What are some ways to keep your colon healthy? – With so many people getting a colonoscopy, it is not too surprising to hear our patients ask us in various ways this question. First off, thanks for reading this blog article on maintaining your colon’s health.
Did you know that the health of your colon can affect the entirety of your digestive system? It is so true! If your colon is working properly, you will be stronger and feel better to fight disease. That is why we are writing this article today.
How to keep your colon healthy? Explained by Dr. Joseph Rosado
Consume a high fiber diet
By consuming 25-35 grams of fiber per day is an important part of maintaining a healthy colon. Why? Well, fiber increases feelings of fullness and promotes regular bowel movements. Therefore it helps keeps things moving through the colon, you’ll reduce the chances of developing the colon-related disease.
Some great sources of fiber to try to incorporate into your daily diet include:
- nuts,
- seeds,
- berries,
- lentils,
- beans,
- broccoli,
- carrots,
- apples,
- pears,
- and peas.
Did you see that berries were part of that list? Well, guess what you should eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains!
Generally speaking, diets that incorporate ample fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have been linked to a decreased risk of colon cancer. This is in part due to the nutrients and antioxidants that are present in these foods, the high fiber content, as well as the correlation between diet and weight and colon-related illness.
Limit eating processed foods to keep your colon healthy.
Highly processed foods are full of saturated fat, which has been associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. Oftentimes, the preparation of red meat is done in a way that produces carcinogens. It is important to cook your meat well versus eating a very raw piece of meat.
Drink plenty of water
We wrote another blog article about drinking water to prevent diabetes. Not surprising – drinking water is very good for our bodies, So, therefore, when you’re not properly hydrated, toxins can build up in your body.
Drinking eight or more glasses of water a day can help move toxins and excrement through your colon more quickly. There are a lot of apps on smartphones that help you track your water intake daily. Keeping track of how much water you’re drinking or setting water goals throughout the day can help you stay hydrated.
Exercise regularly!
Once again, in our recent blog article on diabetes, this idea was covered. Did you know, that regular exercise can encourage more consistent bowel movements? It is true, not only can exercise help with dealing with handling blood sugar issues, but it can also help with bowel movements too. Why? The increase in blood flow and circulation makes your GI system more effective overall. Recent studies have shown that exercise, especially in more rigorous forms, can greatly reduce the risk of developing some digestive disturbances.
What are the signs that you should have a colonoscopy?
Here are some symptoms and signs of Colorectal Cancer and is a cause for visiting your doctor to schedule a colonoscopy as soon as possible. Here are the most common which include:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
- Bright red or very dark blood in the stool.
- Stools that look narrower or thinner than normal.
- Discomfort in the abdomen, including frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps.
What is a Colonoscopy?
Simply put a colonoscopy is an exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon.
So get your colonoscopy! Did you that the polyps and abnormalities that lead to colon cancer? It is true, these can be removed to stop the development or spread of the disease, making colon cancer a highly treatable disease if found early on. For individuals whose immediate family member has been diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, it is recommended that you start getting colonoscopies at age 40 or 10 years prior to the diagnosis of your family member.
Even though there are more options for screening for colon cancer, a colonoscopy is a gold standard because it not only detects colon cancer but also finds and removes polyps that are the precursors of colon cancer.
Are you still concerned about this? Don’t worry Doctor Joseph Rosado is available for you!
I hope this article helped you learn a little more about Dr. Joseph Rosado and shared the answers with you. If you want to learn more about this schedule an appointment with Dr. Rosado or purchase his book on Amazon.
