(NaturalNews) There is an epidemic of digestive disorders occurring in North America, and it comes from a foundation of poor nutritional habits, negative emotions, and improper activity and rest. This results in various disease labels and conditions that ultimately end with prescriptions and surgeries, which only further exacerbate these digestive disorders.

The biggest factor in colon damage is improper eating habits. The drifting away from clean, fresh, whole food to dirty, "old," and processed food has irrefutably caused the most damage, as the intestinal system tries to deal with a slew of refined foods riddled with toxins and deficient of adequate vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes and other life-promoting nutrients.

How colon damage occurs

The primary suspects that have arguably created the most damage to the colon are sugar, flour and dairy products. They are very mucus-forming, and as that mucus slowly accumulates on the walls of the colon, it creates a barrier that prevents nutrients from being absorbed through the colon walls and into the body. So even if the healthiest, most mineral- and vitamin-rich foods are being eaten, many of those nutrients will not be delivered to the rest of the body.

Also, when this inner ecosystem is lacking the beneficial bacteria, improperly prepared food (lack of soaking, overcooking and bad food combinations) will be poorly digested and will cause gas, bloating and inflammation. Millions of people are now gluten-intolerant, largely because their intestines lack the "grain-loving" microflora that can digest gluten.

Overeating also damages the colon. It is very important to eat only until 80% full to give the digestive tract a chance to function properly. This is why those who eat several small meals a day (that are combined properly) never gain weight, because the body is absorbing and eliminating correctly. Weight gain often results because the intestines accumulate toxins when food is poorly digested.

Stress and anger can also inflict colon damage, as it causes the body to become contracted and tight, which delays or stops elimination and therefore promotes constipation. Not getting enough sleep or rest is also a problem, as that lowers adrenal function, which is vitally important to provide the energy required for appropriate bowel movements.

Ways to cleanse the colon

There are many ways to cleanse the colon, and eliminating the factors that toxify it is your first step. Following that, you can incorporate any or all of the following procedures, foods and herbs:

• Enemas and colonics -- people have used enemas since ancient times to help ease elimination from the colon and aid in healing. Coffee enemas (used to open the bile duct so toxins can be released from the liver), and cleansing enemas are two popular and effective enema treatments.
• Garlic -- antifungal, antimicrobial and can relieve gas, bloating and water retention.
• Foods high in fiber -- whole foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts and unprocessed grains.
• Fermented foods -- help keep the colon clean and implants friendly bacteria (probiotics) along with beneficial enzymes into the digestive tract, which are vitally important for digestion.
• Flax seed tea -- excellent for healing the colon, and especially valuable if you suffer from leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, spastic colon, colitis or bloody stools.

You should also ensure that you drink enough pure water, exercise, breathe deeply, get a massage or acupuncture treatment and clean up your liver.

To really kick-start the process, check out the first source below for the top five foods to heal your gut.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.healingthebody.ca

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Gates, Donna. The Body Ecology Diet. 2007. Third Edition.

About the author:
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn't solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results under their own direction.

Find out how you can reverse disease and thrive with a holistic approach.