Robert G asked:

At times, Mr. Obama struck a professorial note, lecturing Americans to stop smoking — without referencing his own battles to break the habit — and to seek mammograms and colon-cancer screening. Health care reform, he said, means going for a run, going to the gym, and staying away from video games. It also, he said, means laying off junk food.

Natural Remedies for Constipation

Darrell Miller asked:


A healthy colon is the basis for a healthy body, with most of not realizing exactly how important a healthy colon is for obtaining and maintaining optimal wellness. When searching for a healthy body, colon health should be a primary concern, as it is the source for a lot of diseases and health problems. A healthy body depends on the maintenance of a healthy digestive system and elimination. Since food is the primary source of fuel for the body, if the wrong foods are eaten, the body will not function as it should.

The nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids that are found in the foods we eat are what give us the energy and resources that keep us alive. Sadly, the foods we eat are also loaded with toxins and unnecessary substances that prevent our body from removing waste properly. A healthy colon means a healthy body, so learning natural methods to achieve colon health is extremely important. Nutritious eating habits, cleansing diets, fiber sources, herbal remedies, and nutritional substances can all contribute to the body's well-being.

The food we eat ultimately determines how efficiently our entire body system works, with digestion being the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders that cause disease. The digestive system is also responsible for supplying cells with the nutrients and compounds that they need. There are many factors that contribute to digestive disorder including overeating cooked food and not enough raw foods, constipation, wrong combination of food, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugar and sweets, white flour products, stress, any imbalance in the body, lack of hydrochloric acid and enzymes, Candida overgrowth, colon and liver congestion, allergies, hiatal hernia, gallbladder problems, ulcers, and heart problems.

Americans usually cause the most harm to themselves because of the types and amounts of food that they eat. In order to break down food, the body uses hydrochloric acid that is found in the stomach. This acid is actually strong enough to dissolve metal and is used in the stomach to neutralize the inappropriate substances, toxins, and bacteria that enter the body through the food that we eat daily. On occasion, the stomach and the acid inside breaks down and digestive malfunctions result.

There are many nutrients that are recommended to assist in proper digestion. Digestive enzymes are critical for digestion of any food, with acidophilus being important for proper bowel function. Hydrochloric acid is crucial for the assimilation of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and calcium. B-complex vitamins promote a healthy digestive tract and assist enzymes in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Sodium, which is stored in the stomach wall and joints, neutralizes the acidity in the body and is needed when there is a deficiency of hydrochloric acid.

With out hydrochloric acid in the stomach, calcium, an essential mineral can not break down and is not properly absorbed in the stomach. Fiber, essential for proper digestion and elimination of food, reduces the absorption of fat, inhibits bad estrogens from absorbing into the bloodstream, and helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Additionally herbal aids such as capsicum, garlic, gentian, ginger, goldenseal, licorice, papaya, and psyllium powder are great for assisting with digestion. Taking a good digestive enzyme is the first step to promoting a healthy digestive system and properly function colon. As we age, digestive functions will decline which causes disorders such as fatigue due to mal-absorption. Those over 50 should take a digestive aid on their heaviest meal to ensure that proper digestion is happening and good health will continued free form disease.



Colon Cleansing in Plain English

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


To better understand the health of the digestive system and colon, it is helpful to first understand the different parts of the colon and their specific functions. This can help you become a stronger advocate for your own health and may grant you further insight into how your body works.

The colon is made up of 6 parts all working collectively for a single purpose. Their purpose is ridding the body of toxins that have entered the body from food sources, environmental poisons, or toxins produced within the body. The colon’s role is to transfer nutrients into the bloodstream through the absorbent walls of the large intestine while pushing waste out of the body. In this process, digestive enzymes are released, water is absorbed by the stool, and a host of muscle groups and beneficial microorganisms work to maintain the digestive system.

