True Health Project

Are you on schedule?

We all know what a canal is – a waterway that is used by barges or other floating craft to haul cargo, crops or people from one place to another. The Panama Canal runs from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Another canal, the Alimentary Canal, hauls food and runs from your mouth to your rear. It includes your mouth, your throat or esophagus, your stomach, your small intestine, your large intestine (colon) and your rectum. And just like the traffic on the Panama Canal, the traffic on the Alimentary Canal should be on time and on schedule.

“Digestive transit time” regards the time it takes from chewing to elimination. “Colon transit time” is the amount of time it takes for food to be eliminated after it enters the large intestine. As you are pursuing better health with the necessaries of colon cleansing through herbal blends or hydro-therapy, you will hear a lot about transit times.

First of all, not all folks run on the same schedule. What may be normal for one person will be a little off for the next. Transit times can vary from person to person due to dietary habits, age, climate, exercise habits, immobility, medications and so on.

Though everybody runs on a slightly different schedule, proper transit times can range from about 12 to 48 hours. These times are just guidelines to at least help you gauge whether or not the traffic on your canal is going by too fast and not dropping off the required fares (improper absorption of nutrients and/or diarrhea) or sitting around too long (constipation and/or gas bloating) and clogging up all the rest of the traffic.

Check your schedule. Beets are a good stool marker. Eat three to four whole beets, noting the exact time you do this. When you see darkened stool (beets will turn it deep red), calculate how many hours have passed. That is your transit time. Some folks use black sesame seeds or dried corn kernels as markers. Check this timetable to see how on schedule you are and take the appropriate action.

• More than 24 hours: Wastes are probably sitting in your colon too long. Toxic substances that were supposed to be eliminated may be irritating your colon and getting absorbed back into your bloodstream. Increase your fiber intake by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Make sure you drink lots of water – around 64 ounces a day. Consult your doctor and/or a colonic therapist.
• 12 to 24 hours: Your bowels are functioning optimally. Keep up the good work. You’re probably keeping your colon clean and healthy through colonic hydro-therapy and/or herbal flushing.
• Less than 12 hours: You may not be absorbing all the nutrients you should from your food. Consult a health care professional and/or a colonic therapist.

With western-style diets, it is not uncommon for a very low-fiber, very high-fat and very high-calorie meal, to stay inside the digestive tract for two full days or even longer! And what happens? Auto intoxication that can include headaches, fatigue, bloating, gas, halitosis, skin problems, irritability, memory loss, rashes, weakened immune system, weight gain and so on.

Colon transit time is a key to colon health. Colon health is a key to a happier, more attractive and healthier you. Learn how to keep your colon clean and healthy. Check your schedule. You can successfully navigate the Alimentary Canal!

Photo by jpctalbot/ John Talbot