For individuals experiencing frequent bloating or constipation, could performing a colon cleanse help alleviate your symptoms?
Colon Cleanse
Individuals can clean out their bowels, colon, or large intestine by drinking more water and adding certain foods to their diet, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some may find that the practice helps decrease bloating or other digestive issues. While a colon cleanse is safe for most, the practice can cause side effects, like nausea or dehydration.
Benefits
Natural colon cleanses can provide various benefits that include:
Reducing bloating.
Improving the immune system.
Removing toxins from the body.
Helping with weight loss.
Decreasing the risk of colon cancer.
While individuals may feel better after a natural colon cleanse, there is currently no research to support the medical benefits. (Cedars Sinai. 2019)
Another type is known as hydrotherapy of the colon or irrigation.
A healthcare provider performs this type of cleansing and sends water into the colon with instrumentation.
This type of cleanse is not used to prepare individuals for a colonoscopy.
Cleansing
Cleansing the body safely can be done with ingredients from the local grocery store.
Thorough Hydration
Water will improve body function, including digestion and elimination.
Use the color of urine as a guide.
If it’s pale yellow, the body is getting enough water.
If it’s darker, the body needs more.
Increasing Fiber Consumption
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest but influences:
Fiber can be found in fruits, vegetables, oats, lentils, peas, and almonds.
Increasing fiber intake will help regulate the bowels and maintain overall colon health. (Cornell University. 2012)
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that have health and digestion benefits.
Researchers believe they help to replace healthy bacteria and balance the healthy and unhealthy bacteria in the body, which maintains smooth digestion. (Mount Sinai. 2024)
Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles are healthy sources of probiotics.
They also come as supplements.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey
Both ingredients contain probiotics, and mixing them can help improve gut health.
Individuals also believe that this concoction can help remove toxins from the body, but there’s no scientific evidence to support this.
Individuals can try 1 tablespoon of raw honey and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a warm glass of water.
Juice and Smoothies
Adding more fruits, including juice and smoothies, is a healthy way to stay hydrated.
It also adds fiber and other nutrients to improve gut health.
Bananas and apples are a healthy source of probiotics.
Individuals can also add yogurt to the smoothies for extra probiotics.
These elements can help improve the gut microbiome and regulate bowel movements.
Precautions
Doing a colon cleanse should be safe for most, as long as the individual is not fasting at the same time or performing them too frequently. However, it’s recommended to consult a healthcare provider before changing eating patterns or trying new treatments or supplements, including a colon cleanse, especially for individuals who have an underlying condition.
Side Effects
Colon cleansing can come with risks that can include: (Cedars Sinai. 2019)
Dehydration
Cramping
Nausea
Electrolyte imbalance
Doing occasional colon cleanses may not result in side effects, but the chances of side effects increase the longer or more often cleanses are performed. It’s recommended to consult a healthcare provider if experiencing any symptoms.
Improving Colon Health
The best way to improve colon health is by drinking enough water and eating foods that promote a healthy digestive system. Healthy approaches include:
Increasing fruit and vegetable intake.
Increasing whole grain intake provides fiber and more nutrients.
Eating ground flaxseed improves digestion and elimination.
Integrative Medicine
References
Rosenblum, C. S. K. (2019). Ask a doc: Are colon cleanses healthy? (Cedars-Sinai Blog, Issue. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/colon-cleansing.html
University., C. (2012). Fiber, digestion, and health. (Health Services, Issue. https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/fiber-digestion-health.pdf
Sinai., M. (2024). Lactobacillus acidophilus. (Health Library, Issue. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/lactobacillus-acidophilus
Keeping hormones in balance can be a tough challenge. There are many individuals with hormonal imbalances and they don’t even know it. Despite�tests for abnormal thyroid function, they don’t always acknowledge a thyroid that isn�t functioning properly. The same can be said for the adrenals. When they are overtaxed, the imbalance that follows can be quite challenging. There are top-quality natural remedies for hormonal imbalance.
How to tell
Under-producing glands will have some symptoms that are different from glands that are over-producing. But there are some symptoms that are shared across the board.
If you notice that you experience several of these symptoms, it could point to a hormonal imbalance:
Weight loss or gain without doing anything new/different
A chiropractor, naturopath, or specialist can help you determine if you have a hormonal imbalance. Medical doctors often prescribe medications, but in most cases, the imbalance can be corrected with a natural treatment. These treatments are highly beneficial in treating hormonal imbalances. They can be done separately or combined.
