Constipation is the slow movement of fecal matter through the large intestine. It is associated with large quantities of dry, hard feces in the descending colon that accumulate as a result of the absorption of fluid from the bowel. The major cause of constipation in the general population is a poor diet and the inability to digest what we have eaten. The majority of people do not eat enough fruits and vegetables which are better sources of fiber than that of grains.
Fiber is one of the most important and overlooked factors in gut health. Diets low in fiber may underlie or exacerbate constipation, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, diverticulitis, hiatl hernia and gastroesophageal reflux. It promotes movement through the digestive tract and adds bulk to the stool. Vegetables such as kale or beets are very high in fiber and help tremendously with constipation. If you suffer from periodic constipation add more vegetables to your diet.
There are long term consequences associated with constipation. If foods are not properly broken down in the digestive tract they can go through a process called putrefaction, which essentially means that food particles are rotting in the gut. This creates toxic chemicals that can irritate the lining of the colon. The body does not leave them in the colon waiting for you to evacuate the bowel. The body resorbs the toxins and sends them to the liver to be detoxified. The more rotting or putrefaction going on, the more the person is constipated. While in the blood they can cause a number of inflammatory problems before they can be detoxified by the liver. There are consequences to many of the systems of the body such as: skin issues like eczema and psoriasis, sinus and ear issues, migraines, arthritis, low back pain, fibromyalgia, asthma, bloating, heartburn, IBS, and mental issues such as depression, irritability, anxiety and loss of concentration. This is not an issue that only effects the digestive tract.
Psyllium Husk: This is an excellent supplement to help deal with constipation. Psyllium has been shown to both improve constipation by increasing stool weight and ameliorating chronic diarrhea. Research suggests that psyllium decreases the time necessary to pass bowel movements, increases the number of bowel movements per day and increases the amount of stool passed. It attracts water and psyllium seeds can grow eight to fourteen times their size which makes it very effective for increasing bulk. The important thing to remember is drink plenty of water while taking this or constipation can be made worse. We are able to order this supplement upon request.
– Dr. Rob