How Much Toxic Waste is Trapped in Your Body Colon?
Long term toxic waste buildup can quickly turn into a serious health problem and risk factor for a number of different conditions. The scary truth is that most people are walking around with toxic waste trapped in their body.
We’re talking about poop, and how not having regular bowel movements can lead to long term health issues, digestive system imbalances, and even weight gain.
In this article, we are also going to explore what happens if you hold in your bowel movements too much, and the importance of detoxing toxic waste from your body to help cleanse your colon, and also assist in weight loss.
How Much Poop is in Your Intestine?
Let’s start by talking about the problem with having this toxic waste sitting around in your intestines.
The average adult has 2-9 kg of Poop trapped in their digestive system
Yup, you heard that right, and with that much trapped 💩 poop just sitting inside your digestive tract, it is bound to lead to some pretty serious health problems.
How Much Waste Can Your Intestines Hold?
In the book The Truth About Poop, author Susan E. Goodman states that people produce one ounce (~28 gr) of poop for each 12 pounds (5.4 kg) of their body weight. This means the more you weigh, the heavier your poop will be.
American women aged 20 years and above weigh an average of 170.6 pounds (lbs) / 77 kg, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Your intestines can hold 2 to 18 kg of waste in your body
This 💩 toxic sludge is literally just hanging out the small and large intestine which can lead to fecal toxicity and a whole host of other problems such as.
» Irritable bowel syndrome
» Constipation
» Diarrhoea
» Leaky gut
» Eczema and other skin-related health issues
The Problem with Infrequent Bowel Movements in Relation to Toxic Waste Buildup
As you can see, having a buildup of toxic waste rotting away inside your intestines can lead to a whole host of health problems. But, that’s not all.
With gut health at the center of the overall health of our bodies, having any type of digestive health imbalance can lead to conditions such as:
» Obesity
» Mood imbalances
» Weight gain
» Inflammation
» Sleep disruption
And, many people wonder what can happen if you hold in your bowel movements too much. Will it actually cause this toxic waste buildup? Over time, the answer is yes, and it doesn’t take very long for that 2 to 9 Kg to pile up. So, in addition to increasing the toxic waste sitting in the intestines, holding your bowel movements too much can make your stools too hard which can make it difficult to pass a bowel movement when you eventually do go. Hard stools can then lead to anal fissures and hemorrhoids…not fun. (1)
Not passing regular bowel movements is defined as constipation which is when you pass fewer than three stools per week.
And, as if toxic waste build-up isn’t bad enough when it comes to not going to the bathroom enough, constipation can also lead to other uncomfortable side effects such as bloating and stomach pain.
Constipation Risk Factors
So, who’s at risk for constipation and thus at a bigger risk of this toxic waste build up in the small and large intestines? Adults are at a bit of a higher risk than younger children as the gastrocolic reflex which is the reflex that brings on that urge to have a bowel movement after eating, tends to diminish as we age. (2) Most adults are living much busier and more distracted lives than children, so they may ignore that urge to use the bathroom after eating. This can lead to holding a bowel movement in for too long and leading to that toxic waste build up.
The Importance of Detoxing Toxic Waste From Your Body
We know that toxins, in general, are downright harmful to our overall health, and having them just sit and fester in our intestines is certainly a motivating factor to detox this toxic waste from the body. We want to flush out these toxins to help reduce the chance of pathogenic bacteria from taking hold of our digestive tract, to help prevent diseases related to poor gut health (obesity, diabetes, depression, poor immune health, and even cardiovascular disease,) and detoxing toxic waste from your body is also essential to successful weight loss.
One of the best ways to start gently detoxing this waste from your body is to make sure you are having a bowel movement daily. This brings us to the next question of what is the best way to have a clean stomach in the morning and why is having a clean stomach first thing in the AM so important?
Starting your day by training your body to have a bowel movement first thing after breakfast is a great way to prevent constipation, while also giving your digestive system a boost. When you flush out some of that built up waste in the morning, you also boost your overall digestive health and may experience a boost in energy as you start your morning. You may also be less bloated, gassy, and irritable as the day goes on.
