Colon health, regular bowel movements and internal cleansing are, understandably, not popular conversation topics in western culture. It is not a subject that one even discusses with their doctor very often, nor is it adequately addressed in the medical field. The medical profession prefers to see the colon as something that is left alone until a specific adverse symptom, treatable with drugs and/or surgery is diagnosed. Thus, with respect to digestive health, one's overall health, energy and well-being are often overlooked, and somehow considered unimportant.

The importance of the colon to overall bodily health cannot be emphasized enough. In fact, total health cannot be achieved without a systematic approach to colon care. The colon is an organ of digestion. All of the food we eat passes through the colon where it is broken down by bacteria, digestive acids and enzymes. Nutrients from the food we consume are absorbed through the co Ion into the bloodstream and then carried throughout the body.

The colon is also an organ of elimination. Not only is the colon responsible for absorbing nutrients, but it is also responsible for elimination of wastes and toxins, keeping "unfriendly" bacteria in check, and for creating valuable chemical products like 'friendly' lactobacteria and vitamins K and B12. The body cannot function optimally unless the colon is in good health. It is estimated that over 95% of the population have unhealthy colons---and many have parasites, being far more common than anyone realizes. A nationwide study reveals that one in every six people studied have parasites living somewhere in the body.

Most colons resemble a sewage system and are loaded with impacted, putrefying decay, toxic material, toxic gas, parasites and other unhealthy conditions. The reason this is so is due to many factors---the highly processed, refined, nutrient-deficient foods that we eat; stress; environmental hazards; lack of exercise; consumption of antibiotics and other toxic pharmaceuticals; over-eating; inadequate water intake; eating late at night; and many other reasons. The following is a list of common causes of colon toxicity:

Poor diet. Poor diet includes dead, cooked, devitalized, clogging, low fiber foods, fried foods, and foods tainted with synthetic chemicals. These, unlike live foods (fresh fruits and vegetables), lack the proper enzymes that assist in proper digestion and assimilation, lack the fiber or bulk to assist in proper elimination, and are void of essential vitamins, minerals, and other basic nutrients.

Synthetic chemicals in food, and environmental pollutants. A clean, strong system can metabolize and excrete many pollutants, but when the body is weak or constipated, they are stored as unusable substances. As more and different chemicals enter the body, they tend to interreact with those already there, forming mutant, second generation chemicals that can be far more harmful than the originals. In recent years, evidence has shown that most bowel cancer is caused by environmental agents.

Constipation. The colon is the body's sewage system. If this system backs up, toxins become trapped in file colon. Chronic constipation means that these toxins are fermenting and decaying in the colon, often being reabsorbed into the bloodstream, which then pollutes other tissues and cells. An overload of inadequately excreted body wastes and metabolic by-products means that these wastes can become a breeding ground for parasite infestation.

Slowed elimination time. Slow bowel transit time allows waste material to ferment, become rancid, and then re-circulate through the body as toxic substances. Ideally, one should eliminate as often as a meal is taken. Bowel transit time should be approximately twelve hours.

Over-consumption. Over-eating puts a great amount of stress on our digestive system. The body must produce hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes, bile and other digestive factors to process a meal. When we over-eat, the digestive system finds it hard to meet the demands placed upon it. The stomach bloats as the digestive system goes into turmoil. Foods are not properly broken down and tend to lodge in the lower intestines. Vital nutrients are then not absorbed.

Inadequate water intake. Water makes up 65 to 75% of the human body. It is second only to oxygen in order of importance to life. Water cleanses the inside of the body as well as the outside. It is instrumental in flushing out wastes and toxins. When the body is not receiving enough water, toxins tend to stagnate, hindering all digestive and eliminative processes. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day is recommended.

Stress. Stress effects every cell and tissue in the body. Stress breaks down the immune system as well as the body's organs. It robs the body of important vitamins and minerals, and over time, can cause severe acid build-up. Stress hinders proper digestion, absorption and elimination of foods by throwing the digestive system out of balance. The worst thing a person can do is to eat a meal while experiencing extreme stress. Nutrients will not be absorbed.

Antibiotics. Antibiotics have a damaging effect on the intestines, especially if they are taken for extensive periods of time, or if many different courses are taken over a period of years. Their prescribed purpose is to eliminate unhealthy bacteria that cause illness in the body. However, antibiotics can not discriminate between the unhealthy and the healthy, necessary, good bacteria. They strip the colon of ALL intestinal flora. This puts the digestive and eliminative system out of balance, creating problems in the colon and in the entire intestinal tract.

Lack of exercise. Exercise strengthens the entire body. It stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic system, building muscles, nerves, blood, glands, lungs, heart, brain, mind and mood. Blood is pumped throughout the body by the heart, but lymphatic fluid depends solely on exercise to be circulated. Lack of exercise lowers metabolic efficiency, and without circulatory stimulation, the body's natural cleansing systems are weakened.

Eating late at night. The human body uses sleep to repair, rebuild and restore itself. In essence, the body uses the sleeping hours to cleanse and build. When a person goes to sleep with a full stomach, the body is not at rest. Instead, it is actually busy digesting and processing food. This inhibits the vital cleansing, building and restorative processes that normall3~ occur while one is asleep. In addition, the body requires gravity to assist with the digestion of foods and its passage from the stomach down the digestive tract. If one is asleep, food cannot move very well. Instead, the food sits in the stomach, decomposing. The result can be severe indigestion and gas, a slowing down of the digestive system and mal-absorption.

Most colons are ridden with unfriendly bacteria that inhibits the assimilation of nutrients, throws the body's digestion system out of balance and eventually leads to disease. When unhealthy bacteria is in control, it is impossible to achieve optimum health. Further, many health and nutrition experts believe that the colon is the hub of the human body, and claim that toxic buildup in the bowels is a precursor to various types of degenerative diseases.

