Cleaning the colon is very important for overall health of a person thus having a clean colon and digestive system that works efficiently is imperative. The colon is the last organ of the digestive system and its job is to consume salt and water from the waste that is left behind before they are eliminated from the body. If you don’t have at least 1 bowel movement per day, you are already walking your way toward disease.

Many of these toxins come from our diet, drug use, and environmental exposure, both acute and chronic. Internally, fats, especially oxidized fats and cholesterol, free radicals, and other irritants act as toxins. Poor digestion, colon sluggishness and dysfunction, reduced liver function, and poor elimination through the kidneys, respiratory tract, and skin all add to increased toxicity. By helping the body detoxify with colon cleansing and eating certain foods, the body will soon become less virulent.

A colon that cannot perform these functions properly, due to deep-seated fecal matter creates extra toxins that spread across the body through the absorbed fluids. Disease usually begins with a toxic bowel. Those having fewer bowel movements are harboring a potentially fertile breeding ground for serious diseases.

One of the most frequent bowel problems that people experience today is constipation. Infrequent or poor quality bowel movements over an extended period of time may be very hazardous to your health. Constipation, gas, skin and hair issues are a few of the symptoms of an unclean colon.

Did you know that the average person on a typical American diet holds 8 meals of UNDIGESTED food and waste material in the colon, while the person on the high fiber diet holds only 3?

Whatever we eat, good or bad our body reflects it. It is important we eat healthy diet, a diet with lots of fiber preferably 20-35 grams every day. Drinking lots of water and eating foods such as fresh vegetable and fruits, legumes, fish, beans, seeds, whole grains, bananas, apples, as well as herbs such as psyllium husk, aloe leaf, senna, cascara sagrada, ginger, and cayenne pepper help to eliminate impurities from the colon by stimulating bowel movements. A high fiber diet supports a healthy digestive track of your body by cleaning debris from the colon. Fennel and garlic have a wonderful purifying effect on the colon bacteria, as they help kill harmful bacteria as well as helps to prevent gas accumulation.

Eliminating foods such as caffeine, alcohol, processed food (including any bread), pre-made or canned food, salt, sugar, wheat, red meat, pork, fried and deep fried food, yellow cheese, cream, butter and margarine, shortening, etc… should be the first steps taken when deciding to do a colon cleanse.

Probiotics are exceptionally good for the health; probiotic is the friendly bacteria that improves the digestive track and also improves the immune system. Probiotics are 100% safe and you can find them in probiotic dairy products and other foods as well or buy them in capsule form at your local health food store. It’s very wise to load up on probiotics especially after a colon cleanse because these healthy bacteria in your colon are lost through the detox process.

Foods that contain probiotics:

- Yogurt
- Some soft cheeses
- Artichokes
- Oats (also lowers cholesterol)
- Honey
- Goat’s milk

A highly restrictive detox such as Water fasting or the Master Cleanse need to be done properly and for no longer than 10 days. Doing so may result in nutrient deficiencies. A particular concern is lack of protein, which may result in wasting away muscle tissue, due to insufficient amino acids for repairing the body.

Ultimately you are the best judge of your needs when it’s time to colon cleanse. Listen to your body. Generally, those who are not in the best of health and/or have never cleansed before, will find they need to cleanse more frequently (maximum – once every 2–3 months), then return to a yearly or twice yearly maintenance program of colon cleansing. It’s always good to consult your healthcare provider before taking any course of action.