Constipation is an unpleasant experience that results in difficulty of passing stools and or incomplete or infrequent passage of stools. There are many causes of constipation which include poor diet, lack of exercise, abuse of laxatives, and even something as simple as ignoring the body when it tells you that nature is calling.
There are many home remedies for constipation that work great and are easy to incorporate. Many choose to choose a natural treatment for constipation rather than going on a prescription drug.
One of the best ways to cure constipation is to eat a high fiber diet. An increase in dietary fiber can increase both the frequency and the quantity of bowel movements as well as decrease the time it takes for a stool to pass. A high fiber diet also will decrease the absorption of toxins from the stool and has been shown to be a preventive factor in several diseases. Some of the best fibers to choose are soluble fibers such as bran which can increase stool size and weight due to their water binding properties.
Psyllium seed husks are an excellent source of fiber and work as a bulk laxative. Psyllium works as a defecation stimulant. As a bulking agent, psyllium hold water in the stool and add bulk which stimulates the large intestines natural contractions which can lead to more frequent bowel movements. The typical dose is one or two rounded teaspoons after meals or before bed with a full glass of water.
Cascara sacrada has a long history of being used as a laxative. Cascara sagrada works by increasing peristalsis which is the muscular activity of the colon. This herb is considered safe to use but it is advised not to use it long term as it can cause dependence.
Many may find relief from constipation by drinking more water. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is enough for many to have more frequent bowel movements.
Others find relief by exercising. Exercising for at least 20 minutes three times per week can increase metabolism and peristalsis which can bring about ease from constipation.
Additional bacterial flora or probiotics in the colon can help to stop or prevent constipation. Our intestines and colon have both good and bad bacteria and this is actually part of what is in our stool. When you add good bacteria to your diet, you body eliminates the bad bacteria and in doing this can help to bring about bowel movements that are both more frequent and more productive.
Constipation is a common problem. But if you follow the above home remedies for constipation you may find your sell feeling better in no time.
Aloe vera is an amazing plant with incredible healing properties. Most people are aware of what an effective skin healer and moisturizer the plant is. But an overlooked aspect to the healing properties of aloe vera is when the juice is ingested.
When ingested as aloe vera juice, look for a product that is at least 98% pure aloe vera. The juice is excellent for healing and soothing stomach disorders, especially ulcers, constipation, hemorrhoids, colitis, rectal itching, and all colon problems.
Other benefits of drinking aloe vera juice are that it can help to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and increase the generation of blood vessels in the extremities of those who have poor circulation.
A powerful effect that aloe vera juice can have on the digestive track is that it can help to return stools to normal no matter if you are constipated or if you have diarrhea.
The leader in the aloe vera juice industry is the company Lily of the Desert. They make an aloe vera juice that is 99.7% pure organic aloe vera . Lily of the Deserts Stomach Formula is specially blended to aid in digestion and to sooth the stomach and digestive track.
Here is a nice video that basically explains the importance of digestive enzymes. In the video, she briefly mentions plant based enzymes.
It can be confusing for a person who is looking to take digestive enzymes. There are plant based enzymes, animal based enzymes, and enzymes like papaya and bromelain.
While papaya enzymes and bromelain are enzymes from plants, they are really better for inflammation than improving digestion. If you suffer from an upset stomach, taking papaya or bromelain may help to relieve these symptoms.
Animal based enzymes tend to be proteolytic enzymes. These animal based enzymes are also great for inflammation. They help to block the process that can lead to inflammatory pain. Many choose to take these animal based enzymes for arthritis, strains, sprains, or sports injuries.
Plant based enzymes are the superior enzyme for digestion. These can survive the stomach and continue working into the intestines where most of the nutrient absorption takes place. Plant based enzymes are also good for digesting an entire meal. They work to break down and help absorb carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Most of the probiotic supplements on the market today need refidgeration. This is because they are live bacteria and they need to stay cool and avoid heat to stay alive. If a probiotic is left out at room temperature for too long, they lose their potency and the live bacteria will die off. Most forms of acidophilus and other probiotics need to be stored at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
But what are you to do if you need to take probiotics and are traveling or if you are not able to consistently keep your probiotics refrigerated? Or what do you do if you just prefer the convenience supplement that does not need to be taken from the refrigerator every time you want to take them?
Thankfully there are some quality shelf stable probiotics on the market today. Enzymatic Therapy makes Acidophilus Pearls which are shelf stable and do not need to be refrigerated. Acidophilus Pearls are coated in a proprietary system that is made of three layers which guarantees delivery of the probiotics into the intestines.
