A clean and healthy colon is important for a general feeling of health and well-being. A cleansed colon is less prone to constipation, hemorrhoids and gas-related intestinal bloating. Traditional and alternative colon cleansing methods, such as cathartic laxatives, enemas and high colonics, can sometimes cause more harm than good. Laxatives may cause electrolyte and nutritional imbalances. Improperly administered enemas and high colonics have sometimes resulted in bowel wall perforations. It is possible to cleanse your colon naturally and safely by making some simple changes to your diet and daily routine.
Step 1
Drink 1-1/2 to 2 quarts of water daily if your medical condition allows it. Avoid caffeine-containing beverages as they may actually cause your body to lose fluids and result in dehydration. Some people may need to avoid milk as it may cause constipation.
Step 2
Increase the amount of high-fiber fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. High-fiber foods include bran, raspberries, pears, legumes, artichokes, whole wheat spaghetti and peas.
Step 3
Eat two or three complete, full meals daily rather than multiple small meals. Large, healthy meals actually stimulate the bowel muscles to contract, pulsate and push the contents out.
Step 4
Get up and move. Exercise can help the colon empty by stimulating and strengthening the abdominal muscles. In addition, as you exercise, your breathing rate increases and your heart beats faster, sending more oxygen and nutrition-rich blood to the bowel muscles. This results in stronger and more effective colon-evacuating muscle contractions. Walking is an effective and low-impact exercise for toning the abdominal muscles.
Step 5
Go to the toilet and defecate as soon as you get the urge. Postponing defecation often results in the bowel contents losing moisture and becoming harder, compact and more difficult to evacuate.
Tips and Warnings
- Walking after a full meal is a good way to strengthen the abdominal muscles, which in turn aid the functioning of the muscles of the colon.
- Suddenly increasing your fiber intake can result in gas and bloating. Also, it is important to drink sufficient fluids. Becoming dehydrated while ingesting high amounts of fiber can leave you seriously constipated.
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