What is the Colon ?

You should know what the Colon is and what it does before you think about doing anything. Some of this is kind of descriptive, but then again it isn't the most pleasant subject in the world, as I'm sure you have already figured out. If you already know about this, then by all means jump ahead to the product Fact Sheets which can be found below or on the navbar.

The colon, also called the large intestine, is part of the digestive system, which is a series of bodily organs beginning at the mouth and ending with the anus.

What is the purpose of the Colon?

It is responsible for the final stages of the digestive process: to absorb the remaining water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter; to accept and stores food remains that were not digested in the small intestine; and to eliminate solid waste (feces) from the body.

The colon works to maintain the body's fluid balance. It absorbs certain vitamins, and processes indigestible material (such as fiber), and stores waste before it is eliminated.

The Anatomy of the Colon

The parts of the colon are the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and the sigmoid colon. The colon runs up to the abdomen's right side, which is termed as the ascending colon. It then crosses transversely, which is the transverse colon and goes down to the left side, which is called the descending colon. The last portion is the sigmoid colon, which joins the rectum. From the word itself, the ascending colon moves upwards. Muscular contractions are working against gravity because the wastes have to move to an upward direction in order to keep the system running smoothly.

The parts of the colons are named according to their specific locations within the digestive system. It is in these areas where the smooth muscle groups contract back and forth in order to move the food materials through the length of the entire colon and eventually out of the body. Alkaline mucus is secreted by the intestinal walls to lubricate the walls of the colon and to ensure easy and continued waste movement.

Within the colon, the mixture of fiber, small amounts of water, and vitamins, and so on, mix with mucus and the bacteria that live in the large intestine, beginning the formation of feces.

As the feces makes its way through the colon, the lining absorbs most of the water as well as some of the vitamins and minerals present. Bacteria within the colon feed on the fiber, breaking it down in order to produce nutrients that will nourish the cells that line the colon. This is why fiber is such a vital part of a diet geared toward the colon's long-term health.

Feces is moved along until the walls of the sigmoid colon contract, causing waste to move into the rectum. Known as peristaltic action, this wave-like motion encourages feces to move closer to the rectum and, finally, be expelled through the anus.

Why Is a Healthy Functioning Colon So Important ?

Well, the colon absorbs vitamins, salts, nutrients, and water. When these essential, life-giving ingredients are being properly absorbed, we feel good. But when the colon is not working well it begins to absorb toxins into the blood stream rather than expelling them. The result is a myriad of problems ranging from constipation and gas, to candida, diverticulitis, and various other chronic health issues.

The colon plays host to a zoo of bacteria - over one hundred trillion microorganisms (bacteria) call the colon home. There are more microorganisms in the colon than are contained within the skin, heart, bone, brain, and the rest of the body's cells combined. A proper balance of healthy bacteria must be maintained inside the colon to avoid being constantly plagued with digestive ailments.

In addition, the world we live in places a serious toxic burden on the colon. Most of the food we eat is not only lacking in nutrients; it's filled with additives, preservatives, and other mysterious chemicals. From the air we breathe and the water we drink, to the thousands of chemicals we come into contact with each day – it all takes its toll on the colon and, ultimately, on our overall health.

The specialized cells of the colon and microorganisms (bacteria) in the gut exist in a delicate balance that can easily be upset by food, stress, chemicals in the environment, and diseases such as parasites, candida, and others.

If digestion and colon function are not working well, the body operates in a state known as auto-intoxication. This means the body is working hard to get rid of toxins, but it cannot keep up because the toxins are being recycled, rather than expelled.

An out of balance colon may be at the root of chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and even heart disease, or cancer. To avoid long-term health problems, it is essential to maintain proper colon function.