Proper bowel function means having 2 to 3 good bowel movements per day. Most people are not aware of this, and go through life eliminating once a day, or even as little as once per week! This practice has been proven to be very unhealthy. When we do not eliminate properly, wastes may not be expelled for days, weeks, months, or even years! The result is that wastes and toxins can become clogged in the colon, leading to auto-intoxication (self-poisoning). When the walls become encrusted with fecal matter, absorption of vital nutrients is hampered and unhealthy bacteria proliferate.

Can you imagine what it would be like if we did not empty our kitchen garbage? What if we kept throwing more and more garbage on top of the old? Wouldn't our homes start smelling like a garbage dump? The same thing happens with a constipated, clogged-up colon. The toxic wastes have nowhere to go, so they build up in the bowel. Over time, the bowel becomes stretched and inflated, be coming misshapen, as it tries to accommodate all the backed-up waste material. The result is that wastes and toxins are absorbed by the blood vessels in the lining of the colon, back into the body. This auto-intoxication lowers our overall feeling of health and vitality.

All of the organs and tissues in the body are fed by the bloodstream, and if the blood is dirty as a result of a malfunctioning bowel the body becomes dirty, and we become unhealthy. Obvious symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system include: constipation; bloated stomach; fatigue; poor skin (skin rashes, sensitivity and sallowness); lower backache; body odor; poor digestion and food assimilation; reduced immune response; gas; weight gain; poor memory and mental dullness; depression; coated tongue; and bad breath. And, although any of these symptoms alone may not necessarily indicate colon distress, together they are a strong indication of the need to consider it.

Perfect dietary and lifestyle habits, stress management, and a proper exercise program cannot be incorporated into a person's daily regime overnight. However, an increased awareness of particular health tools and their positive benefits will serve many individuals for the rest of their lives.

Let's face it, in the western world today, we have become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. We tend to enjoy eating rich and flavorful foods, most of which are fat and sugar-laden (both of which can, in large quantities, play havoc with internal health). We enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs, ice cream and rich desserts, chocolate, coffee and other caffeinated drinks. We often overeat, particularly at Thanksgiving and Christmas, on special occasions, or when we eat out (especially at "All you can eat" buffets). We generally only drink water when we feel thirsty (lack of thirst does not indicate that you don't need water), and although we do it, we are generally bored by exercise. The affluence and abundance in western culture has taught us many bad habits. And, we cannot change them all overnight. The key is to be mindful of what we put in our bodies, and try to make positive incremental changes to our lifestyles. The result for most people who undertake positive changes in diet, exercise and stress management is enhanced well-being, energy, vigor, happiness, increased immunity, a decrease in flu, colds and infections.

The key to optimal health is to balance what we love with what we know to be good for us. Fresh fruits and vegetables; high quality nutritional supplementation including green foods, vitamins, minerals and herbs; plenty of pure water; regular exercise; relaxation and meditation are all important. Periodic detoxification involving nutritionally based internal cleansing programs is also important, as are sweating, fasting, colonics and enemas.

A high fiber, whole foods diet is important to both cure and prevent waste elimination problems. Even a gentle, gradual change from low fiber, low residue foods helps almost immediately. In fact, graduated change is better than a sudden, drastic about-face, especially when the colon area is painful or inflamed.

There are many cleansing programs that one can take in order to bring the digestive system back to health. As we have discussed, making an effort to restore balance to the colon can have a profound effect on overall health and vitality. Royal BodyCare, in partnership with Dr. Albert Zehr, have developed a three-phase, 14-clay program that simplifies colon cleansing and activates elimination. Colo-Vada-Plus is a comprehensive, self-contained, all-in-one system complete with vitamins, minerals, herbs, acidophilus and digestive enzymes that works effectively. As with many Royal BodyCare products, the inflow of positive testimonials from those who have tried the Colo-Vada-Plus program is almost endless. Many people report incredible results after having been on the 14-day program--more energy and "zip", improved regularity, brighter eyes and better skin, less fatigue, and a greater sense of well-being.

Restoring balance to the digestive system cannot take place overnight. Nor can it be achieved with drugs, surgery or injections. Restoring intestinal flora, reducing harmful bacteria and parasites, and improving regularity takes time and patience. With a little dedication and education, you can restore balance to your colon, sending a rippling effect throughout the body. If you feel that you could benefit from more energy, a greater sense of well-being and improved overall health, you may benefit from a good cleanse.

Colo-Vada-Plus is three-phase program of nutritional supplementation, designed to last for 14 days. For the first 7 days, the preparation phase, herbs and vitamins are taken with the morning and evening meal. The following 4 days is the program phase, a fast, and involves adding 1 pouch of Colo-Vada-Plus powder to water or unsweetened juice, four times a day. No other solid foods, and no other liquids, except unsweetened juices, mild herbal teas or water should be consumed during this period. The last 3 days is the post-program phase. Nutritional supplements are taken twice a day. Easily digestible foods should be eaten for the first two days of this period, returning to proteins like meat and dairy products gradually. At the end of this period, normal dietary and supplement patterns may be resumed.

The Colo-Vada-Plus program's nutritional approach to colon regeneration includes many herbs and vitamins well-known for their powerful health-giving benefits, such as Alfalfa, Black Walnut, Cascara Sagrada, Acidophilus and vitamin C.

Completing the Colo-Vada-Plus program is the best way to start a life-long program of internal health. However, there are many other supplements that one should consider in order to keep the digestive system clean and healthy indefinitely. Enzyme-rich live foods, foods which contain healthy bacteria, Spirulina and other green foods, should all be considered. Consult your RBC Distributor for other superior products that can help maintain colon health and assist you on your journey to sustainable, optimum health and happiness.