Colon health is dependent on a variety of factors that include diet, exercise, hydration, and routine cleansing. Yes, it's important to cleanse the colon. Just as you wouldn't let your home go for years without a good cleaning (would you?), you certainly shouldn't allow the same neglect in your own body. The body's systems are all intertwined and incredibly sensitive to each other. In the case of the colon, it's even more of a delicate balance.

The colon is the source for all the body's nourishment. It also is responsible for getting rid of wastes that contain dangerous putrefying matter and toxins. These come from all the bad things we knowingly eat and drink, as well as what we're unknowingly ingesting every day, such as pesticides, medications, chemical food additives. A healthy colon gets rid of all this junk quickly. A sick, backed-up colon--which unfortunately is what the majority of Americans have--can't do its job. Then it becomes a contamination risk to the rest of the body.

Ensuring Colon Health

To ensure colon health, overhaul your eating habits. Toss out the junk food loaded with sugars, fats, and chemicals and substitute a balanced diet of whole grains, legumes and nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Get into a regular exercise routine. Consider mediation or another type of relaxation technique. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage are often recommended for colon maintenance, and are quite relaxing as well.

Another important element of good colon health is to drink plenty of water--at least ten tall glasses of purified water a day. Purified water is important, because the water we get from the tap is just recycled water from the sewer that's been treated with chlorine and other chemicals to kill bacteria. Does this sound like a healthy choice? Stick with the good stuff and your colon will thank you for it.