"Death begins in the colon." Different sources attribute this quote to The Royal Society of Medicine of Great Britain, Dr. Bernard Jensen and to Elie Metchnikoff, a Russian Nobel Prize-winning biologist.

No matter who said or penned it first, it seems sensible that the organ that houses the body’s waste and toxins for elimination is the same place where adverse health conditions would originate, and, consequently, health should flourish when proper care of this organ is given.

Cleansing

Most of us wash our hands many times a day to remove dirt, food residue and potential bacteria. We soap and scrub our bodies regularly to remove dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria and dirt. It only makes sense to clean the inside of our bodies periodically to help remove unprocessed food material, fiber, environmental pollutants and other debris, and to expel these same items that may be stashed in cells throughout the body. This can be achieved using herbs and nutrients that strengthen the body’s regular cleansing processes and help remove or neutralize toxins. Go here to see a list of Nature's Sunshine cleanses and detox products. 

Why Cleanse?

Just as cleaning your body’s exterior has many benefits (fresherlooking skin, removing bacteria, improving your scent), cleansing and detoxifying the body on a consistent basis offers many health benefits. These include:

• Helps remove waste/debris and toxic chemicals (preservatives, artificial colors, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) from the colon and other body cells:
• Improves digestion (removal of putrid material associated with gas, body odor, etc.)
• Helps tune up the intestinal system, which has a tendency to get sluggish without proper fiber and water
• Typically increases energy levels and promotes a feeling of well-being
• May increase nutrient absorption
• May increase efficiency of body systems and functions

To Maintain a Toxin-Free Body, Try to Avoid These:

• Artificial chemicals, including colorings, flavorings and preservatives 
• Medicines such as hormones, acid blockers and antibiotics 
• Polluted environments (air, water, strong chemicals and fumes, etc.)

Did You Know? During active weight loss is an ideal time to cleanse and detoxify. As your body burns up fat, it releases more stored toxins, which need to be removed before they get back into your bloodstream.

The Do's and Dont's of "Detox" Eating

Research shows that certain foods, nutrients and habits can greatly aid the body’s normal detoxification processes. Consider adding the following to your grocery/supplement list and start some new, clean-eating habits.

• Fresh vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, kale, onions, garlic, tomatoes, celery, cilantro, artichokes and olives 
• Fresh fruits, including pomegranate, papaya, berries, grapes, watermelon and cherries 
• Nuts and legumes 
• Whole grains (plenty of fiber in general) 
• Lean meats and eggs 
• Herbs and spices, including dandelion, burdock, green tea, rosemary, grape seeds, turmeric, licorice root, fenugreek, slippery elm and kelp. Note: mucilaginous herbs may help carry toxins out of the body. 
• Probiotics. When waste sits in the colon too long, levels of bad bacteria can escalate. Bacteria continue to work on waste matter, creating toxins that may leak through the colon wall and into the bloodstream. Probiotics (friendly bacteria) help rebalance ratios of good bacteria to bad in the colon. They also support digestion and the assimilation of some minerals. 
• Other nutrients: aloe, antioxidants and B vitamins 
• Plenty of water 

Cleansing/detoxifying your body two to four times a year should spell excellent news for your intestinal system and promote good health, energy and focus. Show your colon some love, and it will love you right back.

Sources: Detoxification 101 by Dr. Hugo Rodier, Sunshine Horizons, Jan. 2008. The Textbook of Functional Medicine 2005, 2006, The Institute for Functional Medicine

Since it is intestinal health month, we decided to graphically bring you health information concerning probably the most important part of the whole intestinal system: Poo.

Poo really is no laughing matter. Much can be learned about your intestinal health, and your overall health for that matter, by the state of your feces.

Everything from the shape, size, smell, color, could indicate disease, poor diet, or something else. Even the color and smell of your urine can give you a hint about your overall health.

I looked around the Web for some of the best graphics to help you understand your own digestive health a little bit better. And since the average human will produce 9,000 pounds of poo over their lifetimes, this should help everyone:

To see supplements for the intestinal system, go here.

Know Your Poop

What Your Poop And Pee Are Telling Your Body

++ Click to Enlarge Image ++

Source:What Your Poop and Pee Mean

The Facts About Poop

The Facts About Poop infographic

Probiotic supplements can influence your overall health in many ways. Probiotics, better known as good bacteria, help counter the body’s lack of gut flora. Most people view bacteria as harmful, disease-causing microorganisms that attack the body when in fact, probiotics do a great job at fighting infectious, harmful bacteria.