Overview of the Colon’s Anatomy

The colon is approximately 4.5 feet long, 2.5 inches wide, and is a muscular tube composed of lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, connective tissue, and specialized muscles for carrying out the tasks of water absorption and waste removal. The tough outer covering of the colon protects the inner layer of the colon with circular muscles for propelling waste out of the body in an action called peristalsis. Under the outer muscular layer is a sub-mucous coat containing the lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The innermost lining is highly moist and sensitive, and contains the villi- or tiny structures providing blood to the colon.

The colon is actually just another name for the large intestine. The shorter of the two intestinal groups, the large intestine, consists of parts with various responsibilities. The names of these parts are: the transverse colon, ascending colon, appendix, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and the rectum and anus.

Parts of the Colon:

Transverse, Ascending, and Descending Colons

The transverse, ascending, and descending colons are named for their physical locations within the digestive tract, and corresponding to the direction food takes as it encounters those sections. Within these parts of the colon, contractions from smooth muscle groups work food material back and forth to move waste through the colon and eventually, out of the body. The intestinal walls secrete alkaline mucus for lubricating the colon walls to ensure continued movement of the waste.

The ascending colon travels up along the right side of the body. Due to waste being forced upwards, the muscular contractions working against gravity are essential to keep the system running smoothly. The next section of the colon is termed the transverse colon due to it running across the body horizontally. Then, the descending colon turns downward and becomes the sigmoid colon, followed by the rectum and anus.

Ileocecal and Cecum Valves

The ileocecal valve is located where the small and large intestines meet. This valve is an opening between the small intestine and large intestine allowing contents to be transferred to the colon. The cecum follows this valve and is an opening to the large intestine.

The Rectum and the Anus

The rectum is essentially a storage place for waste and is the final stop before elimination occurs. The “tone” of the muscles of the anal sphincter and a person’s ability to control this skeletal-muscular system are vital for regulating bowel movement urges. When elastic receptors within the rectum are stimulated, these nerves signal that defecation needs to occur. In other words, these muscle and nerve groups convey when a bowel movement is necessary but allow a person to control when waste will actually be removed, as the final step in the digestive process. The anus is the last portion of the colon, and is a specialized opening bound with elastic membranes, sensitive tissues, and muscles and nerves allowing it to stretch for removing bowel movements of varying sizes. If, for example, you suffer from constipation, these tissues can become damaged and lose their ability to function normally if waste has to be forced out or remains in the body for prolonged periods. So it’s definitely good practice to keep things moving along at a regular pace. Ideally, you should have two bowel movements per day but at least once a day is pretty good; anything less than that could spell trouble for not only your digestive health but general health as well.

Physiology of the Colon

To summarize, approximately 500 ml (milliliters) of food pass through the colon daily. The various sections of the digestive tract absorb and remove water, propel waste throughout the long system of muscular tubes, work to keep the body alkalized, and accommodate the colonization of billions of beneficial microorganisms to aid us in breaking down waste matter. Regardless of the depth of your knowledge regarding the colon’s functions, please realize the importance of its functions for promoting overall health. Be good to your body on the inside as well as out by following a healthful diet, drinking ample of water, and keeping all your biological systems well maintained with stimulating exercise and by getting plenty of rest.

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Bush vs. BO Deficit asked:

Benefits who?

• "Americans have better survival rates than Europeans for common cancers." Breast cancer mortality: 52% higher in Germany and 88% higher in the United Kingdom than in the U.S. Prostate cancer mortality: 604% higher in the U.K., 457% higher in Norway. Colo-rectal cancer mortality: 40% higher among Britons.

• "Americans have lower cancer mortality rates than Canadians." Rates for breast cancer (9%), prostate cancer (184%) and colon cancer among men (10%) are higher than in the U.S.

• "Americans have better access to treatment of chronic diseases than patients in other developed countries." Roughly 56% of Americans who could benefit are taking statin drugs. Only 36% of the Dutch, 29% of the Swiss, 26% of Germans, 23% of Britons and 17% of Italians who could benefit receive them.

