|
The Intestinal System
The Body's Waste Disposal Plant
Online Catalog of Intestinal System Products
The intestinal system is like a city's
waste disposal plant. While the digestive system breaks down nutrients so they
can be distributed throughout the body, the intestinal system generally absorbs
waste products out of the body so that they can be excreted with indigestible
food fiber.
The colon
may be divided into three parts: ascending,
transverse and descending. It is only
five feet long, but it has a 2-1/2 inch
diameter, three times the diameter of
the small intestine. The colon forms a frame for the convoluted shape of the small intestine.
The Elimination Process
Undigested food - in liquid form - flows from
the small intestine into the large intestine. Once there, most of the water and
mineral salts are absorbed into the body. The remaining semi-solid water is about
60-70 percent water and 10-30 percent bacteria combined with indigestible cellulose
material, dead cells and other waste materials. The smooth muscular walls of the
colon contract (called peristalsis) to move waste through the colon. This takes
anywhere from 12-24 hours or longer, depending upon the amount of roughage present.
Stools reveal a lot about your health. You can get clues about dietary issues, gastrointestinal health, and even whether your stress, anger, or anxiety levels are too high. Stools: The Bowl Truth
Factors in Colon
Health
Much like the teeth, the colon is adversely
affected by the types of food we eat. People with diets high in refined foods
(sugar and white flour, for example) and low-fiber foods (meat, eggs and dairy
products) and low in high-fiber foods (fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains)
are especially susceptible to intestinal problems. Colon and rectal disorders
are much more common in America than in Africa or Asia, due to the difference
in diets. For example, in parts of Africa, the diet contains seven times more
fiber than that of the average Western diet.
The colon works best when moderately full,
and dietary fiber fills this requirement. Fiber provides no nutrients to the body,
but it does promote good health because it is very absorbent. Fiber can absorb
many times its weight in water. This aids in maintaining proper bowel elimination
(regularity).
Insufficient
roughage leads to constipation and diarrhea.
These conditions can also be caused by nervous
stress. Intestinal
problems common to Western culture may be
helped by the addition of fiber to the diet.
High-fiber foods include bran, prunes, psyllium
seed or hulls and other
mucilaginous herbs. For
information on a popular
fiber formula. Another
factor in colon health is maintaining a good supply of the beneficial bacteria,
Lactobacillus
acidophilus, which performs a number of beneficial tasks in the
colon.
When the colon is nutritionally supported
with a diet high in natural fiber, other nutritional components and healthy bacteria,
it is able to function at peak efficiency.
Your stools can tell you
a lot about your health. If you don't have
a weak stomach, you may want to read this
information
on stools to learn what different
types of stools indicate.
Cleansing Your Way to a
Healthy Intestinal System
The function of the intestinal system is to absorb waste products
in the body so they can be excreted and not reabsorbed. The colon helps to eliminate:
- remnants of food that can't be digested
- remnants of food that are normally digested, but were not
- byproducts of fermentation and bacterial reactions that break
down food
- secretions from the intestines (mucus and salts)
- bacteria, parasites and waste products of blood and tissue
cells
Problems with the colon
are frequently due to a poor diet. Two
things can be done to strengthen the
colon: improve the diet and periodically
cleanse the colon. Though many may
discount the importance of colon cleansing
for good health, good elimination is just
as important for health as assimilating
the right nutrients. Study
more about colon cleansing.
Constipation is
a common problem characterized by sluggish
colon action. It may be caused by eating
highly refined
foods, eating too quickly, having a stressful
lifestyle or failing to exercise
adequately. LBS
II is a mild,
non-habit forming herbal
formula for constipation and mild colon cleansing. Gentle Move is a mild laxative that softens the stool, provides bulk and a mild stimulant action.
Mucus-forming foods, such as dairy products, are especially
prone to contribute to constipation. These foods may form a sticky matter that
adheres to the colon wall. This attracts further buildup, blocks absorption of
minerals and traps toxins. A stagnant bowel may lead to the stagnant condition
of constipation, allowing toxins to spread throughout the body.