Many of us lack healthy amounts of gut flora required for optimal digestive health. These good bacteria need to be replenished and are a nutrient that the body regularly needs. Very few foods offer a natural source of probiotics. Those that do are fermented foods such as yogurt, soy drinks and miso. However, most of these foods do not contain therapeutic doses of probiotics.

When the body lacks the good bacteria needed to digest efficiently and effectively, other body systems are affected. Most noticeably affected might be the immune system. Digestive stress or improper digestion withholds essential nutrients from the life-sustaining immune system. Furthermore, probiotics play a role in fighting off harmful bacteria.

Thus the importance of probiotic supplements. These supplements are safe and easy to take if you find a healthy, substantial source of probiotics. Nature’s Sunshine has a variety of probiotic supplements. Its most popular probiotic product is Probiotic Eleven. Try probiotic supplements today for relief from intestinal stress and an overall feeling of improved health.

In June, NSP hosted a Facebook contest to find out what our customers have to say about their experiences with whole-body cleansing.  Here are their stories...

Winning Entry! I was pregnant with our 3rd baby and seeing a midwife. My allergies were absolutely horrible...I'd been taking Seldane and Allegra for years with little relief. Benadryl worked but made me horribly sleepy. So after Abbi was born, my midwife suggested I use CleanStart. After only 1 cleanse, I was totally allergy free. And except for my latex allergy, I have had no problems for the last 7 years! -Bridget Kathleen Armstrong

Aubri Nicole Colescott - I am actually doing a "raw cleanse" right now. I am on day 3. I feel great - hardly hungry which surprises me. I wanted to cleanse and detox but also hit the restart button on my body. I have lost over 100 pounds in the last year and hit a major plateau. I have also been using NSP with the help of an herbalist to continue the healing process! :-) I'd love to try your cleanse! Love your products!

Ruth Ann Dunkerly - I have been out of work for a year and half, doing a cleanse for me was leaving all the old behind and filling my body with a fresh new me!! It brings in a new attitude ;)

Shelby Cassida - Winters I am about 1/2 way through my second box of cleanse...been doing it for about 3 weeks. I have list 10 pounds and I feel amazing! I have been sleeping much better and have had a ton more energy all without any caffeine! Thank you for making such great products!

Emily Voshell - My husband and I have been doing these cleanses for several years - we always feel better after - more energy - it's time to do it again. We won't change our products - can't improve on a good thing.

Bridget Kathleen Armstrong - I was pregnant with our 3rd baby and seeing a midwife. My allergies were absolutely horrible...I'd been taking Seldane and Allegra for years with little relief. Benadryl worked but made me horribly sleepy. So after Abbi was born, my midwife suggested I use CleanStart. After only 1 cleanse, I was totally allergy free. And except for my latex allergy, I have had no problems for the last 7 years!

Julie Weberg - Hall I do these about every 9 months. Before I did the clean start, I had bad allergies and sinus problems, now they are not bad at all. I feel less bloated and it helps my raw stomach. I hardley ever get sick anymore and I used to get sick about every month and sometimes every other week, but not anymore. I have gotten several others doing the cleanse too.

Tara Elmore Siler - I feel like a new person when I'm taking the CleanStart. I have alot of health issues. Within the first 2 days of starting CleanStart, I could feel the brain fog lift and the overwhelming fatigue lift. I have a way to go but CleanStart will be in my healthy life tool kit forever! Thank you for such healing and helpful products!

Cesar Miramontes Velasquez - well i first was hesistant cause of the price.. when i received my free first clean start from my upline manager margarita de la rosa. i noticed i would wake up refresh more energetic and in a better mood. when i would hear stories that it so good that it would cleanse your conscience i was like sure whatever long and behold i would notice i had even better thoughts and i was able to retain more information and focus on positive things. so to anyone out there dont worry about spending money on your clean start wild berry to be precise or any other cleansing product you are investing on the most important thing in your life...Yourself...

Cesar Miramontes Velasquez - one of my clients gave a box to a friend in chihuahua mexico. they took the product consistently for three weeks and nothing was happening on the third week she poop a foot long hook worm and it was till squirming in the comode... ever since that testimony my hat goes off to clean start and all the magnicificent and wonderful Nature sunshine products..... :)

Ana Gonza - Hello Cesar! yes its very good products I am been using these for long time now and I love it!

Ali Dominguez - yes,clean star is very good product

Cesar Miramontes Velasquez - Keep using these wonderful products...