There is so much information about the do’s and don’ts, the how-to, the how-many, and the shapes, sizes, and smells of poos, yet, let's be fair, no one wants to really talk about it. But the bowel plays an extremely important role in many aspects of our health that it simply cannot be ignored.

For optimum health, the bowel should move every single day. The amount of waste matter that ends up in the bowel (the colon, which is approx. (5 ft long on average) is between 3 and 5 kg every day. It is not only food (remember most of the food you ingest is not absorbed into the body as it only needs the microscopic nutrients in the food fibre) that ends up in the colon on a daily basis; it is also all the dying body cells and waste that ends up in the colon. In other words, it gets very full each day and thus should be emptied daily. If foods stay in the bowl too long, bowel bacteria, etc., can start to become imbalanced, bringing unpleasant side effects.

Healthy bowel movements are those that allow you to empty your colon often enough that you don’t feel bloated or in pain, and you don’t have to strain hard to get the job done. Much can be learned about your overall health by the shape, size, smell, and colour of your feces, which is made up of undigested food, bacteria, mucus, and dead cells.

Sadly, however, there are millions of visits to doctors each year for gastrointestinal and bowel conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's, colitis, constipation, leaky gut, and bowel cancer, one of the highest rates in the world. The good news is maintaining good colon health is easy, and the things that are good for your colon are also good for your heart, brain, kidneys, liver, skin, hair, and overall well-being.

If you do experience uncomfortable bowel movements or they become irregular, don’t ignore the situation. It could simply be your diet is lacking fiber, you’re dehydrated, or you're not getting enough exercise. Vacations and other types of traveling can cause changes in your bowel habits as you are often eating different types of food, not moving as much, and are out of your usual bathroom routine. Another common reason is medications, as many of these can have a side effect of constipation.

To keep the digestive process working smoothly, try to include daily servings of fruits and vegetables and high-fiber grains, good oils, and water; remember to move, exercise regularly, keep a healthy weight, and limit alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.

To bolster your daily routine, you can also add in natural supplements such as Nature’s Sunshine Lower Bowel Support. This gentle formula is designed to support bowel regularity, digestive, and liver function; helps cleanse and detoxify toxins and parasites; and aids symptoms of intestinal discomfort.