Colorectal cancer is one of the top cancers that kill throughout the world. It is the number two deadliest cancer in America. Most people are uncomfortable talking about colon and digestive issues because they were taught at a young age to not talk about their bodily functions. Some people don't even look at their stools before they flush. But our colon health can tell us a lot about our overall health. And if our colon isn't healthy, the rest of our body will eventually become unhealthy, too. Colon cleansing can help.

Your colon becomes contaminated with toxins when fecal matter gets stuck to the walls and in the pockets of the lower intestine. This fecal matter ferments and becomes a breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria. This can cause bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. In turn, your digestive system gets even more out of whack. The more toxic bacteria in your colon, the more toxins leach back into your bloodstream. These toxins can cause many different health problems. Following are twenty health problems that can be prevented or reduced in severity by colon cleansing regularly:

1.Age spots

2.Bad breath (halitosis)

3.Bloating

4.Candida

5.Constipation

6.Diarrhea

7.Diverticulitis

8.Diverticulosis

9.Dull skin tone

10.Eczema

11.Fatigue

12.Gas

13.Inability to lose weight or weight gain

14.Indigestion

15.Intestinal organism infection

16.Irritable Bowel Syndrome

17.Joint pain or stiffness

18.Lower back pain

19.Muscle aches

20.Poor digestion

Colon cleansing breaks down hardened fecal matter so it can pass and also purges many intestinal parasites. A colon cleanse can be done by having a colonic, also called colon hydrotherapy. This is a procedure that should only be done by a licensed hydrotherapist and is not appropriate for people with some preexisting colon conditions.

Other colon cleanses involve fasting and herbal and probiotic supplements or a very restricted diet plus the supplements. These colon cleansing plans usually last for less than a week. Then you start reintroducing foods into your diet, but you keep eating colon-friendly foods.

These colon-friendly foods will help keep your colon cleansed naturally and will keep you at a lower risk for colorectal cancer:

* Fibrous fruits like pears, apples, figs and blueberries

* Fibrous veggies like turnip greens, peas and brussels sprouts

* Fiber plus protein found in most all beans

* Whole grains and whole grain foods like flaxseed and oatmeal

* Yogurt which contains live, colon-friendly, bacteria

These foods should be eaten rarely to maintain a healthy colon:

- Red meats and animal fat

- All dairy except yogurt

- Refined sugars

- Most all fast foods or other heavily processed or preserved foods

If you are like most of us eating a typical American diet, fast food almost qualifies as a staple of our diet and, for the most part, fast food includes all of the bad foods for our colon in a single meal. The other meals we eat aren't exactly greens and beans.

To jumpstart a healthy colon, a colon cleanse may be a good idea for you. Pick a colon cleansing system with help from your doctor and alternative healthcare provider. A colon cleanse will improve your health physically and mentally. Not only will you be healthier but you will actually feel the positive effects of a colon cleansing.