Constipation affects an estimated 42 million people in the U.S., or 15 percent of the population, and 5.3 million prescriptions for constipation medications are written annually. While many people accept occasional constipation as part of everyday life, it is actually a very serious condition that in many cases can lead to deteriorating health.

Even if an individual lives are relatively healthy lifestyle, environmental factors may contribute to occasion of constipation and other serious health issues. Recent data regarding industrial pollutants and pesticides shows that the average American is exposed to 50,000 chemical agents in a lifetime, and only a fraction of these have been studied for their affects on humans.

Leading health care experts agree that constipation should not be ignored or overlooked. According to Bernard Jensen, DC, Ph.D., “It has become crystal clear that poor bowel management lies at the root of most people’s health problems. In treating over 300,000 patients, it is the bowel that invariably has to be cared for first before any effective healing takes place.”

The formula for achieving at least one healthy bowel movement each day and maintaining a healthy digestive system includes three important steps.

Properly hydrating the colon will promote regular peristalsis (the natural wave-like motions that move food through the intestines.) Drinking plenty of water and hydrating minerals such as magnesium hydroxide and gentle herbs such as aloe may assist with natural bowel movements. To achieve a healthy elimination schedule, it is crucial to keep the colon lubricated. Beneficial oils such as omega oil, flax oil and borage oil are very effective in providing the necessary lubrication for smooth and gentle elimination.

A healthy colon requires bulk in order to eliminate regularly and fiber can help provide it. Many people do not consume enough fiber through diet alone, so a flax seed-based fiber supplement is ideal for promoting at least one healthy daily bowel movement because it provides a balance of soluble and insoluble fiber. Avoid fibers that can be binding, such as psyllium, as they can inhibit peristalsis.

Maintain healthy bowel function with a daily formula that offers natural relief for constipation. Along with herbal supplementation, lifestyle changes include drinking plenty of water, eating fruits and vegetables, using digestive enzymes, exercising daily, maintaining schedules and routines, creating bathroom time, correct posture and colon hydrotherapy.

A high colonic, or colonic irrigation, is used to clean out the colon for purported health benefits. Colonics are often promoted as an effective means of detoxification, normalizing bowel function, treating inflammatory bowel diseases or promoting weight loss. Colon hydrotherapy is extremely safe when performed by a qualified and certified therapist using U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved devices.

For more information on digestive care and colon hydrotherapy, call 734-709-8313 or visit InnerSpaceHolistic.com.