How to Avoid Constipation and Heal from Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Simple Changes in Nutrition and Lifestyle Can Help

FACTS:
It's normal to take in food and then to have a bowel movement. Watch your pets. After they eat a meal, they need to eliminate. You should have at least one good bowel movement per day. It is actually ideal to have 2-3 banana-sized bowel movements per day. Stool color should be walnut brown, but certain foods may darken the stool. The bowel should be the consistency of toothpaste. If the bowel floats, there may be too much fiber in the diet or undigested fat. If the bowel is hard and sinks, drink more water, and eat more fiber and vegetables, take a green drink, or make other dietary modifications. Some gas and odor is a normal byproduct of digestion. An overabundance is not.

WHAT CAUSES AND CONTRIBUTES TO CONSTIPATION?
Antacids containing aluminum
Lack of exercise
Not enough fiber in the diet
Diuretics and antibiotics
Iron supplementation
Change in routine such as travel
An extremely low fat diet
Refined and processed foods
Not drinking enough water
Frequently skipping meals
Adding fiber improperly to the diet. Too much psyllium fiber? It can suck water from your system and dehydrate the colon and then constipate. (This does not happen to everyone.)
Cheese and milk products (for some people)
Overuse of laxatives
Eating late at night
Hypothyroidism - see your physician
Too much caffeine, red meat, pasteurized dairy
Stress

HOW TO AVOID CONSTIPATION:
It sounds simple, but take the time to regularly eliminate the bowel. Get up earlier for work if you have to and create enough time to properly eliminate. We all have the experience of eating breakfast, then feeling as if we need to go to the bathroom, but hold off because we'll be late for work. Change your routine so you can create the time. Don't be too busy to eliminate.