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Elimination is a part of healthy digestion. Digestion begins in the mouth and ends with elimination. As we age, we struggle with bloating, constipation, and sluggish digestion. When our elimination is healthy, we have more energy, better gut health, and actually feel better. I am a fan of colon cleanses to keep our elimination process moving; however, I am not a fan of drastic detoxes. Ensuring our bodies eliminate waste properly and naturally is extremely important.

What Does the Colon Do?

The colon, or large intestine, has lots of responsibilities. Below are its main ones:

Water Absorption: The colon absorbs water and electrolytes from the liquid chyme that enters from the small intestine.

Waste Elimination: Involuntary muscle contractions (peristalsis) slowly push waste along to the descending colon (a temporary storage vault) before moving it to the rectum.

Vitamins and Fiber: The large intestine is where you find many beneficial bacteria (gut microbiome) that help synthesize vitamins and break down the remaining fiber before passing it on to the rectum.

Maintaining colon health is important for digestive balance and overall wellness.

Signs Your Elimination System May Need Support

You may be wondering if your elimination is sluggish, and if it is, how can you tell? Common symptoms of a sluggish colon are:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Feeling you need to go and not being able to go
• Distended, swollen, or hard abdomen
• Lack of appetite

When things don’t move regularly, your colon can become sluggish or blocked. If you feel like your colon is blocked, seek medical help.

Healthy Habits That Support Elimination Naturally

Keeping your colon (large intestine) healthy requires focusing on the following habits:

Increase Fiber Intake

• Make sure you are eating foods full of soluble and insoluble fiber every day including vegetables, fruits, flax and chia seeds, and whole foods.

Stay Hydrated

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or herbal teas daily to keep your large intestine hydrated.

Move Your Body Daily

• Moving promotes peristalsis and motility. So take a walk for 10 minutes especially after meals to support healthy digestion.

Support Gut Health

• Make sure to eat lots of fermented foods, foods high in probiotics, and reduce your intake of processed and sugary foods.

Reduce Stress

• How well you manage stress can impact your digestion through the gut-brain axis, which allows the nervous system and gut to communicate. When you are under stress, your body automatically shifts its focus toward the stress and slows down digestion. So focus on deep breathing, meditation, or stimulate your vagus nerve through humming or laughing.

Herbs Traditionally Used to Support Digestion and Elimination

You don’t want to loosen things up and not be able to get them moving out.

Herbs that support the body’s natural detoxification and elimination pathways include:

• dandelion
• ginger
• peppermint
• fennel
• slippery elm
• flaxseed
• triphala

Many of the kits contain a combination of these herbs and are for a full 14-day cleanse. However, you can break them down into two 7-day cleanses as well. View some of my favorite Nature’s Sunshine cleanses and fiber supplements. The Dieter’s Cleanse works well to support weight management and reduce sugar cravings. My favorite is starting with the Clean Start Mild Cleanse, because it is so gentle.

Ever Do A Bowel Prep?

In 1994, before my Left Lumbar Sympathectomy, the doctor had me do a full bowel prep. I think about that prep, and after completing the full bowel prep, I can assure you that we have a lot more stool inside of us than we think we do. I was totally amazed at how full my bowel was and how much stool I eliminated before that surgery. Personally, I try to do a natural colon cleanse or detox twice a year, sometimes during the Spring and Fall.

One thing I know for certain is that we do not live in a perfect world. Many people struggle with processed foods, stress, inactivity, dehydration, and poor digestion. Supporting healthy elimination through fiber, hydration, movement, and whole foods can help the digestive system function more comfortably and efficiently. Personally, I find that seasonal resets help me refocus on healthy habits and digestive wellness.

Seasonal Wellness and Gentle Cleansing Traditions

Many traditional forms of natural health suggest that spring is a good time for cleansing the body. During the winter, people living in colder climates are typically less physically active. Before the advent of modern transportation, people’s dietary choices were also limited.  Having no access to fresh fruits and vegetables, their diets were mostly animal proteins, fats and oils, and heavy starches like grains and potatoes.

Spring brings warm breezes coaxing early spring flowers to bloom, and often, when we do a deeper clean of the house and yard, welcoming in the fresh air and sunshine.

Colon Cleanse Myths and Realistic Expectations

Is a Colon Cleanse Necessary

Many healthcare providers do not feel that it is necessary to do a colon cleanse. Some feel that the job of our digestive system and bowels is to eliminate waste material, toxins, and bacteria. Some healthcare providers feel that cleansing is just duplicating what our body already does.

However, the idea of toxins being reabsorbed by the body on the surface may not make sense, yet rectal suppositories are used to rapidly administer drugs. This explains that our large intestine can absorb things. Other healthcare professionals feel that it isn’t a toxin reabsorption issue; it is a nerve reflex issue, especially given the wide range of symptoms caused by constipation and how these symptoms have been relieved by enemas.

Each of us needs to determine how we feel about the need for a colon cleanse or spring detox. I do know two things: consistency and habits matter. Eating foods that support gut health and staying hydrated can help you maintain regular elimination.

Some Colon Cleanse Benefits

• May improve your digestive system, making it more efficient, especially if you have experienced constipation, indigestion, bloating, or hard stools.
• Many people find that improving digestion, hydration, fiber intake, and elimination habits helps them feel lighter and more comfortable.
• May diminish food cravings.
• May promote healthier-looking skin, hair, and fingernails.
• Better breath and body odor.
• May promote a healthier system that can absorb nutrients from our food more efficiently.

Ready to Support Your Gut Health Naturally?

Healthy digestion and elimination are often connected to the small daily habits we practice consistently. Supporting your gut with nourishing foods, hydration, movement, sleep, and stress management can help your body function at its best. Start building healthier habits naturally with The Healthy Habits Challenge or explore more Gut Health articles throughout the site.

Reference – Benefits of Colon Cleansing; https://www.webmd.com/balance/natural-colon-cleansing-is-it-necessary