• "Americans have better access to preventive cancer screenings than Canadians." Nine of 10 middle-aged American women have had a mammogram; 72% of Canadian women have. Almost every American woman (96%) has had a pap smear; fewer than 90% of Canadian women have. Roughly 54% of American men have had a prostate cancer test; fewer than one in six Canadian men have. Almost a third of Americans (30%) have had a colonoscopy; only 5% of Canadians have had the procedure.

• "Lower-income Americans are in better health than comparable Canadians." Nearly 12% of U.S. seniors with below-median incomes self-report being in "excellent" health, while 5.8% of Canadian seniors say the same thing.

• "Americans spend less time waiting for care than patients in Canada and the United Kingdom." Canadians and Britons wait about twice as long, sometimes more than a year, to see a specialist, have elective surgery or get radiation treatment.

• "People in countries with more government control of health care are highly dissatisfied and believe reform is needed." More than seven in 10 Germans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britons say their health systems need either "fundamental change" or "complete rebuilding."

• "Americans are more satisfied with the care they receive than Canadians." More than half (51.3%) of Americans are very satisfied with their health care services, while 41.5% of Canadians hold the same view of their system.

• "Americans have much better access to important new technologies like medical imaging than patients in Canada or the U.K." There are 34 CT scanners per million Americans. There are 12 per million in Canada and eight per million in Britain. The U.S. has nearly 27 MRI machines per million. Britain and Canada have 6 per million.

• "Americans are responsible for the vast majority of all health care innovations." The top five U.S. hospitals conduct more clinical trials than all the hospitals in any other single developed nation; the most important recent medical innovations were developed here.

Can the nationalized, universal systems in Britain, Canada or anywhere else improve on this? No, but we can ruin our health care by following the policies of countries where medical treatment is far below the American standard.

Colon Cleansing for Better Health

Lee Dobbins asked:

At the start of the 20th century, colon diseases are becoming more common. These diseases are primarily the output of bad eating habits. Like cancer and heart disease, the causes are cumulative and may take several years for the symptoms to appear.

Nowadays, having good colon health is important, though it can be difficult to achieve because people's diets are getting worse everyday. A person who fails to take in the minimum amount of fiber may find it hard to expel his bowels. Regular intake of drugs which may postpone bowel movement may also destroy colon health. Of course, those who are lazy enough not go to the toilet when they need to go may also be suffering from colon diseases.

Stools should be effortlessly expelled from the body. If you need to read a book or a magazine before can move your bowels out, you may be constipated. Constipation is one obvious symptom of bad colon health. Another indications is the appearance of any undigested food, mucus and blood in your stools.

Colon health problems can cause several other problems such as nutritional deficiency even if you have good diet regimen. If a poor colon health does not improve, it can also lead to asthma, anaemia, fatigue and several other auto-immune diseases. These symptoms are common to several other diseases that's why poor colon health may not be detected immediately. These symptoms are due to toxic fecal matter that could not be removed if your colon does not function well enough.

When your colon is deficient, it could not properly eliminate toxins from the body. These fecal matters build up on the pockets of your colon and may stay there for several weeks, or months, or even years. Normally, in a healthy colon condition, the body should be able to push out these toxic wastes from your colon within eighteen to twenty-four hours.

When these fecal deposits in your colon get irritated, it can dangerously interfere with the functions of your other organs. You may suffer from an inflamed colon which just worsens nutrient deficiency as well as proper bowel movements.

What's worse is when the feces stuck in the colon starts to decay. It can release really harmful toxins and gases which can poison the blood stream. Because the blood runs through all organs in the body, chances are, these organs could also be poisoned. With the blood stream polluted and organs infected, your body gets full of wastes.

These toxins inside the body could explain numerous toxic diseases such as ammonia, that's when toxins infect your liver. When a particular organ is toxic, it won't be capable of receiving nutrients because its is clogged up with wastes.

