Dr John Anne asked:


Colon, also known as large intestine, is responsible for extracting water from feces. Colon or large intestine is subdivided into four sections, namely, ascending colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and transverse colon. Colon cleansing is crucially important to our system. Colon needs to be cleaned properly in order to eliminate bodily wastages. This article sheds light on the necessity of colon cleansing, different risks associated with dirty colon and overview of natural colon cleansing.

The Reason to Cleanse Colon

Our daily diet is full of saturated fat and refined carbohydrate. The excess amount of fat actually makes the feces sticker. Different scientific studies confirmed that increased saturated fat in the diet along with reduced fiber may actually heighten the risk of colon cancer. The extra fat sticking on the wall of the colon may contribute to increasing risk. The refined carbohydrate may also worsen the condition as well. When we take refined carbohydrate in our diet, we actually accumulate substances that are not fully digested and protein precipitates can be left behind to make the colon wall harden.

It is true that even if we take a great care of our health, it does not necessarily mean that we can eliminate fully all of our bodily wastages from our body. Certainly if we care about cleansing our system, especially colon, we may lessen various risks of developing many serious health hazards. A good natural colon cleansing program offers cleansing our bodily wastages at optimum level.

Risk of Dirty Colon

If feces are left behind the colon, it is certainly bad for our health. But of course it is good for bacterial infection. If prolonged infection caused by bacteria persists, it may lead to colon lining. Apart from that, bacterial infection can cause bowel cancer.

Cleanse colon to promote health

Cleansing of colon means detoxification of body. Herbs rich with dietary fibers are particularly beneficial promoting regulated bowel movement. Psyllium functions as natural colon cleansing. It is rich with water-soluble, gel-reducing fiber. In practice, there are two types of dietary fibers, one is soluble and the other one is insoluble. Both of these fibers are helpful in regulating bowel movement. Psyllium is derived from the husks of flaxen psyllium seeds. It is useful in treating various digestive complications such as diarrhea, colitis, constipation and diverticular disorders. It has been widely used in different types of natural colon cleansing program effectively.

Apart from that, Triphala is also used in treating digestive problems and is an integral part of many types of natural colon cleansing program. Most prevalently our regular diets are low in fiber content. These foods have a propensity to decelerate intestinal transmit time ensuing in unbalanced bowel movements. These foods take time to travel to intestine, frequently following in constipation. However, dietary fiber coming under natural colon cleansing program helps in softening and bulking stools. The bulking of stool promotes detoxification from toxic substances within colon as it soaks the attached toxic substances from the intestinal wall.

Benefits of Natural Colon Cleansing Products

The purpose of colon cleansing is to detoxify the system internally in such a fashion that body may contain only a reduced level of toxic substances and bacteria in the body. Human feces consist of different toxic substances and risky bacteria that may cause infection in the blood stream, if normal bowel movements do not take place in a regular fashion.

It may lead to such complications that even become fatal in time. Natural colon cleansing products promote gentle removal of feces as well as of undigested substances concentrated on the bowel wall. It is not a mandatory requirement that you use colon cleansing products that claim to have natural ingredients in it; rather you have the flexibility to use different products that actually promote natural colon cleansing. You may use prune juice, bale fruit, corn syrup, psyllium seed, pears and grape juice to cleanse your colon naturally.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


To better understand the health of the digestive system and colon, it is helpful to first understand the different parts of the colon and their specific functions. This can help you become a stronger advocate for your own health and may grant you further insight into how your body works.

The colon is made up of 6 parts all working collectively for a single purpose. Their purpose is ridding the body of toxins that have entered the body from food sources, environmental poisons, or toxins produced within the body. The colon’s role is to transfer nutrients into the bloodstream through the absorbent walls of the large intestine while pushing waste out of the body. In this process, digestive enzymes are released, water is absorbed by the stool, and a host of muscle groups and beneficial microorganisms work to maintain the digestive system.

Overview of the Colon’s Anatomy

The colon is approximately 4.5 feet long, 2.5 inches wide, and is a muscular tube composed of lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, connective tissue, and specialized muscles for carrying out the tasks of water absorption and waste removal. The tough outer covering of the colon protects the inner layer of the colon with circular muscles for propelling waste out of the body in an action called peristalsis. Under the outer muscular layer is a sub-mucous coat containing the lymphatic tissue, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The innermost lining is highly moist and sensitive, and contains the villi- or tiny structures providing blood to the colon.

The colon is actually just another name for the large intestine. The shorter of the two intestinal groups, the large intestine, consists of parts with various responsibilities. The names of these parts are: the transverse colon, ascending colon, appendix, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and the rectum and anus.

Parts of the Colon:

Transverse, Ascending, and Descending Colons

The transverse, ascending, and descending colons are named for their physical locations within the digestive tract, and corresponding to the direction food takes as it encounters those sections. Within these parts of the colon, contractions from smooth muscle groups work food material back and forth to move waste through the colon and eventually, out of the body. The intestinal walls secrete alkaline mucus for lubricating the colon walls to ensure continued movement of the waste.

The ascending colon travels up along the right side of the body. Due to waste being forced upwards, the muscular contractions working against gravity are essential to keep the system running smoothly. The next section of the colon is termed the transverse colon due to it running across the body horizontally. Then, the descending colon turns downward and becomes the sigmoid colon, followed by the rectum and anus.

Ileocecal and Cecum Valves

The ileocecal valve is located where the small and large intestines meet. This valve is an opening between the small intestine and large intestine allowing contents to be transferred to the colon. The cecum follows this valve and is an opening to the large intestine.

The Rectum and the Anus

The rectum is essentially a storage place for waste and is the final stop before elimination occurs. The “tone” of the muscles of the anal sphincter and a person’s ability to control this skeletal-muscular system are vital for regulating bowel movement urges. When elastic receptors within the rectum are stimulated, these nerves signal that defecation needs to occur. In other words, these muscle and nerve groups convey when a bowel movement is necessary but allow a person to control when waste will actually be removed, as the final step in the digestive process. The anus is the last portion of the colon, and is a specialized opening bound with elastic membranes, sensitive tissues, and muscles and nerves allowing it to stretch for removing bowel movements of varying sizes. If, for example, you suffer from constipation, these tissues can become damaged and lose their ability to function normally if waste has to be forced out or remains in the body for prolonged periods. So it’s definitely good practice to keep things moving along at a regular pace. Ideally, you should have two bowel movements per day but at least once a day is pretty good; anything less than that could spell trouble for not only your digestive health but general health as well.

Physiology of the Colon

To summarize, approximately 500 ml (milliliters) of food pass through the colon daily. The various sections of the digestive tract absorb and remove water, propel waste throughout the long system of muscular tubes, work to keep the body alkalized, and accommodate the colonization of billions of beneficial microorganisms to aid us in breaking down waste matter. Regardless of the depth of your knowledge regarding the colon’s functions, please realize the importance of its functions for promoting overall health. Be good to your body on the inside as well as out by following a healthful diet, drinking ample of water, and keeping all your biological systems well maintained with stimulating exercise and by getting plenty of rest.

—–