Constipation Remedies

Some common causes of constipation can be a lack of fiber and or water. Other factors are lack of exercise, age, muscle or structural disorders or abnormalities, bowel or digestive disease, poor diet, medications, iron supplements and even pregnancy.

It is important to have regular bowel movements for many reasons. Perhaps the most important reason is the most obvious, the removal of toxins from the body. The colon is a place where waste matter is stored including bad bacteria, toxins, and antigens. Other negative effects of constipation can include, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and limited mobility.

The overuse and abuse of laxatives, even herbal laxatives, can cause the bowel to be lazy, and dependent on laxatives for regular bowel movements. What will happen is the muscles will lose their ability to constrict without the assistance of laxatives. If you have become dependent on laxatives, it is important to try and start to wean yourself off of them and retrain your body to have natural bowel movements.

To return to regular movements, you can follow some of the advice here on this page. You should also try sitting on the toilet for 20 minutes every morning and focus on relaxing the muscles of your colon so that your body can remember how to have bowel movements without the assistance of laxatives or drugs.

Offered below are some safe and healthy ways to help beat constipation and regain your health. It is also common to experience other health benefits such as weight loss, reduced cholesterol, and lowered blood pressure when these changes are implemented.

Fiber comes in many forms, and fortunately, all most all of them are healthy and good for you. Consider upping your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Try to eat more whole grains in the diet. Beans are also loaded with healthful fibers and they are good for cholesterol levels. Some of the best fiber supplements to add to your diet are psyllium seed husks, and oat bran.

Psyllium Husk Powder by Yerba Prima

Psyllium Husks Powder is the strongest natural dietary fiber for promoting regularity and supporting heart health. It is most effective when used everyday, and can be used as long as desired.

Psyllium Husk Vegetarian Caps by Yerba Prima
Yerba Prima developed Psyllium Husks formulations to provide the highest cleansing activity of all fibers. Psyllium Husks formulations help to promote regularity, lower cholesterol and are 4-8 times stronger than oat bran. Psyllium husks are a concentrated source of natural dietary fiber.

A daily fiber intake of at least 25 grams is recommended for good health, but on average people consume only 10 to 15 grams.

Drink a minimum of 6-8 glasses of water a day. Fruit juices and herbal teas are good too. Avoid coffee, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks as they have a dehydrating effect on the body.

By ignoring your body's natural urges for a bowel movement can lead to constipation. Take time each morning for a bowel movement and be sure to go at any time in the day that you may feel the need.

Remember, it is important to listen to your body and not fight against its needs, especially when your health is at stake.

Candida and bad bacteria can cause the digestive system to slow down. Bifobacteria can help to regulate peristalsis and bring back a healthy balance of intestinal flora.

Bifidophilus (High Potency Pro-Biotics)

This is a potent concentration of acidophilus and bifidus flora. Recommended following antibiotic use or in cases of candida (yeast) overgrowth. Proper balance of bowel flora is crucial to the support of the immune system response. Bifidophilus is to be taken as an aid to maintain an abundance of healthy bowel flora in the intestinal tract.

Magnesium is needed to help keep peristalsis, the rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation, working by helping muscles to properly relax. Most Americans are magnesium deficient and when there is a deficiency or an imbalance of calcium and magnesium, constipation can occur.

Micronized Mag/Cal in a 7:5 Ratio

A 7:5 ratio of magnesium complex to calcium complex, each chelated in multi-form, plant-derived (aspartate, arginate,citrate, malate, succinate) and micronized for maximum absorption by the body. These are vital bone and muscle minerals. Calcium and Magnesium work synergistically with one another. The amount of calcium included in this formula is equal to that found in the Cal/Mag 50/50 with additional magnesium for enhanced calcium absoption.

One of the leading causes of constipation is medications. Some of the most common culprits are antacids that contain aluminum, pain relievers, antispasmodic drugs, antidepressants, iron supplements, tranquilizers, and even laxatives. If you have noticed your constipation starting around the same time that you started taking your meds, discuss this with your doctor and alternative medicine may alleviate the problem.

Vitamin C is helpful in softening the stool. Too much can lead to loose stool though. The amount needed to help with constipation varies from person to person. Start with 1-3 grams per day and work up until you experienced your desired results.

Vitamin C

Most experts agree that determining Bowel Tolerance (see below) is the best method to establish what amounts of Vitamin C your body requires for maximum protection. When your body is under stress, your need for Vitamin C is increased considerably. Vitamin C is not toxic and therefore, your body will tell you when you have taken enough. If you experience diarrhea or soft stools, it is a sign that your body has reached Bowel Tolerance (BT). Once you reach BT (whether it is 1 gram or 20 grams) you can cut back to 75% of the dose that represents BT for you and then keep taking that dose EVERY DAY.

Keep track of the 4 daily doses (begin with 500 mg recommended) because you will be increasing your intake gradually until you find the amount that you need for maximum immune support. Vitamin C appears to be most effective in fighting disease when the dose is close to the bowel tolerance limit. This dosage information is important enough that it could literally save your life. Incidentally, excreted Vitamin C is not a complete loss.

According to Nobel Laureate Dr. Linus Pauling, Vitamin C protects against urinary tract infections. He recommended using this laxative effect to reduce chances of developing colon cancer. The laxative effect of Vitamin C is said to be greater when the vitamin is taken on an empty stomach.

Dr. Irwin Stone, a pioneer in the use of Vitamin C, recommended taking 1.5 to 2 grams (note: each of our tablets are 500mg or .5 grams) by mouth at the first sign of a cold and repeating the dose at 20 to 30 minute intervals until symptoms disappeared. He said this usually happened by the third dose.