Many people in the UK seek out DIY remedies for digestive and bowel health issues. Particularly as it is common knowledge that what we consume has a big impact on that part of our body and that by making sensible adjustments we can make improvements.
Both the mainstream and complementary health sectors are also united in the view that good digestive health – including proper bowel functioning – is central to enjoying the quality of life and resistance to illness. We are what we eat, in terms of health!
If your body can’t process and absorb food correctly, and expel waste and toxins efficiently, it creates a serious knock-on effect for every other aspect of your body. Not just the unpleasantness of constipation, but also an inability to cleanse your body of harmful substances, which can affect kidney and liver function for instance.
Yet, modern lifestyles have made this a hotly debated and concerning topic. There is strong evidence that people still aren’t sufficiently aware of how important nutrition is to gut and bowel health.
Of course, everyone suffers from upset stomachs, and such things as constipation and diarrhoea, at some point. However, it’s believed that as many as two in every ten people in the UK suffer the misery of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Accurate statistics are problematic, as many IBS cases go undiagnosed, not least as people go for years believing their symptoms are “just one of those things”.
Did you know that men are twice as likely as women to keep IBS symptoms to themselves?
There are IBS treatments that help, but there are also things you can do to relieve IBS. Including dietary control and finding natural aids to good colon health.
This article will explore a combination of natural substances proven to have a significant positive effect, especially when used in combination.
Of course, you do have the option to book appointments for a colonic irrigation procedure. Some people find this a supportive way to detoxify, and therefore improve bowel health and function.
You may also consider an enema, normally under the supervision of a CAM practitioner, or in some cases, you may be advised to take ‘over the counter laxative remedies if your bowel health is compromised by constipation.
However, they say prevention is better than a cure! Indicating that the best way to continuous and consistently support your bowel function is to make changes to your diet. Long term solutions through natural remedies that work from the inside, can then be supplemented by colonic irrigation, enemas or a clysmatic if that’s something you find beneficial.
The healing power of plants
Just as there are naturally occurring materials that help other parts of the human body, it stands to reason that it's possible to blend ingredients that cleanse and support bowel function.
The trick is to find natural remedies for things like IBS that are of genuine merit and based on extensive and reliable research. Not just the latest ‘thing’ that promises to aid bowel function, that’s based on limited value.
If you order colon cleansing products online from less reputable sources, you risk getting an ineffectual item or even a so-called natural remedy that has significant side effects.
That’s why it is vital to only trust verified and trusted suppliers of nutritional supplements, who invest in extensive research and development of natural health solutions.
What sort of ingredients should you look for, in an authentic naturopathic aid for bowel health?
Based on our extensive research and consideration, the botanic substances we feel are best suited to colon cleansing and bowel support include the following important sources of fibre and ingredients:
• Psyllium (Plantago ovata) husk powder
• Acacia (Acacia sp) gum
• Chicory (Cichorum intybus) root extract
• Guar gum
• Elderberry 7:1 extract (this level puts it as equivalent to fresh elderberries.
• Live cultures (especially high levels of Bifidobacterium).
It is possible to find products that combine all of these proven ingredients, in quantities formulated to provide highly synergistic results.
Some of the terms used in the best colon cleansing supplements
Before looking at recommended bowel health aids, it is important to be clear about some of the terminology.
There is a misconception this means going immediately to loose faeces and multiple toilet visits, and there are people who abuse laxatives to lose weight.
The word actually refers to a medicine or natural ingredient that aids the process of bowel emptying. So, an effective laxative would soften stools, for example. When used correctly, you should not experience diarrhoea.
Also, a quick reminder of why fibre is so important to bowel health.
Insoluble fibre refers to the element of food not easily broken down by your intestines. Instead, it absorbs water and passes from your body to stimulate good colon function. Soluble fibre does dissolve more in your digestive system and offers benefits such as lowering blood cholesterol and glucose. The various types of dietary fibre are therefore highly important.
However, as always, getting the right amount of important ingredients is still a balance. Too much of some categories of fibre can lead to cramping, gas, or bloating.
This is another reason why naturopathic colon cleanse products are so carefully formulated.
Profiles on natural ingredients for bowel health
Let’s look at some of those important ingredients mentioned above in more detail, and explore the ways they can promote good bowel health, and offer important ways to combat IBS.
Psyllium
This is a naturally occurring soluble fibre that can stimulate a laxative effect. It is created from a herb that’s largely grown in India.
You will find psyllium in husk form or granules, or in capsules or powder. It is sometimes added to fortified foodstuffs such as breakfast cereals too.
The reason it works so well within a good colon cleanse supplement is that it absorbs water and becomes thick, viscous. Then, it binds undigested food stuffs together and helps stools to pass out of your bowels more easily. This is often referred to as becoming ‘more regular’ in your bowel movements.
