A happy liver is a happy body =) I just can't say that enough!!! It is no secret that it is our biggest internal organ....so why does it seem that so many people don't understand it's importance?? Sheesh....We see this organ directly related to the well being of all body systems!!!It is no surprise then that nutrients supportive of this organ are indeed also supportive of bowel health. When designing your cleanse you will notice many of these nutrients pop up.
When we look at bowel function, we have to understand what is "normal" and what is a sign of potential problems. How do we keep this system running smoothly? To begin with,fiber is absolutely essential. Body movement (exercise) is vital as well. Obviously, water consumption plays a huge role in maintaining bowel function.
There are also several botanicals that can be utilized to restore bowel function. Some botanicals have a laxative effect and can aid in cleansing the system when it is bogged down. (aloe,and licorice root for example) Bulking agents (psyllium husks, linseeds, and high fiber foods for example) can be useful on a regular basis to keep peristalsis running at a regular pace. The brain receives chemical signals based on the "mass" moving through the intestines. It seems the bulking agents give the mass, without being heavy and difficult to move. (provided adequate water)Bulking agents also clean away build up in the digestive tract. Probiotics play a role in breaking down wastes, and aiding elimination.
The biggest problem of suboptimal bowel function is really a matter of absorption.
The digestive process begins in the mouth. We chew, enzymes begin to break down the food as does the mechanical act of chewing. At the stomach we are dependent upon the stomach acid to further break down our food. As the broken down particles travel through the intestines there is a series of chemical reactions taking place. As the body breaks down the particles,they produce usable substances. The usable pieces are absorbed and the rest goes on to be eliminated. If the mechanical process is stalled, or slowed, (peristalsis) then there can become a sludge buildup on the intestinal walls. (much like plaque in the arteries.) If this sludge remains, the amount of space for the chemical breakdown and absorption is significantly reduced. We then begin to see the results of deficiency. The same is true of laxative abuse or chronic diarrhea. This situation still does not allow for proper absorption or manufacturing of essential nutrients. The particles simply move through too quickly. This is why regularity is such a concern. Knowing that the body is moving wastes at a good constant rate is a great sign of bowel health.
Well CRAP...yeah, I made the pun....The body has great system laid out for elimination. The problem is, most people run around constantly throwin' a monkey wrench into it. There are several causes for elimination problems and just as many ways they can manifest. Let's explore a few....
1 Constipation....Though dehydration is NOT the only cause of constipation, many people experience firm to "boulder like" bowel movements. With so many causes for the dehydration in the average lifestyle, most people are at risk for at LEAST firm and "lumpy" stool. Stool should be formed but soft.
2 Excessive gas...I have a children's book called "The Gas We Pass...The Story of Farts". The average person passes gas some 14 times a day!!! (I found that to be a bit high, but I was like a rat....would likely blow up before tooting...I am cured now...lol.) ANYWAY..bloating and excessive gas is NOT reflective of a smooth running system.
3 Infrequent/ irregular bowel movements....One bowel movement per major meal is optimum....The frequency often reported as "normal" is based on what is "normal" for any one person and does not reflect the optimum function. Bowel movements should reflect the number of "major meals" a person eats (one movement per major meal)
4 Diarrhea/loose stool....again...soft but formed....
5 Bathroom Libraries.....yes, bathroom libraries. It should not take enough time to do ANY reading on the toilet!! Optimal bowel function makes for a quick trip...and not a research session!!!
6 Straining...any required straining is not a good sign. This can be associated with constipation, but can be a common practice for some even without the presence of hard,dry stool. This lets you know things are not moving easily and naturally.
7 Abnormally colored stool....Brown is the way to go....brown is indicative of the bile salts doing their job. Color can be influenced by consumption of some foods, but generally, unusual color indicates a problem. Sometimes, this is an indication of a serious problem. It pays to know your poo.....(Billy once had a neon blue movement....I am pretty sure it was the bag of blue raspberry licorice he ate...I'm not thinking there is ANY disorder that could mimic THAT color....YUCK...silly man)
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