Your mother probably started telling you not to talk about “poop” as soon as you were potty trained. Don’t look at it. Don’t talk about it. And it’s likely your physician has not asked you specific questions about your bowel habits unless you brought it up. This culture may be the biggest reason why millions of Americans live with problematic bowel health and never address the issue. Michigan State University estimates that inflammatory bowel diseases affect about 11% of the world’s population. Let’s say that again…one in ten people in this world are living with inflammation in their lower intestine. And this does not include the huge numbers of people who experience the troublesome symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional disorder of long-term constipation and/or diarrhea. While it’s easy to think of this the colon as a simple tube to dispose of waste, that is far from the case. Dysbiosis in the colon is not just irritating, it’s dangerous and will affect every aspect of your health.
So, here’s the lowdown on this down low process: Carbohydrates begin their breakdown in the mouth, with the help of saliva. Proteins are broken down into amino acids in the stomach and further digestion of both of these, plus fats are done in the 20 ft. long section of our gut known as the small intestine. (The majority of our digestion and absorption of nutrients is done in the small intestine.) By the time our food gets to the large intestine, or colon, what is left is fiber, water and a lot of bacteria. The colon continues to extract water and move the bulk along until enough stool is formed to trigger elimination. What can go wrong, right? But on the Standard American Diet (SAD) many people don’t get nearly enough fiber. Fiber is the cell walls of plants. Fiber is NOT necessarily “whole grains”. Fiber comes from the more nutrient dense vegetables and fruits as well. Without sufficient fiber in the diet, the muscle in the colon will not have sufficient “bulk” to push against and the muscle tone will fade over time. Without the proper bacterial present, the colon will not break down the fiber.
If your gut is functioning properly, you should have 1-2 soft, and easily passable stools per day. You have probably heard this before….your stools should be the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. This is important and a sign that your digestive track is on track. You should have the urge to move your bowels around the same time every day, or shortly after meals. If this is not the case for you—if you are experiencing constipation and/or diarrhea more than occasionally—you should be concerned. The colon is one of five organs your body uses to eliminate toxins. When those toxins sit in the colon for prolonged periods, toxins can be reabsorbed into the body. The colon can become enlarged and distended, causing further failure of elimination. Extremely painful impactions can occur if constipation becomes severe. These irregularities can most likely be remedied by diet and lifestyle changes before they turn into more serious conditions. Contact me about a personalized Gut Health program to learn more!