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July/August 2004 Colon's Effect on Health by Susan Bobak

The colon, or large intestine, is a neglected organ, until trouble begins, usually first recognized as constipation or diarrhea.  The symptoms are often treated with over the counter preparations.  This approach does nothing to get at the basic underlying cause of the problem; more important, it allows the condition to progress and cause very serious health problems.  Most of the serious health problems resulting from colon dysfunction take years to develop. The two primary things that happen in the colon are (1) colon stasis, which is lack of movement of material through the bowel and (2) putrefaction and abnormal bacteria in the bowel.  Colon stasis may develop as a result of too little roughage or fibrous material in the diet.  Putrefaction and abnormal bacteria result, primarily from too much refined carbohydrate in the diet, in the form of white sugar and refined white flour.

 

Both these dietary abnormalities are the result of the increased processing of food. In third world areas, where some natives maintained their original diet, these were very rare. Natives developed these diseases when they began eating processed foods.  Let’s look at some of these diseases and how to avoid them.

Cancer of the Colon: There is ample evidence showing that cancer of the colon is primarily caused by lack of fiber and excessive refined carbohydrates. One of the harmless chemicals of bile, present in the intestines, can be converted into a powerful cancer-producing chemical, as the result of high concentrations of abnormal bacteria, present because of the high level of refined carbohydrates in the diet. When colon stasis is also present, the cancer-producing chemical stays in contact with the colon wall, often for several days. The continued attack on the colon tissue may eventually cause cancer.       

 

Heart Attacks & Hardening of the Arteries: An improperly functioning bowel causes a diminished elimination of cholesterol from the body.  Cholesterol is one of the factors responsible for hardening and narrowing of the arteries. If the coronary artery that feeds the heart becomes clogged, so the heart does not have adequate circulation, the most common type of heart attack (ischemic heart attack) occurs.

 

There is a common misconception that a person’s cholesterol level is the result of the amount of cholesterol eaten in the diet. Ingested cholesterol is the source of about 20% of the body’s cholesterol. Your body manufactures it from other substances in the liver.

 

The colon affects cholesterol levels in the following way:  The liver eliminates cholesterol from the body, via the bile dumped into the bowel. Again we blame abnormal levels of bacteria in the bowel, because the abnormal bacteria convert bile salts into lithocholate which, when reabsorbed, reduces the liver’s elimination of cholesterol from the body. The production of lithocholate, together with colon stasis causes material to remain in the colon too long and is a major cause of too much cholesterol in the bloodstream. This may eventually cause hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, and strokes.

Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis: The colon works best when waste is soft, since it is eliminated within a day and a half. Today’s common diet takes up to four days for elimination. When there is too little roughage, stools become small and hardened.  Over a period of time the actual size of the large intestine will become smaller. To move this compacted waste, great efforts are required of the colon’s circular muscles. Pressure develops along the colon. If infection develops in these pockets, diverticulitis occurs. This condition includes possible bleeding and tissue breakdown, and is very serious.

 

In the past, a bland diet was supposedly non-irritating to the bowel. Unfortunately, it simply made the condition worse. It is imperative that, under a doctor’s control, an individual with diverticulitis and/or diverticulosis resume a natural diet so colon function can be improved.

Hemorrhoids, Varicosities and Phlebitis: It has long been known that constipation causes and worsens hemorrhoids. The mechanism for a hemorrhoid problem is the same as for varicosities. A dry, hard, compacted stool causes considerable strain for evacuation.  This strain causes increased pressure in the veins, resulting in a ballooning and breakdown of the vein wall, whether it is the hemorrhoid plexus or the veins of the legs.

 

Also, in varicosities of the legs, the bowel lies across the veins going down to the leg, causing a backpressure against the return of blood to the heart. This backpressure causes a ballooning of the blood vessel wall, especially if straining with constipation has damaged the one-way valves in the veins. The abnormal vein function that develops can be very serious; in fact, it can cause death.

Treatment: Applied Kinesiology is a technique to evaluate your colon function. Dietary changes and nutritional supplements may be needed to restore normal colon function.

 

The danger signs indicating that you need to improve colon function are tendency toward diarrhea, constipation, and a foul smelling stool or gas that may be passed.  A normal stool has minimal offensive odor.

 

Dr. Susan  Bobak is director of the Healing Arts Center of Covina and a Chiropractor since 1982.  (626) 859-6480.