High fiber diet is safest way to clean colon
June 19th, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
News of serious and permanent kidney problems associated with colon cleansing products has left many colon-cleansing devotees looking for healthier alternative ways to detox. Alive, a Web site for holistic healing, suggests looking no farther than your grocery store for natural ways to rid toxins.
A clean and productive colon is key to preventing non-digestible bacteria and toxins that linger in the intestinal wall from reabsorbing into the body. That means, for optimal health one should eliminate waste two to three times a day – or within six to 18 hours after every meal.
The best way to get things moving? A healthy plant-based diet high that’s high in fiber. This, too, helps reduce one’s risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and “other 21st Century diseases,” according to Alive, without the discomfort of colon cleansing treatments and the threat of serious complications.
“Eating the right foods can clear your colon of debris,” according to Alive. Plant-based foods are the best pick. Choose from vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, nuts and whole grains that are high in fiber. A high-fiber diet contains plenty of non-digestible product that sweeps through the colon and naturally cleans it out.
That sweeping motion massages and exercises the intestinal tract, which stimulates the peristalsis. It also retains water, which helps to soften stools, making them easier to pass. Foods with both soluble and insoluble fiber are best for the colon and include items such as flax seed and oats.
Most people only consume 10 grams of fiber a day, but experts recommend between 20 to 35 grams for optimal health. To increase your fiber intake, aim to have five or more servings of fruits and vegetables and six or more of whole grains every day.