When you gotta go, you gotta go.

When you HAVE to go, you HAVE to go. But if you can't, then you're constipated. Find out how to fix this problem!

Moving right along!

Caroline Farquhar

Constipation: no one wants to talk about it or admit to it, but according to the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, approximately one million Canadians suffer from constipation annually.

According to conventional medicine, bowel regularity is individual: one person may have three bowel movements a day while another may have one every three days. Natural health practitioners, however, believe that the intestines are the foundation of good health and that it is essential to have 2-3 bowel movements per day for gut health and also for the entire body. Essentially, if your bowel movements are less frequent than your food intake, you are constipated.

Healthy elimination is essential for a healthy body. Unless we cleanse our system daily, toxins enter the bloodstream and harm the body. Constipation slows down the transit time of food, which can lead to putrefaction in the digestive tract. This "auto-intoxication" can lead to many health problems linked to constipation such as arthritis, bad breath, body odor, brain fog, depression, headaches, and even obesity. That's why regular elimination is so important!
Certain lifestyle factors such as a poor diet, medication, and lack of physical activity are the main causes of constipation. Changes in diet and routine can help, but some individuals may need the help of a herbal supplement. It is important to avoid purgative laxatives for continuous use, as they can create dependency over time. Cascara sagrada and senna leaf, although natural, fall into this category.

Magnesium is an excellent alternative that works by hydrating the colon and providing the body with a mineral that many of us are deficient in. Renew Life's CleanseMORE contains magnesium hydroxide to help draw water into the intestines and gentle herbs to stimulate peristalsis, the body's natural action that pushes colon contents outwards. Although these herbs (Cape aloe, rhubarb, and triphala) do indeed have a peristaltic action, they are not habit-forming.

Fiber is also a very important factor against constipation. And the type of fiber could be just as important as the amount you get every day. Fibers like psyllium (which is recommended by many doctors in the form of Metamucil) can be very dehydrating for the intestines, which makes the problem even worse. Flaxseed fiber is a better alternative. Renew Life's FibreSMART is much more than just fiber: it's a formula for good digestive health. With a 50/50 blend of soluble and insoluble fibers, it's a perfect choice for people suffering from constipation. It also contains healing ingredients such as l-glutamine and n-acetylglucosamine to help soothe and repair the intestinal lining.

Here are some other tips to follow if you are constipated:
• Drink plenty of water to keep stools hydrated. This is especially important if your stools are normally hard and dry (rabbit droppings).
• Change your diet to include more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in water and fiber.
• Improve your digestion with digestive enzymes at meals and a probiotic supplement.
• Engage in physical activity, which causes peristalsis (the wave-like movement that moves food through the digestive tract).

Aim for one bowel movement for every meal you eat and at the very least, one bowel movement per day. If you have tried everything and have little or no relief, we recommend a consultation with a holistic nutritionist or a naturopath.

Caroline Farquhar, RHN, BA, EMP is a natural digestive care specialist who also specializes in detoxification and internal cleansing. Caroline educates the public on natural health through seminars, television appearances, and radio show participation.