One of the best ways to have a clean stomach in the morning is to start your day by taking a probiotic supplement and also drinking a warm glass of water with some freshly squeezed lemon juice. This will really help get things moving in a gentle yet effective way. Moving your body gently through yoga or a brisk walk is also super beneficial for daily, morning bowel movements.
Once you start detoxing your body from these pounds of built-up toxic waste, you may also notice how much easier it is to shed excess weight. So, how exactly does detoxing make you lose weight? Detoxing your body of these toxins can literally help you shed extra pounds your body has been holding onto in the form of stool buildup. Detoxing your body is also a great way to flush out any built up toxins in your body that may be clinging onto fat. Once you flush out these toxins, your body may have an easier time letting go of built up fat.
So, if detox and cleansing your stomach first thing in the morning is beneficial for overall health and weight loss, is it true that cleansing your colon is good? A good colon cleanse is not only beneficial for cleansing the body of toxins, but it can also help support weight loss.
A colon cleanse, when done properly, such as through supporting natural detoxification by supporting optimal digestive health may help reduce fatigue, improve the immune system, and assist in weight loss. (3) Keep in mind that radical colon cleanses are not recommended. Taking a gentle approach by supplementing with a probiotic, having daily bowel movements, and using our tips below to support optimal digestive function are all great ways to help keep your colon clean and toxin-free.
Tips to Improve Digestive Health to Help Support Toxic Waste Removal
Ok, so what exactly can you do to improve the body’s digestive system and thus help support natural detoxification and toxin removal? Here are seven tips to help you get started.
High Fiber Diet
A high fiber diet is a great way to bulk up your stool, and make it easier to have a bowel movement daily. Fiber-rich foods are also great for feeding the healthy bacteria in the gut, an essential part of supporting proper digestive function. Try adding more oats, quinoa, dark leafy greens, chia, and flax seeds to your diet for a fiber boost.
Drinking Plenty of Water
As we have already talked about, drinking a cup of warm lemon water in the morning is a great way to get the bowels moving and the metabolism revved. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is another key part of making sure the toxins are being flushed out of your body regularly, so you can prevent the buildup of waste in your intestines.
Eliminate Processed Foods
Processed and artificial foods can really put a burden on the body, including your digestive system. They can lead to inflammation, and inflammation is at the root of nearly all disease seen today including certain autoimmune diseases that can affect your digestive system like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis. Be sure to eliminate as many packaged and processed foods from your diet as you can and replace them with whole and natural foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds
Boost Vitamin and Mineral Reserves
Being nutrient deficient may lead to constipation. Things like magnesium can help support regular bowel movements, so try getting plenty of magnesium-rich foods into your diet like pumpkin seeds, almonds, and dark leafy greens.
Have a Bowel Movement Daily
This one goes without saying as this is essentially the whole basis of talking about the topic of cleansing your colon and removing toxic waste buildup daily. However, it’s important to reiterate the importance of having a bowel movement daily, not only to help support digestive health but to also help cleanse the body of built up toxins that can affect different organ systems. Long term constipation can lead to things like anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or even fecal impaction which is the accumulation of stool that gets stuck in your intestines. (4)
Supplement with a Probiotic
Supplementing with a probiotic is a great idea for so many different reasons, and supporting regular bowel movements and proper digestion is a big part of why everyone should consider adding one to their supplement routine. If you suffer from constipation regularly, probiotics may help promote regularity by boosting the beneficial bacteria in your gut and supporting those with a slower digestive system.
Exercise Regularly
Last, but certainly not least is to exercise regularly. Now, you don’t need to go to the gym daily, a simple brisk walk or at home yoga practice will do. The body was not designed to be sedentary, and with a sedentary lifestyle comes a blocked and slower digestive system. Try to move on a daily basis to get that toxic waste moving out of your body.
The Bottom Line
Toxic waste trapped in your digestive system can cause a whole slew of health issues, and there’s no denying that. The great news is that there are things you can do to gain better control of your gut health and promote bowel regularity to actively flush out these built up toxins on a daily basis.
If you suffer from poor bowel habits, consider adding a probiotic to your supplement routine, exercise daily, adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, and starting your day with a glass of warm lemon water. Once you start eliminating some of these toxins, you would be shocked at how much more energy you have, and how much better you feel every single day.
