The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:

To better understand the health of the digestive system and colon, it is helpful to first understand the different parts of the colon and their specific functions. This can help you become a stronger advocate for your own health and may grant you further insight into how your body works.

The colon is made up of 6 parts all working collectively for a single purpose. Their purpose is ridding the body of toxins that have entered the body from food sources, environmental poisons, or toxins produced within the body. The colon’s role is to transfer nutrients into the bloodstream through the absorbent walls of the large intestine while pushing waste out of the body. In this process, digestive enzymes are released, water is absorbed by the stool, and a host of muscle groups and beneficial microorganisms work to maintain the digestive system.

Overview of the Colon’s Anatomy

The colon is approximately 4.5 feet long, 2.5 inches wide, and is a muscular tube composed of lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, connective tissue, and specialized muscles for carrying out the tasks of water absorption and waste removal. The tough outer covering of the colon protects the inner layer of the colon with circular muscles for propelling waste out of the body in an action called peristalsis. Under the outer muscular layer is a sub-mucous coat containing the lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The innermost lining is highly moist and sensitive, and contains the villi- or tiny structures providing blood to the colon.

The colon is actually just another name for the large intestine. The shorter of the two intestinal groups, the large intestine, consists of parts with various responsibilities. The names of these parts are: the transverse colon, ascending colon, appendix, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and the rectum and anus.

Parts of the Colon:

Transverse, Ascending, and Descending Colons

The transverse, ascending, and descending colons are named for their physical locations within the digestive tract, and corresponding to the direction food takes as it encounters those sections. Within these parts of the colon, contractions from smooth muscle groups work food material back and forth to move waste through the colon and eventually, out of the body. The intestinal walls secrete alkaline mucus for lubricating the colon walls to ensure continued movement of the waste.

The ascending colon travels up along the right side of the body. Due to waste being forced upwards, the muscular contractions working against gravity are essential to keep the system running smoothly. The next section of the colon is termed the transverse colon due to it running across the body horizontally. Then, the descending colon turns downward and becomes the sigmoid colon, followed by the rectum and anus.

Ileocecal and Cecum Valves

The ileocecal valve is located where the small and large intestines meet. This valve is an opening between the small intestine and large intestine allowing contents to be transferred to the colon. The cecum follows this valve and is an opening to the large intestine.

The Rectum and the Anus

The rectum is essentially a storage place for waste and is the final stop before elimination occurs. The “tone” of the muscles of the anal sphincter and a person’s ability to control this skeletal-muscular system are vital for regulating bowel movement urges. When elastic receptors within the rectum are stimulated, these nerves signal that defecation needs to occur. In other words, these muscle and nerve groups convey when a bowel movement is necessary but allow a person to control when waste will actually be removed, as the final step in the digestive process. The anus is the last portion of the colon, and is a specialized opening bound with elastic membranes, sensitive tissues, and muscles and nerves allowing it to stretch for removing bowel movements of varying sizes. If, for example, you suffer from constipation, these tissues can become damaged and lose their ability to function normally if waste has to be forced out or remains in the body for prolonged periods. So it’s definitely good practice to keep things moving along at a regular pace. Ideally, you should have two bowel movements per day but at least once a day is pretty good; anything less than that could spell trouble for not only your digestive health but general health as well.

Physiology of the Colon

To summarize, approximately 500 ml (milliliters) of food pass through the colon daily. The various sections of the digestive tract absorb and remove water, propel waste throughout the long system of muscular tubes, work to keep the body alkalized, and accommodate the colonization of billions of beneficial microorganisms to aid us in breaking down waste matter. Regardless of the depth of your knowledge regarding the colon’s functions, please realize the importance of its functions for promoting overall health. Be good to your body on the inside as well as out by following a healthful diet, drinking ample of water, and keeping all your biological systems well maintained with stimulating exercise and by getting plenty of rest.

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Wong Darren asked:      

Colon cleansing may seem like some foreign notion to some people. Perhaps it is because of the fact that so many of us have never even heard of the increasing use of colon cleansing as a means to improve a person’s overall health. For many people, taking care of the colon is unheard of, as many other organs are held in much higher regard. However, the colon is an integral part of any person’s body. It serves an important purpose in the digestive system as it controls both waste management and water maintenance in the body.

