If you've been experiencing digestive problems, you may want to take an herbal colon cleansing supplement such as Intra Cleanse from Herbal Groups, to help cleanse the bowel. Constipation is a common thing people complain about when they are discussing their colon health, and there are many ways to avoid this problem.

For example, try exercising when you feel a little backed up. Exercise can decrease the amount of time it takes food to move through the large intestine, according to WebMD, so a quick workout may help loosen you up. Also, drink more water and reduce the amount of salt you eat to improve constipation, since dehydration is a common cause of this problem.

Diet also places a large role in constipation, which is why you should be eating fiber often. Fiber has been shown to help improve a number of digestive health problems, so reach for apples, celery or whole grains when you want a snack that can also help improve constipation symptoms.

Finally, look for natural pills that may help improve the health of your bowel, such as herbal colon supplements. 

What foods do you eat when you feel backed up?
 

Herbal colon cleansing products, such as Intra Cleanse from Herbal Groups, may help you lose weight. This is particularly important for colon health, considering that a recent study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology showed that overweight and obese individuals may have a higher risk of colon polyps, known as adenomas.

"Because there is a known association between obesity and cancer, there is a logical extension to expect a connection between obesity and the step before cancer, which is adenoma," said Hutan Ashrafian from Imperial College, London, who co-authored the study, quoted by the news source.

The scientists analyzed data from 23 studies involving more than 100,000 individuals to come to their conclusion. Overall, the researchers found that 22 percent of overweight and obese people had colon polyps, compared to 19 percent in people of normal weight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one-third of Americans are obese, and these findings suggest that these individuals may have a higher risk of developing colon polyps. These results should encourage individuals to take an herbal diet supplement or an herbal colon cleansing product to help them lose weight.

What are your favorite weight loss strategies to shed pounds? 

Most people don't look forward to getting a colonoscopy, but just like taking an herbal colon-cleansing supplement, it's something you do to boost your health. Recently, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that people who get screened for colon cancer are less likely to end up dying of the disease, but where you get your test matters.

Reuters reported that older Americans who underwent colonoscopies performed by a gastroenterologist were less likely to die of colon cancer than those who were screened by a surgeon or primary care doctor.

"If you have a colonoscopy and the only feasible option is to go to a surgeon, let's say, it should be protective – the odds are they're not going to miss anything significant," said gastroenterologist Gregory Cooper, quoted by the news source. "Having a colonoscopy by a non-gastroenterologist is probably still a lot better than not having one at all."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer each year. This is why it is so important to protect the health of the colon. 

If you have diabetes, you may want to talk to your doctor about taking an herbal colon cleansing supplement to boost the health of your colon. According to a recent study from researchers at Washington University, individuals with type 2 diabetes may need to start colorectal screening at an earlier age than individuals without the disorder, since they may develop precancerous colon lesions at a younger age.

Health Day News reported on the study, and scientists said that more research needs to be conducted, but their findings suggest that people with type 2 diabetes may want to start getting screenings at 40 rather than 50. The researchers compared the incidence of precancerous lesions, also called polyps or adenomas, in people from the age of 40 to 49 with and without diabetes and those 50 to 59 without diabetes.

"We found that between the three groups, the adenoma detection rate in those 40 to 49 without diabetes was 14.4 percent, whereas it was significantly higher in those with diabetes in the same age range – at 30.4 percent," said researcher Hongha Vu, M.D., quoted by the news source. "This is a similar rate as those 50 to 59 without diabetes [32 percent]."

These findings should at the very least encourage diabetics to do all that they can to ensure they have a healthy colon. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but early detection may lead to effective treatment.  

Many people avoid getting their colon checked by the doctor because of the uncomfortable nature of a colonoscopy, particularly the laxatives that you have to take beforehand. While taking an herbal colon cleansing supplement and eating fiber-rich foods may help you boost your colon health, you'll need to get a colonoscopy to ensure that you do not have cancer. Now, scientists have developed a way to potentially avoid this sometimes unpleasant procedure.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have found that a a CT scan can be used to identify polyps without needing a traditional colonoscopy.

"While we know that colon screening can save lives, not enough people participate, in part because of the discomfort of the required laxative preparation," said researcher Michael Zalis, M.D. "In our study, the laxative-free form of CT colonography performed well enough that it might someday become an option for screening, which we hope would increase patient participation."

