Colon Cleansing With High Fiber Foods

According to Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Picco, the benefit of colon cleansing is to remove toxins from your gastrointestinal tract can cause a variety of health problems, such as arthritis, allergies and asthma. By flushing the toxins out the colon, either through over-the-counter products or done naturally, colon cleansing promotes healthy intestinal bacteria, boosting your energy and enhancing your immune system. Colon cleansing is also recommended before undergoing a colonoscopy.

But according to Dr. Picco, the actual benefit of colon cleansing is a matter of debate, and the procedure should be discussed with a licensed physician before being attempted.

Types Of High Fiber Foods

According to Commonsensehealth.com, natural foods high in fiber include bran cereal, black, lima and kidney beans, lentils, avocados, peas, raspberries, grapefruit and dried oats. All natural plant foods have dietary fiber in their make-up.

Types of Fiber

According to Cancer-treatment.us, fiber is the indigestible parts of plants. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as fruits and absorbs water soluble materials, such as cholesterol and excess toxins, promoting a healthy intestinal environment.

Insoluble fiber is also known as roughage. This is found in bran and fibrous fruits and vegetables. This type of fiber provides bulk to the bowel, sweeping clean the intestinal wall, and helping to promote regularity.

Transit Time

According to Puristat.com, a digestive wellness center, bowel transit time is the amount of time it takes for a meal to travel from the mouth, through the digestive tract and for its waste by-products to be eliminated through a bowel movement. A healthy person should have a bowel transit time ranging from eight to 14 hours. Colon cleansing is designed to help promote a healthy transit time.

Colon Cleansing Diet

According to Colon-cleanse-constipation.com, a colon cleansing diet centers on eating whole foods to promote efficient digestion. Eating high fiber foods with fast transit time can help your bowels work smoothly again when constipation starts to occur. Fruits and vegetables are considered among the best food groups for keeping the digestive system running smoothly.

Foods For Cleansing

According to Colon-cleanse-constipation.com, among the specific foods recommended for high-fiber colon cleanse are lemons, which offer antiseptic properties; flax seeds, which help bulk up bowel movements and yogurt, which replenishes beneficial flora in the stomach.

Other recommended foods include kefir, sauerkraut, and other green vegetables containing chlorophyll, whole grains and rice and unsalted nuts. Steaming, roasting, or boiling your food is also recommended.

References

Article reviewed by Lynda Moultry Belcher Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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