Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is derived from plants, and it is similar to those found in fish oil. It is found in high amounts in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil and in lesser amounts in canola, soy and walnut...
Diarrhea can be a symptom of any number of digestive ailments and inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis occurs when ulcers (open sores) appear on the lining of your colon--and, in some people, the rectum....
The FDA approved Amitiza, whose generic name is lubiprostone, for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in 2006 and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in 2008. In addition, documented "off-label" uses of Amitiza include...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional disorder of the colon also known as the large intestine. IBS can cause diarrhea or constipation, or may cause both at different times. With IBS, the colon does not function normally although there...
The quality and frequency of your bowel movements can provide significant information about your overall health. Certain abnormalities, including diarrhea and constipation, may signal a problem with your digestive system. Healthy stool is soft and...
Colon inflammation is also known as colitis. There are several inflammatory bowel diseases that cause colon inflammation. Colon inflammation results in bleeding colon ulcers that cause stomach pain and hinder the absorption of nutrients. Other...
Magnesium sulfate is a salt of magnesium, used medically to replace magnesium, a mineral normally found in your blood, bones and cellular fluid. Magnesium controls the body's supply of potassium; when levels of magnesium drop, potassium leaves the...
Colitis is the inflammation of the large intestine. Colitis is caused by food poisoning, inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and lack of blood to the colon, according to...
Flatulence, or intestinal gas, is a common health complaint. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that most people generate approximately 1 to 4 pints of gas per day. Flatulence is composed of many different gases,...
According to Dr. Isabelle Moser in the book, "How and When to Be Your Own Doctor," accumulations of unhealthy bacteria in the lining of the colon and the colon itself can cause autointoxication, or self-poisoning. As the body takes on toxins from...
Almonds can be sprinkled on your favorite foods or eaten alone as a delicious snack. Aside from being a delicious food, almonds offer many health benefits. According to Nutritiondata.com, almonds are an excellent source of healthy nutrients such...
Aloe vera, a member of the Liliaceae family, is a large succulent plant that can grow up to 3 feet in height in a rosette of spine-covered leaves. It is native to the hot climates of eastern and southern Africa as well as the West Indies, writes...
Your colon is the end of the trail for your digestive system. Food digestion starts in your mouth, continues in the stomach, takes place primarily in the small intestine and ends in the large intestine, or colon. By the time food reaches the...
Clinical studies suggest that flaxseed oil may be helpful in treating a variety of conditions. It contains omega-3 essential fatty acids, or EFAs. Flaxseed oil has a nutty flavor and can be added to food as a replacement for other oils, or it can...
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica website, the sigmoid colon is situated at the terminal end of the large intestine. The sigmoid colon links the descending colon with the rectum, and it is responsible for storing fecal material until this...
The digestive system is made up of organs that are responsible for the processing of food from the moment you swallow until the moment waste is eliminated. Your colon, which is the longest part of your large intestine, is the place where waste is...
The liver and large intestine are two organs that play important roles in carrying out digestive processes. Although seemingly subtle in the job each performs, impairment in either organ can cause you significant acute or chronic distress....
Many novelty detoxification methods require unhealthy diet regimens with a restrictive food variety. This actually works against the detoxifying process by inhibiting proper digestion and enabling toxin retention. In the book "How and When to Be...
Fennel and anise are sometimes confused for the same herb, but they are from different plants, have different nutritional profiles and produce different medicinal benefits. The confusion stems from the fact that fennel is occasionally referred to...
An endoscope is an instrument that has a light or camera at the end of it, so the physician can see the inside of an organ or cavity of the body. Endoscopy is the overall medical term for any procedure that uses an endoscope. Different types of...
The colon, or large intestine, supports the absorption of water during digestion while bacteria in the colon produce vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. When there is a lack of...
Alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, is a commonly measured enzyme found in several body tissues, including bone. Bone cancers and other tumors can result in elevated blood levels of ALP, but are not the only possible causes. The properties of ALP allow...
According to the book "How and When to Be Your Own Doctor," Dr. Isabelle Moser states that autointoxication can develop when a large amount of unhealthy bacteria amasses in the bowel wall and the mucosal coating of the colon." Additionally, toxins...
You may be aware that your colon is an important part of your digestive system, but what you may not realize is that a large part of your immune system also begins within your colon. If you don't provide your colon with healthy foods, it can lead...
The factors that influence our food preferences and dietary choices are complex, and are not always associated with good health. Traditions, habits, emotions and even food addictions can govern our daily dietary consumption. But continued failure...
Mankind has dabbled food preservation since the days when warriors and sailors boiled, sun-dried or salted their food to take on long journeys. In the age of technology, innovations such as food preservatives, freeze-drying and artificial flavors...
The typical Western diet, high in protein and processed foods and low in fruits, vegetables, and fiber, has led to an increase in health problems related to the gastrointestinal system, particularly the colon. Changing your diet to a...
The Three-Day Juice Diet, also known as the Three-Day Juice Fast, is a detoxification and weight-loss plan that involves consuming only freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices for three days. Fasting as a medicinal treatment has been an...
Dr. Isabelle Moser says in her book, “How and When to Be Your Own Doctor,” that autointoxication occurs when unhealthy bacterial life forms amass in the bowel wall and the heavy mucus coating of the colon thicken as a host for...
