The movement of food through the body, also known as transit time, should be about 24 hours. That means it should only take around 24 hours for the food you eat to make its way through the digestive system and out of your body. Any longer than this means you might be constipated. If you eat animal products this is especially important to be aware of. Meat and dairy products begin to putrefy in the colon if not eliminated within a healthy transit time causing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and parasites.
The colon is a muscular tube about 6 ft long that absorbs water, synthesises nutrients and moves waste out of the body. It works in a wave-like motion called peristalsis and this action of contracting and relaxing is important in keeping regularity. If the muscle isn’t working properly the colon becomes ‘lazy’ and waste can build up and harden. Constipation can go on for years but untreated it can lead to more serious health issues.
Although genetic factors and hormones play a role in constipation, most issues start with the diet. Our digestive system is not designed to handle large amounts of processed foods which have been stripped of vitamins and minerals. Dehydration, poor sleep, lack of exercise and longterm use of laxatives and antibiotics are also lead causes of constipation.
Colon hydrotherapy can treat and reverse constipation by softening and loosening accumulated waste in the colon. Warm, filtered water gently but thoroughly makes its way around the colon, breaking down hardened waste and removing it from the body. As the colon becomes cleaner, the muscle begins to strengthen and the peristaltic action starts to normalise.
For more information please check out these pages: