When someone decides to go on a cleanse or detox, one main goal is to help cleanse the colon. These plans are done to reduce buildup in the colon and for a good reason, too.
A healthy colon is responsible for absorbing water from digested food. From there, the colon is contracted by surrounding muscles to move the extra waste to the rectum and expel it.
If your colon isn’t in prime condition, it won’t be able to expel waste as it is supposed to. At first, it might result in a more sluggish way of life. However, over time, it can be incredibly detrimental to your health.
But don’t think that you have to spend money or follow a super strict colon cleanse to get the job done. There are plenty of ways to cleanse your colon naturally.
Most of these natural cleansing options are beneficial for other parts of the body and your overall health and well-being, too.
Signs You Need to do a Colon Cleanse
Now, before we dive into how to cleanse the colon naturally, you need to understand when you should do one in the first place.
Here are some distinct signs that you need to engage in a natural colon cleanse.
Digestive Problems
Since the colon directly correlates with the digestive tract, it’s no wonder why digestive problems are among the most significant signs of a colon with too much buildup.
Over time, toxins from stress and unhealthy foods are collected in the colon. It tries to ‘protect’ itself with excess mucus. This extra mucus binds with sludge from food, which results in constipation.
Bad Skin
Another telltale sign of a dirty colon that is not functioning correctly is lousy skin. Since the colon isn’t working at its prime, it can lead to toxins overflowing.
These toxins are then spread throughout the body, eventually making their way to the skin. From there, skin issues such as acne and rashes can occur.
Fatigue
Toxins don’t just spread throughout the body resulting in skin problems, though. Toxins also spread via the bloodstream.
A buildup of toxins in the bloodstream is highly damaging.
The main result is feeling tired for the majority of the time. You may feel weak overall, sleep more than usual, and feel foggy-headed.
How to Cleanse Your Colon Naturally and Easily
There are a lot of cleanses and detoxes on the market. Celebrities swear by them, and Instagram models say they are the cure-all. While they are certainly beneficial, you don’t necessarily need a specific cleanse or detox plan to get results.
There are many great ways to cleanse your colon naturally. Here are some of the best ways.
Drink More Water
Is water magical? Maybe not, but it certainly acts as a majestic stream in the body.
There are so many advantages to consuming the right amount of water (six to eight glasses) per day, including:
- Joints are lubricated
- Helps to deliver oxygen throughout the body
- Boosts overall skin health
- Acts as a cushion for vital parts of the body, such as the brain and spine
- Regulates body temperature
- Allows the body to absorb minerals and nutrients more readily
- Prevents kidney damage
- Encourages weight loss
With all of these great benefits, it’s hard to understand why someone wouldn’t want to drink more water.
But what does this have to do with a natural colon cleanse? Well, water works in two very colon-specific ways, too. It helps to regulate the digestive system and encourages the expulsion of body waste.
Now, don’t think that consuming water has to mean just water. You can consider drinking natural (sugar-free) flavored water, such as lukewarm water with strawberries and blueberries.
You can also consume foods with high water content like watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini, and celery.
Drink Saltwater
Want to perform a quick flush for your colon?
Some people swear by saltwater.
This is especially true if you’re struggling with constipation. Rather than opting for an on-the-shelf relief product, drink a glass of water with two teaspoons of salt mixed inside. Drink once in the morning and once at night.
Adopt a Diet High in Fiber Diet
If there is one thing that most of us know, it’s that fiber = bathroom. Fiber is essential for going regularly, yet not a whole lot of people emphasize fiber consumption.
So what can you do to cleanse the colon and keep it working correctly? Consider a high-fiber diet for a week.
So what should be consumed in a high-fiber diet? Here are the top 15 foods:
- Pears (3.1 grams)
- Avocado (6.7 grams)
- Raspberries (6.5 grams)
- Blackberries: (5.3 grams)
- Artichoke (5.4 grams)
- Lentils (7.3 grams)
- Kidney beans (6.8 grams)
- Split peas (8.3 grams)
- Chickpeas (7 grams)
- Cooked black beans (8.7 grams)
- Oats (10.1 grams)e
- Popcorn (14.4 grams)
- Almonds (13.3 grams)
- Chia seeds (34.4 grams)
A high-fiber diet isn’t just an exceptional natural colon cleanse. Additionally, high-fiber diets have these benefits:
- Reduced cholesterol levels
- Enhanced weight loss and promotion of a healthy weight
- Blood sugar control, which is excellent for those with diabetes
- Reduced risk of gastrointestinal cancers
When it comes to a high-fiber diet, it’s clear: your digestive tract will thank you in more ways than one.
