In the early seventies, my parents hopped on the bus to fiberville, leaving behind Swanson frozen dinners and Sunday morning deli. Enter, eight glasses of water per day, raw veggies, flax, bran, supplements galore, and Metamucil moments around the dinner table.
Yes, that is when our evening discussions went to pot, as in potty talk. We four kids were told to think about food going in and waste going out to prevent colon cancer and other illnesses. As a teen, I figured the folks were full of s—t, but now that I’m a parent, I know being comfortable with our own bowel function is not only human, it can save our lives.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, a regular guest on Oprah, tells us we should listen up when we go. “If it sounds like a bombardier, you know, ‘plop, plop, plop’, that’s not right because it means you’re constipated,” he explains. “It means the food is too hard by the time it comes out. It should hit the water like a diver from Acapulco hits the water with a swoosh.”
Other experts recommend studying the shape and color of our stool to see if it measures up to healthy digestion. It is the byproduct of our foods and the S shape is ideal, not pieces, or else maybe it hurt the colon while processing your food. A normal color is also a clue for good body function. Oz believes we often miss the clues. Women who complain they are often constipated or suffer terrible hemorrhoids most likely don’t drink enough water or add enough fiber to their diets.
We are a nation obsessed with health and diets, fitness and beauty, and talk about it endlessly on reality shows that focus on our bodies. I would like to see a reality show on healthy cleansing and flushing, too. We would be a healthier society, less anal retentive, a reduced colon cancer rate, brighter eyes, glowing skin.
So far, all that comes close is the Dual-Action Cleanse informercial starring Klee Irwin, who has been dubbed the Count Chocula of colon cleansing. Aside from these cleansing fixes on the market , know that a good diet and hydration goes a long way in fighting diseases, many resulting from poor digestion and bowel dysfunction.
Guess I should thank my mom and dad for those embarrassing discussions around the table. Their lessons did not go down the drain. When I feel compromised, the first line of defense is a cleanse. Did I drink enough water after that massage? Did I get enough raw foods in during my hectic week? Did I snack on too many processed foods in the pantry?
In other words, coming clean is the best way to maintain that precious machine.
