Colon Cleansing

Periodically colon cleaning is extremely important for digestive health. Colon cleansing is performed so that you can reduce opportunistic bacteria, toxins, undigested fecal matter, and restore proper intestinal MMC function. Proper diverse fiber intake, magnesium intake, water intake, regular light exercise, and using a Squatty Potty should be all the average person needs to keep their bowels regulated.¹

Some alternative medicine experts recommend colonics or even coffee enemas for colon cleansing. I believe that both of these types of colon cleansing should be performed sparingly, if even used at all. Both of these commonly recommended forms of colon cleansing may create electrolyte imbalances, reduction of intestinal mucosa (which protects our gut from microbes and inflammation), and imbalances of gut flora as well.²

I believe that everyone should at least do one of my colon cleansing protocols at least once a year to keep the digestive system running smoothly.

Fiber

Fiber’s job in the body is to help bulk up stools, properly regulate colonic transport time, absorb toxins, reduce opportunistic bacteria, feed probiotic bacteria for them to produce SCFA’s, improve the integrity of the mucosa, and regulate colonic pH. Not all fiber is good for the digestive tract, and some types of fiber should be reduced for certain digestive conditions and situations.

There are two different types of fiber soluble and insoluble.³

Soluble Fiber

Sources: oatmeal, lentils, apples, oranges, pears, oat bran, strawberries, nuts, beans, peas, blueberries, psyllium, cucumbers, carrots, sweet potatoes, chia seeds^{4 5}

Soluble fiber attracts water and forms a gel, which can slow down digestion. Soluble fiber delays the emptying of the stomach and can help you feel full. Soluble fiber also has been indicated in helping reduce oxidized cholesterol absorption in the intestine.

Soluble fiber is fermented in the colon there it is considered prebiotic. Soluble fiber is fermented into short chain fatty acids that can help rebuild a healthy colon by nourishing colonocytes, lower colonic pH, and help improve the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Depending on the state of the microbiome in your gut, the production of SCFA’s in the gut from the ingestion of soluble fiber will differ. Probiotic bacteria produce more of the SCFA’s, acetate, and butyrate, where opportunistic bacteria seem to produce more propionate.

If you have increased opportunistic bacteria, in your small intestine (SIBO), soluble fiber may increase bloating by feeding opportunistic organisms. Soluble fiber might need to be limited to people with severe symptoms that have digestive issue, but it should not be limited forever, because of its importance in feeding a probiotic microbiome as well.⁶

Insoluble Fiber

Sources: legumes, nuts, seeds, potato skin, vegetable fiber (green beans, cauliflower, zucchini, and celery), avocado, unripe bananas, kiwi, grapes, tomatoes, cellulose. Whole grain foods are high in insoluble fiber. Brown rice and organic corn are an “ok” source of whole grains, wheat, and oats should be limited in our diet.^{7 8}

Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and is used to absorb water in the intestines to bulk up the stool. It also helps the intestines eliminate waste, faster and efficiently. It helps properly regulate the pH of the intestines. Unlike, soluble fiber, some types insoluble fiber do not ferment in the intestines. Since it does not ferment, it does not feed opportunistic bacteria greatly. The types of insoluble fiber that do not ferment in the colon are nuts, seeds, some types of vegetable fiber, and cellulose (any insoluble fiber that is not a FODMAP). Insoluble fiber helps promote regular bowel movements and helps prevent constipation. Finally, people diagnosed with diverticulosis may need to limit ingestion of certain types of insoluble fiber including nuts and seeds, because ingestion of these foods may inflame the digestive tract.⁹

Is Fiber Even Needed?

There are some people that argue that fiber is not important to ingest for digestive health. ¹⁰ I do believe that there is merit to this in some people, types of fiber might need to be limited possibly in people suffering from SIBO and diverticulosis. For the average person, some fiber ingestion is important for regulating digestive health. It all depends on where you are getting your fiber. Is it from whole wheat bread? The fiber in whole wheat bread is one of the worst forms because it his heavily fermentable, hard to digest, and full of inflammatory protein like gluten. Alternatively, is the source of your fiber intake nuts, rice, sweet potatoes, vegetables, or fruits? These sources of fiber are better for your digestive system.

Colon Cleansing Protocol

Support and Restore Your Gut Health:

• Two tsp of organic extra virgin coconut oil – three times daily with meals.
• Thorne Research L-glutamine or NOW Foods L-glutamine – take 4,000 – 10,000 mg in divided doses, daily with meals (use with caution if you have a sensitivity to glutamic acid, deficiency in GABA, upper gut overgrowth [H. pylori], or severe leaky gut and brain)
• Galactomune – One scoop daily mixed well with water at breakfast. Use with caution if you have yeast overgrowth or elevated Th2 issues.
• Allergy Research Group – N-Acetyl glucosamine – (do not use if allergic to shellfish or have yeast overgrowth) – follow the general supplement bottle recommendations
• Collagen supplementation is very important in restoring your digestive health.
• I would follow the Perfect Health Diet and proper ingestion of omega 3 fatty acids.

Binding and Reduction of Toxins and Heavy Metals (Do Not Follow If You Have Mercury Toxicity)

• Sonne’s No. 7 Detoxification – follow supplement recommendations
• Sun chlorella – chew ten tablets daily with meals, do not use if you have Th1 dominance.
• Unifiber – one tablespoon, three times daily, mixed well with a glass of filtered water before consuming.
• Ingest a raw carrot salad to help reduce estrogen and endotoxin build up in the gut. Grate one raw organic carrot, and mix with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil, and one tsp of apple cider vinegar. Use with caution if you have histamine or fat malabsorption issues.

Facilitate Proper MMC Function

• Himalaya triphala – take one capsule twice daily, right before meals
• Drink a cup of organic ginger tea with breakfast daily.
• Proper magnesium supplementation, use magnesium malate or peroxide.
• Drink up to ten glasses of filtered water, each with 1/8 tsp of Real Salt to help speed up elimination.
• Use a squatty potty and perform light exercise daily (walking for thirty minutes at a brisk pace is a good idea).

Coconut oil ingestion will help reduce any yeast overgrowth. ¹¹

L-glutamine and NAG are important for GALT (gut associated lymphatic tissue) health and preventing leaky gut. ^{12 13}

GOS and collagen will act as prebiotics, to help increase endogenous probiotic growth including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. ^{14 15}

Carrots, unifiber, and bentonite clay will help bind to excess endotoxins produced in the gut and eliminate them. ^{16 17}

Ginger increases bile production, which aids in digestion and elimination of toxins.

Bentonite clay and chlorella will bind to most heavy metals that are released from bile and eliminate them.^{18 19}

Triphala, magnesium, salt, and proper hydration increases motility and MMC function. ²⁰