How to Keep Your Colon Healthy

If you want to keep your colon happy and healthy, the health tips here can be incredibly helpful. Not only will they keep you or decrease your risk from getting IBS, illnesses or worse - colon cancer, but they can also help with things like upset stomach, bloating, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.

Fiber

If you've already been to see a gastroenterologist he or she has probably already told you to include more fiber in your diet. Believe it or not, there is a whole food list of things that contain fiber in them, so this is a pretty easy feat and it includes things like bananas, raspberries, peas, prunes (of course!), whole wheat cereal, whole-wheat spaghetti, brown rice, beans and more. Fiber not only helps waste

move along the digestive track, but it helps you go easier, and it helps to reduce your risk of diverticular disease.

Vitamin D

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has said that the intake of Vitamin D is a great way to prevent or reduce the risk of colon cancer. The great thing about Vitamin D, like with the fiber above is that it’s in all kinds of food, not just milk - if that's been your excuse! Some food items include fatty fish like salmon, bread, even cereal. If you are eating foods and they don't have enough VD, you might also want to start thinking about taking a supplement.

Don't Hold It In

Obviously in some instances you have to go, but can't - stuck on a train, there is a wait for the bathroom, etc. But, if you have to do, make sure you go. Why? Well, it begins to get a little more complex but essentially when you don't go when you feel like you have to, fecal matter can actually build up inside your body and it can release toxins. These toxins will then get released inside your body and can an array of health issues such as diverticulosis and IBS. Make sure that you are having daily bowel movements and if you aren't, it looks like you might need some fiber.

Water Constipation

Many doctors use "water" as a reason for all sorts of health issues, but it’s true, not drinking water can cause all sorts of issues; leg cramps, dehydration, a buildup of toxins in the body which causes things like bloating, gas, fatigue, IBS and more. If you want to keep yourself, your body, and your colon happy and healthy, please start thinking about drinking more water. Essentially you should be drinking at least 6-8 8oz glasses of water every single day. Water consumption will also make you feel fuller, which will keep you from eating too much - which is also another way to get colon cancer. People that are obese are more at risk for colon cancer, than those that are not. Definitely food for thought.

Colonoscopies

This is never a pretty term or thing to think about, but wow, are they beneficial. These are in no way fun, but if you want early detection of colon cancer, this is the way to go about it. It’s also important for people over the age of 50 if they want to maintain healthy colons. If you need to get one or you have questions about them, make sure that you talk to a gastroenterologist.

The last thing you want to think about are colon flushes, again, not a very comfortable thing to do, but doctors say that cleaning your colon out is said to remove and wash out any toxins in the body - or any waste that has been trapped inside the body. This not only "cleans" your colon, but it can also help you have regular bowel movements and restore colon health.