Even if one improves the health of these other organs, the infection could recur. As mentioned before, these organ infections are not the causes but effects of another health problem. That problem would be a poor colon health. Thus, cleaning up these organs would not be as effective unless the colon is cleaned out. Your body organs would just reabsorb all the toxins released by fecal deposits in your colon.

The tissues in your body won't be capable of fully eliminating these wastes unless the colon is properly working, because that's what colons are for. Colons function as the sewer for the body. It provides a drainage system for body wastes. Whenever the colon leaks out because of poor colon health, these toxins are released back into the main bloodstream, and infecting your body organs again.

Although poor diet is the primary cause of poor colon health, following a better diet program may not be enough to help your colon recover. That's because your colon may have already been severely damaged before you realize it. Statistics show that colon cancer is the number one cancer experienced by both males and females in their 40s. About 70 million Americans are diagnosed with bowel problems. That number excludes those who did not consult a medical doctor.

With advanced technologies, we now have several methods to clean out the colon. However, there is no single remedy which can effectively and completely improve colon health. With complementary treatments such as colon hydrotherapy, exercise, stress management, and of course, a healthier diet, the colon could be cleansed out with these trapped feces.

After a person's colon has been thoroughly cleansed, the feces should fall out easily. It may take months for severe colon health problems to be fully corrected. Body organs may also take a while to undo the toxic damages.

Colon Cleansing for Better Health

Darren W. - asked:


The role of colon is very important in overall health of an individual. It helps a lot in eliminating the body wastages and makes the function of lungs and other organs easy. It is generally known as the large intestine in the digestive system. Its main function is to extract the water elements to the maximum level from the feces and to make it hard; in addition to that it helps to release the toxin from the body and makes the final digestion possible.

There are more than sixty different varieties of bacteria that help the colon in functioning properly. The defect in the functionality of the colon can cause the storage of wastage in the body, which makes a great contribution to increase the weight of body and causes a number of other health problems. The health problems related to the gall bladder and the lungs are mostly occurs because of the poor functionality of the colon, it can cause the development of the stone in the stomach. It is generally considered that more than 90% of health problem starts with the upset ness of the stomach and the colon is one of most important parts of stomach.

The colon is mostly affected by unhealthy eating habits, contaminated food and the lack of exercise. Other conditions like the irregular hygienic habits and not taking the natural call seriously will be the some of the important reasons affects the functionality of the colon. The high level of stress and some other health related problem can affect the functioning of the colon badly. The increasing weight in most of the person today is because of the poor functioning of the colon. The poor functioning of colon can cause lots of problems to the health of an individual.

It is generally considered that the proper functioning of colon is the only solution of the most of the problems related to the weight gaining. A slight irregularity in the functioning of colon can increase the weight rapidly. It can be a reason of cancer to colon and other parts of the stomach like bladder and small intestine.

One can easily improve the effectiveness of the colon by making some positive inputs like exercise and good eating habits. The nutritional food, mostly the green vegetable can make a great contribution in making the functionality of the colon effective. The morning walk is one of the good exercises that can help to improve the functionality of the colon. Other exercises like cycling, jogging can also be effective. There are different types of yoga and Asana which can help to make a great improvement. The yoga is to be done in supervision of some expert person. In addition to that the good hygienic habits can contribute positively for the proper functioning of the colon.

In addition to that there are lots of colon pills and other medicines that can be helpful in improvement of the colon functioning. There are many other medical solutions to improve the functioning of the colon; colonoscopy is considered to be one of the effective solutions.



Colon Cleansing for Better Health

Scott Meyers asked:


When the digestive system experiences imbalances, the whole body gets thrown for a loop. Many diseases and even common problems such as constipation and gas result from having digestive system malfunctions.

So, what causes digestive malfunction and imbalance? There are many causes, however stress is the most common and most destructive. Stress targets the digestive system and if it gets a hold there, the rest of the body is in for a rough ride. Most diseases start from a digestive system problem, which is something that has been studied and proven true. To cure the diseases of today, we must dig into the digestive system and fix the problem at the source.

