Colon Cleanse » laxatives

The use of Psyllium Husk for Colon Cleansing

Beth — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:31:05 +0000

Psyllium Husk is derived from the crushed seeds of the Plantago plant from Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean. These seeds have been used in herbal remedies in the United States for over 70 years.

Psyllium Husk Powder

The Psyllium seed is a tiny gel coated reddish brown seed that is tasteless and odorless.

Psyllium is most often produced as a bulk-fiber based laxative for foods or fiber supplements. Psyllium is rich in soluble fiber, so it is usually used for laxatives for constipation. It is also used for colon cleansing, diarrhea, weight loss and the reduction of hemorrhoids.

Psyllium husk can be used as a colon cleanser. Colon cleansing has become a very popular procedure. It has been shown to improve overall health. It is used to cleanse the colon of excess waste that accumulates within the colon over a period of time. If you do not get rid of the toxins within the colon, they can build up and cause illness.

As relates to psyllium, it helps increase the transit time in your colon. This transit time is the time it takes for the food to move through your colon once it is ingested. Psyllium has a bulking effect, in which it absorbs water. This helps to line the colon with a slippery film, increase contractions in the bowels and absorb toxins. The combination of these items can help the bowels move easily and quickly through your colon. When the bowels are able to move quickly, they can effectively cleanse your colon thoroughly.

In further detail, the Psyllium absorbs water like a sponge. This sponge absorbs toxic substances off the wall of your colon. When the sponge is eliminated from your system, it removes all the toxins with it.

As a side note, Psyllium can also be used to relieve constipation. As explained above, psyllium is a bulk forming fiber, it absorbs water, swells and forms a slippery film. This allows two things to happen. It can create a softer bowel movement and stimulate contractions of the lower bowel. The contractions force you to have more frequent bowel movements.

You can also use Psyllium to alleviate diarrhea. Surprisingly, the same effect for constipation can help with diarrhea. The Psyllium absorbs the water, which creates a firm bowel movement, instead of diarrhea.

The husks are used whole in their natural state. They can be dried and chopped or powdered for easier consumption. In any of these forms, one takes them by mixing them with water or another fluid. You can also purchase capsules. Additionally, many over the counter laxatives and fiber supplements, such as Metamucil, may have Psyllium as their main ingredient. One warning when using Psyllium is to take it with plenty of water and take it between meals, never immediately before or immediately after, as it may interfere with your digestion.

How can you safely cleanse your colon?

Beth — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:29:37 +0000

The colon is a tube shaped organ that starts at the end of the small intestine and extends down to the anus. It can measure approximately 5 feet long. It has the important job of removing water and nutrients from your food and store the rest as waste, moving it out of your system.

Woman Eating Vegetable

As the colon’s job is to remove waste, you may also need to perform a cleanse to keep your colon clean and remove excess waste.

A cleanse is used to flush your system of all toxic waste that may have accumulated in your colon. It has also been shown to help improve your immune system, help you lose weight, and improve your general well being.

The best way to keep your colon cleansed and the most natural way is to eat a healthy diet. In adding fiber, such as cereal and whole grains, bran, fruits, vegetables or oatmeal, you can help with many of your gastrointestinal problems. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids, but limit the use of alcohol and smoking.

After changing your diet, there are many other natural ways to cleanse your colon, which include:

enemas or colonics
laxatives
strong herbal teas
enzymes
powders

An enema or a colonic is a procedure that forces water in through the rectum into the colon and flushes it out. With an enema, the force of the water cleanses the colon and allows you to remove the excess waste on your own. With a colonic, the excess waste is forced through your body and exits by tubing inserted into your bowels to remove feces. If you prefer a colonic, you will need to see a physician for this procedure.

Laxatives may be another way to cleanse the colon. Laxatives are usually a medication taken by mouth and will soften stool and contract the intestinal muscles to lead to a bowel movement. This method is usually helpful for constipation. Consistent use is not recommended, as it may lead to dehydration or in the extreme eating disorders.

In a more natural approach, you can try natural supplements. There are various supplements that help naturally. First, you can try fennel, which is a natural diuretic. It can rid your body of excess water and strengthen the walls of the bladder. Another possibility is birch extracts, which are also detoxifying. Birch can be taken in a pill form.

Lemons can also be used to cleanse the colon. The lemon contains natural enzymes and vitamin C. This combination can neutralize bacteria already in your body and strengthen the immune system.

As stated above, fiber is one of the most important parts of your diet. If you are unable to get enough fiber in a regular diet, there are ready-made fiber drinks that can add extra fiber. There are also powders that you can add to your drink to add extra fiber. Again, the extra fiber helps with bowel movements.

