in water and eventually transforms itself into a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, passes through the intestines nearly unchanged. The bulk and the soft texture of fiber help to prevent the hard, dry stools associated with constipation. On the whole, individuals who eat a fiber-rich diet are less likely to become constipated. Conversely, eating foods high in fats, such as cheeses, eggs and meats can also trigger chronic constipation.

There are many natural ways to imrpove the health of your colon—

Drink water. While drinking more water may not actually cure constipation, many people find that water add bulk to the stools which makes them a little easier to pass. If you are bothered with chronic constipation, try drinking liquids every day. The best liquids are water and fruit juices. Try to avoid coffee, tea and soda. The caffeine content in these just makes your condition worse, acting as diuretics. The caffeine takes liquid out of your body. Alcohol also acts as a diuretic.

You might not have heard of this second natural remedy. It's bentonite, a clay that is now available in supplement form. The primary ingredient in this material is hydrated aluminum silicate. Other ingredients found in bentonite include calcium, magnesium and iron. Once the bentonite gets into the system, it begins to absorb water. It stays in the digestive tract where it's thought that it not only binds to the toxins, but renders them harmless in the process. bentonite then promotes the excretion of these toxins.

An herb traditionally used in Chinese medicine that may help you clean your colon is rhubarb. Not to be confused with the plant your grandfather grew in his backyard, this legendary herb contains powerful compounds associated with laxatives and in fact contain anthraquinones, the same ingredient found in the herb cascara sagrada which stimulates bowel movements.

The herb rhubarb also contains tannins, which are thought to reduce the inflammation in the colon. Because of these tannins, Chinese medicine uses rhubarb to help alleviate diarrhea. You can find rhubarb in capsules, as liquid extracts and as a dried root. Rhubarb works within six to 12 hours after being ingested.

Another good remedy for colon health is psyllium seeds have been popularized recently because of the host of fiber additives on the market today. psyllium seeds contain a category of fiber called mucilage. Mucilage enters the digestive tract and absorbs water. When it does this, it swells, making the stools in the colon bulkier. This, in turn, triggers contractions of the colon walls. These contractions then lead to bowel movements.

You'll only need one to two teaspoons of ground psyllium seeds mixed with eight ounces of water. Usually taken one to three times per day. When you take this natural remedy, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you don't, you run the risk of obstructing the colon and only making your constipation worse.

You may also want to consider an enema. An enema flushes much of the old, dry, fecal build up on the walls and pockets of the colon very quickly. This allows your system to eliminate the accumulation of toxins fast. If you think you may want to take this route to colon health—and improve your overall well being—visit your natural health care practitioner. If he can't help you, he'll direct you to a professional who can.

The following suggestion doesn't fall into the herbal category, but it is a natural therapy which is very popular. It's activated charcoal, a type of carbon made from wood, vegetable and other materials. It resembles a fine black powder and is believed to have a great absorption capacity. And it's this ability that allows it to bind with the unwanted matter and toxins in the colon. You can also find activated charcoal in liquid form.