Chronic constipation is directly related to poor diets, lack of proper exercise, insufficient fiber, highly mucus-forming foods, stress, high protein diets, and improper food-combining.
It can also be genetic.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome has exploded worldwide. Far too many people suffer from irregularity and don't really understand why. There are however, various and numerous causes.
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, famous surgeon and physician and the father of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, believed that the bowel could be the origin of most health problems, hence his creation of a bran cereal to aid in colon function. He maintained that 90% of disease is due to improper functioning of the colon.
After performing over 20,000 colon surgeries, Dr. Kellogg exclaimed that in his lifetime, he had never, ever seen one healthy colon. Common sense tells us that if we retain the contents of our colon the result will be disease of the body, which may originate in the colon. Since newly formed cancer cells escape destruction by the immune system due to the effects of auto-intoxication, we are literally poisoning ourselves into illness when bowel evacuation is deficient.
However just like everyone else, there are days when 'candy is dandy' and I don't include as many healthy foods as I know I should. Sometimes it is a matter of convenience, but most of the time it’s because of tough working schedules!
You too, may have suffered from 'irregularity' all your life. However, your bowel movements should be regular, frequent, and look relatively healthy. If you don't eliminate what you take in, then surely things must not be going well internally. This led me to experiment using different methods to achieve a good end result. (pun intended) If you're reading this, then you are probably looking for good results too!
Feeling constipated is one of the most uncomfortable feelings you can have! It just makes you feel yucky, fat, and bloated. Clothes don't fit well. Motivation is low and that toxic feeling is overwhelming. Everyone should know a few ways to relieve the pain of it all!
How to Relieve Chronic Constipation
Did you know that your intestines are home to billions of bacteria? Good and bad. The friendly bacteria that are found in your intestinal tract are your first line of immune defense. They aid digestion and absorption of nutrients from your foods, help produce B vitamins, and help control cholesterol levels.
If you have chronic constipation, you need to take an active role in assuring you have plenty of the friendly bacteria in your intestines to protect you. You should replenish and stabilize your body's supply of friendly bacteria with proper diet and probiotics and/or digestive enzymes regularly.
There are some great products on the market that really help! Multienzyme probiotics have been my life saver. Just make sure the supplements you choose have a least 2 billion (or more) active bacteria in them and be sure to read the directions for dosage on the products you buy. They are all a bit different and you can always take more if a daily serving isn't doing the trick. You can't overdose on enzymes!
*Did you know? Pineapple contains a natural digestive enzyme called Bromelain. It also helps speed up metabolism for anyone who is Blood Type A. You can use pineapple juice or powdered bromelain as a natural tenderizer for meats before you cook them.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that a person should have a bowel movement after each meal! Imagine that! The fact is, that I only know one person whose digestive tract is like that and she eats a raw foods diet. You might try this too. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me but it might for you and might be worth a try!
'Once a day' is the staple of what we are taught to believe is normal, especially in the U.S. But the fact is that it’s not 'normal'. There are many ways to help aid chronic constipation that are totally natural and work better than costly prescription drugs.
Fiber is your best friend if you suffer from IBS or chronic constipation. Everyone needs at least 20 - 35 grams of fiber per day. Most Americans only get 14 grams. If you're stopped up all the time, you're simply not getting enough. Dietary fiber is extremely important to maintain good bowel health. Increasing your fiber intake can also help you lose weight.
There are two kinds of fiber however, which are soluble and insoluble fiber. Although both kinds are important in your diet, soluble fiber has the most benefits when you don't use the bathroom regularly. Beans, quinoa, cereals, oatmeal and some nuts, fruits, and starchy vegetables contain soluble fiber, which helps ease defecation. If you can't get enough fiber in your diet to make a difference, use natural fiber supplements and include more high fiber snacks in your diet to help move things along!
Moderate oil consumption seems to help some people with chronic constipation. A daily tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil could do the trick and help boost omega 3 fatty oils in your body. Just remember that too much rich oils can raise cholesterol levels so don't overdo it. However, get the right daily serving and you may find that your cholesterol levels have dropped.
To relieve chronic constipation, your diet should be rich in high fiber foods and foods that promote probiotic growth. Constipation is especially nerve racking when you know of all the medical problems it can cause but stress itself can be problematic. If you don't solve your constipation issues, you may be setting yourself up for a variety of problems which may also result in medical disorders or diseases.
Use the pages below and start getting educated about evacuation. Its just common sense to learn as you go in life to make improvements!
As with all natural products, always consult your physician before using natural remedies, especially for anyone with preexisting conditions or anyone currently taking prescription medications. The advice offered by this website is not intended to replace a mutual relationship with a medical provider.