One of the best alternative treatment options for colon health and many other problems is reflexology. Reflexology is simply the practice of strategically applying pressure to areas of the reflexes of feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs.

Just like the teeth, the feet and hands are a map to the health of our entire body. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding areas of the body. Furthermore, reflexology stimulates the lymphatic system and encourages the release of endorphins, the natural feel good hormones that are well documented in relieving the effects of stress.

Reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself. When your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness. Reflexology is a beneficial tool for improving circulation, relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies, chronic sinus problems, acid reflux, migraines, PMS, menopause, insomnia, fertility problems, fibromyalgia, depression and even arthritis report significantly improved conditions as a result of the treatment.

If you don't want to go to a trained reflexologist, but still want to experience the benefits the detox can bring, try the herbal foot detox patches. They are quite affordable and very effective. By simply applying them to your feet at night before bed, you will help detoxify all of your organs at the same time. Not only are well-known healing oils and tree extracts used in these patches, but also there are no side effects, making them a very popular choice.



Bowtrol Colon Cleanse

Institute for Vibrant Living asked:


Importance of Colon Cleansing for Colon Health

Dear Reader,

In recent years, the importance of colon health has taken the spotlight as an increasing body of research has confirmed that the bowel plays a key role in proper immune function and overall health.  More than 50 percent of the immune system is located in or around the digestive system, especially the large intestine. In order to boost their immune systems, millions of Americans have turned to colon cleansing. 

Most Americans have poor dietary habits that affect their body’s ability to effectively digest food. After years of indulging in unhealthy eating habits, stagnated fecal matter can collect in the colon and lead to a variety of serious health problems. The colon is responsible for removing toxins from our body. When the colon is clogged with stagnated fecal matter your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food is significantly compromised. Until the colon is properly cleansed and the toxins are removed your digestion will be hindered leading to constipation, gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, bad breath, fatigue, depression, infections and weight gain. 

Most Americans have a digestive “transit time” of about 72 hours and that is too long. (The transit time refers to the amount of time that toxic waste matter remains in the bowel.) When the transit time is too long, the waste will decay, ferment and possibly be reabsorbed by the body, creating the perfect environment for harmful organisms and bacteria to thrive.

Internal cleansing is a natural way to remove the toxins inside your body, break up fecal matter in your intestines and eliminate harmful organisms. Some of the major benefits of colon cleansing include.

The elimination of toxins that have accumulated inside of your colon from

years of poor dietary habits and exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Prevention of waste materials from building up again so that you will

look and feel great.

Elimination of parasites that can lead to discomfort and disease. 

Once you have cleansed your colon, keep it healthy with a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat. Some healthy choices include whole grain bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice, green leafy vegetables (like spinach and lettuce), black beans, pinto beans, green beans and peanuts.

Adding probiotic supplements to your health regimen is another way to boost colon health. Probiotics (sometimes referred to as “friendly bacteria”) are live microbial substances which improve intestinal balance and boost the immune system.  Make this the year that you cleanse your body of toxins and maintain a healthy colon so that your immune system can function at its full potential.

Yours in good health,

Patrick Heffernan

IVL Health Watch

Visit IVLProducts.com for a wide selection of nutritional supplements.



Bowtrol Natural Colon Health

Gregg Hall asked:


A Proper diet is important for us to maintain optimum health but many people do not realize just how important a healthy diet is for a healthy colon. When we eat right our colon will actually help us stay healthier and can even help to reduce high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Your colon is like a mini recycling center. It is able to absorb huge amounts of water which it uses in the recycling and waste removal process, it can actually absorb as much as eight times more water than the rest of the body does on a daily basis. While going through this process the colon separates waste from what is recycled which is water, electrolytes, and bile salts taken back into the body's system.

To make sure that our colons remain healthy a good diet along with proper sleep and regular exercise is essential. As part of a healthy diet eating a good amount of fiber is crucial to the proper function of the colon as well and contributes to overall health as well. There are also certain kinds of friendly bacteria such as acidophilus that are good for you and help the colon to work properly.

