Constipation Woes

I was thinking of naming this article Why Fiber? but I thought I’d catch your attention more quickly with a problem you may experience when you don’t have enough fiber in your diet. Constipation is one result of inadequate fiber that plagues many people. Did you know that it’s normal to have two or three bowel movements every day? Yes, that’s a day, not a week, not a month—three a day!

Some people don’t come close to even one-a-day. Generally, that’s because they don’t get enough fiber and don’t drink enough water to keep everything working smoothly. Did you ever notice puppies and babies poop almost as often as they eat? That’s because they have no restraints. It’s just when we house break or potty train them that the one-in/one-out rule gets messed up.

Fiber is that part of plants that isn’t digested in the stomach and which attracts water, toxins, and fat in the intestine, promoting a more efficient elimination process. Adults should ingest 25 grams of fiber every day. It’s difficult to get that much fiber in your diet if you aren’t eating enough fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Without enough fiber, your feces get dried out and hard and you experience infrequent and difficult bowel movements that can ultimately cause hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

There are many fiber products on the market, but my favorite way to add fiber naturally is to add ground flax seeds to your diet. Not only does a daily serving of flax eliminate constipation, it also supplies the body with much needed omega-3 fatty acids – a vital nutrient that our bodies can’t make on their own.

Adding Flax to your Daily Routine

1. Buy organic flax seeds. Get the tastier golden ones if you can, but the brown ones work just as well. I buy a pound or two at a time from the bulk food section of my market.

2. Store a small amount of seed in a jar away from heat or sunlight. Keep the remainder of the flax seeds double-bagged in the freezer.

3. Use a flax-designated coffee or seed grinder to grind the seeds.

4. Start with a teaspoon of seeds on the first day and gradually increase to 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup). This reduces the potential for flatulence.

5. Grind the desired amount of seeds daily and add them to a full glass of water.

6. Drink that water soon or the seeds will get slimy and a bit disgusting.

7. Drink another glass of water in the next half hour so that you provide your intestinal system with the two key ingredients it needs for efficient processing of your food.

In addition, the company I consult for has a fabulous fiber product that is an important aspect of their fat-burning and nutritional cleansing program. Call me for more information:

Jacquie Hale
Natural Health Coach
510-548-2585
vibrancecoach@jacquiehale.com

©2008, Jacqueline Hale

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