Fiber Is Not Always The Answer
Dietary fiber does not always help constipation. This has been clearly revealed to me by the countless people who have come to the Optimal Health Center having tried fiber, without success. Scientifically, the
research supporting fiber's effectiveness in treating constipation, especially difficult constipation, is inconclusive. There is definitive research regarding fiber's ineffectiveness which
focuses on the role of fiber and colon cancer. One such study states, "
No significant association between fiber intake and the risk of colorectal adenoma has been found." One of the reasons that I think fiber colon cleanse products irritated my own bowel is because dietary fiber consists of polysaccharides, which are relatively complex carbohydrates. Most people with digestive difficulties are sensitive to complex carbohydrates.
Supplemental
fiber in itself is not the cure-all many of us have been led to believe. I have found
that for most people, using a seasonal supplemental fiber along with
well-placed colon hydrotherapy or enemas can be highly beneficial, as I
have laid out in my book,
Ten Days to Optimal Health.
This seasonal approach to dietary fiber supplementation assists the
body with needed deep cleansing. However, the daily colon cleanse is
essential to using dietary fiber successfully.
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Without colon hydrotherapy or enemas, a fiber supplement can often
cause an underfunctioning colon to back up even further. I once worked with a woman who was on a fiber-rich colon-cleansing product because she was constipated. Although she moved her bowels daily while using this popular product, she was uncomfortably bloated. When she came into the Optimal Health Center to have a colonic, she released 23 feet of waste into the colon therapy machine.
Regarding other colon cleansing supplements on the market, I find most
of them to be overpriced, overmarketed, and overrated.
Most stimulant laxatives ought to be avoided, as they may worsen cramping
sensations commonly experienced in constipation and when taken over the long term are
potentially damaging to the colon.
Natural Remedies for Constipation
Kristina Amelong, CCT, CNC discusses natural remedies for constipation that you can use from the comfort of your own home. Suggested remedies include dietary changes, colon cleansing using a 3-step enema series protocol, and taking supplements such as reacted magnesium, Endo-Met GB-3, and vitamin C.
Causes of constipation may be dietary, hormonal, a
side effect of medications, or anatomical. When one struggles with
constipation, it is wise to explore all of these issues to resolve the
cause of one's constipation. For instance, I find that most people who
take my hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) appear
to have hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is responsible for colonic
peristalsis. If your thyroid gland is underfunctioning, you are likely to be
constipated. Unfortunately, the current medical tests for
hypothyroidism test the levels of the thyroid hormones that are in the
blood, which doesn't offer an accurate picture of one's thyroid
functioning, as it is the tissue levels of thyroid hormones that determine their
effectiveness and roles in the body.
▶︎ Learn more about Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
As you can see, there are often a variety of factors that that can be addressed in order to attain an optimally functioning colon.
By Kristina Amelong, CCT, CNC
I-ACT-Certified Colon Hydrotherapist
Certified Nutritional Consultant
