The Colon is an extremely important organ in its own right. The Colon and its resident trillions of bacteria carry out a number of vital functions pertaining to the health of your whole body. These include the completion of the digestive process involving absorption of water-soluble nutrients, the synthesis of valuable nutrients such as vitamin K, short chain fatty acids and portions of the vitamin B complex, energy production and immunity provision. The Colon is a major part of the excretory system, (which also includes the Kidneys, Liver, Lungs and the Skin) and is responsible for eliminating food and other bodily wastes. The healthy Colon provides an important role in protecting us from infection and disease. In a normal functioning Colon, this is achieved with the help of approximately one hundred trillion friendly bacteria, which inhabit the Colon and make up some 70% of the dry weight of our fecal waste. The Colon is principally controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system, a branch of the nervous system which controls resting, relaxing, rebuilding and digestive functions. However, the delicate balance of this internal ecosystem can very easily be disturbed by a number of factors including stress, pollution, poor food and drink choices, certain medications, including antibiotics, smoking, exposure to toxic substances and food preservatives.