Herbs & Oils
There are several herbs and essential oils that work wonders when it comes to balancing hormones. Ashwagandha is at the top of the list for treating overactive or sluggish thyroid as well as overtaxed adrenals. It’s available as a tablet, capsule, in powder form, or as a liquid. Mixing � to � teaspoons of powder into some milk with honey and drinking it just before bed can help sleep, calm stress and balance the hormones. Various oils like clary sage, lavender, and sandalwood help reduce stress and promote wellbeing. Hormonal balance comes as a natural result. Put 3 to 5 drops in a diffuser and breathe in.
Nutritional Balance
Hormonal imbalance can often be the result of stress, whether emotional stress from everyday life or physical stress from poor habits like not getting the proper amount of sleep and not maintaining a proper diet. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are vital for heart health, vibrant skin and hormonal balance.
Other nutrients include vitamin D, B complex, and magnesium. If not getting enough in the foods you eat, then consider supplements. Give the body a great boost by taking probiotics and reaping the healing properties of bone broth. Bone broth is available in powder or liquid or you can make your own. There is intense nutrition in broth so incorporating it into your diet is a very wise decision.
Natural Balance
Chiropractic is a powerful treatment for hormonal imbalance. It focuses on the heart of factors that cause the body to go out of balance and treats the problem at the root. It can relieve stress in the body and reduce and eliminate pain, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances. It is considered one of the best natural treatments for hormonal imbalance because it brings the body back into balance.
The whole-body approach that chiropractic offers means that you get recommendations on:
Healthy diet
Exercise
Lifestyle changes
All of these work together to balance your body and balance hormones for a healthier, happier you.
People from all walks of life can have hormonal imbalances and don�t realize it. Medical tests for abnormal thyroid function don�t always pick up on a thyroid that isn’t working correctly.
Adrenals have the same issues. When overworked, the hormonal imbalance that follows can become a nightmare. Fortunately, there are excellent natural remedies for hormonal imbalance.
Hormones Not Balanced
Glands that are under-producing will have some symptoms that are different from glands that are over-producing. However, some symptoms are shared across the board. If you notice that you experience several of these symptoms, it could point to a hormonal imbalance:
Weight loss or gain (without trying or doing anything different)
Swelling
Confusion, difficulty finding the �right� word, lack of mental clarity
Your chiropractor, naturopath, or specialist can help you determine if you have a hormonal imbalance. Many medical doctors tend to prescribe medications, but in most cases, the problem can be corrected through natural means. These three treatments are very beneficial in treating hormonal imbalances in the body. They can be done separately or combined for added benefits.
Herbs and Essential Oils
There are several herbs and essential oils that are exceptional when it comes to balancing hormones. Ashwagandha tops the list for treating overactive or sluggish thyroid as well as overtaxed adrenals. You can take it as a tablet or capsule, in powder form, or as a liquid. Mixing � to � teaspoons of powder into some milk with honey and taking just before bedtime can help you sleep as well as calm your stress and balance your hormones.
Several essential oils like clary sage, lavender, and sandalwood help reduce stress and promote a sense of wellbeing. Hormonal balance is a natural result. To use essential oils, put 3 to 5 drops in a diffuser and breathe it in.
Nutrition Balances Hormones
Hormonal imbalance is often the result of stress, whether it is emotional stress from difficulties in life or physical stress from poor health habits like not getting enough sleep and not maintaining a healthy diet. Omega 3 and six fatty acids are vital for everything from heart health to vibrant skin to hormonal balance. Extra nutrients you should be getting include vitamin D, B complex, and magnesium. If you aren�t getting enough in the foods that you eat, then consider supplements. Yes, it�s that important.
You can also give your body a significant boost by taking probiotics and enjoying the marvelous healing properties of bone broth. Bone broth is available in powder or liquid � or you can make it yourself. It packs a serious nutritional punch so incorporating it into your diet is a brilliant move.
Chiropractic Balances Hormones
Chiropractic care is an excellent treatment for hormonal imbalance. It goes right to the heart of many of the factors that cause the body to get out of balance and treats the problem at its root.
It helps to relieve stress in the body and reduce or eliminate pain, both of which can contribute to hormonal imbalances. It is one of the best natural treatments for hormonal imbalance because it brings the body itself back into balance.
What�s more, the whole-body approach that chiropractic offers means that you get recommendations on healthy eating, exercise, and positive lifestyle changes. All of these things work together to balance your body and balance your hormones for a healthier, happier you.
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