What does your poo reveal about you?
BYMim BeimNaturopathy expert
What comes out of your body can say a lot about what's happening inside it?
So just what is poo? Poo is made up of water, fibre, bacteria, bile and sloughed-off cells from the inside of your intestinal tract. Although some people find bowel habits a source of embarrassment, studying your movements can give you useful insights into your wellbeing. After all, a healthy digestive system is the basis for good health. Your faeces are a veritable treasure trove of information and are far too valuable to flush down the loo without a second glance.
The perfect poo
The perfect poo is about the size and shape of a banana, not too hard nor too soft. Normal pooing frequency is three times a week to three times a day. However, most people feel their best with one or two nicely formed bowel movements each day.
The perfect poo
The perfect poo is about the size and shape of a banana, not too hard nor too soft. Normal pooing frequency is three times a week to three times a day. However, most people feel their best with one or two nicely formed bowel movements each day.
The colour should vary between Mission Brown (hard to forget if you were around in the 1970s) and burnished bronze. Here is a guide to some poos you may have had.
Déjà Poo
Seeing pieces of undigested food in your poo is cause for concern. Either you have not chewed your food well enough or your digestive system is in need of support. The exception to this rule is the odd kernel of corn or piece of tomato skin that can be devilishly difficult to digest.
Déjà Poo
Seeing pieces of undigested food in your poo is cause for concern. Either you have not chewed your food well enough or your digestive system is in need of support. The exception to this rule is the odd kernel of corn or piece of tomato skin that can be devilishly difficult to digest.
If you have undigested food in your poo, slow down when you eat and chew each mouthful at least 10 times before swallowing. If you still have issues, take a digestive enzyme with each meal.
Pebbly Poo
If your poo looks like that of a sheep, goat or, worse, a guinea pig, it is generally a sign you hold stress in your bowel. A stressed poo may exit like a log but falls apart in the toilet bowl into small pebbles.
If your poo looks like that of a sheep, goat or, worse, a guinea pig, it is generally a sign you hold stress in your bowel. A stressed poo may exit like a log but falls apart in the toilet bowl into small pebbles.
Learn how to breathe deep into your belly, relaxing the muscles of the bowel wall. Take a magnesium supplement daily. Magnesium helps relax muscles, including the muscle that lines the bowel. Stress-relieving herbs include passionflower, valerian, zizyphus and St John’s wort.
Floaters and Sinkers
Perhaps the most controversial topic in the world of poo is that of floaters and sinkers. Floaters are preferable to sinkers. A floating poo is a sign your diet is high in fibre. The fibre attracts bacteria, which create gas, and this allows the poo to rise in the water.
Floaters and Sinkers
Perhaps the most controversial topic in the world of poo is that of floaters and sinkers. Floaters are preferable to sinkers. A floating poo is a sign your diet is high in fibre. The fibre attracts bacteria, which create gas, and this allows the poo to rise in the water.
If your poo sinks, eat more wholegrains such as rolled oats and brown rice, and legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and baked beans, and increase your fruit and vegetable intake.
Darth vader poo
A dark poo can indicate you have eaten a lot of spinach or you are taking iron supplements. It can also be a sign of constipation. However, a dark poo can indicate more serious health problems, such as bleeding in the bowel. By the time the blood has travelled down the digestive tract, the iron has oxidised and darkened. A black, “tarry” poo may indicate blood loss further up the digestive tract and is a sign you should visit your doctor.
Slime city
Visible mucus that resembles a gel on your poo or on the toilet paper may be a sign of inflammation. The digestive tract is lined with mucous membranes that secrete mucus which allows for the easy passage of poo. In general, you should not be able to see the mucus. If you do, it may indicate inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the bowel.
Darth vader poo
A dark poo can indicate you have eaten a lot of spinach or you are taking iron supplements. It can also be a sign of constipation. However, a dark poo can indicate more serious health problems, such as bleeding in the bowel. By the time the blood has travelled down the digestive tract, the iron has oxidised and darkened. A black, “tarry” poo may indicate blood loss further up the digestive tract and is a sign you should visit your doctor.
Slime city
Visible mucus that resembles a gel on your poo or on the toilet paper may be a sign of inflammation. The digestive tract is lined with mucous membranes that secrete mucus which allows for the easy passage of poo. In general, you should not be able to see the mucus. If you do, it may indicate inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the bowel.
This could be a sign of infection, gluten sensitivity or an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis. Slippery elm powder is a gentle demulcent fibre that helps reduce inflammation in the bowel. If you still see mucus, see a doctor.
Skid mark poo
The poo that leaves indelible skid marks on the toilet bowel and is sticky, smelly and difficult to flush is a sign there is fat in your poo. The skid mark poo may also be khaki, a colour that may be de rigeur on safari but is not a good look for poo.
Skid mark poo
The poo that leaves indelible skid marks on the toilet bowel and is sticky, smelly and difficult to flush is a sign there is fat in your poo. The skid mark poo may also be khaki, a colour that may be de rigeur on safari but is not a good look for poo.
