Chronic Constipation: Eliminating It Naturally
December 25, 2007
I used to suffer from chronic constipation although I was rarely doubled over in pain from the lack of bowel movements, heaviness, and occasional cramps I experienced were uncomfortable. It surprised me because well… I was healthy as a whole food vegan I was eating the right foods so why in the wold was I experiencing this problem? I decided to do some research as it turns out I wasn’t eating enough fiber rich foods.
Greens such as collards, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens, were something I didn’t eat a lot of about five years ago. I wrote about this in my guest post at Face-Natural you can read about it in New Years Resolution: Eating For Beauty. I ate greens daily, mainly lettuce and spinach, but the amount of dark leafy greens I consumed was very small. In my case simply upping my intake of greens caused me to have bowel movements again. Also I incorporated self massage using specific essential oils. That did the trick in one day I was having bowel movements a few times daily.
Why do people become constipated? I’ve listed a few reasons below…
Constipation: Why does it happen?
- Not eating enough dietary fiber
- Not drinking enough liquids
- Lack of exercise
- Poor eating habits
- Ignoring the urge to have bowel movements
I was guilty of #1 and #5.
Regarding #1, I realized that although I was consuming fiber daily I needed to increase the amount of fiber that I was adding into my diet. Now I usually eat at least three cups of some type of greens daily. It has been extremely effective in helping me have bowel movements a few times daily.
With #5, there were times when I did not want to have a bowel movement, for example, if I were in a public restroom I “held it” until I was in a private location, my own home. However the more I read about bowel health the more I realized that this isn’t a good practice and can contribute to a lazy bowels. I changed my ways.
If you listen to the mainstream view about bowel health having a bowel movement three times a week is considered normal and healthy. Really, if that is healthy why are there so many bowel related diseases in westernized cultures? I’m not buying it. Doesn’t it make sense that we should be eliminating shortly after we consume our foods? I observe my pets and how quickly, and easily they have bowel movements shortly after eating (they’re raw fed.)
I look at the examples of people in third world countries and compare their health to ours. Although we have more money than they and the best health care we rank lower than they when it comes to our own physical health. I imagine we do need the best health care money can buy, right?
When we look at the high amount of processed foods that invade our diets, the lack of exercise, and the poor excuse many of us make when it comes to changing our eating habits is it really any wonder that our health is so poor and many of us are plagued with diseases?
Constipation: How Can I Prevent or Eliminate It?
- Eat fiber rich foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water
- Avoid sugar and processed foods
- Exercise regularly
- Drink peppermint tea (peppermint has long history of relaxing muscles on the gastrointestinal tract.)
Photosource: Indiamart
Technorati Tags: chronic constipation, bowel health, fiber rich foods
Comments
39 Responses to “Chronic Constipation: Eliminating It Naturally”
Got something to say?
Contact Me:
Recently Written
- Chronic Constipation: Eliminating It Naturally
- Exercise, Muscle Soreness, & Essential Oils
- Attack of The Ants: Natural Ant Repellent
- Holiday Adventures: We’re Back
- Thanksgiving: Away For The Holidays
- Essential Oils: Can Essential Oils Promote Hair Growth?
- Cleansing: Juice Fasting
- Lavender Essential Oil: Managing Pain Naturally
- Say Goodbye to Harmful Furniture Polish! Say Hello To a Natural Alternative
- There And Back Again: Eliminating the Common Cold Naturally
Bad Behavior has blocked 159 access attempts in the last 7 days.
You’re absolutely right! We should be eliminating waste from our bodies regularly on a daily basis and not only once a day. I always forget the fiber part of my diet. I know it’s important but I just don’t wake up thinking fiber, fiber, fiber. What’s an easy way to remember the fiber?
On another note, I am pretty regular if not once a day than I go twice. Twice a day is seldom rare but it happens. I drink plenty of water and exercise on a regular and encourage my family to do the same.
When you look around and see the many obese children in our country you have to ask yourself “why don’t these people get it”? We should learn from our neighboring countries because this problem is only getting worse.
Luv the graphic
If I don’t go everyday I literally feel sick, but I have a friend that goes maybe once a week–and that’s a good week for her. I’ll be forwarding this article to her.
Lisa,
When it comes to remembering something I usually put a “digital sticky” right on my laptop. It’s one of my Mac widgets. I really like it since I’m on it daily with work so I know I won’t forget it. I also send email reminders to myself. After a while it has become a habit.
Yes I agree with you! Many people need to wake up when it comes to their health. At time I shake my head when I hear the excuses that people make. What’s truly amazing is the that are suffering from some type of disease and they still make excuses why they aren’t cleaning up their eating habits. They really need to change their lifestyle and start flooding their system with the nutrients whole foods provide. Their bodies need to be nourished.
I’ve noticed there is a huge disconnect with nutrition and disease in westernized cultures. Many cancers, bowel diseases, certain types of diabetes, heart condition, high cholesterol, etc., could be avoided if people would only clean up their act when it comes to their eating habits. Eliminating processed foods and increasing the amount of fiber in the daily diet is an important.
Clara,
LOL, I love the graphic also. When I was having constipation issues it did seem like cobwebs would grow before I had a bowel movement, lol. There are some excellent books on bowel health. I’ll write a review about them later this week.
[…] focused on that also. At Healing Yourself Naturally I’m currently writing a serious about constipation what was originally going to be one article is going to turn into something more initially I had […]
This is a great article. Thanks for sharing all this information on such a not-so-pretty subject.
In addition to eating more fiber I found a little thing that usually helps me move things along. In the morning after I wake I stretch my lower back by laying tummy first on an exercise ball and move around. The pressure on my stomach will usually get thing moving along. To eat more fiber I also like to eat for breakfast on a somewhat regular schedule a bowl of oats (uncooked) with some pumpkins seeds, sun flower seed, and some Fiber One Original cereal, plus a little fresh fruit. Tastes pretty good too.
teeni,
You’re welcome I believe people need to talk about bowel health openly. It can help save lives.
