Natural Ways to Relieve Constipation

Andrea Rossi, B.Sc., RHN, R.BIE

October 30, 2018

Digestive Health

Constipation is the opposite of diarrhea – it’s when stool tends to stick around longer than necessary. Often it’s drier, lumpier, and harder than normal, and may be difficult to pass.

Constipation often comes along with abdominal pain and bloating. And can be common in people with certain gut issues, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

About 14-24% of adults experience constipation. Constipation becomes chronic when it happens at least three times per week for three months. Ultimately if you’re not having a bowel movement at least 1x a day that you can probably consider yourself constipated.

Constipation can be caused by diet or stress, and even changes to our daily routine. Gut flora imbalances are often at the root cause as well as food sensitivities. Certain medications can also be known to cause constipation like pain killers, blood pressure medication, and even anti-depressants. And sometimes there can be a structural problem with the gut.

Whether you know why or not, there are some things you can do if you get constipated.

1. Eat more fibre

You’ve probably heard to eat more prunes (and figs and dates) if you get constipated.

Why is that?

It comes down to fibre.

Dietary fibre is a type of plant-based carbohydrate that we can’t digest and absorb. Unlike cows, humans don’t have the digestive enzymes to break it down. And that’s a good thing!

Even though we can’t digest it ourselves, fibre is very important for our gut health for two reasons.

First, fibre helps to push things through our system (and out the other end).

Second, fibre is a pre-biotic and is an important food for feeding the friendly microbes in our gut.

There are two kinds of fibre: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fibre dissolves in water to make a gel-like consistency. It can soften and bulk up the stool; this is the kind of fibre that you want to focus on for helping with constipation. Soluble fibre is found in legumes (beans, peas, lentils), fruit (apples, bananas, berries, citrus, pears, etc.), vegetables (broccoli, carrots, spinach, etc.), and grains like oats.

Psyllium is a soluble non-fermenting fibre from corn husks. It’s been shown to help soften stools and produce a laxative effect.

Caution: Water soluble fibers like psyllium can actually also constipate you. This is because they absorb a lot of water and if you’re dehydrated they could make it worse. Make sure you’re drinking lots of water with any soluble fibers.

Insoluble fibre, on the other hand, can help to push things through the gut and get things moving. It’s the kind found in the skins and seeds of fruits and vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, celery, zucchini, as well as the skins of apples, pears, and potatoes.

Both types of fibre are needed in our diet and it’s recommended that adults consume between 20-35 grams of fibre per day.

If you are going to increase your fibre intake, make sure to do it gradually. Radically changing your diet can make things worse!

And, remember, it’s very important to combine any increased fibre intake with my next point to drink more fluids.

NOTE: There is conflicting evidence on how fibre affects constipation. In some cases, less insoluble fibre may be better, especially if you have certain digestive issues. So, make sure you’re monitoring how your diet affects your gut health and act accordingly. And don’t be afraid to see your healthcare provider when necessary.

2. Drink more fluids

Since constipated stools are hard and dry, drinking more fluids can help keep everything hydrated and moist. This is especially true when trying to maintain a healthy gut every day, rather than when trying to deal with the problem of constipation after it has started.

And it doesn’t only have to be water – watery foods like soups, and some fruits and vegetables can also contribute to your fluid intake. And feel free to jazz up your drinking water with fuit or cucumber slices or even essential oils for added detoxifying effects! Who says water needs to be boring!

Always ensure you’re well hydrated and drinking according to thirst; this is recommended for gut health as well as overall health.

3. Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial microbes that come in fermented foods and supplements. They have a number of effects on gut health and constipation. They affect gut transit time (how fast food goes through us), increase the number of bowel movements per week, and help to soften stools to make them easier to pass.

Probiotic foods (and drinks) include fermented vegetables (like sauerkraut and kimchi), miso, kefir, and kombucha.

I like to recommend a multi strain type of probiotic to help give people a wide range of bacteria to help improve the gut flora. If you’re going to take supplements, make sure to read the label to ensure that it’s safe for you. And take it as directed.

4. Lifestyle

Some studies show a gut benefit from regular exercise.

Ideally, aim to have some type of activity or movement in your day for at least 30 minutes.

In terms of stress, when we’re stressed, it often affects our digestive system. The connection between our gut and our brain is so strong, researchers have coined the term “gut-brain axis.”

By better managing stress, we can help to reduce emotional and physical issues (like gut issues) that may result from stress. Try things like meditation, deep breathing, and exercise.

And last but not least – make sure to go when you need to go! Don’t hold it in because that can make things worse.

Conclusion

Optimal digestion is so important for overall health. Constipation is a common problem.

Increasing our fibre and water intake and boosting our friendly gut microbes are key things we can do to help things move along.

And don’t forget how lifestyle habits can affect our physical health! Exercise, stress management, and going to the bathroom regularly can also help us maintain great gut health.

Have you found that fibre, water, or probiotics affect your gut health? What about exercise, stress, and regular bathroom trips?

And if you’re obsessed with healthy poops like I am, you’re going to want to download my Poop Chart to find out what your poop is trying to tell you!

Much Love,