Keeping the colon clean and healthy is the key in making sure that the other organs in the body are kept healthy as well. All of which ultimately lead to a healthier and happier person. It can be very difficult to determine if there are problems with the colon. One way to check for problems is to monitor the bowel movements everyday. Frequency is something that has to be looked at. If there have been no bowel movements for a significant portion of the time, or if the timing is typically sporadic, then it is certainly possible that there is a problem within the digestive system that causes such an occurrence. The stool quality is also another concern. If the stool is not solid enough, where the matter is scattered and of a different color, then is can be inferred that there is a problem as well. If these symptoms are discovered, then colon cleansing should be considered after consulting with a doctor. Many colon cleansing practitioners, however, take part in a cleansing procedure routinely. This is because there are many other factors that can cause colon deterioration.

Colon Cleansing Procedures

Common everyday activities such as eating choices can affect the colon negatively. Toxic substances that can be found in the environment are also likely to cause problems. Regular colon cleansing procedure is the only way to maintain a clean and conditioned colon. The number of colon cleansing procedures typically varies, depending on the need. The lifestyle choices of a person can affect how often it should be done. As a general rule, doctors must first be consulted before taking part in any medical procedure. Getting regular colon cleansing procedure may help in the overall wellness that each of us desires.

There are many different colon cleansing procedures currently being utilized. As there are many options available, it is all the more important to look at each and every one of them to see if there is one that matches the specifications unique to each individual. Some common options include enemas, colon cleansing diets, and commercial products. One thing that should be remembered when taking part in a colon cleansing procedure is that it is not guaranteed to safeguard against colon cancer. Similarly, those who seek to take part in colon cleansing procedures to rid the body of acne may find it to be effective. It should be noted that the human body is unique from person to person, and that certain procedures may not work for the same two people. It is best to consult a doctor and find a colon cleansing procedure that matches the needs of the individual.

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Paul Courtney asked:

A Guide To Natural Colon Cleansing

Colon cancer is the most prevalent cancer found in both men and women, and each year is increasing in number of diagnosed cases through out the world.

Modern medicine recognizes that our diets are having a lot to do with the health of our colons, especially when you take into count the fact that most of us eat large quantities of processed foods containing chemical preservatives, artificial coloring, along with the residue from fertilizers and pesticides used in the production of many of the ingrediance that go into these processed products.

Little wonder then that our digestive system is suffering in particular the colon where waste product is accumulated prior to excretion.

Colon cleansing is a natural health method for ensuring that the colon is flushed of all the toxic waste that accumulates on the walls of the colon thus discouraging colon cancer and a variety of other ailments. The colon is a main part of your digestive system and owing to the nature of the work it performs is prone to disease if not allowed to perform properly to to the build of plaque on the walls and therefore an ailing colon affects the rest of your body as well.

You should recognize that colon cleansing is a vital aspect to your health in general, and this means cleaning your colon on a regular basis. As with most medications there are the more conventional synthetic colon cleansing formulas that you can use which include chemicals, but then there are also natural colon cleansing treatments available that do the same job naturally.

Important Information

We will use the analogy of a car’s engine, the service man can clean out the engine of old dirty oils and fuels so that it is like new but if you the driver use dirty fuel and neglect to change your oil regularly the engine will stop performing as it should.

The same thing applies with colon cleansing. Natural colon cleansing processes include not only using natural colon cleansing supplements but will require you to include a specific colon cleansing diet. Naturally you can get rid of all the toxins presently in your body, but if you go back to your unhealthy lifestyle after the cleanse then you are just going to be reverting to your old ways and with harmful toxins once again. Good health is an ongoing process and This is why it is so important that you follow a strict diet, one that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain breads and cereals.

Natural colon cleansing formulas include a variety of herbs. Dietary fiber for one is widely accepted as being a great natural colon cleanser. Fiber is known to help to reduce the body’s blood cholesterol, thereby reducing heart disease and related ailments. Psyllium is one type of fiber that is particularly useful, and it is a natural, water-soluble, gel-reducing fiber that is extracted from the husks of blond psyllium seeds.

Of course you can consult with herbalists and concoct your own colon cleanse formula however, if you would rather take the easier route then you can just head to your local health foods store and find natural colon cleansing formulas already available for use. It is recommended that you make sure to check the list of ingredients before purchasing any so you can be sure of what is included is completely natural and safe.

Ask yourself what is the common denominator causing the increase in colon diseases and I am sure you too will realize that our diets are mostly to blame. Colon cleansing has never been more important than it is today. Toxins accumulate in the body incredibly fast posing a risk to your health. If you want to prevent disease and more importantly feel healthy and happy, regular natural colon cleansing is a must.

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