The colon is important, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. What happens in your body before the large intestine starts is important to consider when it comes to the goal of good colon health. Let’s talk about a very close neighbor to the colon – in fact a gatekeeper of sorts.

I’m talking about none other than the small intestine. Celiac disease, celiac sprue, or sometimes referred to as gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a common small intestine condition that is thought to be under-diagnosed. You have heard of others subscribing to a gluten-free diet, but why is that? What is Celiac disease, what does it have to do with gluten, and how does it all come together for the colon.

All that and more on this episode of The Colon Health Podcast, with special guest Jess Washington of The Gut Healing Ninja!

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer here in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer death. According to statistics compiled from the American Cancer Society, it’s predicted that 149,500 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 52,980 people will die from it this year alone. Despite the prevalence of colorectal cancer, there is still limited funding compared to other cancer research as well as large gaps in knowledge and understanding of this particular illness.

Join me in conversation with Andrea Goodman, the Vice President of Patient Support and Research Strategy at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Andrea shares more about the objectives of the Alliance and the work they’re doing to equip everyone to support their own colon health as well as the colon health of their loved ones.

Maybe you live in a rural area of the country. Perhaps you have an idea for a tremendous event but want it to include only people from your social network. Maybe you just want to learn how to better serve in the efforts against colon cancer.

Whichever might sound like you, the Colon Cancer Coalition is an organization worthy of looking into. The advocacy efforts and community involvement are remarkable, likely only surpassed by the humor of our three guests for this episode: Allison Rosen, Chris Evans, and Erin Peterson.

Take a seat, share in a laugh, and enjoy the roundtable discussion about colon cancer, the coalition, and how you can make all the difference!

It has been said that the gut is where bacteria and your immune system meet. As you know, the natural flora which live in your colon are vital to achieving and maintaining good colon health. At the same time, having a healthy and strong immune system is just as important for your overall well-being.

Today we explore the intersection between the immune system and colon health with, specifically, diet being a mediator between the two. Our guest is Toby Amidor, world-renowned nutrition expert and praised cookbook composer. During our discussion we will explore one of her more recent pieces: The Family Immunity Cookbook: 101 Easy Recipes to Boost Health. It’s time you hit the kitchen and benefit from not just improved colon health, but as Toby says it: "healthy and wholesome CAN also be appetizing and delicious!"

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death when looking at collective data including men and women. While there has been a downtrend in diagnoses among older populations, unfortunately, there has been an uptick in diagnoses in younger patients.

Reese Garcia is senior manager of research advocacy for Fight Colorectal Cancer (or, Fight CRC).

Can a low FODMAPs diet and intuitive eating help you manage irritable bowel syndrome?

Rachael Hartley, RD, LD, is a nutrition therapist, certified intuitive eating counselor and nationally-recognized food and nutrition expert. She is author of Gentle Nutrition: A Non-Diet Approach to Healthy Eating, and blogger at The Joy of Eating.

When it comes to colon health, there are countless factors to be considered. Two hot button issues in recent discussion with the media are obesity and weight loss. The controversial nature of those topics should not take the focus of how these two things might relate to colorectal cancer. While the health and functional benefits of weight loss are well-known and long-documented, how it relates to one’s risk of cancer and specifically cancer in the gastrointestinal system is going to be the focus of today’s show.

Join me in discussion with Dr. Dale Prokupek, a celebrated gastroenterologist out of Beverly Hills, California with affiliations with multiple prestigious institutions including Cedars-Sinai and UCLA. Together we will be exploring ways in which people can theoretically decrease their risk factors for development of colorectal cancer through everything from easy dietary changes to weight loss interventions – which might end up keeping you healthier and enjoying a longer life.

Show notes and transcript at Colonoscopy.com

One of the more exciting developments over the past decade in the world of colon health is the ability to screen for colorectal cancer, or even precancerous polyps, without having to undergo a colonoscopy. There are a multitude of reasons why patients around the country take heavy pause when their physician first informs them “you’re at the age where we need to start screening for colon cancer.” Some patients are worried it might be uncomfortable, others find the test embarrassing, perhaps some just feel it is too disruptive to their daily life. 

Not of these thoughts are wrong; feelings are not invalid; they are felt and experienced indiscriminately. Nevertheless, it is very important to begin screening at the age of 45 – despite those feelings – and perhaps even earlier for higher risk patients. Therein lies much of the beauty of Cologuard: a painless, less invasive, convenient screening test for colorectal cancer. While colonoscopy performed by a board-certified gastroenterologist remains the gold standard of diagnosis, this alternate screening test is gaining attention and traction. 

Ollie is a 46-year-old businessman who resides in southern California. He decided to independently pursue the Cologuard screening test after discussing options with his physician.

Unless you have been living under a rock, the three little letters “CBD” rings a bell. But what do you know exactly? This wildly popular substance has taken the integrative health scene by storm over the past decade, and it is time to sit down and explore how its claims measure up in the world of colon health. Get the scoop on CBD and what the research has shown thus far on this episode of The Colon Health Podcast. 

Scott Hawksworth is an entrepreneur, CBD expert, podcast host, and founder of The CBD Guide. 

Colonoscopies are often the butt of jokes (no pun intended), but the numerous ways in which these important procedures can improve and save your life is no laughing matter. Learn a wealth of information about the colon and colonoscopies as two physicians “talk shop” on this episode of The Colon Health Podcast. 

Dr. Kenneth Yang is a well-respected and celebrated board-certified gastroenterologist who practices in the greater Fort Worth, TX area.