Information about The Colon Diet

Benefits

• Helps to prevent constipation.

• It supports the body's cleansing and elimination process.

• Prevents and helps treat IBD.

• May help prevent intestinal pathologies.

• Helps to reduce cholesterol in the diet.

• May help to carry toxins out of the body.

• May help to control weight loss and appetite.

Many health experts are advising people of all ages and ethnic origin to consume more dietary fiber. There is a lot of research suggesting that fiber may prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It has been shown to increase intestinal tone and supports the body’s own cleansing and elimination processes. This one benefit alone may save your life in the long run! The world’s alimentary problems can be summed up in to two words, processed food! These so called convenience foods are so prevalent in the society because no one wants to take the time to cook their own meals, so they eat out. Or they buy processed frozen foods from the grocery store. They foods are not only devoid of any significant nutrient content; they also contain very little dietary fiber.

So what constitutes fiber? Well you have probably heard it called roughage in the past, but today scientists and the general public use the term fiber. Fiber is a type of undigestable complex carbohydrate found in plants. Fiber is not considered a food; fiber in itself has no caloric value because the body cannot digest or absorb it. Therefore, high fiber foods have a tendency to be low in fat and are typically low in calories e.g. foods such as fruits and vegetables. Fiber can be divided into two categories according to their physical characteristics and affects on the body: there are the water insoluble (‘course’ fiber) and muciligenic types. Each form functions differently and provides different health benefits. The insoluble fibers, such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin are not soluble in water. The muciligenic fibers such as gums, cereals and pectin’s are more soluble in water.

From a physiological standpoint the intestines function as the body’s own waste disposal system. Food in liquid form moves from the small intestine into the colon for final processing. Here most of the water and minerals are reabsorbed, leaving the semi-solid waste which is evacuated through the rectum. Any breakdown in the intestine’s natural cleansing process is accompanied by risks of poor food assimilation and toxicity build-up. Highly refined foods, including sugar and white flour, make us susceptible to intestinal problems such as colitis, constipation, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel (IBS) and Crohn’s disease. These types of disorders are rare in parts of the world where native foods provide many times more fiber than the modern highly processed diet we have here in the U.S. Although fiber is not considered an essential nutrient, the U.S. Surgeon General and many professional health organizations recommend a diet containing 20-35 grams of fiber a day. The average American diet barely consumes half of this amount with an intake of 10-15 grams daily, if that. Increasing the consumption of complex carbohydrates is the best way to increase fiber intake. A large increase in fiber over a short period of time may result in bloating, diarrhea, gas and general discomfort. It is important to add fiber gradually over a period of weeks to avoid abdominal problems.

REFERENCES:

1) Kiehm TG, Anderson JW, Ward K. Beneficial effects of a high carbohydrate, high fiber diet on hyperglycemic diabetic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1976; 29: 895.
2) Trowell H. Dietary fiber, ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Proc Nutr Soc. 1973; 32(3):151-157.
3) Anderson JW, Major AW. Pulses and lipaemia, short- and long-term effect: potential in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Br J Nutr. 2002; 88 Suppl
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