One way to alleviate
constipation and other colon problems
is to add fiber to the daily diet. Bowel
activity is affected by the amount of fiber,
as well as water, present in the colon.
In general, fiber includes such foods as
whole
grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. Fruits
and vegetables are known as cleansing foods.
Scientists are finding that cultures who
forage for vegetables and whole
grains don't have problems with constipation,
colon cancer, diverticulitis or other associated
health problems. Why? The high fiber content
of these diets aids
in the proper elimination of body waste.
There are two main types of fiber - each performs a
different role. Soluble fiber forms a gel with water, creating a laxative effect.
Soluble fiber traps sugar and binds cholesterol. Pectin,
gum and mucilage are examples of soluble fibers and can be found in wheat, corn
bran and cereal grains.
Sponge-like insoluble fiber contributes to regular bowel function
by adding bulk. Fruits, vegetables, beans and oats contain insoluble fibers such
as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Fiber also helps to absorb and thus eliminate
toxic substances.
Sometimes, people who have an irritated bowel, cannot
use the 'scrubbing' fibers like psyllium hulls since their intestinal lining is
already inflamed and/or ulcerated. Intestinal
Soothe and Build is an excellent formula of herbs to work with this condition.
Of course, bran is an excellent source of dietary fiber. When
adding bran to your diet, begin with a small amount, such as one teaspoon per
day. As the body becomes accustomed to the bran/ increase the amount of your daily
intake.
Yogurt and acidophilus bacteria also contribute to a healthy
colon by supplying friendly bacteria that assist in normal, healthy colon function.
Yogurt sources of acidophilus should be carefully selected, since pasteurization
may destroy bacteria.
Simply changing eating habits may not be enough to achieve
a healthy colon. The colon must also be fully cleansed. Colon cleansing is a very
popular subject among those interested in natural health. They understand that
after years of improper eating, the body needs foods that tone, rebuild and strengthen
the colon. (While many rely on laxatives, most laxatives merely irritate the colon.)
Begin with a slow, basic cleansing program that includes herbs
that nutritionally act as loosening, bulking and absorbing agents. In addition,
herbs that act as peristaltic agents, flora regulators, nervines and anti-gas/anti-odor
agents may be added as desired.
 Cleansing programs may be easily
designed according to individual needs.
Here's a basic recipe for a cleanse. The four ingredients
may be mixed in a glass of juice and taken with the LBS
II capsules every night.
1 Tbsp. Psyllium Hulls
2 Tbsp. Liquid Chlorophyll
6 oz. Aloe Vera
2 Tbsp. Hydrated Bentonite
2 LBS II capsules
A basic cleansing program may last for three to six months
and provides gentle cleansing action. If you are miserable while cleansing, you're
probably cleansing too fast and should decrease the amounts of the most active
ingredients in your cleansing program.
Two pre-packaged cleanses to choose from, are the 14-day CleanStart
and the 10-day Chinese Para-Cleanse for parasites.
These were designed so you could cleanse and work at the same time. More
rapid cleansing action may be achieved by fasting while cleansing. When food intake
is temporarily stopped, whatever is least essential to the body (mucus, fat, unhealthy
cells and tissues) is eliminated first. When ending a fast, gradually build up
to solid foods.
As you improve your dietary habits and undertake a cleansing
program, desired results may not, and usually don't, happen immediately. Positive
changes in intestinal health require patience and diligence. However, by committing
yourself to these beneficial lifestyle changes, you will experience increased
well-being and vitality as you maintain a healthy intestinal system.
A key product for the intestinal system is Bowel
Detox. It provides enzymes, bile salts, fiber, chlorophyll and other nutrients
that feed and nourish the bowel and bring balance back over a period of time.
Online
Catalog of Intestinal
System Products
|
