cleaning out your colon

[Atarii]

Flax does squat for me. Tried one minute muffins, tried two flax muffins a morning, tried magnesium supplements in the morning and at night. Drink 120oz of water, take pro-biotics. NOTHING.

Still lucky to go every 3 days and it has cause me a terrible fissure.

I have no clue what else could help get bowels moving regularly.

Something that does work, but I will not do often, and is 100% safe and natural is a sea salt cleanse.

Take 16oz of water and put 2 teaspoons of sea salt in it and you will be as clean as a whistle!

[Fairy Belle]

Slippery elm has worked for me

[Rory8343]

Originally Posted by Fairy Belle

Slippery elm has worked for me

I am afraid to ask........................

[stormy911]

So, if you don't "clean" your colan, what should you do if your only going every couple days. This happens to me & it worries me since it seems wrong to know, it all just sitting in my bowels, yuck. Is it ok to take stool softeners? or something daily? I sometimes notice painful bowel movement when I finally do go, very hard. I know its gross but if anyone has a same reaction from induction or just low carbing. What do you do????

[cleochatra]

The colon does its own thing.

If you feel backed up look to what you're eating as possibly getting you in a state of stuck.

Fawn says --and I agree-- death starts in the colon. You should never have to get the liquid butt drain-o out.

[Atarii]

I have been eating clean low carb and cant go should I stop low carbing? haha.

Ive been to a dr and had tests done and everything was fine.

I need to go because I get bad pains in my lower abdomen after 2 days of not going.

Just sucks that what works for everyone else, doesnt do anything for me.

[fawn]

It sounds to me like you're going but don't feel well in the lower intestines? If you have been on the SAD (standard american diet) for any amount of time, you could probably use a good pro-biotic with FOS (fructoOgliosaccharides) which provide good bacteria to the lower intestine as well as small intestine.

Watch your intake of gluten containing product (I would eliminate it completely right now)

Slippery elm, fennel, peppermint, papaya, rose hips all help with digestion/elimination.

Atarii: How long and how many parts per million were the strain of pro-biotics? And did you include one with FOS? One can try a myriad of pro-biotics and not have enough of a kick.....While pearls are a neat on the go if you're traveling pro-biotic, I don't personally think they carry more than just acidophilus?
And, have you incorporated coconut oil? That will help you both!

[stormy911]

So, should you not do "colon cleanses"? I get worried, beacuse when I do low-carb, I get to where I don't go but every few days. Is it ok to take stool softeners or laxatives occassionaly? I notice that wjen I do finally go, it is a hard, painful bowel movement. A fellow low-carber told me I should take a stool softener daily to keep this from happening. I know, it gross.
But does anyone ever have simular situations???? I would like to know as I just worry about that stuff sitting in my bowels for days on end & wondering if it could do damage to bowels or colan???

[Grandma of Nine]

I just read through this post... Because since starting Low Carb 1/1/08 I have been battling constant constipation. Before LC I religiously went every morning -- now, seriously, I'm lucky to go once a week!!! It's killing me....
I'm taking Citrucell, three 1200 mg flax seed oil capsules, three 1000 mg fish oil capsules and one Dulcolax Stool Softener daily!!! NOTHING... I went last Tuesday after taking a laxative -- this is crazy....

Today - I bought a 7-Day Complete Body Cleansing kit from GNC -- I'm starting it tomorrow.... I'm eating salads & veggies every day...

So I'll take any advice anyone has.....

Also what are 1-minutes muffins?

[Crohnie]

never ever do colon cleaneses....you are just asking for problems and trouble. You NEED the bacteria in your colon

[stormy911]

OPPS!!! Sorry, I posted the same thing twice, lol! I thought the first didn't post.

But, still no one answered my main question, should I follow the advice & try a stool softener daily? And is it safe to do so????

[Atarii]

Originally Posted by fawn

It sounds to me like you're going but don't feel well in the lower intestines? If you have been on the SAD (standard american diet) for any amount of time, you could probably use a good pro-biotic with FOS (fructoOgliosaccharides) which provide good bacteria to the lower intestine as well as small intestine.

Watch your intake of gluten containing product (I would eliminate it completely right now)

Slippery elm, fennel, peppermint, papaya, rose hips all help with digestion/elimination.

