It has been said that your health is all about what you put into your body and what comes out of your body!  Sadly, this simple truth seems to be overlooked by traditional medicine and the processed food industry.

A quick comparison in nature confirms that the digestive system of a mammal is made to eliminate waste every time food is consumed.  Need a reference? Newborn babies will eliminate every time they nurse; puppies always need to go right after they eat; horses will pass manure within a few minutes of consuming hay, etc. This is pretty common knowledge for anyone who has ever had a child or a pet. 

So what happens? Why does this natural tendency that is so healthy for us change? There are many things in our modern world that effect our colon habits, but the two most common reasons are that we train our bodies to hold waste and we consume unnatural foods and chemicals that disrupt the normal elimination process. 

What’s really interesting is that we accept this change as a normal part of growing out of infancy and into adulthood without questioning whether or not it is good for us.

You should have, at a minimum, at least one bowel movement a day… two or three would be even better! Chronic constipation can lead to colon cancer and even Parkinson’s disease. Constipation can also be caused by low thyroid function, dehydration, magnesium deficiency, intestinal infections, and more.

If you have issues with constipation, try improving your diet and hydration. If that doesn’t work, for many people this simple home remedy can improve the problem:

  • Take 2 tbsp daily of ground flax seeds (which contain fiber, lignin, and omega-3 fats).
  • Take 150–300mg of magnesium citrate twice daily in capsule form. You can take more if you need to go to the bathroom. If you get loose stools, cut back. If you have kidney problems, consult your doctor before using higher dose magnesium.
  • Take daily probiotics—50 billion CFUs of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.
  • Drink eight glasses of water daily.

If you don’t feel better after trying this remedy, you may have a gut infection, an enzyme deficiency, a digestive dysfunction or possibly an undiagnosed thyroid condition. Your best course of action is to address this with an integrated physician, naturopath or functional medical practitioner.

If you would like our help with this, Pure Nutrition and Wellness can be reached at either 844-787-3935, or at [email protected].

Be Well,

Donna Stephens
BCN, CNHP, LDHS