The large intestine AKA Bowel AKA Colon, comes after the small intestine in the digestive tract and measures approximately 1.5 meters in length. The large intestine is mainly responsible for storing waste, reclaiming water, maintaining the water balance, and absorbing some nutrients. It consists of the cecum, ascending colon, the transverse colon the splenic flexure, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, the rectum and anus. The GI tract from mounth to anus works by the action of smooth muscles which contract in a wave like manner to move matter along.

Dysbiosis

Dysbiosis refers to an altered state of bacterial flora in the gut. There are nine times as many bacteria in the GI tract as there are cells in the body. A theory with a lot of evidence states that an alteration in gut bacteria results in degenerative diseases.

With constipation comes changes to the gut flora and our friendly bacteria are replaced by harmful ones. These harmful bacterium produce toxins that can circulate throughout our body to be processed by the liver and kidneys. This occurrence is called autointoxication in which is the body absorbing its own toxic waste.

Constipation

For every meal we take in our body must eliminate. Activation of smooth muscle contraction in the large intestines are triggered by the meal we just ate. In addition to the waste products from food, our bowels are responsible for carrying waste product from the liver and the lymphatic/immune system.

Fiber

Fiber provdes a digestive medium for the good bacteria ro thrive. It will also absorb and help eliminate detoxfiied substaces from the liver via and gallbladder’s reliece of bile. Without fiber, 94% of the bile from our liver/gallbladder is reabsorbed in the illuim of the small intestines.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(anatomy)
Elaine N. Marieb “Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology” 7th edition Pearson Education 2003
E. Metchnikoff, “The prolongation of Life” Arna Press 1908
Michael Murray N.D. & Joseph Pizzorno N.D. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
Dr. Bernard Jensen “Dr. Jensens Guide to Better Bowel Care” Avery 1999
Udo Erasamus “Fats that Heal Fats that Kill” Alive Books 1993

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace
diagnosis by a medical doctor or provide tools for self diagnosis.