Did you know that the digestive tract is one long tube from mouth to bottom? When we think of it like that it makes so much sense that routine cleansing is necessary for keeping us healthy and thriving. When it comes to cleansing, the colon plays a starring role—think of it as the body's key piece of the plumbing system.

THE COLON AT A GLANCE

• A key component of the digestive system, located in the lower digestive tract
• Is critical for immune function and brain function as well as digestion
• Can easily get backed up and overwhelmed with our current lifestyles
• Can be the cause of many health problems not related to digestion

Over time, waste, toxins, and undigested food build up in your colon, leading to sluggish digestion, bloating, and even fatigue and non-digestive symptoms. In fact, the average person is holding onto 7lbs of stagnant, unprocessed matter in their colon.

Toxins and waste that remain in the colon fester over time and create a whole host of issues–from parasites to infections to cancer. These toxins then spill out into the body, promoting an inflammatory environment where things like arthritis, fibromyalgia, skin issues, fatigue, and more take the stage.

While it may seem counterintuitive to some, if you're struggling with any of the above or any sort of health issue, a cleanse is likely just what your body needs.

CLEANING THE PLUMBING
Just like you wouldn't ignore a clogged drain, giving your colon a regular flush is key to health and vitality. It keeps things moving properly and prevents the opportunity for unwelcome things to grow!

Cleansing the colon is also about more than just physical benefits. When your digestive system is working efficiently, you also have more energy and mental clarity! When your body isn't weighed down by toxins, unprocessed waste, parasites, or a bad mix of bacteria, you feel lighter and more vibrant.

The colon is the cornerstone of…

• Immunity - 70-80% of your immune system is determined by your gut health. Allergies, illness, digestive disorders, and more are all related to the health of the bacteria in the colon.
• Brain Function - Turns out that your brain isn't the one in charge–your gut actually sends far more information to your brain than your brain sends to your gut! This means your gut can directly impact your mental health, leading to issues like anxiety and depression.

COLON CLEANSING
When it comes to cleaning out the colon, many people tend towards laxatives or enemas to clear out the backed up contents. Unfortunately, these can cause the body to become dependent on them, and the colon will actually become less active–not what you want!

One thing we want to really focus on with colon cleansing is to clear out the mucous lining that forms as a result of processed food, pasteurized dairy products and white flour, etc. Many of these foods (especially in combination), create a hard, mucous lining along the colon.

A good cleanse will remove this lining and also support the kidneys and liver as well, since toxins are released when cleansing, and we want these organs to be able to help flush them out of the body. This is why we recommend the Cleansing Trio from Young Living.

THE CLEANSING TRIO
This collection of supplements is a perfect way to cleanse. It consists of three supplements that are effective for cleaning out the plumbing as well as increasing the absorption of nutrients from the food you eat!

• Comfortone: This supplement is designed to restore movement to the colon. It is common for your digestive system to feel rumbly while taking.
• ICP: This blend of fiber and herbs helps provide nutrition and acts as a scouring agent to help the colon release its contents.
• Essentialzyme: These digestive enzymes help break up plaque in the colon and absorb toxins.

HOW TO USE THE CLEANSING TRIO
Each person will have a slightly different regimen when it comes to using the Cleansing Trio, and that is a good thing! We want to be able to customize what our body needs. Here are some things to consider.

• Drink three quarts of pure, filtered water daily (12 eight ounce glasses) while cleansing.
• Start with 1 Comfortone capsule in the morning. On day 2, increase to morning and evening. Increase by one capsule each day, alternating morning and evening, until you are having 2-3 bowel movements per day.
• After you have achieved 2-3 good bowel movements per day, add 1 teaspoonful of ICP powder to your morning routine with the Comfortone. Increase by ½ teaspoonful daily until you are achieving large, bulky stools but are not constipated. The goal is 1 Tablespoon of ICP twice a day.
• Take 1 Essentialzyme tablet between meals.
• Continue this until you have cleansed the colon completely, passed the mucous lining and are having 2-3 good, easy bowel movements per day. This will take months, so stay with it!
• To encourage healthy gut flora, add Life 9 to your daily routine and consume healthy fats like avocado oil, coconut oil, and grassfed butter (if you eat dairy).
• As far as diet, focus on whole grains, organic fruits and vegetables, and absolutely drink lots of water throughout the day!
• If you are really struggling with constipation, consider taking 8-10 capsules the first day to clear things out quickly. Then, decrease the amount by one capsule a day. Note that this will work quickly, so be close to the bathrooms!

DAILY HABITS FOR A HEALTHY COLON
The goal for a healthy colon is to have 2-3 bowel movements a day that are easy to pass, well-formed and float. Cleansing as well as daily habits help you achieve this goal!

• Drink lots of water with minerals!! Add Mineral Essence to your water as well as salt or electrolyte packets.
• Take digestive enzymes like Essentialzymes-4 to improve digestive health and pancreatic function while reducing pancreatic stress.
• Eat whole, unprocessed foods, organic vegetables and fruits, and high quality meat/protein sources.
• Cleanse routinely to make sure that your body is not bogged down. The Cleansing Trio is a wonderful option for a colon cleanse (ideally do this in the fall).