Let’s talk about the Unmentionable...Just what is a Normal Bowel Movement?

It all starts with a dirty little topic that no one likes to discuss.  The bowel movement.  Just what is a normal bowel movement?  In naturopathic medicine and in my practice particularly, it’s all about cleaning up the gut and enhancing the major avenues of elimination. You remember the old saying “you are what you eat.”?  Well, just as important, you are what you don’t eliminate. 

Are you constipated?  Experience diarrhea regularly?  In preparation for the new year let’s talk about something that no one has ever likely given you adequate advice on.  Your stools.  It’s funny how I’ve never had a casual conversation about this interesting and very important topic.  Even with my closest friends and family it’s rarely talked about.  Making sure you have adequate and normal bowel movements are imperative to good health.  Want vibrant skin and prevent acne?  Want to prevent colon cancer?  Want to prevent breast cancer? Here is your number one first step to all three and much more. 

Identify your transit time

Here is an easy test to identify how fast or slow you are digesting and moving your food and nutrients.  Too quickly indicates that you are probably having difficulty with adequate absorption and digestion of food hence possible nutrient deficiencies.  Too slowly usually means constipation and inadequate or slowed elimination of many chemicals, excess hormones and other toxins that were absorbed by the body.  These chemicals are absorbed by the intestine, skin or lungs and thrown away by the liver into the colon for easy elimination and disposal.  All you need for this is are activated charcoal capsules found at your local grocery or drugstore. 

1.    After your next bowel movement.  Take approximately 1300 mg of Activated Charcoal on an empty stomach. How many capsules will depend on how many milligrams per capsule in your bottle.
2.    Note time of ingestion of charcoal.
3.    Wait until your next bowel movement or two to see the results of the activated charcoal in your stool (it will look dark colored, like charcoal).
4.    Note time of bowel movement which incorporated the activated charcoal.
12-18 hours is considered normal transit time and is your goal. 

Some other signs that can tell you that your digestion and elimination are off:

•    Mucous in stools (even occasionally).  This indicates inflammation and needs to be fixed.
•    Blood in stool (not related to hemorrhoids).  Bright red blood usually means hemorrhoids, dark red or black blood usually means possible GI bleed and warrants a visit to your doctor or GI specialist ASAP.
•    Undigested food.
•    Gas and bloating frequently, smelly passing of gas, abdominal cramping from gas
•    Loose or unformed stools.
•    Strong smelly stools (this may be difficult to tell because many people may have had problems with stool smell for years, ask your significant other or family member about this for a different perspective).

What you are looking for:

•    Formed, regularly shaped and easy to pass stools that come out smoothly, without straining.  No pellets.
•    Regular stools 1-3 times per day, preferably after eating.  What goes in must come out.
•    Stools should not be strong smelling, contain recognizable food (except maybe corn) or have mucous.

If you have what is considered “normal”, then congratulations!  If not, see your doctor for further advice on how to achieve optimal stools and check out tomorrow’s companion article on How to Prevent Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer and Acne.

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Comments

[Phyllis]

Not sure this kind of thing should really appear on the internet. All too disturbing.

[jessica goodman]

I was resigned to having ugly skin until my friend said to try Acnezine. It was unbelievable! After all these years, my acne has cleared up, and even the scars are starting to look better. I only wish they'd known how to make Acnezine a long, long time ago.
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[Crystal]

EVERYONE should have this general "common" knowledge. Want extra advice? My mom's got GREAT BM!! hahahaha

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What is such a store called in ENglish by Europeans?

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