A brief note to the faint of heart and stomach: here there be poop-talk! You have been warned. Proceed at your own discretion.
Also, a disclaimer: I’m NOT a doctor or a certified anything. I’m just a health nut, and I read a lot of health-related books, articles, pamphlets, you name it. Before seeking colon hydrotherapy, consult your doctor and DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!
Last Friday marked my second colon cleanse to date. I blogged briefly about my first experience in early January, but today, I’m here to discuss intestinal health more in depth. Now, I know the topic of defecation and excrement makes a lot of people squeamish. Heck, it took me months to even begin to consider having a colonic—the very idea made me gag. With time, though, my curiosity progressively piqued, and eventually, having conducted a considerable amount of research, I decided to take the plunge . . . and am I glad I did!
Anyone else read this book when they were little?
[Source]
My point is that poop (there, I said it!) is an integral part of being human and, more importantly, of being healthy—if you are constipated, your body isn’t functioning the way it should. What’s especially alarming is that an estimated 40% of Americans experience constipation on a daily basis, simply due to their low fiber diet. Nutrition experts recommend adults consume between 20-35 g of fiber per day. Animal protein contains no fiber; refined carbohydrates contain very little fiber compared to their wholegrain counterparts. It’s no wonder, then, that the average American, unbeknownst to him or her, is literally clogged. Yeah, they may produce a few “rabbit pellets” if they strain, but this is by no means an effective way of removing bodily waste.
But using prescription or over-the-counter laxatives filled with unnatural chemicals isn’t healthy either. The key to staying regular is largely diet-related—simply eating lots of fruit, vegetables, beans and legumes, and whole grains, all of which are naturally high in fiber, whilst ALSO drinking plenty of water. Together, the fiber and water cleanse your colon. The fiber “scrubs” the intestinal walls, breaking up any sticky buildups and/or blockages, and the water then helps rinse away this waste. Some people almost immediately notice a difference; for others, it takes a bit longer. Some build-ups are acquired over the course of a lifetime of poor eating habits, so one shouldn’t expect them to magically disappear overnight.
Enemas and colonics are obviously a more intense way of cleansing. Some people literally release multiple pounds of poo—just think, they were hoarding that inside of them! Such excess waste is linked to weight gain, bloating, fatigue, nutrient malabsorption, and a whole slew of other symptoms, so I’m sure you can also imagine how much better those people feel, too. I know from personal experience . . .
When my mother was battling cancer last year, her belly swelled and was hard to the touch. She looked like she was pregnant. When she consulted her doctors, they couldn’t give her any real answers. They blamed the chemotherapy drugs, but at the same time, they didn’t offer her any relief. Constipation didn’t even cross their mind, nor did my mother consider that either, because she was regular and her bowel movements seemed healthy in size. Lo and behold, after receiving a suppository and a couple enemas a few months later, she almost instantly dropped 20 pounds and her belly shrunk and softened. The diagnosis: severely blocked intestines. The culprit: poop.
That is an extreme case, of course, but in time, it was one of a couple factors that prompted me to call the nearest colon hydrotherapist and schedule an appointment.
Now, a SAD omnivore might ask a vegan like me, “Why are you getting a colonic if you already poop a couple times a day and you eat so much fiber?”
Good question.
My first answer is maintenance. Why do you have your teeth cleaned or your vision assessed once or twice a year? Why are women encouraged to perform monthly breast exams and men, testicular exams? Think of colonics as a “check up” for your gut or as “spring cleaning,” if you will. Therefore, everyone can benefit from colonics, regardless of diet.
My second answer: even vegans experience digestive troubles and, yes, buildups. I mentioned to my hydrotherapist that I struggle with a bloated and very tender lower tummy, so she massaged my abdomen about halfway through my session and, much to my surprise, discovered a couple buildups, which, she explained, had accumulated before my plant-based days and were still stuck to my intestinal walls, despite all the fiber I consume. The solution? Colonics, of course—eventually, those buildups will be removed. It’ll take some time, though, and she also recommended regularly massaging the areas that are tender and applying castor oil, too, which is absorbed into the skin and helps “soften” these tricky areas.
All in all, my session was excellent, and I felt so light and jubilant afterward. What I found interesting, though, was a very small bowel movement I passed later that afternoon (despite being “empty”). I noticed some mucus in the stool, which is a good thing! The colonic had dislodged a mucus deposit, sort of like when we blow our noses. It made me wonder what else may be lurking inside . . . we shall see come March 9th, the date of my next session.
So, after I skipped frolicsomely out of the hydrotherapist’s office, I went to Whole Foods for lunch—SALAD BAR BEAST!
Yowza! This bowl included kale; macrobiotic seaweed salad; sesame broccoli salad; roasted garlic; roasted artichoke hearts; roasted beets; roasted sweet potatoes; roasted edamame; macrobiotic bok choy-tofu stuffed potstickers; Middle Eastern tomato-cucumber salad; southwestern spiced mushrooms; 5-grain pilaf; fresh parsley; and Bragg's liquid aminos. I was quite famished after my colonic!
I also enjoyed a Botanic No. 7 kombucha alongside my lunch. I wanted to replenish the good bacteria in my gut and encourage further detox.
Probiotics, like those found in kombucha, are just as essential to the gut as fiber, but I’ll discuss that in another post. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with a super high fiber recipe.
Chai Chia Seed Pudding
Just 1 tablespoon of chia seeds contains the fiber equivalent of 3 bowls of oatmeal! So, if you’re not used to such high levels of fiber, don’t stray far from a bathroom when you first introduce the magic of chia to your intestines . . .
Serves 1-2
Ingredients
¼ cup chia seeds
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground cardamom
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground coriander
Couple cracks of black pepper*
Pinch of salt (optional)
Raisins, as desired
½ cup + 2 Tbs. milk alternative of choice
Sweetener, to taste (optional)
Fresh fruit of choice, to serve (optional)
*You can also use a store-bought chai tea spice mix, if you have some on hand–about 1 heaping teaspoon.
Directions
Combine seeds, spices, and raisins in a bowl. Add milk alternative and sweetener, if using, stir well, and let sit in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or even overnight, just like overnight oats. It’s a delicious, nutritious, and complete breakfast when served with fresh fruit.
Try adding banana, mango, pineapple, papaya, or another tropical fruit of choice!