There is a chance your gall bladder or liver are in trouble. Drink some lemon juice in hot water each morning and give alcohol a miss.
Transit time
Transit time is the length of time your poo takes to travel out of your body. What is the correct amount of time for the voyage? Bowel length varies considerably from person to person and this influences transit time.
Transit time
Transit time is the length of time your poo takes to travel out of your body. What is the correct amount of time for the voyage? Bowel length varies considerably from person to person and this influences transit time.
The average transit time in Western countries is between 18 and 36 hours, whereas in people eating less refined diets with more fibre, transit time is 12 to 18 hours.
How can you tell your transit time? Eating a cup of grated raw beetroot and a handful of sesame or sunflower seeds, without chewing them, and noticing when the last remnants have been excreted, will give you an approximation of your own personal transit time.
How can you tell your transit time? Eating a cup of grated raw beetroot and a handful of sesame or sunflower seeds, without chewing them, and noticing when the last remnants have been excreted, will give you an approximation of your own personal transit time.
Healthy Stool Unhealthy Stool Medium to light brown Stool that is hard to pass, painful, or requires straining Smooth and soft, formed into one long shape and not a bunch of pieces Hard lumps and pieces, or mushy and watery, or even pasty and difficult to clean off About one to two inches in diameter and up to 18 inches long Narrow, pencil-like or ribbon-like stools: can indicate a bowel obstruction or tumor – or worst case, colon cancer; narrow stools on an infrequent basis are not so concerning, but if they persist, definitely warrant a call to your physician5 S-shaped, which comes from the shape of your lower intestine6 Black, tarry stools or bright red stools may indicate bleeding in the GI tract; black stools can also come from certain medications, supplements or consuming black licorice; if you have black, tarry stools, it's best to be evaluated by your healthcare provider Quiet and gentle dive into the water...it should fall into the bowl with the slightest little "whoosh" sound – not a loud, wet cannonball splash that leaves your toosh in need of a shower White, pale or gray stools may indicate a lack of bile, which may suggest a serious problem (hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatic disorders, or possibly a blocked bile duct), so this warrants a call to your physician; antacids may also produce white stool Natural smell, not repulsive (I'm not saying it will smell good) Yellow stools may indicate giardiainfection, a gallbladder problem, or a condition known as Gilbert's syndrome – if you see this, call your doctor Uniform texture Presence of undigested food (more of a concern if accompanied by diarrhea, weight loss, or other changes in bowel habits) Sinks slowly Floaters or splashers Increased mucus in stool: This can be associated with inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, or even colon cancer, especially if accompanied by blood or abdominal pain
Does Your Stool Have a Really Bad Odor?
If your stool has an extraordinarily bad odor, it should not be ignored. I am referring to an odor above and beyond the normally objectionable stool odor. Stinky stool can be associated with a number of health problems, such as:7
- A malabsorptive disorder
- Celiac disease
- Crohn's disease
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease caused by a defective gene that causes your body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus, which builds up and causes life-threatening lung infections and serious digestive problems. Most cases of CF are diagnosed before the age of 2, so this is more of a concern with infants and toddlers.Speaking of malodorous things, what about gas? Passing gas (flatulence) is normal. Not only is it normal, it's a good sign that trillions of hard working gut bacteria are doing their jobs. People pass gas an average 14 times per day – anywhere from one to four pints of it!8 Ninety nine percent of gas is odorless, so you may even be unaware you're passing it. Think about it – were it not for an exit, we'd all blow up like balloons!
How Often Should You Move Your Bowels?
Normal bowel habits vary. When we talk about regularity, what we're really talking about is what's regular for you. Three bowel movements per day to three per week is considered the normal range.What's more important than frequency is the ease with which you move your bowels. If you need to push or strain, something is off – moving your bowels should take no more effort than urinating or passing gas. The thing to watch for is a sudden change in your bowel habits. Many factors can affect regularity, such as diet, travel, medications, hormonal fluctuations, sleep patterns, exercise, illness, surgery, childbirth, stress and a whole host of other things.9
The average body takes between 18 and 72 hours to convert food into poop and pass it on out. When this time is significantly shortened, the result is diarrhea because your intestine doesn't have time to absorb all of the water. Conversely, when transit time is lengthened, you may end up constipated because too much water has been absorbed, resulting in hard, dry stools.
Constipation is defined as passing hard, dry stools that you have to strain to move, and it's typically accompanied by decreased frequency of defecation. Straining is not normal, nor are experiencing feelings of incomplete elimination, bloating, crampiness, or sluggishness after going number two. If you're over the age of 65, your risk of becoming constipated increases significantly.
Chronic, untreated constipation can lead to fecal impaction,10 which can be a serious medical condition. Laxatives should be avoided at all cost and used only as a last resort. If you absolutely must use a laxative, make sure it is used for only a very short period of time.
How to Score a Home Run with Your Bowel Movements
Most gastrointestinal problems can be prevented or resolved by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. If you aren't achieving poo perfection, or if you don't feel right, then look at the following factors and consider making a few changes. These strategies will help reverse constipation or diarrhea, in addition to helping prevent recurrences.
