Your Colon Is Vital to Your Overall Health

Good health depends not only on what goes into your body, but also on what comes out of it. All too often, we underestimate the vital importance of a healthy, properly-functioning colon, and only pay attention if we experience diarrhea or constipation. The reality is that constipation isn't a disease itself, but a symptom of something wrong with the gut. The good news is that, while constipation can be an indication of a more serious problem, it's usually possible to get the colon back on track simply by what you put in your mouth.

The colon is the first four to five feet of the large intestine; it empties into the rectum, which transports stool (feces) to the anus. The colon takes runny, liquefied food from the small intestine, absorbing most of the water and some nutrients, and turns it into solid stool. Water absorption depends on how much time the stool spends in the colon. If it passes through too quickly, it results in watery diarrhea. More commonly, if it stays too long, it becomes dry and hard, and difficult to pass. There can be underlying medical reasons for this, including certain diseases and conditions, advanced age, pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, and the effects of prescription or over-the-counter medications, but the primary cause for many Americans is simply poor diet and lack of exercise.

The colon depends on fiber, a substance it cannot digest, to keep everything moving smoothly. Soluble fiber, which dissolves in water, forms a soft gel in the bowel, while non-soluble fiber bulks up the stool and makes it softer and easier to pass. Fiber is found primarily in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but most Americans eat only a small percentage of the daily recommended amount. Incorporating more fiber-rich foods, and using fiber supplements such as psyllium, will help stools pass easily through the colon.

If the diet has been lacking in fiber for some time, a more intensive plan is often recommended to cleanse the colon and restore it to health. It's not a good idea to use chemical laxatives, especially habitually, as the colon can become dependent on them and become unable to move stools on its own. More natural methods include fiber-intensive diets, a series of dietary supplements, or irrigation with fluid. Once the colon has been cleansed, it should be kept healthy with a fiber-rich diet, enhanced with dietary fiber supplements if necessary, plenty of water, and exercise. Foods and supplements rich in probiotics - the "good bacteria" necessary for nutrient absorption - should also be part of the diet.

The frequency of bowel movements depends on the individual, but the clinical definition of constipation includes fewer than three bowel movements per week, along with hard or lumpy stools, straining to pass stools, or a feeling of still "having to go" after a bowel movement. Hard stools can also cause hemorrhoids or anal fissures. The appearance of the stool is a clue to what's going on inside: it should be medium-brown and almost odorless, and should not be yellow, grey, green, too dark, sticky, or pencil-thin, which can indicate bowel obstruction. The colon is one of the most important organs in your body, and its condition is vital to your overall health.