What Foods Promote Constipation?

Beth — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:57:12 +0000

Foods that tend to cause constipation:

Meat, particularly beef and pork, because these types of food slow down the digestive process
Potatoes, because they contain too much starch
Cheese commonly causes constipation for many individuals
Fast Foods, there is very little nutritional value to foods purchased in a fast food restaurant and they make it difficult for your body to digest
Breads
Pasta
Corn
Pizza, which contains a lot of cheese
Milk, contains too much mucous, which solidifies within the body
Products full of sugar, such as pies, cakes and cookies, as these types of foods bog down the system, creating low energy and often times, weight problems

Constipation can make it difficult for you to have a bowel movement. Stools may be extremely hard or large and difficult to pass. Some people will continue to feel the need to have a bowel movement even after they have just finished having one.

Some people have between one and three bowel movements a day, but this is not the case for everyone. Other people only have a bowel movement three times a week. Constipation can usually be classified as an individual who has three or less bowel movements a week.

Avoid processed foods as much as possible. These types of food do not digest as easily. Digestion is a huge part of having regular bowel movements.

Adult Couple Playfully Sharing Fresh Fruit at Home

You can treat constipation by increasing your fiber intake. It’s true that you can get fiber from supplements and with fiber powders mixed in your drink and food, but the best kind of fiber is the fiber you get from the food you naturally eat. Whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables are the best methods of getting natural fiber.

Fiber-rich foods include:

unprocessed wheat bran
unrefined breakfast cereals
whole grain and rye flours
grainy breads, like whole wheat breads, rye or pumpernickel
fresh fruits, with the exception of bananas
dried fruits, like prunes, apricots and figs
vegetables, with the exception of potatoes, which are full of starch
legumes, like chick peas, baked beans, lima beans and soy beans

Long-term use of laxatives can also be a problem for some individuals. Individuals who use laxatives too often, sometimes become dependent on them and their bodies do not function without the use of laxatives. Long-term problems that laxative use can cause include:

they can cause the intestines to become lazy, so to speak, causing you to become even more constipated
they can cause issues with your body’s ability to use drugs
they can cause food to move through your system too fast, so that the nutrients are not absorbed into your body
they can cause you to lose too much water in your stool

What causes colon problems?

Beth — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:47:04 +0000

Assortment of High Fiber Foods

The colon is a very important part of your digestive system and your waste elimination. The colon is a tube shaped structure that starts where the small intestine ends and extends down to the anus. In an adult, it can be approximately 5 feet long. The job of the colon is to remove water and nutrients from your food and store the rest as waste, moving it out of your system. And unfortunately, there are many problems that can plague the colon. These problems can range from inflammation in the colon to colon cancer.

The cause of colon problems is unclear, but can range from an infection to genetics.

One common colon problem is colitis, which is simply inflammation of the colon. This inflammation alone can be caused by many different conditions. To explain a few, it can be caused by bacteria entering the colon, such as with a food poisoning. Second, you could have inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis, which can lead to inflammation. Third you can suffer from Crohn’s disease, which can cause inflammation.

As relates to each of these colon conditions, they may be caused by various other things. A common digestive problem related to the colon is irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. There is no known cause for IBS, but there has been speculation. It is thought that the symptoms of IBS may be caused by food allergies or sensitivities, stress or genetics.

Diverticulitis is caused by increased pressure in the intestinal wall. As you get older, the layers of the intestinal walls thicken and narrow. Because of this, the feces move more slowly through the colon.

Another cause of many digestive and bowel problems is diet. A healthy diet is important in all aspects of life; however it can be vital to your bowels and digestive system. It is important to have a diet high in fiber which helps with regular bowel movements.

The cause of ulcerative colitis is also unknown. There are risk factors, which have been considered as possible causes. One of these is genetics, as there is a high degree of symptoms between family members, especially a first degree relative like a parent or sibling.

Once you figure out the cause of your pain and problem, you should do what you can to prevent it from reoccurring. For example, it has been studied and proven that certain foods can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. If this is your case, then you should remove those foods entirely from your diet.

Additionally, there are simple preventative measures you can take. These would include eating a high fiber diet. Fiber promotes regular bowel movements and can help prevent constipation. Drink plenty of water, which can help with regular bathroom visits. Avoid the use of laxatives. Laxatives can make problems worse, as they may interfere with regular bowel activities.

There are many causes of bowel and colon problems. The key is to attempt to narrow down your cause and try to prevent it from occurring on a regular basis.

Colon Cleanse » laxatives

The use of Psyllium Husk for Colon Cleansing

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How can you safely cleanse your colon?

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