- Remove all sources of gluten from your diet (the most common sources are wheat, barley, rye, spelt and other grains)
- Eat a diet that includes whole foods, rich in fresh, organic vegetables and fruits that provide good nutrients and fiber; most of your fiber should come from vegetables, not from grains
- Avoid artificial sweeteners, excess sugar (especially fructose), chemical additives, MSG, excessive amounts of caffeine, and processed foods as they are all detrimental to your gastrointestinal (and immune) function
- Boost your intestinal flora by adding naturally fermented foods into your diet, such as sauerkraut, pickles, and kefir (if you tolerate dairy); add a probiotic supplement if you suspect you're not getting enough beneficial bacteria from your diet alone
- Try increasing your fiber intake; good options include psyllium and freshly ground organic flax seed (shoot for 35 grams of fiber per day)
- Make sure you stay well hydrated with fresh, pure water
- Get plenty of exercise daily
- Avoid pharmaceutical drugs, such as pain killers like codeine or hydrocodone which will slow your bowel function, Antidepressants, and antibiotics can cause a variety of GI disruptions
- Address emotional challenges with tools like EFT
- Consider squatting instead of sitting to move your bowels; squatting straightens your rectum, relaxes your puborectalis muscle and encourages the complete emptying of your bowel without straining, and has been scientifically shown to relieve constipation and hemorrhoids
Food Intolerances
Some people with sticky stools cannot properly process nutrients found in the foods. Foods that contain either gluten or lactose can contribute to sticky stools in susceptible persons, such as those with food intolerances, which occur with celiac disease and lactose intolerance. Gluten is a grain protein present in wheat, barley and rye. Many packaged foods contain gluten, so read labels carefully. Lactose is the milk sugar present in milk and to a lesser degree in yogurt and cheese. If you suspect that you are intolerant to either milk or wheat, consider eliminating these foods from your diet, and talk to your doctor.
| Eating more fruits and vegetables (increased fiber) | Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) |
| Increased exercise | Crohn's disease |
| Drinking more water | Ulcerative colitis |
| Emotional stress | Celiac disease |
| Food allergies | Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) |
| Medication side effects | |
| Gastrointestinal infection | |
| Change in diet, less fiber, less fruits and vegetables | Pregnancy, childbirth, or hormonal disturbances |
| Emotional stress | Problems with the muscles or nerve in the intestine, rectum or anus |
| Ignoring the urge to "go," travel and scheduling factors that cause you to hold it | Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) |
| Insufficient exercise | Diabetes |
| Inadequate hydration | Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) |
| Calcium or iron supplements | Local pain or discomfort around the anus, such as from fissures or hemorrhoids |
| Drugs such as narcotic painkillers (codeine, for example), diuretics, antacids, antidepressants, and excess or overused laxatives | Less often: diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction, colorectal cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury |
| Food allergies | |
| Healthy Stool | Unhealthy Stool |
| Medium to light brown | Stool that is hard to pass, painful, or requires straining |
| Smooth and soft, formed into one long shape and not a bunch of pieces | Hard lumps and pieces, or mushy and watery, or even pasty and difficult to clean off |
| About one to two inches in diameter and up to 18 inches long | Narrow, pencil-like or ribbon-like stools: can indicate a bowel obstruction or tumor – or worst case, colon cancer; narrow stools on an infrequent basis are not so concerning, but if they persist, definitely warrant a call to your physician5 |
| S-shaped, which comes from the shape of your lower intestine6 | Black, tarry stools or bright red stools may indicate bleeding in the GI tract; black stools can also come from certain medications, supplements or consuming black licorice; if you have black, tarry stools, it's best to be evaluated by your healthcare provider |
| Quiet and gentle dive into the water...it should fall into the bowl with the slightest little "whoosh" sound – not a loud, wet cannonball splash that leaves your toosh in need of a shower | White, pale or gray stools may indicate a lack of bile, which may suggest a serious problem (hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatic disorders, or possibly a blocked bile duct), so this warrants a call to your physician; antacids may also produce white stool |
| Natural smell, not repulsive (I'm not saying it will smell good) | Yellow stools may indicate giardiainfection, a gallbladder problem, or a condition known as Gilbert's syndrome – if you see this, call your doctor |
| Uniform texture | Presence of undigested food (more of a concern if accompanied by diarrhea, weight loss, or other changes in bowel habits) |
| Sinks slowly | Floaters or splashers |
| Increased mucus in stool: This can be associated with inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, or even colon cancer, especially if accompanied by blood or abdominal pain
summary :
1. yoghurt is must
2. phyllium husk isabagol while sleeping in milk is must
3. i should take milk once a day with phyllium husk
4. i should eat salad and fruits two times a day. its mandatory.
5. digestive enzyme not laxatives are a solution.
6. drink los of water
7. keep on having small meals in a day - make a dry fruit mix and use it to chew whole day
8. eat necessary not much , most of the times
9. i have to cut down fat in diet.. i doesnt suit me
10. brown rice is must .we should include it always
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