5 Steps to Keep Your Colon Happy and Healthy

As we age, the risk of something going wrong in the digestive system continues to rise, due to the culmination of years of effects from such things as diet, lifestyle, diseases, and medications.

However, there are five easy steps you can take to counteract those challenges and keep your colon happy and healthy.

Eat a colon-healthy diet

• Eating things such as fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which helps our body fight against diseases.
• Add whole grains to your diet. Whole grains are full of fiber and help keep our bowels regular which helps keep our colon happy

Limit red meat

• Red meat and processed meats are high in saturated fat. 
• Skip the steak and sausage and choose chicken or fish to help keep your colon happy.

Cut back on alcohol

• Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to colon cancer
• Drinking puts our liver into overdrive which creates toxins which makes it difficult to help our colon cleanse our body

Quit Smoking

• There is a connection between smoking and colon cancer
• Smoking damages DNA and healthy cells which causes precancerous growth within our colon

Get Active

• Staying active not only reduces your risk for colon cancer but it also makes us feel good 

Dr. Bevier-Rawls specializes in Colon and Rectal Surgery at Touro. She attended Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Louisiana State University and is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.