What does your POO say about YOU?
Hey all!
This week’s topic of conversation may make a few uncomfortable, but its something we need to discuss!
As a Nutritionist, I have become very comfortable talking about poo. Much to the dismay of some family and friends, its part of normal day-to-day conversations for me. Your bowel movements tell you a LOT about that internal state of the body. It is a piece of the puzzle that can give us clues as to how effectively the digestive system is working!
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, a healthy digestive system is a healthy foundation for EVERYTHING! Your gut is connected to your mood, energy levels, and immune system functioning, and your poop can tell you a lot about how well things are working!
What does YOUR poo say about YOU!?
A healthy stool (fancy word for poop) should look something like this
Easy to pass (you’re not straining)
2-3 bowel movements daily
puffy, but formed
They should neither sink to the bottom of the bowl or sir on the surface (they should float somewhere in the middle!)
These are some POO issues
Thin Bowel Movements (Diarrhea)
Thin bowel movements are indicative of issues happening somewhere in the gut. Stress and tightening of the smooth muscle of the gut , inflammation, and leaky gut walls can all contribute to thin bowel movements. Diarrhea may also be a symptom associated with food allergies/ intolerances or poor dietary habits and can contribute to dysbiosis (an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut) as symbionts (good bacteria) are lost in the watery stool.
Thin bowel movements can also impact nutrient absorption in the colon, contributing to nutrient deficiencies.
Constipation
Constipation is defined as a decrease in a persons normal frequency of pooping, combined with either strained or incomplete passage of dry or hard stool. People suffering with constipation may also experience bloating, gas, abdominal pain or discomfort as well as nausea or lack of appetite as the length of time without a bowel movement continues to grow.
The causes of constipation are numerous, but can include:
Low fiber intake
A diet high in refined and processed foods
Gut dysbiosis
Inadequate fluid intake
Low calcium and magnesium intake
Insufficient exercise
Stress
Irritabile bowel syndrome
Abdominal adhesions from a previous surgery
A hypothyroid condition
Laxative abuse
BUT WAIT! Before you go reaching for a laxative to fix this problem, let’s think about it. Let’s get to the ROOT of the problem rather than focusing on masking the SYMPTOM. Your constipation is telling you that something needs to shift in either your diet or lifestyle.
Undigested Food in the Stool
Keep your eyes peeled for undigested food in the stool! This is a helpful tool to assess the activity of the stomach and acid production that is essential for proper digestion. When undigested food ends up in the colon, it allows for bad bacteria to thrive, contributing to gut dysbiosis (or bacterial imbalance, favouring “bad” bacteria over “good” bacteria). Undigested food in the stool may be related to numerous dietary habits, age, the use of certain medications as well as lifestyle factors.
Fear not! There are numerous ways to support a shift in digestion in relation to undigested food in the stool!
If your POO isn’t telling the best health story, it might be time to take a closer look! Book a free discovery call with me today to chat about how a Registered Holistic Nutritionist such as myself can help you out!