Know About Your Colon

The colon is the last stop for human waste in the bodies of most vertebrates (animals with backbones) and its function is to drain the remaining water and electrolytes out of the solid wastes before they are eliminated from the body. It is a very important part of the digestive system and should be taken care of. The colon is the second part of the large intestine and the part that deals with indigestible foods and the creation of solid fecal mater.

Role in the Digestive System

Once the small intestine and cecum (the first part of the large intestine) has absorbed as much as it is able to, it turns the food into fecal matter. The ascending colon then receives this fecal matter in liquid form and moves it along, absorbing excess water along the way. The matter by now is semi-solid and is taken by the descending colon where the bacteria breaks down some of the fiber in the waste (which is not absorbable by the intestines) for their own use and create waste products (acetate, propionate and butyrate) which are used by the cell linings of the colon as nutrients.

Colon Cleansing – The History

Colon cleansing has been done for centuries – in fact both the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed that cleansing the colon was good for health. The reasons given for this are called “auto-intoxication” in other words – the belief was that food enters the colon and “rots”. This viewpoint gained traction in the 19th century with the introduction of biochemistry and microbiology but by 1919 – modern medicine had dispelled this myth. It has been shown that the symptoms of auto-intoxication are actually related to other, more plausible ailments (one such being Irritable Bowl Syndrome).

However, colon cleansing is still prevalent in alternative therapies and with the advent of the internet and infomercials on television, the sale of colon cleansing “systems” has increased exponentially. It has been noted that any unnecessary over-use of colon cleansing (ie: not needed for medicinal reasons, such as a colonoscopy) can interfere with the natural state of the colon and the bacteria it contains leading to interference with the colons ability to remove dead cells.

Colon Cleansing – The Science

This is not to say that colon cleansing is a bad move. It is vital in medicine before any diagnostic or surgical procedure involving the colon. It can also lead to slightly lowered risks of colon cancer – though eating the right foods will invariably help the most. Today we have two methods of cleansing the colon. Orally and using an enema. Orally – water based, high fiber diet or a natural cleansing product is the first step in medical cleansing. The second step in medical cleansing is the use of an enema. In the simplest terms possible – an enema is a process by which certain liquids are introduce to the colon and rectum via the anus. Side effects include bloating and cramping.

Although the process of cleansing the colon doesn´t sound pleasant, it often has very beneficial results; especially for those with an unbalanced diet. It is not unheard of to lose weight and gain increased levels of energy after a colon cleanse.