Word Picture: How is the Colon Like a Tube of Toothpaste?
Actually, I have ADD (sort of) and there are so many shiny objects grabbing my attention to write about that I can’t pick one. So I thought it was time for another word picture.
First a little background information.
Many years ago I had the great pleasure of sitting at the feet (not literally) of Dr. Denis Burkitt a great physician/surgeon, recipient of the highest international medical awards, Christian missionary and teacher, and renowned medical scholar, whose epidemiological studies in Africa led, among other things to the first links between viral disease and the development of some types of cancer. His mapping of the incidence of a particular tumor in children across parts of Africa led to the connection between it and the spread of a virus, probably via insect bites. The tumor bears his name: Burkitt’s Lymphoma.
He is further known for changing the way the West looks at dietary health, being among the first to point out the dangers of refined carbohydrates and the benefits of foods rich in dietary fiber. I remember his lecture on the topic to this day and believe I have repeated portions of it to thousands of patients over the last thirty years.
The lecture contained, among other things, his observations that in Third World countries (the well-fed ones, at least) there was a nearly complete absence of medical conditions that we find common in the West. Notable among these diseases are, hemorrhoids and anal fissures, hernias, varicose veins, diverticulitis, appendicitis, colitis, colon cancers, and others.
What do those countries lacking in all these diseases have in common? Diets high in plant fiber.
How does lack of fiber aggravate or predispose a human body to conditions of the colon and lower part of the body? Well, first of all, if there’s not enough bulk passing through the gastrointestinal tract, things move a lot slower. If things hang out in the colon too long, the action of bacteria causes the build up of unhealthy and inflammatory toxins that can affect, not just the colon and small intestine, but the entire body (there’s a whole series of blogs that could come here about the immune system and the GI tract).
Second, (and please pardon the rest of this illustration, because there’s no way to make the point without being a little bit graphic), a hard, formed bowel movement just doesn’t pass as easily and requires more pressure in the lower bowel and pelvis to, well, move.
It’s the pressure thing that causes problems. You ladies with children will understand well the increased problems with hemorrhoids and swollen veins in the legs (and other places) as pregnancy progresses. Of course this happens… there’s a big growing lump in your uterus and it’s creating a lot of pressure “down there”.
Well, this happens every day in small subtle ways to every man, woman, and child who doesn’t consume enough fiber. Increased pressure in the lower bowel, thus increased pressure in the vein and lymphatic systems of the entire abdomen and lower half of the body can cause a lot of issues. Throw in being overweight and there are even more issues.
Dr. Burkitt was fond of pointing out that God designed the human mouth with a lot of grinding teeth. This design alone points to the fact that just maybe we should eat more of what our bodies were made for! My apologies again to the squeamish for this next part, but he also said that what we Westerners are accustomed to seeing as “normal” in our toilets is decidedly NOT normal. The results of our bathroom efforts should actually be somewhat closer to what we might see in a cow pasture!
Okay, there, I’ve said it.
Oh…. right…. What in the world does this have to do with a tube of toothpaste?
Ever notice how much effort, squeezing, and twisting it takes to get out that last little bit of toothpaste? A lot of pressure generated with little results.
A brand new really full tube? Little effort. Great results. Just like the colon and a lot of fiber!
You’ll never look at Crest or Colgate the same again.
Actually, I have ADD (sort of) and there are so many shiny objects grabbing my attention to write about that I can’t pick one. So I thought it was time for another word picture.
First a little background information.
Many years ago I had the great pleasure of sitting at the feet (not literally) of Dr. Denis Burkitt a great physician/surgeon, recipient of the highest international medical awards, Christian missionary and teacher, and renowned medical scholar, whose epidemiological studies in Africa led, among other things to the first links between viral disease and the development of some types of cancer. His mapping of the incidence of a particular tumor in children across parts of Africa led to the connection between it and the spread of a virus, probably via insect bites. The tumor bears his name: Burkitt’s Lymphoma.
He is further known for changing the way the West looks at dietary health, being among the first to point out the dangers of refined carbohydrates and the benefits of foods rich in dietary fiber. I remember his lecture on the topic to this day and believe I have repeated portions of it to thousands of patients over the last thirty years.
The lecture contained, among other things, his observations that in Third World countries (the well-fed ones, at least) there was a nearly complete absence of medical conditions that we find common in the West. Notable among these diseases are, hemorrhoids and anal fissures, hernias, varicose veins, diverticulitis, appendicitis, colitis, colon cancers, and others.
What do those countries lacking in all these diseases have in common? Diets high in plant fiber.
How does lack of fiber aggravate or predispose a human body to conditions of the colon and lower part of the body? Well, first of all, if there’s not enough bulk passing through the gastrointestinal tract, things move a lot slower. If things hang out in the colon too long, the action of bacteria causes the build up of unhealthy and inflammatory toxins that can affect, not just the colon and small intestine, but the entire body (there’s a whole series of blogs that could come here about the immune system and the GI tract).
Second, (and please pardon the rest of this illustration, because there’s no way to make the point without being a little bit graphic), a hard, formed bowel movement just doesn’t pass as easily and requires more pressure in the lower bowel and pelvis to, well, move.
It’s the pressure thing that causes problems. You ladies with children will understand well the increased problems with hemorrhoids and swollen veins in the legs (and other places) as pregnancy progresses. Of course this happens… there’s a big growing lump in your uterus and it’s creating a lot of pressure “down there”.
Well, this happens every day in small subtle ways to every man, woman, and child who doesn’t consume enough fiber. Increased pressure in the lower bowel, thus increased pressure in the vein and lymphatic systems of the entire abdomen and lower half of the body can cause a lot of issues. Throw in being overweight and there are even more issues.
Dr. Burkitt was fond of pointing out that God designed the human mouth with a lot of grinding teeth. This design alone points to the fact that just maybe we should eat more of what our bodies were made for! My apologies again to the squeamish for this next part, but he also said that what we Westerners are accustomed to seeing as “normal” in our toilets is decidedly NOT normal. The results of our bathroom efforts should actually be somewhat closer to what we might see in a cow pasture!
Okay, there, I’ve said it.
Oh…. right…. What in the world does this have to do with a tube of toothpaste?
Ever notice how much effort, squeezing, and twisting it takes to get out that last little bit of toothpaste? A lot of pressure generated with little results.
A brand new really full tube? Little effort. Great results. Just like the colon and a lot of fiber!
You’ll never look at Crest or Colgate the same again.