How to End Constipation?

Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN & Amy Coates, RHN, BSc.

Constipation is a big problem in the western world.

According to the medical community, constipation is defined as having 1 bowel movement every 2 to 3 days. But as holistic health care professionals, we know that's absolute nonsense!

For optimal health, you should be passing 2-3 bowel movements each day! Anything less is considered constipation. If you've ever had a colon cleanse, good for you. If not, you need to read the following important information regarding constipation and colon health.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation is usually a result of years of abusing your digestive system through poor food choices and not listening to your body. Chronic intake of foods that irritate your digestive and intestinal system eventually causes them to function at a sub-optimal level. For instance, non-foods like coffee, refined sugar, alcohol, and other processed foods stress your colon and digestive system and eventually hinder their function.

For optimal colon health, the goal should be to remove these irritating foods and provide your system with nutrients that will allow it to heal and function as it should.

Being constipated can also come about by resisting the urge to do your "business". At a very young, we simply went when we needed to go - no problem except for the clean-up our parents were subjected to. But as we age, we tend to suppress our body's natural urge to defecate. Whether it be class or work schedules or travel commitments, we've started to ignore our body's many cries to head to the toilet.

In the end, we have instructed our body that we will have a bowel movement (or at least try to) on our terms, when we're willing and ready. However, it isn't that simple because your body knows when it needs to go. Passing a bowel movement is not a logical decision, it is a primal need your body is destined to satisfy.

So it is our fault, our lifestyle, and our poor dietary choices that has led to being constipated.

Why is Constipation Dangerous?

This could quickly turn into a very lengthy discussion but we'll give you the essentials. The problem with being constipated is that your body's waste does not get to its final destination - the toilet.

Rather, it sits in your colon, putrefying and expelling more toxins back into your body. This is called autointoxication and is a serious health concern if it persists over time.

Think about it. If you were to let garbage pile up in your home for weeks, months, or years can you imagine the type of disgusting and toxic environment you'd be creating?

Well, the same thing happens in your body if your "garbage" is not regularly removed.

Over time, these endogenous toxins will be stored in your fat tissue which includes your fat cells, brain, and nervous tissue. It's no wonder there's a considerable correlation between constipation, autointoxication, and degenerative diseases!

Natural Constipation Remedies

The first thing is to listen to your body. If you need to go, then go!

Second, remove the irritating foods that we spoke about above.

Third, drink plenty of water. Constipation can also be a result of being dehydrated. Provide your body with more water and it will assist your waste removal.

Fourth, eat more fiber. The goal (from an overall health perspective) is to hit 35 grams of fiber per day. But really, are you going to count? Probably not. Therefore, simply by eating more whole foods or even following a raw food diet will greatly assist you.

The goal is to get both soluble and insoluble fiber. Ground flaxseeds are a great source of balanced fiber and a terrific source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Fifth, getting more essential fatty acids (omega-3s) will provide the lubrication required to allow your colon to pass along the waste smoothly and effortlessly. If you strain to pass a movement, that's a good indication you could use some more lubrication.

Finally, you need to follow a detox diet that will cleanse your body. If you've been constipated for some time, then you need to face facts and realize that your body is a toxic feeding ground! The only way to better your health and prevent future problems is to get the waste out of your body through regular bowel movements and other means that will detoxify your body.

You don't have to be a prisoner to constipation any longer. Allow us to show you the light...

Discover the Total Wellness Cleanse™