When a traditional colonoscopy is performed, the doctor uses a camera to look inside the colon and rectum, and sedation is usually required. With the CT colonoscopy,  the colon is filled with a gas and the patient is told to hold their breath while images are taken.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the U.S. This is why you should get regular screenings and keep colon health in mind. 

If you're concerned about the health of your colon, there are many things that you can do to try and improve it. For example, researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School recently found that consuming fish may be good for this part of the body. You should also look into taking an herbal colon cleansing supplement to help boost your health.

Reuters reported on the study, which found that people who regularly consume fish have 12 percent lower risk of developing or dying of colon or rectal cancer over those who do not.

"People who rarely eat fish may experience health benefits in a variety of areas – heart disease, reproductive and now colon cancer -  by increasing their fish consumption somewhat," said researcher Michael Gochfeld, M.D.

The scientist added that these benefits could be due to the fact that fish is a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is one of the lead causes of cancer death in the U.S., so it's important to take any and all preventative efforts to keep from developing it.

Researchers studied the effects of vitamins and mineral supplements on rats that were fed a high-fat diet over a period of 32 weeks. The rats were then divided into separate groups and exposed to varying combinations of nutrients and carcinogens. Rodents that were provided with daily multivitamin and mineral supplements showed a near 84 percent reduction of precancerous lesions and were also less likely than control animals to develop tumors.

"Multivitamin and mineral supplements synergistically contribute to the cancer chemopreventative potential, and hence, regular supplements of multivitamins and minerals could reduce the risk of colon cancer," the authors of the study concluded.

The American Cancer Society still suggests routine colonoscopy screenings for reducing the risk of mortality from colon cancer.  Additionally, regular exercise, a fiber rich diet and the use of an herbal colon cleansing supplement may help individuals maintain colon health. 

The technique is a recommended screening by the American Cancer Society that can detect colon cancer in its earliest stages based on analysis of stool DNA. However, the five-year study is looking to further test sDNA effectiveness and refine the approach to treatment.

"Early detection through screening can prevent the development of colon cancer. This promising new test has the potential to improve colon cancer screening rates and decrease mortality from this deadly disease," said Gregory Cooper, M.D., co-program leader for cancer prevention at UH Seidman Cancer Center.

The American Cancer Society still suggests routine colonoscopy screenings are the standard for maintaining proper colon health because of its ability to locate and remove precancerous polyps. However, sDNA technology is emerging as a promising alternative for maintaining colon health for patients who do not have access to the treatment, or who are between procedures.

Other preventative measures for maintaining digestive wellness include eating a nutritious, fiber-rich diet that incorporates natural herbal colon cleansing supplements.

Bramson talked about a recent study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute in America that both found high amounts of the bacteria linked with periodontal disease in colorectal tumor samples, leaving some to speculate that colon health may be associated with oral cleanliness.

"While more research is needed to determine the extent of any association between the two, the research suggests the bacteria could play a role," Bramson said.

Information already exists that links periodontal disease to a number of medical conditions, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. This recent study is making the subject of proper oral care a major topic of conversation among professionals across many health-related fields, according to United Concordia Dental.

As of late, maintaining proper colon health has typically relied upon patients getting a colonoscopy every 10 years. Adding routine dental hygiene appointments, along with a healthy diet and herbal colon cleansing supplements to your lifestyle, can have a major impact on colon and overall health.

In order to increase awareness of the importance of routine colonoscopies, physicians affiliated with Swedish Health Services conducted two procedures while streaming live over the internet. Beyond assuaging viewers' fears over the process, the doctors also used the chance to directly answer questions. Viewers submitted emails and directed tweets to the physicians as they performed the colonoscopies.

"Education is our best, most cost-effective weapon against colorectal cancer," said Dr. Nicholas Procaccini, a gastroenterologist at Swedish Health Services and one of the doctors working on these operations.

By increasing awareness and understanding of the procedures, the doctors hoped to encourage others to receive their own colonoscopies.

In addition to colonoscopies, health experts also recommend that older individuals take steps to maintain good colon health. This may include taking an herbal colon cleansing supplement.