Exercising and watching what you eat is essential to maintaining a healthy body. The colon removes water from the stool and makes waste in a compact form that your body expels. Fecal material contains bacteria -- and when it remains in your colon it can cause pain, bloating and discomfort. It's good practice to care for the health of your colon because it affects how well your body functions.
Diet
Eating a diet high in fiber and protein is essential to a healthy body and colon. Consuming less red meat and focusing on a diet with more fish and chicken can reduce the risk of colon cancer and high cholesterol. And fiber in our diets can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Fiber also helps move waste out of your colon, which reduces bloating and distention of the colon. Fiber can also help relieve and prevent constipation, which is a common complaint of elderly. Consume brown rice, whole grains, legumes, fresh fruits and raw vegetables to get a good source of fiber in your diet.
Vitamins
According to Harvard School of Public Health, vitamin D and folic acid can help reduce the risk of colon cancer and help you maintain a healthy colon and body. Vitamin D can fill in gaps when you aren't eating your best -- but take the supplement under the advice of your physician, because too much vitamin D can be harmful to your body.
Medical Tests
Physicians recommend having a colonoscopy every year after the age of 50 to screen for colon cancer. The University of Michigan reports that there are other types of medical tests such as barium enemas, and CT colonography that will show if you are suffering from a medical condition called diverticulitis. This is important because diverticulitis can cause bleeding, infection, pain and even be life threatening. As a result, diverticulitis can take a toll on your body and be difficult to live with.
Exercise
Exercising for 20 minutes a day or more for four days a week can reduce the risk of colon cancer, according to the University of California. Concentrate on moderate types of exercise such as walking or bicycling for the best results.
References
- The University of Michigan; Keep Your Colon Healthy with Exercise, Healthy Foods
- Harvard School of Public Health; Fiber: Start Roughing It
- Harvard School of Public Health; Vitamins the Bottom Line
- The University of California; A Healthy Colon: UCLA's Tips to Lower the Risk of Colorectal Cancer; Rachel Champeau; February 26, 2007