Dave,
You’re correct. I’ve decided to write more about abdominal massage. I briefly mentioned it in the above article but I’ll be talking about in in detail in upcoming posts. This is a ritual I’ve started doing nightly. It’s excellent!
Thanks for stopping by.
I, too used to suffer from constipation. Drinking water and eating green leafy fruits and vegetables definitely help you with constipation. Eating flaxseeds are very helpful too. I found that out when I sprinkled some over my oatmeal.
This is a obviously a great post.Drinking eating green leafy fruits and vegetables definitely help you in constipation.
I just love the graphic! You should market a fiber-rich, spinach-laden dietary regimen using that logo with a red line drawn through it!!
Maketta,
In many cases people just need to change their eating habits.
It’s amazing how simple, in some cases, it can be to get your bowels moving again.
Dentist,
It definitely does. Thanks for stopping by.
Escondido Kango,
LOL that’s a great idea. It isn’t my sketch. I saw it at another website. I included the photo source at the bottom of the article.
Drinking, eating, green leafy, fruits and vegetables obviously help you in constipation. Thanks for shearing this great one.
I love the photo at the top of the post. it is really funny. And the points of healing naturally is always a strong and correct issue , i do agree with it. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for the input on lack of exercise and restraint on bowel urges–as among the factors leading to chronic constipation. I would definitely take that in mind. And likewise, fiber enriched foods can help regulate bowel movements and excretion. You’ve mentioned about dark, leafy greens as a source of fibers, I would also like to include flax seed as a good source of fiber–the husk actually. Moderately grind the kernels and sprinkle those over food and what you’ll get is a dietary fiber supplement that is also good for the heart because of its Omega 3 nutrients.
CME,
They play an important role! Thanks for stopping by.
Exercise Equipment,
I had to chuckle when I saw that photo. It seemed appropriate.
flax seed,
I agree flax seeds can be beneficial. I use it in my weekly routine. I usually grind it up occasionally I’ll add a small amount to smoothies with some people flax seeds don’t work. I suspect that is do to chronic constipation so they’ll need to add a few additional steps to get things moving.
WOW! great post. Drinking eating green leafy fruits and vegetables definitely help you in constipation. Thanks for this nice and great post.
This was a great post. I just wanted to add one thing–you all mentioned grinding flax seeds and that’s really important. Your body can’t break down flax seed husks so to get any benefit they MUST be ground. Other wise, they’ll likely just pass on through.
Opal Tribble
Yeah, when you’re been constipating for days or worst weeks already, you will really have to look closely at your diet and do some changes with that. Me too, love those flax seeds on my smoothies! : )
Lisa
Indeed, flax seed kernels will have to undergo grinding or the body won’t benefit from its Omega 3 nutrients at all. : )
Another great reason for getting off the processed foods and getting on to whole, fresh foods!
I agree with the others on the graphic, too, how funny.
This really is an informative post. However, I think another reason why people become constipated is because they take alot of prescription medications. Have you ever noticed that a side effect for most prescriptions is constipation? Why is that?
I think the best way to prevent constipation is to just change your lifestyle. If you increase your exercise routine, especially cardio, then it will help. Also, most people eat more meats than veggies. Meats are known to clog up your intestinal tract, as your body does not digest meats very well. Plus, fruits & veggies have beneficial fiber & nutrients.
Most people though, are not dedicated enough to make a complete lifestyle change, so they go with the ‘easy’ way by doing a colon cleanse or taking laxatives. I don’t think this is the right way to go… it doesn’t solve the problem, only helps.
Great Post!
I look at the examples of people in third world countries and compare their health to ours.
Vegetable are good for health.
Thanks for this info. I do suffer from this problem and your way sounds way better than the fiber drinks I have been trying. I will be adding leafy greens to my grocery list.
I try and eat alot of fiber but I dont eat alot of dark greens either. Thanks for the great information!
Our waste is being eliminated from our bodies. And it is a must. Otherwise we face problems. Thanks for the information.
Hmm…. I agree with u. I have suffered frm that and my mom told me to use natural thing to make things ok.
They really need to change their lifestyle and start flooding their system with the nutrients whole foods provide. Their bodies need to be nourished.
Hi man! Very good article. I had constirpation problems in the past but thank god I am improving. I would like to trackback this excellent post in my blog generalities in the web. May i trackback?
It is the best whay to fight and not to make any harm of our body. I agree with the post. I always follwo the natural process of fighting anykind of disease.
http://freestuffslinks.blogspot.com
I am proud for your research. Really we should eat enough fiber rich foods.Thanks a lot.
I’ve had good luck with fiber, exercise and water. I like to mix getting fiber from natural sources like veggies and flax seeds and oatmeal with some supplementation here and there, especially if I’m taking in a lot of liquid meals.
Actually we dont eat eating enough fiber rich foods.WE should eat eating enough fiber rich foods for avoid this problem.
Many child have Poor eating habits.For this reason they have to suffer.Parents should careful for it.
yes, that would be the result of having poor eating diet, although you can take some herbal vitamins supplements that has Laxative properties which make it a popular aid for constipation.
Toady you teach me a new lesson that eating enough fiber rich foods are so helpful for our stomach and health.
How much food you eat and type also tells you how much fiber you need. For example high protein diets and high calorie diets need a lot more fiber.
The best pictures of cats,pictures of cute cats,funny pictures of cats,funny cat videos,in the http://www.pictures-of-cat.com/
Thanks for this info. Many people do suffer from this problem and your way of writing is very good. Really we should eat enough fiber rich foods.Thanks a lot.