Intestine Cleanse –
I
Structure
The intestine (or bowel) is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the mouth via stomach to the anus and consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. In humans, the small intestine is further subdivided into the duodenum, jejunum and ileum while the large intestine is subdivided into the cecum and colon.
The small intestine, in an adult human, measures on average about 5 metres (16 feet), with a normal range of 3-7 metres. It is approximately 2.5-3 cm in diameter. The surface of the small intestine is increased by its special structure. Its length is over 7 metres or 22 feet. If you were to spread it out, it would cover over 250 square metres or almost 2700 square feet area.
The large intestine comes after the small intestine in the digestive tract and measures approximately 1.5 meters in length in adult humans. The colon is part of the large intestine, the last part of the digestive system. The colon is also known as the large bowel or large intestine. Its function is to reabsorb fluids and process waste in the body and prepare for its elimination. The colon consists of four parts: ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.
Unlike the small intestine, the colon does not play a major role in absorption of foods
and nutrients. About 1.5 litres of water arrives in the colon each day. It stores waste,
reclaims water, maintains water balance, absorbs some vitamins, like vitamin K, and provides for flora-aided fermentation. The descending colon is located on the left side of the large intestine, extending from the bend below the spleen to the sigmoid colon. The ascending colon is the largest of the four parts and is located on the right of the large intestine. The transverse colon hangs off the stomach. The sigmoid colon is located between the descending colon and the rectum. The descending colon stores the food to be emptied into the rectum. The colon is supported by peritoneum, which supports the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for blood, lymph vessels and nerves.
Functions of the Small Intestine
Food from the stomach is allowed into the duodenum by a muscle called the pylorus or pyloric sphincter and is then pushed through the small intestine by a process of muscular-wavelike contractions called peristalsis. The major functions of the small intestine are as follows:
a) Digestion
The small intestine is where most chemical digestion takes place. Most of the digestive enzymes that act in the small intestine are secreted by the pancreas and enter the small intestine via the pancreatic duct.
The three major classes of nutrients that undergo digestion in small intestine are proteins, lipids (fats) and carbohydrates:
Proteins and peptides are degraded into amino acids.
Lipids (fats) are degraded into fatty acids and glycerol.
Some carbohydrates are degraded into simple sugars or monosaccharides
(e.g. glucose). Pancreatic amylase breaks down some carbohydrates (notably starch) into oligosaccharides. Other carbohydrates pass undigested into the large intestine for the further handling by intestinal bacteria. Some carbohydrates, such as cellulose, are not digested at all, despite being made of multiple glucose units.
The small intestine is the site where most of the nutrients from ingested food are absorbed. Absorption of the majority of nutrients takes place in the jejunum, with the following notable exceptions:
Iron is absorbed in the duodenum.
Vitamin B12 and bile salts are absorbed in the terminal ileum.
Water and lipids are absorbed by passive diffusion throughout the small intestine.
Sodium is absorbed by active transport and glucose and amino acid
co-transport.
Fructose is absorbed by facilitated diffusion1.
Functions of large Intestine
The large intestine performs the vital functions of converting food into feces, absorbing essential vitamins produced by gut bacteria and reclaiming water from feces. Slurry of digested food, known as chyme, enters the large intestine from the small intestine via the ileocecal sphincter. Chyme passes through the cecum where it is mixed with beneficial bacteria that have colonized the large intestine throughout a person’s lifetime. Most of the movement of chyme is achieved by slow waves of peristalsis over a period of several hours, but the colon can also be emptied quickly by stronger waves of mass peristalsis following a large meal.
While chyme moves through the large intestine, bacteria digest substances in the chyme that are not digestible by the human digestive system. Bacterial fermentation converts the chyme into feces and releases vitamins including vitamins K, B1, B2, B6, B12, and biotin. Vitamin K is almost exclusively produced by the gut bacteria and is essential in the proper clotting of blood. Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are also produced as a byproduct of bacterial fermentation and lead to flatulence, or gas passed through the anus.
The absorption of water by the large intestine not only helps to condense and solidify feces, but also allows the body to retain water to be used in other metabolic processes. Ions and nutrients released by gut bacteria and dissolved in water are also absorbed in the large intestine and used by the body for metabolism. The dried, condensed fecal matter is finally stored in the rectum and sigmoid colon until it can be eliminated from the body through the process of defecation.
Intestinal problems
Problems with the small intestine can include:
Bleeding
Celiac disease
1 in cell biology, a process by which substances are transported across cell membranes by means of protein carrier molecules.
Crohn's disease
Infections
Intestinal cancer
Intestinal obstruction
Irritable bowel syndrome
Constipation etc.
However, the most common of these problems is constipation, inflammatory bowel disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If left untreated, it may cause many intestinal as well as other physical problems. Brief information about them is as follows:
a) Constipation
Chronic constipation and irregularity of motion have become a major problem in present times. Our diets often consist of highly processed, nutrient and fibre deficient foods. Many of these foods are not conducive to a healthy digestive system.
Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent stools. For others, however, constipation means hard stools, difficulty passing stools (straining) or a sense of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement.
b) Irritable Bowel Syndrome:-
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder and is a group of symptoms that occur together, not a disease. In the past, IBS was called colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, nervous colon, and spastic bowel. The name was changed to reflect the understanding that the disorder has both physical and mental causes and is not a product of a person’s imagination.
c) Inflammatory Bowel Disease
People with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases, complaint of abdominal pain and diarrhoea and sometimes experience anaemia, rectal bleeding, weight loss or other symptoms. Crohn's involves ulcers that may burrow deep into the tissue lining at any portion of the GI tract, leading to infection and thickening of the intestinal wall and blockages that need surgery. Ulcerative colitis, by contrast, afflicts only the colon and rectum, where it also causes ulcers; colitis is characterized by bleeding and pus.
Colon Cleanse - II
Everybody is not lucky enough to have regular defecation in the morning. The number of bowel movements generally decreases with age. The most common pattern is one bowel movement a day but this pattern is seen in less than 50% of people. Moreover, most people are irregular and do not have bowel movements every day or the same number of bowel movements each day.
Imagine that stools have accumulated inside the intestines. They may be in the form of a thin film as well, sticking to the walls of the colon. They hamper physical efficiency, causing a lot of discomfort, irritability, lethargy, bloating, flatulence and headaches etc. Cleansing the intestines solves all these problems and greatly promotes total well-being of the body. Some of the techniques used for intestine cleansing are as under.
Enema – One option is to take enema, in which liquid is passed through a tube
into the rectum to stimulate bowel movements. Constipation linked to a painful anal disorder may be relieved with a soothing ointment. Enema can be taken by the patient himself from the comfort of his/her home, preferably without any external help.
Colon cleanse – Doctors observed that enemas do not have sufficient effect as
faecal matter inside the colon and large intestine is hardly cleaned. A colon cleanse machine costing Rs. 50 lacs was invented. Many colonics were trained. We now have about 100 such machines in India. They charge approx. Rs. 2500/- for one colon cleanse session. Most of the patients have found it beneficial.
Colon Cleanse Machine (Top View)
Colon Cleanse Machine (Side View)
Procedure: The patient sits down on a special chair designed for the purpose at a 45° inclination. Her legs are spread at a 30° angle. A single-use nozzle of about 1 cm diameter and 5” in length is inserted into the anus with some lubricant. Carbon filtered and UV–ray disinfected water is gently infused into the large bowel to soften and loosen the waste in the colon. This water is supplied at body temperature.
Simultaneously, the colonic also uses a massager on abdomen to loosen hard faecal matter there.
A total of about 40 litres of water is pumped inside the colon in 45 minutes. The residue faecal matter comes out of the anus along the sides of the pipe. All patients feel fresh after colon cleanse. This process does not clean the small intestine because there is a valve between the two intestines which prevents matter from going back into the small intestine from the large intestine.
It is recommended that one does not eat heavy foods two hours prior to the session.
Colon Cleanse at home
(I recommended it because it is Cure Yourself)
I found colon cleanse by a colonic to be a good but it has two practical difficulties:
i. The patient has to leave home and go to a colonic.
ii. The colon cleanse administration fee of around Rs. 2500/- per session is rather high.
To overcome these problems, I did the following experiment.
I hold a pipe having running water near my anus. The pipe is not inserted inside the anus but the pressure of the water is sufficient for it to enter the large intestine. Soon it builds up pressure inside and most of the faecal matter, including old accumulated junk that has been lying inside the intestine for ages is thrown out. The resultant freshness is unbelievable.
As regards the frequency of this procedure, like my all cleanses I suggest that you do it once. Subsequently, decide for yourself about the best frequency for you. It is safe once a week. Doing it daily may remove some of the beneficial bacteria, which help in the digestion of food, from the intestine.
I discussed this process with a doctor who practices colon cleansing in Mumbai. I asked him about the ramifications of my experiment. He had the following observations to make about using a regular jet spray to do this at home:
i. The water being sprayed inside is not at the same body temperature.
I confirmed that this is hardly inconvenient in view of the large benefits involved. ii. He suggested that using regular tap water may transmit some infection, which
may damage the walls of the intestine.
I told him that we use tap water for rinsing our mouths after brushing teeth. We also eat fresh or stale salads containing raw vegetables washed in regular water, without suffering any ill effects.
iii. He asked me whether I have experimented with it on myself.
I confirmed that I had, whereupon he admitted that doing this type of colon cleanse at home is very good for everyone because it takes only 5 minutes,
involves no cost and is very convenient and safe. However, he requested me to keep this matter off the records and not to publicize it as it may harm his financial prospects.
FAQ’s: Colon cleanse
Q: What is the Colon Cleanse experience like?
A: A typical session lasts approximately an hour. In the process, after the patient
has comfortably positioned herself/himself on the specially designed Colon Couch, a gel-lubricated, disposable single-use nozzle is inserted into the rectum.
Q: Is Colon Cleanse at home safe?
A: Yes, it is absolutely safe and there are no side effects.
Q: How often does one need this cleansing?
A: The number of sessions will depend on individual needs of each patient. Most people on a standard Indian diet may require a series of six sessions initially, for a thorough cleansing of the colon. After that an individualised monthly programme is recommended to keep the colon cleansed and toned.
Q: How does the colon cleanse treatment compare to an enema?
A: Colon Cleanse is a much more comfortable experience where the patient’s
dignity and privacy is maintained at all times. Also unlike an enema, in colon cleanse the entire length of the colon is cleansed. A single session is said to be equivalent to 30 enemas.
Colon cleanse through diet Fruits
Fruits that are rich in fibre; easily bulk up and create extra volume or that act as a natural lubricant are good choices for colon health.
Mango has long been used as a remedy to relieve constipation, as it possesses laxative properties. It may be eaten fresh or dried but the fresh fruit is preferred for the higher fibre, mineral and vitamin content. An
unripe mango is especially helpful for those with constipation but it may be a bit too tart on the tongue. The fruit may be cut in strips or planks and can be eaten by itself as a sweet treat or dessert. Apples, grapes, pineapples, papaya and kiwi are good for the entire digestive system. These fruits not only contain fibre but some also contain valuable enzymes that help maintain regularity.
Yogurt
It helps restore regularity and the bowel movement. It is important to choose a yogurt that is minimally processed, as processed and multi-ingredient yogurts typically do not give the same benefit.
The majority of common mass marketed probiotic yogurts are pasteurized and contain many stabilizers and sweetening agents. The abundance of sugars completely defeat the purpose, since probiotics help reduce the
unfriendly effects of sugar. The healthy floras are many times not able to live through the pasteurization process.
Fiber rich foods:
A high-fiber diet supports a healthy digestive tract by sweeping debris from the colon, much like a broom. Fiber also holds moisture in the colon, softening the stool. We need both soluble and insoluble fiber for colon cleansing every day. Soluble fiber dissolves in water whereas insoluble does not. Insoluble fiber is especially good for improving elimination and preventing constipation.
Fiber recommendations are between 20 to 35 grams a day, but the modern affluent diet provides only about 10 g. (High amounts of fiber, however, should be avoided during inflammatory bowel conditions.) To meet the fiber requirement, consume daily five or more servings2 of vegetables and fruits, and six or more of whole grains. Flax seed and oats top the list of foods highest in both soluble and insoluble fiber. One tablespoon of ground flax seed contains four to six grams of fiber. Other foods high in soluble fiber include beans, peas, rice, barley, citrus, strawberry and apples. Foods high in insoluble fiber include whole wheat, brown rice, barley, cabbage, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnips, cauliflower and apple (with skin).
Green Foods
The high chlorophyll content of green foods (such as alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina) makes them ideal for colon cleansing. In addition to cleansing, chlorophyll soothes and heals damaged tissue in the digestive tract. It helps the body to obtain more oxygen and draws out toxins. For this reason, chlorophyll is called the internal deodorant and green blood. Green vegetable juice with fiber is considered to be the best method of colon cleanse. (For details see Acidity Cleanse ..)
Water
Water is the universal solvent and an insufficient amount of it causes constipation and toxicity in the bowel and kidneys. Physical activity, fever, hot or dry climates and consumption of meat and salty foods all increase the need for water. The optimal amount varies widely, usually from six to 10 glasses of fluids per day. This can include
pure water, herb tea or diluted fruit juices. Caffeinated beverages do not count because they are dehydrating. The best time to drink a glass of water is between meals or 20 minutes or more before eating; sip only small amounts with a meal.
Benefits of the Colon Cleanse
1) Colon Cleanse is beneficial in helping to restore good health by:
Clearing the colon of old hardened waste material and harmful toxins.
Reducing absorption of toxins via healthy mucosa.
Strengthening peristaltic (natural muscular contraction) activity in the colon.
Promoting return of normal, regular bowel movements.
Providing a favourable environment for bacteria and micro flora for digestion.
2) Some of the toxins that are present in the colon make the body unable to metabolise food and fat, increasing food cravings, abdominal gas and chronic fatigue resulting in obesity. Colon Cleanse along with appropriate exercise and diet program helps us to fight obesity and reduce weight.
Reduced fat deposition in the body due to good hydration.
Improved tissue metabolism due to hydration leading to better lipid
metabolism.
Overall fitness enhanced energy level and toned muscles.
3) Colon cleanse rejuvenates our entire system by enhancing anti-oxidant activity in the body thereby slowing the aging process considerably.
Cleansing and nourishing are two equally important factors in the health equation. Keeping your colon clean in turn keeps your tissues clean and allows your cells to rebuild. Ultimately, a colon-cleansing diet both nourishes the body and clears the way to good health. It is therefore recommended to go in for regular sessions of Colon Cleanse and maintain a nutritious diet in order to eliminate all waste and toxins and have a healthy glowing skin as the secret to beautiful skin is a healthy colon.
