Our Body’s Waste Disposal System!
Remember what I said last month: we are what we eat, what we assimilate, and what we do not eliminate. Keep your colon rolling.
Our intestinal system, largely made up of the colon, has a tremendous job to do. Our modern lifestyle has led us to create some bad habits. Most of us eat more sugar and processed foods than we should, and most of us tend to abuse our bodies with stimulants and sedatives. Our bodies are also overexposed to hundreds of toxins daily through the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use. Typically, our bodies are very effective at eliminating toxins. However, with the hectic lifestyles we lead and the mounting stress we are under, most of us aren’t eliminating those toxins effectively because our intestinal system is overloaded.
Our intestinal system (which is the lower part of our digestive tract) is responsible for reabsorbing water and electrolytes and eliminating cellular waste and digestive by-products. Sounds simple, but it really is one of the most essential functions of the body.
The colon or large intestine consists of the following:
- Cecum is located at the beginning of the ascending colon, where the small intestine joins the large intestine.
- Ascending Colon is found on the right side of the body.
- Transverse Colon goes across the body.
- Descending Colon is found on the left side of the body.
- Sigmoid is where the colon is connected to the rectum.
- Rectum is the exit.
The cecum is where water, fiber, and foods that the body cannot break down in the small intestine are stored. The last part of the small intestine is known as the ileum, and it is through the ileocecal valve that these waste products enter the cecum, which is the beginning of the large intestine, also referred to as the colon. Each time this valve opens, contents are pushed from the ileum into the cecum.
The waste then moves to the ascending colon and begins its journey to the rectum. The colon, or large intestine, is capable of absorbing approximately 90% of the water, returning it to the bloodstream. The nerves and muscles of the colon regulate our bowel movements, which in turn control our transit time. The response our bodies have to stress can directly or indirectly affect the function of the gut through its unique system of nerves within the bowel wall.
Transit time is key.
Stress and a lack of muscle tone can significantly impair the function of our colon. If waste remains in the colon for too long, excessive water is absorbed, and the waste material remains, leading to constipation. Constipation can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the intestines, which can later be absorbed into the lymphatic system and bloodstream. The longer the transmit time, the longer the toxic waste sits, putrefies, and has the potential to be reabsorbed. If this putrefaction process continues, it can lead to a condition known as autointoxication. The longer we expose our bodies to putrefied food in our intestines, the greater the risk we have of developing this condition. Slow transit time can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, certain medications, poor dietary habits, inadequate fiber intake, dehydration, and a lack of exercise. My favorite, gentle cleanse is CleanStart Mild.
If your transit time is too rapid, the fluids aren’t sufficiently reabsorbed, which can cause excessive fluid loss and result in diarrhea. A variety of factors, such as viruses, antibiotic medications, harmful bacteria, parasites, emotional stress, and inflammatory bowel disorders, can cause diarrhea. Sometimes adding Everybody’s Fiber to your diet can slow things down.
The Main Problem of the Intestinal System
Colon Polyps and Cancer
Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue in the colon and are a major concern for many people. Take a look at some of the following statistics.
- 95% of colorectal cancers develop from polyps.
- More than 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the US each year.
- The National Cancer Institute states that colorectal cancer is the 3rd occurrence and cause of cancer deaths.
- Over 50,000 people in the US die annually as a result of colorectal cancer.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include alcohol and tobacco use, a sedentary lifestyle, eating a diet rich in detrimental fats and low in fiber. Research studies show that the composition of a diet influences the diversity of microbes in the gut, providing a link between diet and colonic disease, as well as colon cancer.
Some conditions related to an unhealthy colon:
- Hemorrhoids
- Leaky Gut
- Diverticulitis
- Constipation / Diarrhea
- Polyps
- Cancer
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Crohn’s Disease
Eating a diet too high in red meat, cheese, refined breads and cereal, fried foods, and foods high in sugar and salt can rob your body of critical electrolytes and lack the fiber needed for proper digestion. A healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dietary fiber, along with exercise, can improve your ability to move food through your digestive system completely and easily.
Things We Can Do – Keep Your Intestinal System Healthy
- Increase your fiber intake. Some researchers suggest that 35 grams per day are needed, and it is essential to obtain fiber from both soluble and insoluble sources.
- Water is the best tool for cleansing. Make sure you drink a 1/2 ounce per lb of body weight per day. If you are undergoing a colon cleanse, it is essential to drink more water. A 200-pound individual should drink 100 ounces of water per day.
- Chew your food. Undigested meat and other foods cause a mucus buildup in the colon, which produces toxins that can enter the bloodstream.
- Take time to have a bowel movement. Do not resist the urge to go to the bathroom. This can cause waste material to build up and become compacted, leading to constipation.
- Travel. When traveling, take measures to prevent constipation. Use a natural stool softener, such as Gentle Move, if necessary.
- My favorite product for rebuilding health throughout the intestinal tract, especially if you have one of the conditions above, is Intestinal Soothe and Build. You may have to wait a while; however, it has helped many. You should also read our Digestive System Newsletter for more helpful information, tips, and supplements. You can also take our Brilliant Body Health Assessment to help you determine which body system is in most need of support.