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Did you know that constipation is a very common ailment among the vast majority in the United States of America? To be exact, more than four and a half million people suffer from irregular bowel movements and this obviously leads to various other complications. It goes without saying that a regular bowel movement which is soft, but bulky and easily attained is a very important factor which contributes to good health. There are various schools of thought regarding the regularity of the bowel movement and often one finds a great disparity on theories concerning this subject. Traditionally, in the case of such a problem, the medical fraternity advises a high fiber diet combined with lots of fluids and exercise. However, it is a fact that there is another complementary thought which advocates various therapies which have not yet been accepted by conventional medicine. These days it goes without saying that most people are on a high fat, highly refined, low fiber diet, which is the reason why they are perpetually constipated. In the quest for an effective remedy, one finds statements like 'it is perfectly alright to have just two or three bowel movements a week' or contradictory ones like 'one should have at least one bowel movement per day'. Whatever the advice, it remains a fact that irregular bowel movement is definitely linked to a bad diet. A high fiber diet is certainly the magic buzz word in this regard. There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that a heavy duty fiber diet can create a lot of relief in the case of constipation. The name Ruth DeBusk, Ph.D., R.D., a Nutritional Biochemist by profession certainly should be mentioned in this context because of her specialization in the matter of bowel dysfunctions. She has seen great success in the implementation of a four-part program to manage severe constipation. According to Dr. DeBusk, the first step towards this would be to increase the consumption of fiber which is available in fruits, vegetables, dried beans, peas, etc., to approximately 25 to 35 grams per day. For those of you who find it difficult to calculate in grams, the easy way to keep track is to understand that a single serving of a fruit or vegetable contains 2 - 3 grams of fiber. Fiber is also available in plenty in food such as bran cereal, oats, etc., and it is advisable to go through the Nutrition Facts label of food packages to learn more about its fiber content. Did you know that just half a cup of bran cereal provides about 11 - 13 grams of fiber! Another method is that one should avoid foods that are made from refined white flour. Did you know that the combination of white flour and water makes a very good plaster? If that is the case, can you imagine what it would do to the human gastro intestinal tract? Wheat or gluten sensitivity is also a criterion to be considered before embarking on a whole grain diet as part of removing constipation. Another remedy recommended to combat constipation woes includes the intake of at least 8 - 10 glasses (eight ounce) of water daily. If you are a person firmly dependent on your caffeinated beverage, please do note that the diuretic property of caffeine results in water being flushed out of your system. Regular exercise, preferably those that are aerobic in nature is recommended with the intention of toning up the intestinal muscles so that they function better in eliminating waste from the body.  Last, but not the least, an alternative that has been proved to be very effective to good health is the intake of fresh raw organic yogurt or other probiotic nutritional supplements because of the live active cultures contained in them aid in digestion. Consumption of these types of foods result in the thriving of friendly bacteria in the gut region, which helps in the proper functioning of the intestines and related organs. The large intestine is a place where both beneficial and harmful bacteria thrive. Sometimes, it is possible that the harmful bacterium overpowers the beneficial ones, resulting in the inflow of carcinogens and other toxins into the bowel that may lead to constipation. Another method to combat constipation involves colon hydrotherapy or colonics as it is otherwise known. Although this form of treatment is generally not certified by conventional medical science, there are people who have found tremendous relief from this specific treatment which involves a procedure where filtered water is gently pumped into the colon through the rectum so that any accumulated fecal matter that is capable of producing harmful toxins is removed. According to the physical medicine supervisor at the Bastyr University Natural Health Clinic in Seattle, colon therapy is a very beneficial way to tone the bowel and to strengthen the elimination system of the body. But care must be taken before starting on this system because it is not advisable for people suffering from medical problems such as appendicitis, hepatitis, ulcerative colitis, etc. Also, it is important to be sure the colonics is performed by a certified naturopathic or doctor to avoid unnecessary complications. There are other effective methods that help in combating constipation very successfully, although they are not endorsed scientifically. Therapists are of the opinion that a riser that is placed in front of the toilet is a good manner in relieving constipation. The riser makes sure that during the elimination process, the knees are positioned above the level of the hips in a squatting posture and this is believed to aid in the effective elimination of fecal matter. Another important point to be considered in this regard is that one should never repress or hold back urges to defecate because ultimately it may lead to other serious complications including it becoming very difficult to clear the bowels. It must also be remembered that excessive straining to pass stools can cause hemorrhoids. The usage of laxatives is on the rise these days. But please do note that its regular use, even if utilizing herbal laxatives, may lead to the colon walls being damaged because of its chemical properties. Laxatives irritate the walls of the colon so that they are contracted abnormally, which results in the elimination process artificially. It is always better to opt for natural foods that are laxative in nature such as lemon juice for example which acts as a cleanser to the intestinal tract.One tried and tested successful method is to drink a cup of hot water combined with the juice of half a lemon in the morning. Other natural foods that aid in an effective bowel movement are ground flax seeds added to juices or yogurt, Aloe Vera juice, prunes, figs, etc. These are all considered very effective and safe too. 2011-10-16
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