Increasing your daily consumption of fiber when dealing with constipation can help cleanse the colon and remove some of the waste that is blocked up in the colon. There are fiber supplements available geared specifically toward maintaining proper bowel movements. You can also try drinking certain juices, particularly prune juice, to aid in promoting good function of the colon. Fresh raw vegetables high in fiber such as dark green leafy vegetables can also help. Drinking eight or more glasses of water daily is extremely important to the overall health of a person’s body and can play a large role in helping your body to remove waste each day.

Hydration can lead to constipation. As such, you should also avoid drinking liquids that dehydrate the body, such as coffee, soda and alcohol. Avoid overeating on foods such as cheese, meat, and eggs as the high fat content tends to lead to constipation. Regular exercise will also help keep your bowels moving and can prevent constipation as well as help your muscles become tone and function better.

One of the most important life style suggestions on a path to increasing the health of your colon and intestinal system is a high fiber diet. Eating a high fiber diet each day is extremely important. Many Americans eat low fiber diets because they eat a large amount of processed and nutritionally dead food. Many food manufactures process foods and package it. The processing process removes vital and much needed nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber etc) from the foods—this is why the manufacturers have to add some nutrients back into some foods they process and when they do this you often see the word “enriched” on the package.

Fiber increases intestinal bulk to eliminate constipation, promote weight loss through decreased appetite and better absorption, prevent colon cancer, lower cholesterol, and help in the treatment of IBS and diverticulosis.

The standard American diet contains very little to no dietary fiber. Even those who claim to follow a healthy diet, often fall short of the recommended daily fiber intake. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, and you should get a least the minimum recommended amount of 20-35 grams of dietary fiber per day for adults.”

The most convenient and consistent way to add more fiber to your daily routine is by eating healthy high fiber cereals, fresh raw leafy green vegetables, fruits, grains and taking a good quality psyllium-based supplement. Psyllium is a source of soluble fiber, similar to fiber found in grains such as oats and barley. The major difference is that psyllium has a significantly higher fiber content than oat bran.

In addition to psyllium, a good fiber supplement will also contain herbs to provide insoluble fiber, which gently cleanse the digestive track and promote quick elimination of bodily waste. As insoluble fiber passes through the system, it cleanses the lining of the colon, helping to dislodge toxins and old dry fecal matter. Don’t forget the importance of drinking enough water each day as water is extremely important to a healthy colon.