Atarii: How long and how many parts per million were the strain of pro-biotics? And did you include one with FOS? One can try a myriad of pro-biotics and not have enough of a kick.....While pearls are a neat on the go if you're traveling pro-biotic, I don't personally think they carry more than just acidophilus?
And, have you incorporated coconut oil? That will help you both!

Hi Fawn!

Im taking one called Kyo-Dolphilous, which has seemed to work well for my tummy the many times I have bought it.

It says: 1.5 billion live cells per capsule and i keep them in the fridge.

I started taking amoxicillin yesterday for a strep throat type infection and ive had #2 several times and know thats a side effect, but is a nice one at the moment haha.

[Lori92325]

Originally Posted by Rory8343

I've got four words for you:

Russell Stover's Pecan Clusters

Eat a bag then stand back. Just make sure you have plenty of reading material in the john and don't plan any activity outside of the house for ...say...12 hours? Oh and buy one of those Glade candles.

I have been there one too many times!!! Oh it is horrible why do I eat these things...

[RoseofSharon]

There is also a "Smooth Move" tea which has many of the gentle laxative herbs in it.

IMO be careful of a lot of the laxatives out there.

Exercise, crucerifous veggies, and coffee do it for me.

[AllieCat0817]

NOOO don't go the Smooth Move route! Just my opinion.

TRUST ME on these suggestions:
Natural Calm magnesium (do a LCF search on it, and google it too-- don't need this anymore but it WORKS)
Probiotics (Jarrow brand Jarro-dophilus is the bomb)
Digestive Advantage Constipation Therapy (also the bomb but I dont need it anymore)

[aim in Fla*working]

be careful please..especially if you have thyroid problems..I did a month cleanse that involed herbs and it totally depleted the potency of my meds.

[micki]

After a surgery to remove one of my ovaries I was backed up for a week because of all of the pain meds I was taking. I tried everything, and then my BF, who I sometimes refer to as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" brought home a bottle of magnesium citrate. I had never heard of it, so I drank it up
It definately worked.
I think that we are just eating higher quality foods, and therefore less waste. Our bodies are actually using the food we eat. Kinda like giving your dog a high quality dog food makes them have smaller poops.
I found this on Web MD


Constipation Overview
Constipation refers to a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements. For some people, it may mean difficulty in passing stools. A constipated stool is hard because it contains less water than normal. Constipation is a symptom, not a disease.

Generally, constipation is difficult to define clearly because as a symptom it varies from person to person.

The frequency of bowel movements also varies greatly, ranging from 3 movements per day to 3 per week. Generally, if your bowel has not opened for 3 successive days, the intestinal contents harden, and you may have difficulty or even pain during defecation.
A common misconception about constipation is that wastes stored in your body are absorbed, are dangerous to your health, and may shorten your lifespan. Some people have an underlying fear that they will be "poisoned" by their own intestinal wastes (feces) if they retain the waste in their bodies for more than a certain length of time. None of this is true.
Older people are 5 times more likely than younger people to develop constipation. But experts believe that older people become too concerned with having a daily bowel movement and that constipation in this age group is overestimated.
Constipation Causes
Constipation may result from a poor diet, poor bowel habits, or problems in elimination of stool, whether physical, functional, or voluntary.

These are the most common causes of constipation:

Poor diet: Eating foods rich in animal fats (dairy products, meats, and eggs) or refined sugar but low in fiber (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) may cause constipation.
Poor bowel habits: Ignoring the desire to have bowel movements may initiate a cycle of constipation.


After a period of time, you may stop feeling the desire for opening your bowel.


This leads to progressive constipation. For example, some people may avoid using public toilets or ignore going to the toilet because they are busy.
Medications: Many medications can cause constipation.


Antacids - Those containing aluminum hydroxide and calcium carbonate


Antispasmodic drugs


Antidepressants


Iron tablets


Anticonvulsant drugs
Painkillers: Narcotic-containing drugs, for instance, may interfere with bowel functions.
Travel: Changes in lifestyle, low fluid intake, and eating fast food may cause constipation.
Irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon): This is one of the most common causes of constipation. Because of changes in bowel function, if you have this disorder, you may have crampy abdominal pain, excessive gas, bloating, and constipation.
Laxative abuse: Habitually using laxatives gradually will produce dependency on them.

