Signs of Good Elimination: Tips for Good Colon Health
1. Color: Stool color should be a walnut brown. Given temporary variations with
dark green leafy vegetable or beets.
2. Consistency: Stool should be smooth with the consistency of paste. This shows
the bowels are well hydrated. The length of stool should be the length of a
banana or longer.
3. Frequency: As discussed above, this depends on the individual, but in the
natural health community, one movement per day is good, but two-three per day is
healthiest!
4. Gas and Odor: A normal amount of gas is the by-product of digestion. An
abundance of foul smelling gas indicates poor colon health.
5. Sink or Float: Healthy stool tends to leave the body easily, is well formed,
floats in the water then gently submerges. In some natural medicine beliefs, if
the stool floats, this may indicate undigested fat in the colon.
Tips for Good Colon Health
1. Peristalsis and Hydration: Peristalsis is the natural waves of contractions
produced by the digestive tract in order to move food through the colon. There
are many ways to stimulate peristalsis, but the most important way is through
hydration. Constipation is often caused by dehydration. Hydration of the colon
is key to making peristalsis happen naturally. (see Traditional Chinese
Medicine)
2. Bulk: The colon requires bulk for it to achieve healthy movement. Optimal
intake of fiber is about 25-30 grams per day. The ideal combination of soluble
fiber (psyllium husk) and insoluble fiber (flax oil, fiber) helps to absorb
water and toxins and adds roughage to bulk up stool and sweep away built up
debris in the intestinal tract.
3. Lubrication: is essential for the smooth flow of stool out of the intestines.
Essential oils such as flaxseed oil, borage oil and fish oil are ideal.
Nutritional Advise
Water and other liquids such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups are
essential in any healing process. Liquid helps keep the stool soft and easy to
pass, so it's important to drink enough fluids. Distilled water is the best. 6-8
eight ounces glasses per day. Try not to drink liquids that contain caffeine or
alcohol. Although a little caffeine works well as a diuretic, excess caffeine,
dependency on caffeine for a bowel movement, as well as alcohol tend to dry out
your digestive system.
Prunes are one of the best natural remedies for constipation! A simple handful
of prunes will make all the difference. Today, prunes actually come in different
flavors! You can find them infused with natural cherry, grape and apple essence!
Apples contain naturally-occurring chemical compounds known as phytochemicals,
polyphenols, or flavonoids, some of which have been proven to have antioxidant
activity that inhibits, or scavenges, the activity of free radicals in the body.
Cell damage from free radicals can be a factor in certain cancers, heart
disease, strokes, and other conditions such as diabetes and constipation.
A diet combined with both insoluble fiber (fiber that doesn't dissolve in water)
will keep most people regular. You get fiber from eating lots of vegetables,
wheat bran, whole-grain breads and cereals and fruit.
Foods high in fiber are fruits such as apples peaches, raspberries and
tangerines. Vegetables such as acorn squash, raw broccoli, brussels sprouts,
cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, black-eyed peas, cooked zucchini, kidney
beans and lima beans. Also cooked whole-grain cereal, cold (All-Bran, Total,
Bran Flakes), whole-grain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena) and whole-wheat or
7-grain bread.
Juice Therapy is a great way to take advantage of the eliminative and cleansing
capacity of the organs. This cleansing capacity is greatly increased and
accumulated metabolic waste and toxins are quickly eliminated. It affords a
physiological rest to the digestive and assimilative organs. After the juice
fasting or juice therapy, the digestion of food and the utilization of nutrients
is improved.
Powdered psyllium is a quality source of supplemental fiber. Be sure to drink
plenty of water, otherwise the fiber will form an obstructing mass, adding to
your condition. Start with one rounded tablespoon of the powder stirred well
into a glass of water or diluted juice.
Acidophilus: The normal, healthy colon contains "friendly" bacteria (85%
lactobacillus and 15% coliform bacteria). It is the friendly bacterial flora
found in yogurt and is essential to the digestive system. When these bacteria
are not in balance, then the person may experience bloating, flatulence,
constipation, and malabsorption of nutrients. Acidophilus taken as a dietary
supplement may help to detoxify and to rebuild a balanced intestinal flora.
Acidophilus aids the digestion and helps to replace the "friendly" intestinal
flora.
The power of Green Whole Foods is essential for all day energy, greater focus
under stress, sense of well-being, strengthened immune system, fewer food
cravings and optimum synergistic balance of essential nutrients for total
health. Green Whole Foods is a powder that contain antioxidants, vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, active enzymes, bioflavinoids, chlorophyll and other
phytonutrients necessary for optimial cellular metabolism, repair and
protection! These ingredients contain the most powerful combination of nutrients
ever known in any grain, herb or food. They contain almost all of the vitamins,
minerals, proteins and enzymes necessary for the human diet, plus chlorophyll.
