1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Walking

Walking for Your Colon: Curing Constipation and Preventing Colon Cancer

By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com

Updated: August 21, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Getting moving gets your colon moving, too. Research shows that can cure chronic constipation as well as reduce your risks of colon cancer by one third with brisk walking and other physical exercise.

30 Minutes a Day of Brisk Walking Cures Constipation

A study of inactive, middle aged people with chronic constipation put them on a program of 30 minutes a day of brisk walking. This dramatically cured a large percentage of them of constipation, whether or not they increased fiber and water.
Constipation Overview and Treatment
Source: De Schryver AM, Keulemans YC, Peters HP, Akkermans LM, Smout AJ, De Vries WR, van Berge-Henegouwen GP. Effects of regular physical activity on defecation pattern in middle-aged patients complaining of chronic constipation., "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology" April, 2005

The Opposite Problem: Runner's Trots
Many runners and walkers find brisk physical activity a little too effective on the colon and experience diarrhea or loose stools. I have tips on how to prevent Runner's Trots.

Exercise Reduces Colon Cancer Risk by One Third

A study compared people who are average in their lifelong physical activity vs. those who were the most active. They found that the most physically active among us had 1/3 the risk of colon cancer, although the risk of rectal cancer was the same.
Source: Steindorf K, Jedrychowski W, Schmidt M, Popiela T, Penar A, Galas A, Wahrendorf J. PubMed Case-control study of lifetime occupational and recreational physical activity and risks of colon and rectal cancer., "European Journal of Cancer Prevention." August, 2005.
Colon Cancer

Explore Walking

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Walking
  4. Get Healthy Walking
  5. Benefits of Walking
  6. Cancer Prevention
  7. Walking for Your Colon: Curing Constipation and Preventing Colon Cancer

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.