Just as diet can have a positive or negative impact on heart, brain and bone health, your colon’s overall health can be affected by what you eat.
The colon is a crucial part of the digestive system, and many different conditions can cause it to work improperly. Some of these include inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; diverticular disease; irritable bowel syndrome; and colorectal cancer, according to Rush University Medical Center.
Treatment for these conditions includes diet and lifestyle modifications, medications and/or surgery.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most serious colon diseases. Risk factors for colon cancer include age (risk increases over age 50); race (Blacks have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S.); family history; previous polyps; inflammatory bowel disease; smoking; physical inactivity; and heavy alcohol use.
