DO YOU SUFFER FROM OCCASIONAL CONSTIPATION?
Do you suffer from occasional constipation? Learn about its possible causes and easy, natural solutions.
Constipation is serious business
Cheryl Wright, NHD, BA
In a study published by the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 27.2% of Canadians reported having suffered from constipation in the past 3 months (Paré, p. 2011). Yet, even if they told a researcher about it, they probably didn't take action. Constipation is indeed a taboo subject and many people don't even realize it's a problem.
The medical community uses the Rome criteria. According to these criteria, functional constipation occurs when at least two of the following symptoms occur during at least 25% of your bowel movements for at least three months:
• Straining
• Hard stools
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation
• Manual maneuvers required to aid evacuation (e.g., support of the pelvic floor)
• Fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.
Many holistic practitioners will consider the above symptoms, but they consider someone to be constipated when they have fewer than 2 or 3 bowel movements per day. These practitioners believe that bowel movement frequency should follow the number of daily meals. If not, waste remains in the colon. Babies and animals are an excellent example of good elimination: food goes in and waste comes out!
Whether you're too embarrassed to talk about it or you consider constipation normal, it's important to work on improving bowel function. Indeed, constipation can have many harmful effects on the body:
• Pressure in the intestines that can stimulate the growth of cancerous cells (Walsh et al., 2004).
• An increased risk of colon cancer (Wantanabe et al., 2004).
• Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction (Tan et al., 2003).
Research has even shown that women who have three bowel movements a day have a 46% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who have only one (Maruti et al., 2008). This is an excellent argument for improving your bowel function!
So, why are Canadians so constipated? The two most common reasons are dehydration (not drinking enough water) and a highly processed diet low in fiber. It may seem strange, but another common cause of constipation is the lack of time some people allow themselves to have a bowel movement. Many of us get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee, and simply go to work. Sometimes, a slight urge to eliminate will be felt, but this urge is ignored because we are "too busy" to take the time to go to the bathroom. Over time, these natural urges to eliminate become less noticeable and less frequent.
The solution? The first step is to drink more water and eat a diet rich in natural fiber. For people who need extra help, it's important to be wary of laxative products and colon cleansing cures that contain purgative ingredients such as cascara sagrada and senna. Purgative plants can be harsh and create addiction, and most importantly, they don't address the root cause of the problem.
Instead, choose a product that relieves occasional constipation by promoting bowel movements, such as Renew Life's CleanseMORE. Since the most common cause of constipation is dehydration, CleanseMORE hydrates the colon. CleanseMORE contains the mineral magnesium hydroxide, which helps regulate water in the intestine. When the colon is well hydrated, it is able to soften stools and eliminate without the need for laxative aid.
CleanseMORE also helps with peristalsis, the natural muscle contraction of the colon to move waste outwards. This is important for those whose natural urge to eliminate has been reduced. CleanseMORE contains the following peristaltic herbs: triphala, an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used in India, and Cape aloe leaf and rhubarb, which contain the active ingredient "anthraquinone," which stimulates peristalsis.
CleanseMORE can be used by most people suffering from occasional constipation, including those trying a new diet, traveling, experiencing stress, or eating or drinking more during the holiday season. It should be noted that people with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or colitis should not use CleanseMORE. In addition, since it is designed for occasional constipation, please speak to a healthcare professional for use longer than seven days, as it is important to rule out medical reasons for your constipation.
A healthy diet, drinking more water, and taking the time to go to the bathroom regularly are an excellent start for better gut health, but when occasional constipation occurs, take CleanseMORE!
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