Consume More Probiotics
Probiotics are one of those buzzwords that took over the health industry by storm.
They garnered much popularity as other healthy buzzers like coconut oil and, you guessed it – cleansing. But are probiotics really an excellent natural colon cleanser? You bet.
Probiotics are responsible for adding good bacteria to the gut. A gut that has plenty of good bacteria will absorb fibers and resistant starches at a better rate. In turn, this promotes overall regularity.
Together, these two advantages ensure the colon can work in prime condition.
Here are some of the best probiotic foods to add to your diet now:
- Yogurt. Yogurt has long been touted as the best way to get probiotics in your diet. While this is true, you need to be careful. Only
consume yogurt that specifically states it has active or live cultures. Stay away from sugary yogurts, too. - Kefir. Kefir is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its probiotic count. It’s a delicious, fermented milk drink that kids and adults can enjoy.
- Sauerkraut. Unpasteurized sauerkraut is an excellent choice. It is fermented by lactic acid bacteria, which creates an immense amount of probiotics. It also contains vitamins C, B, and K. It’s high in fiber, iron, and manganese.
- Tempeh. This fermented soybean product is a great option, especially for those who are meat-free.
- Kombucha. Love tea? Then add Kombucha to the mix. Kombucha ferments with good bacteria and yeast. In return, this black or green tea provides probiotics necessary for a functioning colon.
- Gouda, Mozzarella, Cheddar, and cottage cheese. Probiotics survive the aging process of these specific cheeses. Don’t hesitate to add them to a probiotic-rich diet.
If you want to make sure you’re getting the most probiotics possible, you can also add probiotic supplements. Supplements such as these are a great way to ensure you’re getting the right amount to encourage the colon.
Use Supplements
If you’re looking for a quick fix that gets the job done quickly, you might consider supplements. There are many colon-cleansing supplements on the market. And yes, they are entirely natural. Supplements may consist of:
- Enemas
- Laxatives (psyllium, aloe vera, marshmallow root, slippery elm)
- Herbal teas (with ginger, garlic, or cayenne pepper)
- Enzymes
- Magnesium
- All-natural cleanses plans, such as Dr. Tobias Colon 14 Day Cleanse Supplement. The ingredients of this cleanse are entirely natural. They consist of Senna Leaf, Cascara Sagrada Bark, Psyllium Husk Powder, Flaxseed Powder, Aloe Vera Gel, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Licorice Root, Medium Chain Triglycerides Oil.
Each supplement is different. Some consume by the mouth while others insert into the rectum.
Juice Fast
When you hear of someone going on a colon cleanse, you might hear the term juice fast. This is longstanding, all-natural cleanse that people swear by.
Of course, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, though. A juice fast limits the diet significantly and can be detrimental to those who are new to fasting or can’t for health reasons.
Why does it work? Because fasting – not eating – allows the colon to rest. During this time, the colon will relax and improve itself. It won’t have to spend so much time expelling waste. Instead, it can focus on repairing and getting back to prime condition.
Now, some may opt to fast entirely for a few days (no longer than that, or it can be detrimental to one’s health). Others may indulge in vegetable juices (most common).
The fluids will include colon-friendly veggies like beets, broccoli, cucumber, and celery. Some also adopt natural fruit juices that contain apples, raspberries, strawberries, and more.
Juice fasts are typically beneficial to the body. They are especially advantageous for the colon. However, there are a few drawbacks that one must consider before performing this natural colon cleanse.
- Those with kidney disorders should avoid juice fasts. This is because some juices will oxalate, which can contribute to additional kidney stones and other kidney issues.
- A juice cleanse is low on calories. Such a sudden reduction in calories can lead to dizziness and brain fog. In some cases, a person may pass out due to a lack of ample calories.
- Consuming unpasteurized juices can cause illness. Those with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to diseases utilizing unpasteurized ingredients. Why? Because there is a higher amount of bacteria that might not be flushed.
- Not enough nutrients. During a juice fast, not enough nutrients are typically consumed. Plus, the increased restroom trips leave fewer nutrients in the system overall. This can cause dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes.
Final Thoughts
A natural colon cleanse is a great idea. Not only will it encourage your colon to do its job, but it will help the rest of your body be healthier, too.
There are many ways to perform a natural colon cleanse. Finding the one that’s right for you and your situation is essential.
Some may adopt a high-fiber diet, while others use supplements and fasts for a quicker solution.
Other articles to read:
What are 7 of The Best Probiotics For Women’s Digestive Health
7 Best Probiotics For Gut Health
7 Best Juicing Recipe Books To Get You Started
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