Scare stories and hype abound in health articles and have for generations. It's no shame to want to help people, or sell them products and services. Quite the contrary, both sides benefit from good information and good deals. But there are few areas where there is so much that falls only a little bit short of con games, if not outright lunacy.

The best way to protect yourself against scams, and yet still get the health information and goods you need for optimal well being, is to arm yourself by informing yourself. That is nowhere more true than in judging your colon health.

It's often said that 90% of disease starts in the colon. Unfortunately for those who say it, scientific research doesn't back up the claim. Yet, it remains true that your digestive system is central to your overall health. Having it work properly is one key to good health.

"No news is good news" is a valid rule of thumb to follow when it comes to judging colon health. Nearly everyone will suffer mild stomach upset, constipation, or diarrhea at some time, particularly as he or she grows older. But if you have no persistent bouts that is one good sign.

But, like any rule of thumb, it's not a universal law, just a guideline. It helps to have regular checkups that may involve endoscopy, colonoscopy, X-rays, and other investigative techniques, especially if symptoms of digestive disorder last for more than a few days in the absence of a cold. Sometimes that time frame is shorter if you experience rectal bleeding or bloody stool. More than a day of that generally signals something that needs to be looked after. If the amount of blood is substantial, seek attention immediately.

There is a wide range of colon conditions that can lead to other common symptoms - abdominal cramps, diarrhea, excess gas, and others. Just listing colon illnesses could alone fill an article. You can minimize the odds of contracting one through proper care, which will also help you focus on how to judge the results of your efforts.

While the benefits are sometimes overstated (aren't they usually in health issues, the flip side of scare tactics?), adequate fiber is good for digestive health. Intake of 20-35 grams per day of this material that is actually indigestible does promote intestinal health. People lack the enzyme to break down the polysaccharides in fiber, but gut flora do it pretty well. That may be ironic, but it's well founded by hundreds of studies from reputable sources reported by the American Cancer Society, the Mayo Clinic, and others.

A proper diet extends well beyond that and contributes to colon health as much as it does to general well being. But, no matter what the latest diet fad may suggest, the amount consumed is still an important component of any plan. Portion control to keep total calories to a level appropriate for your body type and metabolism is vital. No matter the details, energy consumed minus energy used = energy left over that gets stored as fat.

There's no magic to judging and maintaining good colon health. Eat right, exercise appropriately, and try to keep your stress level moderate or lower. Pay attention to the signs of trouble and seek professional guidance when they persist. Just like your grandmother always told you.

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Cleanse Colon Naturally You might never have thought about this before – about why you have a stomach pouch (aka beer belly) ,powerful food cravings or other digestive issues. One of the best ways to give your health a kick start is to do a natural colon cleanse to clean out harmful toxins and waste matter with the side benefits of losing weight naturally.