If you’re not pooping at least once per day or if it’s a real struggle – you’re constipated.
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⁣Pooping is like taking the trash out every day. If you’re not, bacteria builds-up and toxins can get re-absorbed into circulation.⁣
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⁣Before reaching for a laxative which can dehydrate & worsen the problem, try these 6 basics instead:⁣
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⁣ Hydrate: If you drink a lot of coffee & black teas, cut back or drink even more water to rehydrate. ⁣
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⁣ Insoluble fiber: Unlike soluble fiber which adds bulk to your stool (and may worsen the problem), insoluble fiber helps get stool moving along for easy exit.
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⁣ Healthy fats help lubricate your internal pipes and make it easier for stool to move along.⁣
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⁣Ex. avocados, nuts, seeds, eggs, olive oil, coconut oil, etc.
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⁣ Probiotics: fermented foods are loaded with healthy bacteria – way more than any probiotic supplement – and can help move things along.⁣
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⁣Ex. kefir, sauerkraut & kimchi. And if you still prefer to supplement, consider one with more Bifidobacteria than Lactobacillus strains.⁣
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⁣ Magnesium: unless someone has kidney disease, magnesium citrate supplementation is very effective at stimulating bowels and can help replenish insufficient levels.⁣
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⁣ Exercise: walk, run, dance, jump up and down – any movement will help get the blood circulating, lymphatic system flowing and bowels moving.⁣
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⁣????If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still “stuck”, consider the following:

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⁣????????Visit a gynecologist to rule out uterine misalignment⁣
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⁣????????Visit a gastroenterologist to rule out any blockages⁣
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⁣????????Ask your doc about medication side effects⁣
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⁣????????Consider eliminating common food sensitivities: dairy, gluten, corn, yeast, peas, eggs, certain nuts⁣
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⁣????????Rule out hormone imbalances; ex. hypothyroid function, diabetes⁣
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⁣????????Consider a comprehensive stool test to check digestive health & microbiome imbalances (Ex: GI Map)⁣

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave me your comments or questions below.