There has been research to show that psyllium is more effective than wheat bran - a commonly used form of fibre.
Clearly then, using a supplement containing psyllium can help to combat constipation. However, there is also evidence that psyllium relieves diarrhoea too, by ‘bulking out’ waste matter that would otherwise be too soft.
It may well also have the blood sugar and cholesterol balancing attributes of fibre mentioned above, as well as making you feel ‘fuller’ to help manage your weight.
This botanic ingredient may even offer advantages for heart health and appears to play a prebiotic role in stimulating and supporting important intestinal bacteria.
Acacia
This is a botanic ingredient that may sound familiar, as it’s been used as a natural dietary aid for centuries, but acacia wood is also popular for carpentry.
There are around 1,000 different species of acacia, and only a few are used as dietary aids. The plants chosen for their medicinal purposes produce acacia created from crushed, ground or whole hardened tree sap (gum).
You will sometimes see acacia on ingredients lists as Gum Arabic.
There are believed to be various benefits to acacia gum, including the ability for it to be a natural anti-inflammatory, managing pain and irritation, especially in the stomach. There have been studies into its potential to help support healing and good oral health too.
What is widely established already, is that acacia gum is a valuable source of soluble fibre. Therefore it is added to some commonly bought foods such as yoghurts, breakfast cereals and health drinks.
There are more studies underway to add to the list of health benefits acacia provides. Including the potential for this gum to soothe sore throats and coughs, and to promote healing across the whole body, not just orally. Could acacia treat diabetes, too? That’s another important strand of research.
Chicory Root
Chicory root has long been used as an alternative to coffee, or to boost coffee, as it has a pleasant taste. It's in the dandelion family and has been a cooking ingredient for centuries.
The reason chicory root is used in the best colon cleansing supplements is that it is a great source of prebiotic fibre called inulin. This is believed to bring positive benefits to gut health in general, and particularly an easy-to-absorb substance to promote good bowel movements.
Guar Gum
This is sometimes mistaken for an artificial and unpleasant additive in foodstuffs. This is because manufacturers often add it for its ability to thicken, stabilise and bind, including when they are producing non-food products such as lotions.
In fact, Guar Gum is also a good botanic source of fibre – with a significant laxative effect. It is extracted from guar plants.
As with other types of fibre mentioned in this article, guar gum’s benefits include the potential to manage or treat diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome. As well as a way to reduce cholesterol, balance blood pressure and create a fuller feeling to help with weight loss.
Much of the above requires more research, but it is already established that Guar Gum has value as a dietary aid, especially within plant-based colon cleansing products.
Elderberry
As with other berries, elderberries are a power-packed source of nutrition.
They are a good source of antioxidants, and for hundreds of years have been used in drinks, lozenges and syrups as a natural remedy to fight colds and flu. There is compelling evidence to suggest elderberries do have a positive effect on the human immune system.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the elderberry – and their high dose of vitamin A and C - have made this plant of interest in the treatment of acne and other skin issues too.
So, what is the connection between elderberries and bowel function?
Apart from being a source of vitamins and minerals, elderberries also contain fibre that offers many of the health advantages outlined above, including the ability to prevent constipation naturally.
It is important to point out that eating raw elderberries is not recommended, as they can be toxic in that form, leading to stomach upsets. When finding an online supplier of colon cleansing products to regulate bowel function, look for specially prepared elderberry extract.
Probiotics
This is a topic we cover elsewhere on our website as Probiotics are important to digestive health. However, these diverse naturally occurring micro-organisms (including yeast, bacteria and flora) also play a role within your intestines.
Imbalances in these micro-organisms are a common feature of modern lifestyles and can lead to a wide range of issues, such as yeast infections, poor digestive health and problems such as IBS or frequent constipation. As well as urinary tract infections.
These are among the reasons to include probiotics in your diet, to boost your internal sources!
There are many different types of probiotics, so the word on labels is not sufficient in itself. The variety that is particularly of value in bowel health is Bifidobacterium.
If you find a colon cleansing product with Bifidobacterium in it – alongside a careful blend of fibre and nutritional aids – it can provide the reassurance knowing you have a good source of micro-organisms that are ideal for intestinal health.
Find a trustworthy colon cleansing supplement
Finding a natural remedy for IBS – or other bowel function issues – involves looking for products containing the right ingredients in carefully formulated amounts.
Taking a plant-based colon cleansing supplement that supports your digestive process from start to finish is advisable to prevent issues as well.
We will continue to research and disseminate information about science-supported natural products that work, and the studies to support naturopathic remedies, to help you to make informed purchases.
So, please check back regularly for more news and articles.
Additional source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chicory-root-fiber#:~:text=Chicory%20root%20comes%20from%20a%20flowering%20plant%20in%20the%20dandelion,prebiotic%20fiber%20inulin%20%28%204%20%29.
