HEALTHLife Style

4 Things To Do For A Healthy Colon

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer (excluding skin cancers) diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Colon cancer begins in the last part of the digestive tract, also known as the colon. Rectal cancer begins in the rectum, the lower end of the large intestine. Together, they are referred to as colorectal cancers.

Colon cancer rates have been increasing in younger people. The change in the guideline is designed to help catch those cancers earlier when they’re more likely to be curable. Whatever your age, you can be susceptible to this disease and many other conditions related to it. 

For example, for some people, digestive discomfort has become a fact of life — like not getting enough sleep, or having too much to do at work. People complain about bloating and stomach pain while assuming there’s nothing we can do to change it. However, this is not the case. You can do various treatments to address your colon issues. One example is incorporating cbd oils to improve your overall health. Check out CBDClinicals to see the best cbd oils formulated for all types of health issues.

So, what are the things you should be doing to have a healthy colon? Here are some of them:

Eat A Balanced Diet

You don’t necessarily have to go meat-free to have a healthy colon, but cutting down on red meats is a good idea. Multiple studies have linked the excessive consumption of red meat to a higher risk of colon cancer. You already know exercise and healthy lifestyle habits can help you avoid disease. However, going pescovegetarian may be the best way to minimize your risk factors for good!

A new study indicates that the pescovegetarian diet — a vegetarian-based diet with a focus on adding fish to meals — is perfect for fighting back against colon cancer. The study found that those who ate a pescovegetarian diet saw a reduction in risk of around 43%. This is possible because of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids in fish.

Exercise Regularly

Movement is medicine for so many parts of the human body, including the microbiome. In both animal and human studies, researchers have found that exercise promotes an increase in the diversity of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Several studies highlight the roles exercise and diet can play together in positively impacting gut health. However, a 2019 review specifically reported that exercise has the potential to alter gut bacteria composition and functionality independently of diet. Researchers found longer workouts and high-intensity aerobic training. 

These workouts contributed most to gut bacteria diversity and function in relation to overall wellness. They also observed that lean people are more likely to reap the gut health benefits of exercise than individuals with overweight or obesity.

Modify Lifestyle Factors

Everything from coffee to alcohol can impact the way your digestive system — and your colon, in particular — functions. Overindulging in these substances can quickly lead to issues like heartburn and stomach ulcers. If you have a bad habit related to cigarettes, alcohol, or other substances, look for resources to help you cut back and ultimately quit.

Bad habits don’t just involve physical substances. Many of us have a bad habit of allowing stress to invade our lives. Frequent anxiety and stress can push your digestive system into overdrive. Yoga and meditation practices lower stress for many people, while others find breathing techniques or relaxing hobbies — like reading, coloring, or brain puzzles — to be effective stress reducers.

Get Tested

It’s recommended that you start getting colonoscopies at 50 years old. The polyps and abnormalities that lead to colon cancer can be removed to stop the development or spread of the disease. This makes colon cancer a highly treatable disease if found early on. 

For individuals whose immediate family member has been diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, it is recommended that you start getting colonoscopies at age 40 or 10 years prior to the diagnosis of your family member. 

Even though there are more options for screening for colon cancer, a colonoscopy is a gold standard. Not only does it detect colon cancer but it also finds and removes polyps that are the precursors of colon cancer. 

Key Takeaway

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates almost 100,000 colon cancer diagnoses are made each year. An even bigger number of people suffer from aches, pains, and discomfort because we don’t think carefully enough about the food we eat. Your colon is far more than just a way to get rid of waste — it’s essential to your overall health.

Consider your colon when you sit down for a meal, step outside for a bit of sunshine, or hold back from having that extra drink. You’ll be pleased to see how much better you feel each day when you promote good digestive health. When you take care of your colon, it can do its job to take care of you.

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