What is constipation? I Symptoms of constipation I Causes of constipation I How to treat constipation naturally + 5 best natural laxatives
Chronic constipation is common in people with thyroid, autoimmune and hormonal problems. It is usually associated with hypothyroidism, but it’s not uncommon for those with hyperthyroidism as well.
Although we've never suffered from constipation ourselves, we've seen it over and over in our clients. That's why we've decided to write about the most typical causes of this problem and natural solutions, which can help you to fix this problem.
What is constipation?
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass.
A medical definition of constipation is "fewer than three bowel movements a week", although your bowel movements can still not be optimal with more than three bowel movements a week.
Usually, frequent feeling like you still need to go to the toilet, after you have a bowel movement (like you haven't fully emptied your bowels), feeling like there's a blockage in the intestines or rectum, or frequent pain or bloating in the abdomen means chronic constipation.
Symptoms of constipation
- Difficulty passing stool
- Painful bowel movements
- Feeling bloated
- Passing less stool than usual
- Dry stool
- Having lumpy or hard stools
- Straining to have bowel movements
- Pain in the abdomen
- Feeling as though you can't completely
empty the stool from your rectum
Causes of constipation
1. Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's
Hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone in the body, can cause the body's processes to slow down. This can cause constipation.
2. Poor diet
Eating a diet high in processed foods and sugars, and low in fiber is a common cause of constipation.
It is recommended that we consume 14 grams per 1000 calories and most people consume much less than the recommended intake.
3. Dehydration
The food you eat passes through your large intestine or colon. If you don't have enough water in your body, the large intestine takes water from your food. This creates hard stools that are difficult to pass.
To prevent this from happening, we recommend drinking at least 2 liters of water (10 glasses) a day.
4. Food sensitivities
A food sensitivity is a reaction to food that may be associated with increased levels of certain IgG class antibodies, because of the reaction to certain foods. Keep in mind that food sensitivity is different from a food allergy, where your body produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE).
If you suffer from food sensitivity, it can result in the symptoms like bloating, migraines, and constipation.
What are common food sensitivities? Gluten, dairy, refined sugar, nightshades, sometimes nuts, seeds, and foods high in FODMAPs.
5. Electrolytes depletion
Low levels of electrolytes can affect the muscles in the intestines, which can slow the passage of food and waste. This effect on the intestines can cause constipation and bloating.
If you don't eat at least 10 cups of green leafy vegetables, there is a high chance that you're deficient in electrolytes, especially potassium.
According to the research conducted on patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the patients were found to be deficient in potassium, which clearly shows how common is potassium and electrolytes deficiency. (1)
6. Imbalances in the gut bacteria, called dysbiosis
Gut microbiota, gut flora, or microbiome are the microorganisms including bacteria, archaea, and fungi that live in your digestive tract.
Their function is to the maintenance of structural integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, play an important role in your well-being, help to digest food, and are used to stimulate the development of T‑cells, which are responsible for distinguishing your body's cells and tissue from potentially harmful things in your body.
What happens when your gut microbiota is imbalanced? It can result in the creation of SIBO, leaky gut, yeast overgrowth, and other gut problems.
When this happens, toxins pass to your bloodstream, your immunity is affected and you don't absorb and digest the food as well as you should.
What causes the imbalance in the gut bacteria?
Stress, nutritional deficiencies, unhealthy eating, antibiotics, oral contraceptive pills, high inflammation, lack of sleep, and bad lifestyle.
7. Bowel Obstruction
Intestinal obstruction is a blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through your small intestine or large intestine.
Causes of intestinal obstruction may include certain medications, strictures from an inflamed intestine caused by certain conditions, such as Crohn's disease or diverticulitis.
Symptoms usually include crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes, constipation, loss of appetite, vomiting, swollen abdomen, and Inability to have a bowel movement. If you experience any of these, please don't wait and consult a doctor.
How to treat constipation naturally + 5 best natural laxatives
1. Drink more water
We recommend drinking at least 2 liters of water (10 glasses) a day.
2. Change your diet
Adopting new, healthier habits can help you to fix constipation. Start from eliminating inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, sugar, processed foods, high in omega 6 fatty acids foods (canola oil, peanuts, peanut oil, and others). For a specific list of foods and recipes, join the women's community.
3. Balance your gut bacteria by drinking bone broth
By regularly drinking bone broth or using it in recipes, you can help promote healthy gut integrity while reducing permeability and inflammation. This is because bone-broth contains a lot of glutamine, collagen, amino acid glycine, and the joints improving nutrients and chondroitin. All of these help to fix the gut lining and maintain healthy bacterial flora. You can find our bone broth recipe here.
4. Supplement with electrolytes
Low Electrolytes levels can cause constipation. In fact, low electrolytes decrease the mobility of your intestine. Also, having low electrolytes can cause your stool to become dry. This worsens constipation. Taking 2-3 capsules a day of Electrolytes Boost Pro can help you to have better stool and bowel movements.
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Published on April 27th, 2021