While it’s probably not the most popular subject of
conversation, it is important and I’ve had several questions this week about
problems related to lower digestion and bowel function. The primary function of our intestinal system
is to absorb the nutrients that our cells require for energy and cell division
and to eliminate waste and toxins that would be harmful to those same
cells. Surprisingly, the lining of the
inside or our digestive system is similar to the lining or the outside of our
body – the skin. Just like our skin,
problems arise in the bowel when this lining gets toxic, inflamed or damaged as
a result of our lifestyle choices.
Rule number one when it comes to maintaining the bowel is
water. The primary function of our colon
is the reabsorption of water and when we are not taking in enough pure, clean
water we are asking for problems, most specifically constipation. Rule number two is fiber. Fiber acts as a scrub-brush for the
intestines keeping them cleaned out, but also stimulating the muscular
contractions so that bowel material moves along at a healthy pace. Fiber also serves a lesser-known function and
that is as a pre-biotic. A pre-biotic is
the food source for the pro-biotic bacteria that set up residence in our colon. You can always take a fiber supplement, but
the preferred source of fiber is from natural, raw fruits and vegetables – the
crunchier the better! Rule number three
are these pro-biotics. These “good” bugs
help break down waste and also serve an immune function by helping to fight off
any “bad” bugs we may have ingested. It
is recommended that you supplement these by taking a high quality probiotic
like UltraFlora Spectrum from Metagenics, but the preferred source again is
from organic fruits/vegetables that were grown in healthy soil without
unnatural pesticides.
Chronic stress, alcohol, sugars, antibiotics and other junk
foods and medications are toxic to the bowel and can cause undigested food
material and “gunk” to clog up the pores of the intestinal lining. Over time, this process can lead to chronic
inflammation and yeast production that can infiltrate the entire body. Because this is the world we live in, doing
an occasional colon cleanse is also a good idea at least once per year. Most importantly, listen to your body and
when the bowel becomes irregular or abnormal in any way, take action and make
changes to get it back on track or go get it checked out.
No comments:
Post a Comment