Spirulina Blue Green Algae: Spirulina possesses a complete protein richer than
steak, abundant organically complex minerals, a wide variety of essential
vitamins, and many beneficial enzymes. Spirulina is more than just a food. As
with Chlorella it has been shown to be valuable with almost every aspect of
health. These necessities are bio-available which means that they are easily
assimilated throughout the digestive tract, giving instant access to vital
nutrients. Because of algae's high chlorophyll and high nutritional content it
is an excellent part of a cleansing program.
Chlorella Green Algae: Chlorella's tough cell wall protects the valuable nucleus
inside. When it is harvested it is instantly dried and the cell walls are gently
cracked open. The nutrients inside retain full potency. Once in your body, the
cracked open cells release their valuable nutrients. Because it is so easy to
digest, your cells get the full benefit of this nutritional powerhouse. These
necessities are bio-available which means that they are easily assimilated
throughout the digestive tract, giving instant access to vital nutrients. The
algae provides intestinal nourishment and has a soothing and healing effect on
the mucous lining. It works to detoxify and purify our system.
Barley Grass and Wheat Grass: Eating barley and wheat grass is like eating a
plate of green vegetables. These cereal grasses, are harvested young and are
ecologically grown in nutrient rich soil. They are approximately 25% protein and
contains all the essential amino acids, concentrated vitamins, minerals and
fiber. They have been shown to increase our overall health by reducing
intestinal putrefaction and maintaining healthy blood another important
component of cleansing.
Klamath Lake Blue Green Algae: This remarkable plant grows 100% organically in
the Upper Klamath Lake of Oregon. Blue Green Algae has more protein and
chlorophyll by weight than any other plant or animal on earth. Klamath Lake
algae is considered to be the most nutrient rich of the algaes.
Lecithin: Lecithin is produced naturally and is one of the main substances that
digests cholesterol in the human body. Lecithin supports the liver and aids in
the metabolism of fat. Lecithin is used to strengthen the heart as it clears the
blood vessels of cholesterol. It also useful as part of a weight loss programs
to help dissolve fat.
Fiber (water-soluble), psyllium, seed husks, or oat bran are suggested. Take 1
to 2 teaspoons of fiber supplement at night before bed.
Magnesium: The supplement magnesium has been found to aid in the management of
symptoms. Taking 200-300 mg of magnesium 2 to 3 times daily has been shown to
help.
Omega-3 : This fish oil has been shown in many studies, to reduce your bad
cholesterol levels and reduce plaque buildup in your blood. By reducing your bad
cholesterol, you are helping your body to fight off stress and relieve anxiety,
tension and even prevent heart disease! Fish that are high in Omega-3 are
excellent ways to help your blood stream.
Psyllium Husks: A natural plant source of dietary fiber essential for the proper
functioning of the digestive system. Fiber significantly lowers total
cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.
Add protein and carbohydrates to your diet: Incorporate protein into your diet.
Protein helps to keep sugar levels stable. You can find protein in nuts, yogurt,
beans, fish, chicken, tofu and lentils.
What You Should Avoid or Limit:
Limit foods that have little or no fiber such as ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks
like chips and pizza, and processed foods such as instant mashed potatoes or
already-prepared frozen dinners. Too much white flour and refined sugar, two
major constipation causers, means you need more fiber.
What you don't eat may be even more important than what you do eat. Avoid
alcohol, caffeine and sugar, because they tend to worsen constipation. If you
can't avoid them, then at least cut down.
Limit Caffeine: Caffeine is something many people in America and Europe are used
to bringing in their daily lives. Though many studies have shown that this
addictive stimulant can help produce symptoms of anxiety, insomnia and the like.
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate, many sodas and even certain
medications. Always ask your doctor about a medication containing caffeine
before using it. Also, ask the doctor if there is an alternative medication if
your medicine contains caffeine. I have found, based on the most current
research on coffee, that 24 oz. a day is about the limit one should have in a
day.
Reduce Processed and Refined Foods:
Processed food can rob your food of nutrients and vitamins that your body needs
to fight off stress and promote good health. Try to buy whole foods, unprocessed
foods and try and stay away from "instant" foods, preservatives, artificial
flavors, saturated fat and MSG.
Reduce Sugar Intake:
Too much sugar can rob our body of essential nutrients. Yet don't be so fast as
to replace the sugar with Stevia the natural sweetener from the Stevia plant.
Artificial sweetener can also cause anxiety as well as other health concerns.
Reduce Alcohol Intake:
In small amounts, alcohol can be good for your heart but too much alcohol is not
a good thing for your body and too large of an intake increases your body's need
for extra vitamins. The body has a harder time using oxygen. As a result, you
can become more sensitive to stress - which in turn can cause constipation.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac
https://www.peacefulmind.com/constipation.htm
Signs of Good Elimination
The right nutrition nukes constipation...
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