It certainly doesn’t conjure up pretty thoughts, does it?

My husband’s friends have many colorful metaphors for it.  Movies make fun of it.  It’s the first thing that seems to come to mind when things go wrong. (I know, I’ve heard many a person use the metaphor when things have gone wrong. – okay, I’ve used it too.)

The problem is, we don’t talk about it. Poop just isn’t discussed, it is almost taboo. Yet, our poop can tell us a lot!  (I’m NOT saying I want you to email me photos of your poop! – have a friend who does this to his wife)  What I AM saying is, “When we look at our poop, it can tell us a LOT about our health.” – Current health and even FUTURE health!

Why look at poop?

• Americans are suffering from colon problems that are affecting over 90% of the population!
• 79% of our immune systems are located near our colon & digestive tracts.
• Most colon ‘diseases’ come directly from impaction, miscellaneous debris, or toxic materials that are formed in the colon and generate toxins throughout the rest of the body – a direct cause of many diseases

What GOOD poop looks like. (Yes, I AM going THERE)

• Medium brown
  • Prolonged periods of a different color could indicate issues that need investigated
• 1/2 inch in diameter
  • The size of a healthy, clean colon
• ~24 inches per day (about 2 pounds)
  • NO, you don’t need to measure – just guestimate
• Little to no odor
• Doesn’t leave a mess behind
• Does it sink or swim?
  • It should gently and easily “dive” into the pool (toilet)
  • It should settle in the water
    • Diver – too little fiber in your diet
    • Floater – too much undigested fat
• 2-3 times per day (YES, PER DAY)
  • Big meal in SHOULD = Big meal out (A healthy bowel moves after every significant meal.

What to do when things “don’t look good.”

• Hydrate – constipation is often caused by dehydration. DRINK MORE WATER
  • Drink water 30 minutes before your meal and 2 hours after your meal to increase the effectiveness of digestion enzymes
  • Technically, you should avoid drinking during a meal to prevent the dilution of those important digestion enzymes
• Supplement with Calcium/Magnesium or VitalMag – magnesium is a gentle mineral that brings water into the colon among many other things
• 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
  • FIBER IS KEY
  • Eat nutrient dense foods – not processed crap
• Flax seed is a great way to add fiber
• Lubrication (NOT THAT WAY)
  • Oils help provide smooth and gentle elimination – THINK:
    • Flax seed oil
    • Cold water fish
    • Supplements like EPA or GLA
• Exercise – get things a movin’ and a shakin’

Why NOT OTC laxatives?

• Laxatives come with side effects that are detrimental to your health and they don’t FIX IT.
• Mineral Oil is BAD
  • the body does not absorb it
  • it prevents digestive juices from getting to the food you eat
  • it prevents the lining of the intestine wall from absorbing the good nutrients you need
• Herbal formulas increase the peristaltic action of the colon and help it function better

Herbs to move constipation on out…

• Senna leaf
• Alfalfa LEAF (note alfalfa LEAF – not the rest of the plant)
• Anise seed
• Blue malva flower
• Buckthorn rood
• Culver’s root (not their burgers)
• Fennel seed
• Licorice root
• Rhubarb root (NOT their leaves)

When we can say, “That’s some good poop!” we know our immune system and our bodies are in good health, making healthy cells.

For more information on achieving “perfect poop” feel free to contact me.  Would love to discuss  your health and how we could move it along!

sources:

Treasures of Health Nutrition Manual, Annette Reeder & Dr. Richard Couey

Why Do I Feel This Way?, Christine Gaber, RHN & Charlene Day, RDC