You may eventually require increasing amounts of laxatives to move your bowels.


In some instances, the bowel will become insensitive to laxatives and fail to open.
Pregnancy: Constipation during pregnancy may be due to several factors. Each of the following conditions produces severe pain on defecation, which may trigger a reflex spasm of the anal sphincter muscle. The spasm may delay bowel movement and decrease the desire for bowel opening as a means to avoid the anal pain.


Mechanical pressure on your bowel by the heavy womb


Hormonal changes during pregnancy


Changes in food and fluid intake


Anal fissure (cracks in the anus)


Hemorrhoids (piles)


Anal stenosis (narrow anus)
Intestinal obstruction: Mechanical compression and interference with the normal functions of the bowel may occur in the following ways:


Inflammatory adhesions and joining of tissues


Intestinal tumors or foreign bodies


Gallstones that have become immovably wedged in the intestine


Twisting of the intestine upon itself (volvulus)


Intussusception – "Telescoping of the intestine" in which one part of your intestine slips or is drawn onto another part just below it (This occurs mainly in children.)


Abdominal hernia - Loops of the intestine become obstructed


Damage to nerves within your intestine - (Spinal cord tumors, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries may produce constipation by interfering with the function of the nerves supplying the intestine.)


Connective tissue diseases – Conditions such as scleroderma and lupus


Poor-functioning thyroid gland - A low production of thyroxin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland, hypothyroidism, causing constipation


Lead poisoning and other metabolic disorders
Age: Older adults are more likely to have constipation for these reasons:


Poor diet and insufficient intake of fluids


Lack of exercise


Side effects of prescription drugs used to treat other conditions


Poor bowel habits


Prolonged bed rest, for example after an accident or during an illness


Habitual use of enemas and laxatives

[girl81]

What is meant by "death begins in the colon"?

[lisa89]

i had my day 1 of my induction and i already feel backed up,i will increase my magnesium tomorrow and after induction,start drinking decaf coffee....hopefully i wont have to do anymore than that especially because im already drinking tons of water.

[girl81]

Originally Posted by lisa89

i had my day 1 of my induction and i already feel backed up,i will increase my magnesium tomorrow and after induction,start drinking decaf coffee....hopefully i wont have to do anymore than that especially because im already drinking tons of water.

Is 1000mg too much magnesium?

[lisa89]

Nope not at all!...i went up to 1000 the other day and it got me going alright.....but i'll stick to 500 on a regular basis and increase to 1000 when feeling bloated or stocked up(tmi sorry)

Originally Posted by girl81

Is 1000mg too much magnesium?

[Mayberryfan]

I like the herb Cascara Sagrada which you can get at W-M. They used to give a strong dose of cascara to people in the hospital when they'd get constipated.

Anyway, one or two capsules at bedtime and you will go once or twice the next morning and should feel much better. No cramping, etc.

[AllieCat0817]

Cascara Sagrada is pretty strong. I'd recommend Natural Calm over anything to get you feeling better, and a probiotic. Cascara is a stimulant, just like senna.

I found this online via google. This is just an excerpt but it does stimulate peristalsis (hence cramping):

Side effects of cascara may include strong cramping in the abdomen (due to muscle contractions, electrolyte imbalance (loss of potassium) and loss of body fluids, and dark pigmentation in the colon, called melanosis coli with longer term use. Call your doctor if you experience bloody diarrhea, discolored urine, vomiting, or prolonged abdominal pain after using cascara.

[micki]

someone on my quit smoking board (yes, i've been cheating on y'all) suggested a product called bowtrol. I thought he was joking, but apparently there is such a product. If you do a search, be warned, there are pictures of poop on the website. I almost puked all over my keyboard.

Sometimes I think that this would be a good idea, and you would probably temporarily lose some pounds, but that sounds like eating disorder thinking, so I probably won't do it.

[daisyHair]

Originally Posted by momov2boys

My husband is a gastroenterologist.
No, colons don't need cleaning!

THANK YOU!!
I have to agree...(well not that my hubbie is a gastroenterologist! - lucky you though~)

[AllieCat0817]

Quote: