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A Healthy Colon

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A healthy colon is essential for the absorption of vital nutrients and the natural elimination of bodily waste and toxins.
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The Colon’s Role in Health and Disease:

The colon (large intestine, rectum, and anus) is a key component of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, the largest system in the body.  The length of the gastrointestinal tract is between twenty-eight and thirty feet, with a surface area of nearly six thousand square feet.

Proper functioning of the colon is essential to overall health.  When the colon is unable to function efficiently, an accumulation of toxins can build up in the lymph, bloodstream, and intestines.  Its proper function is dependent on:

  • A whole foods diet:  Especially recommended are such high-fiber foods as grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruit.
  • A balance of favorable bacteria:  A healthy GI tract contains nearly sixty varieties of bacteria or microflora, which aids in digestion, promotes the manufacturing of vital nutrients, helps to maintain proper pH (acid-base) balance, and keeps harmful bacteria in check.
  • Healthy colonic mucosa:  The mucosa, or surface cell layer lining the intestines, allows for the passage of nutrients into the bloodstream, secretes hormones and lubricants, and prevents the absorption of toxins.
  • Proper muscle tone:  Approximately fifteen contractive movements occur in the colon per minute.  Known as peristalsis, this action moves food through the intestinal tract and helps to maximize absorption of valuable liquid and nutrients, while eliminating the stool.
  • Timely evacuation of waste:  Regular bowel movement and elimination prevents buildup of toxic substances that result from putrefaction and excessive fermentation.  According to Joseph Vargas, Ph.D., founder and Director of the Wholistic Health Center in Houston, Texas, “Bowel movements should be thorough and frequent, two to three daily, to prevent toxic residues and by-products from forming or remaining in the body.”

Dr. Vargas states, “When the colon becomes burdened with an accumulation of waste material – impacted feces, bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, and dead cellular material – the result is termed ‘bowel toxemia’.  This condition causes inflammation and swelling of the bowel surface, and can lead to a host of other health problems.  Normal absorption of nutrients, secretory functions, and normal muscular function of the colon are disrupted.  Irregular and inefficient bowel movement is the result, further suppressing recovery and encouraging other problems.”

Bowel toxemia and improper digestion can cause a buildup in the intestines of pathological bacteria, viruses, and fermented and putrefactive gases that become dangerous to the body and can lead to other illness.

When toxic matter and undigested food, collected in the intestines as a result of bowel toxemia, are absorbed from the bowels into the bloodstream, the result is a recognized medical condition known as “leaky gut syndrome.”

The indigested food molecules act as antigens, foreign substances that provoke an immune reaction.  Many of these antigens are similar in structure to normal body components, and the antibodies produced to fight them can destroy healthy tissues.  Recent studies suggest this immune reaction contributes to, or may cause, rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative diseases.

Bacteria and their toxic by-products can also be absorbed from the bowels into the bloodstream.  A deficiency of secretory lgA, an antibody in the colon that binds food and bacterial antigens, can cause an influx of antigens from the bowels into the bloodstream.  These antigens can induce autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, myasthenia gravis (a disease characterized by great muscular weakness), and some forms of meningitis, according to Patrick Donovan, N.D.

Toxins that enter the bloodstream from the colon also burden the liver, circulatory system, lymphatic system, and excretory organs such as the lungs and kidneys.  Because the liver plays such a vital role in clearing the blood of toxins, any impairment of the liver function may aggravate the damage already done by bowel toxemia.  “Foreign chemicals in the body, whether produced from ingestion or chemical interaction, chemical breakdown, or putrefaction of foodstuff in the fermentive processes, can alter RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid),” says Dr. Vargas.  “RNA and DNA contain the blueprint for cellular manufacturing and, if tampered with, abnormal cell reproduction can occur.  Many scientists believe this provokes cancer and other autoimmune diseases.  All these factors make properly functioning colon imperative to the maintenance of good health.”

It is important that the bowels move on a daily basis.  The body normally excretes waste in eighteen to twenty-four hours.  Harmful toxins can form after this period.

  • Exercise is important.  Physical activity speeds the movement of waste through the intestines and reduces the time that potential cancer-causing waste is in contact with tissues.
  • Avoid foods that stimulate secretions by the mucous membranes.  Eat fresh fruits, raw green leafy vegetables and brown rice daily.  Do not eat dairy products, white flour, or sugar.  It is important that you drink extra amounts of water since you are adding fiber to the diet.

 

To help maintain a healthy colon and rid your body of uneliminated waste, we recommend daily use of Dr. Millers Holy Tea!

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