Some of the maladies that indicate poor colon health are the following: Constipation and hemorrhoids which are both caused by a lack of fiber in the diet and colitis which is caused by an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. Colon cancer can be prevented with a proper diet as well and due to testing available today is also one of the most curable cancers as well. Smaller problems can also be caused by colon-related functions. Things such as bad breath, acne and spider veins can be caused by a malfunction in the colon, because the colon rids the body of waste, it also cleanses the body. Poor health overall is the result of poor detoxification.

Colonics are a popular approach used to cleanse the colon using chemicals, tubes, and water to push fluid through the colon and remove leftover waste. Many people abuse these processes and end up harming their colon due to the removal of necessary bacteria. Colonics can be helpful if used properly, but it is best to consult with your doctor before using any of these therapies. Often they are not needed, and the "toxins" that are supposedly building up in the colon and intestine are often natural residue from the body's natural processes. It is debatable whether or not the residue left in the colon really does affect the body in a negative way, although patients from colonics often report fresher skin, whiter eyes and a lighter sense of balance when the procedure is complete. The procedure can have some harmful side effects, however, and patients should be aware of these before undergoing treatment.

There are easier, healthier ways to clean the colon than this process. Changing your diet is one. A diet of fiber and raw foods helps clean the walls of the colon, and diuretics are helpful in producing excess waste and stools.

Care of the colon results in clear skin, healthy eyes and a good sense of balance.

Bryan Len asked:


There are plenty of opinions about how the diseases occur? However, commonest opinion among many holistic health care practitioners and other folk remedy experts say that if your stomach and intestines are good and powerful, you are less likely to suffer from any disease. This is because what you eat you become and they are the digestive organs who take care of your healthy since they absorb nutrients and checkout for any mis-happenings due to microorganisms or any harmful agents.

Holistic health care providers, especially Ayurvedic practitioners strongly believe that one should use natural colon cleanser to cleanse the intestines. One should clean the intestines since our intestines meet plenty of hazardous substances and harmful materials every day. They undergo lots of stress and many times, when we eat junk food, canned/packed foods, the intestines are overburdened. Moreover, when we unknowingly consume contaminated or stale foods, the intestines face a lot of trouble. Over the times, they get weakened if not cleansed and hence, intestine cleansing is required.

Let us look at some natural colon cleanser:-

The market is full of intestinal or colon cleanser but many of them are chemically made. They use some irritants that evacuate the intestines badly. They may seem to be good as they may get you great results within a short period, but then, they may harm the gastrointestinal tract. That is why, more and more people are now preferring some natural colon cleanser.

Natural colon cleanser includes using some herbs or a formula that contains the blend of such herbs. They are to be consumed according to the doctor or as per its instruction given on the label. However, colon cleansing herbs or formulas are to be continued for some period as suggested by the health care provider.

Ayurvedic herb known as haritaki is very good colon cleanser. If it is combined with two other potential herbal fruits – amalaki and bibhitaki, it is called as a triphala or trifala. Triphala is said to have properties to restore the gastrointestinal functioning and also to enhance the digestive organs to secret quality enzymes that help in digestion, absorption and assimilation of the food consumed.

Another colon cleanser is herbs called as bhringaraja and eranda (castor). They help in emptying the gastric and intestinal content. Many health care providers prefer castor oil (eranda tail) to use as intestinal cleanser as it also checks out any constipation or hard stools. However, regular consumption of these herbs is to be only adopted after consulting Ayurvedic physician.

There are some foods that work as intestine cleanser. Foods such as dark green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits help in adding bulk to the stools and they help in digestion and so in cleansing the intestines. They contain enough fiber that is much required for smooth functioning of intestines and other digestive organs. Fiber is also said to bind the waste material present in the intestines and expel it through anus in the form of stools.



Natural Remedies for Constipation