How to tell if you need a colon cleanse

I remember once giving a presentation at a local businesswomen’s meeting and one of the ladies asked a very thought-provoking question that all of a sudden quieted the whole room down and all eyes were on me.

She said, “I keep hearing about all these colon cleanses. Is that something everyone should be doing?"

My answer was: It depends on how the cleanse is being accomplished and why it’s being done in the first place.

Here's what I went on to explain about the colon in general, how you can tell if something isn’t right, and most importantly, when and how you should do a colon cleanse:

It’s where death begins…or life SAVED
It's been said that death begins in the colon.

Many people may shrug those words off saying, "Not everyone dies from colon cancer or some bowel disease, you know."

That’s true.

But when you consider that your digestive tract affects every single cell in your body (and you have trillions of cells), those words take on whole a new meaning.

Everything you eat is broken down and assimilated in your digestive tract. Then the nutrients from your food are absorbed into your bloodstream from the intestines and carried EVERYWHERE throughout your body.

Since nutrients are the driving force behind your entire body’s ability to function, how well your intestinal tract is working in this regard can affect your health (or lack thereof!) from head to toe.

In addition, your intestinal tract also serves a protective role—it securely gathers toxins, dangerous bacteria, viruses and even carcinogens (cancer causers) that you take in from food and the environment and holds on to them until they can be escorted out of you with your next bowel movement.

So clearly your colon can save your life, as well as help prevent sickness and disease of all kinds.

A clean colon is a happy colon
Considering the vital role that the colon plays in keeping you alive and disease-free, you’ve probably caught on by now that it’s a good idea to make sure yours is clean and working like it should.

And that’s the reason colon cleanses have become so popular!

There is no question that colon cleansing can be beneficial. Because to have a colon that is encrusted with things like wastes (due to constipation), harmful bacteria, medication residue and other pathogens is just putting out the welcome mat for any number of problems to fester.

You see, toxins in your colon can eventually seep back into your bloodstream and basically poison you (a process called autointoxication). This can stir up inflammation and greatly impair your cells’ ability to function.

Plus a dirty colon can increase your likelihood of developing intestinal problems including diverticulosis, diverticulitis, IBS, leaky gut syndrome and hemorrhoids.

And having a large concentration of harmful bacteria in the gut can hamper your immune system functioning too, making you more susceptible to viruses and infections of all kinds.

So clearly, keeping the colon clean is where it's at.

How will I know?
At this point, you may be thinking, “Hmm. I wonder if everything’s OK down there.”

Well, here are some signs that your body might be giving you that suggest that your colon may not be quite as squeaky clean as you’d like:

• Frequent constipation
• Lower abdominal pain or cramps
• Straining with bowel movements
• Rectal itching
• Excessive gas
• Frequent diarrhea
• Unpleasant body odor
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Coated tongue
• Frequent and recurring infections (colds, bronchitis, sinus infections, vaginal yeast infections, etc.)
• Acne
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Headaches

The more of those signs that apply to you, the more likely it is that your colon may be on the dirty side.

To cleanse or not to cleanse?
Whether or not you choose to use some type of colon cleanse product is up to you. The most popular ones are things like enemas, colonics, teas and herbal formulas.

If you do decide to cleanse, please be sure to:

1- Watch out for safety
Many colon cleanse products can be harsh or downright dangerous.

Colon cleanses that are too harsh can cause a variety of adverse health effects that range from severe cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, to more serious conditions like an electrolyte imbalance.

And in rare cases, fatal complications can arise that lead to kidney failure and death.

Of special concern is any product that contains cascara sagrada as it can be dangerous to people with intestinal obstruction, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, stomach ulcers, diverticulitis or unexplained stomach pain.

Similar comments apply to senna, plus it can also lead to electrolyte imbalance in some people.

2- Have someone watch out for you
Be sure to conduct a colon cleanse under the advice and supervision of a medical professional. Most holistic practitioners and even many mainstream professionals are well-versed and can guide you to accomplish your cleanse safely.

And perhaps the most important point of all…

Colon cleanses do NOT replace the need for a good diet and efficient digestion!
Colon cleanses are very effective at removing waste buildup and toxins and sweeping them "out the back door."

But the other (arguably more important) half of that is you must take the necessary measures to prevent your colon from getting dirty to begin with!

Colon cleanses can be great, but they should not be used as a replacement for a healthy, naturally cleansing diet or relied upon to “mop up” after poor digestion that you bring on yourself.

Keeping your digestion efficient is crucial. Good digestion helps to create wastes that move through the colon like they should and regular, healthy bowel movements (read: a CLEAN colon all the time).

And of course, healthy real foods provide the nutrients that help keep ALL of your cells, tissues and organs in tip-top shape.

I can guide you with both of those important goals:

Eat REAL foods
At least 70-80% of what you eat should be real foods.

Real foods include fresh fruits, raw or lightly cooked vegetables, lean meats and poultry, fish, whole grains, dairy and essential fats.

When you eat real foods like these, your body gets nourished the way it needs to be.

Plus the natural water content in fresh fruits and vegetables helps sweep away wastes from your cells and your intestinal tract—keeping all of your innards clean.

Make sure digestion is efficient
If your foods are not being broken down like they should be, you're not getting the maximum nutrition from them. And not only can that cause your cells, tissues and organs not to function as well as they should, but it also can lead to feelings of hunger, overeating and weight gain.

In addition, when your digestion is poor, that can lead to waste buildup in your colon which can cause harmful bacteria overgrowth and weaken your immune system.

It can also cause constipation, gas, bloating and eventually diverticulosis.

Accomplishing good digestion is easy--it's just is a matter of eating foods that break down easier together, and giving your body a little assistance if needed.

I can help you with both of those.

1- The right combinations of foods:
In the Great Taste No Pain system,  I'll show you what foods to eat and how to structure your meals so you can help promote better digestion, more regular BMs and...

Help sweep away those old, built-up wastes and toxins!

And if gluten is a concern for you, there's also Great Taste No Gluten. You'll learn the same food pairing principles as in Great Taste No Pain, plus get a collection of outstanding gluten free recipes and guides for staying gluten free no matter where you are.

2- A little digestive "help":
Many people who have had a typical hard-to-digest diet all their lives may be dangerously low in digestive enzymes. That can mean poor digestion and an invitation for weight gain and nutritional deficiencies.

Plus some people "fall off the wagon" now and then and eat some foods they know aren't healthy or won't digest well...so they need a little digestive "help" during moments of weakness.

The help you need is right here--with Digestizol Max.

Digestizol Max’s blend of 15 plant-derived enzymes (so it’s suitable for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike) helps your body break down whatever you've eaten--proteins, fats, carbs, fiber--and helps conserve your precious enzyme-producing ability.

Colon cleanses are fine, my friend, as long as you ensure you’re using a safe product and have the proper supervision.

But the biggest bang for your buck is to keep your colon clean all the time—with your diet and sound digestion.

Remember—the colon is where death can begin, but more importantly, it’s where life can be saved!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia

PS: Always be sure to let your doctor or healthcare provider know what supplements you are taking.