The foundation of any colon cleansing program must begin with a healthy diet and adequate intake of fiber and water. Your diet during a colon cleanse should be very high in fiber and fresh raw vegetables and fruits, and low in acid-forming foods that stimulate the intestines to secrete mucus. During the cleansing period, it is preferable to completely stop eating all milk products and all refined white flour products, such as pastas, breads, and baked goods, and eliminate all sugar. You should also reduce your intake of eggs, meat, chicken, most fish, nuts, seeds, and unsprouted beans and grains.
Fiber acts like a sponge, absorbing water as it goes through the stomach and the small intestine, and arrives in the colon full of moisture. Diets low in fiber cause fecal material to become dry and hard to expel, whereas a diet high in fiber will greatly reduce transit time. Fiber consists of the cell walls of plants and certain indigestible food residues. There are two basic types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The insoluble fibers are found in wheat and corn bran, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and some vegetables; they increase fecal size and weight and promote regular bowel movements. However, insoluble fibers can also irritate the bowel, especially if it is already sensitive or inflamed. Soluble fibers are not irritating to the bowel. They are found in fruits and vegetables, oat bran, barley, beans, and peas. Ingesting foods containing these fibers stimulates bowel movements, decreases appetite, and leads to weight loss. One excellent source of fiber is powdered psyllium husk. This form of fiber is most often used for intestinal cleansing because of its superior ability to absorb moisture, lubricate the intestines, and “mop up” contaminants. Other good forms of fiber are flax seed, guar gum, and apple pectin.
Soluble fiber requires copious amounts of water to carry it to the colon. Without sufficient water, the colon tries to extract every possible drop from the food we eat, which contributes to fecal matter becoming extremely dry and compacted. Adults need at least 8-10 cups of water daily, but few people drink that much. Other liquids, such as milk, coffee, tea, juice, and soda, are not substitutes for pure water. Even if your drink plenty of these other liquids, you need to consume 60-80 ounces of purified water daily.
