Natural Remedies for Constipation

Constipation results when food moves too slowly through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The most common cause is dietary, however, constipation can be a component of irritable bowel syndrome or can result from a wide range of causes, such as a drug side effect, drinking too little water, lack of fiber in the diet, diet high in animals fats and/or protein, highly processed foods, food allergies, low thyroid function, yeast growth, lack of exercise, overuse of laxative, and nutritional deficiencies.

Dietary changes that may be helpful:

Insoluble fiber in general is needed to add bulk to your stool, which will also help develop regular bowel contractions. Fiber from fruits and vegetables is always more beneficial than any fiber supplements because fruits and vegetables offer fiber in small doses. Examples of fiber rich foods are blackberries, green beans, broccoli, raspberries, strawberries, apples including the skin, turnip greens, rye, walnuts and peanuts. Foods like almonds, dried apricots, beans, celery, coconut, raisins, dates, figs, grapes, mangoes, olive, papayas, parsley, pineapple, prunes, radish, soybeans, turnips, cabbage and green vegetables have laxative effects and helps in natural treatment of constipation. One should also increase salads. Tomatoes and vegetables or fruits containing water like mangoes, cucumber, watermelon, etc are good to have.
The best-known of the foods that relieve constipation is the prune. Prunes are dried plums. Dried prunes are approximately 6 percent fiber, but prune juice (which is made from dried prunes) contains no fiber at all. Prunes promote regularity by providing simple sugars that draw fluid into the intestine. The additional fluid makes stool softer and easier to expel. Prunes do not cause spikes in blood sugar, because their natural sweetening agents are fructose and sorbitol rather than sucrose, (better known as white sugar). Too much sorbitol, of course, can cause diarrhea.
Making sure you drink enough fluids such as water - drink eight 8 ounce glasses daily. Fluids make bowel movements softer and easier to pass. Watch your consumption of alcoholic beverages and caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola drinks, which can be dehydrating.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful:

Exercise may increase the muscular contractions of the intestine.
Revitalizing your liver function has been effective in cases of chronic constipation. Do a liver flush to clean out built-up toxins and help the liver function at optimum efficiency.
A double blind trial study found that chronic constipation and problems associated with it can be triggered by intolerance to cow’s milk in two thirds of constipated infants studied.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful:

Vitamin C – increasing intake to a level just prior to the onset of diarrhea can increase regularity

Calcium – improper balance between calcium and magnesium intake can produce constipation

Folic Acid – deficiency of folic acid is also related to constipation

Probiotics - Probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus speeds up peristalsis (distinctive pattern of smooth muscle contractions that propels foodstuffs distally through the esophagus and intestines) in turn speeding the transient time through the intestines and helping to eliminate constipation.

Magnesium - A deficiency of this mineral may contribute to constipation. Magnesium is needed for normal muscle function, including intestinal muscles. One recent study examined the intake of magnesium with constipation in 3835 women. Low magnesium intake was associated with constipation.

Herbs that may be helpful:

Cascara Sagrada - promotes peristaltic action in the intestinal canal

All Cell Detox - contains 17 herbs that support proper bowel function

Aloe Vera - nourishes the digestive and intestinal systems; soothes the internal tissues of the digestive and intestinal tracts; contains vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients

Bowel Build - vitamins & herbs for healthy bowels

Clean Start - supports the natural everyday cleaning of toxic waste – works without posing side effects; improves energy and promotes a feeling f well being as well as helping to protect the body from disease

Everybody's Fiber – provides nutritional support to the bowels; helps support the removal of toxins and waste and promotes regularity in maintaining healthy bowel movements

Intestinal Soothe & Build – relieves bloating pressure and soothes intestinal tract

LBS - supports normal bowel function; helps clear the bowels of toxic waste and encourages better digestion

LB-X - Dr. John Christopher's formula with fiber, encourages normal elimination

PLS - soothes mucous membranes of the intestinal tract, beneficial flora

Psyllium hulls - lubricates as well as heals intestines and colon. It does not irritate the mucus membranes of the intestines but strengthens the tissues and restores tone

Senna Combination - stronger laxative for occasional use

Slippery Elm - intestinal and digestive soother, ulcerations

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