The Importance of a Happy Colon
Many of us are getting familiar with the importance of a healthy diet these days, learning how to lower our glycemic intake and eat whole foods to reduce major health risks. Many serious health problems start in the colon. It is not common to think about one’s colon health, in fact many times we isolate the issues going on in the lower abdominal region. It is important to understand that the health of one’s bowel system is vital to optimal health.
Nothing can make for a worse day than waking up and getting that bubbling feeling in your stomach. It leaves you feeling miserable and unsure of yourself from the time you wake up until the time it goes away. But besides an uncomfortable feeling, poor colon health can lead to something much worse than indigestion and diarrhea. Here’s why the colon is so important and why it is a good idea to keep it in good working order.
The colon is another name for the large intestine, which is one of the most important parts of your digestive system. Its primary role is to both reabsorb electrolytes and water into your body and to eliminate waste. When the colon is working properly, you have regular bowel movements that pass easily through the large intestine with proper consistency. When things aren’t working down there, things can get a little complicated. A few signs that your colon is not functioning as it should be are constipation, excess gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
One risk of having an unhealthy colon is that you could end up developing polyps, which are small growths that occur on the lining of the colon. Most of the time, polyps are benign and don’t have any negative symptoms, but they can develop into cancer. As one of the most common cancer-related causes of death, colon cancer is a serious problem that you should be on the lookout for if you notice a change in your digestion.
How Can You Ensure Good Colon Health?
There are a few things that you can do to make sure that your colon is as healthy as possible:
Make sure you move around and exercise on a regular basis. One of the biggest risk factors for colon cancer is obesity, especially when fat is concentrated around the belly. Aim for moderate to vigorous activity for multiple days a week. It’s best if you aim higher than the “recommended suggestions” by many health organizations, but also, know your limits so as not to injure yourself.
Foods rich in fiber are your colon’s best friends. Add whole grains and legumes into your diet to keep everything moving smoothly—bran, barley, beans, nuts, oatmeal, and anything else you can get in there.
Cut down or eliminate processed and red meats. Processed meats will include anything that has been cured, salted, smoked, or produced with the use of chemical preservatives. Unfortunately, this includes popular treats such as bacon and beef jerky. Instead of eating that T-bone steak for dinner, try a smaller portion of meat, and load up on the vegetables and fruit. Both contain insoluble fiber, which is great for your colon. Aim for 5 servings a day, leaning more heavily toward vegetables.
Colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Nevertheless, a lack of public knowledge on the subject has made it the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. With years of experience treating and educating people, Michael Forman, DOM, can help you keep your colon health at a maximum.
To learn more about how to prevent colon cancer and promote colon health, call us at 305-741-2102 to book an appointment today.