The first layer is a protective oil mixture.
The second layer seals the probiotics to protect them from air and moisture. Since probiotics are anaerobic organisms they need to be kept away from oxygen which can damage or kill them.
The third layer is an enteric coating which protects the probiotics from the acids in your stomach. Each pearl is made to break down in an alkaline environment like that which is found in the intestines..
So if you are traveling, or in need of a quality probiotic that does not need to be kept in a refrigerator, consider trying Acidophilus Pearls by Enzymatic Therapy.
Magnesium plays a critical role in healthy digestion. It acts as a coenzyme, and one of the places where enzymes and their coenzymes work their hardest is in your digestive system. It is these enzymes that help in the digestion in all of the food that your eat and they could not do what they do this without important coenzymes like magnesium.
Magnesium along with ATP helps your stomach manufacture hydrochloric acid to break down your foods. It also plays a critical role in the production of bile from your liver. And it is the bile that aids in the digestion of fats and cholesterol. This process too depends on magnesium. Without enough magnesium, you would suffer from terrible spastic constipation if you are too low in this critical mineral.
Your body also requires magnesium to begin the synthesis of RNA and DNA in the digestive system. Magnesium works with the pancreatic enzyme, deoxyribonuclease to break down DNA molecules from your food into nucleotides. These nucleotides are then absorbed through your intestine into your cells to be used in the synthesis of new RNA and DNA.
Magnesium in high doses also works great as a laxative. Since magnesium helps muscles to relax, it can help your intestines to relax which results in loose stool. Many choose to help to alleviate constipation by supplementing additional magnesium to their diet.
So as you can see, Magnesium plays a critical role to your digestive system and this just gives you all the more reasons to consider adding a magnesium supplement to your diet.
It’s amazing to think that in 2007, there were 180.4 million prescriptions for the heartburn medications Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid with sales over 14 billion dollars. CBS reports that there is yet another new study which links these popular drugs with an increase in bone fractures.
These medications work by blocking the stomach from producing stomach acid, also known as hydrochloric acid. The problem is that our bodies need hydrochloric acid to properly assimilate calcium. Over long term use, a prolonged decrease in calcium absorption can really put our bones at risk. This is especially dangerous to older Americans who frequently suffer from hip fractures and other bone breaks which can quickly lead to degradation in lifestyle and health.
There are many who choose to seek more natural remedies for treating heartburn that have less risks than the prescription drugs. One product that has helped thousands of people beat heartburn and acid reflux is a product called Reflux Reform.
Reflux Reform is specially formulated to optimize digestion, sooth excess stomach acid, and to relieve heartburn discomfort in a safe and natural way.
There has been a lot of talk about cleansing lately.There are many kinds to choose from.Cleanses can vary from the lemonade diet, organ specific cleanses, and total body detoxifies that work on three levels, cellular, tissue, and organ.The Perfect Cleanse by Garden of Life fits into the last category.
The Perfect Cleanse was designed to work over a 10 day period.It is great for today’s busy lifestyle as the product only needs to be taken in the evening and it does not require a special diet nor does it interrupt your every day activates
Garden of Life’s Perfect Cleanse works in three easy steps.These steps are designed to work synergistically with the body’s own detoxifications systems to help to remove toxins from the body.
The Perfect Cleanse kit comes with an educational booklet, an instructional CD that features Garden of Life’s founder, Jordan Rubin and Dr. Joseph Brasco discussing the advantages of using the Perfect Cleanse.
You will also appreciate that the Perfect Cleanse is Gluten free and free of other common allergens such as nuts, soy, eggs and milk.You will also appreciate that this product is free of stimulant laxatives.
Many people choose to cleanse every spring and fall to help the body adapt and start fresh for the seasons.If you have not tried a cleanse yet, or if you are needing to do one again, why not give the Perfect Cleanse a try?You will not be disappointed in the quality of this product.
Nausea is not actually an illness, but rather a symptom of several other problems that may not have a thing to do with the stomach or digestion.Actually, rarely is nausea actually caused by a problem with the stomach.
Nausea symptoms are the feeling that there is a need to vomit which can be accompanied by dizziness and sweating.I can be either acute or can be prolonged.It is basically the forcing of the contents of the stomach to go up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.
Usually, when the stomach is the cause of nausea, it is due to an infection like stomach flu, food poisoning, over eating or an infection in the directional tract.Other common causes of nausea are problems with the inner ear like dizziness or motion sickness, head injuries, migraines, pregnancy, anxiety, alcohol intoxication, carbon monoxide poisoning, and even reactions from other medications.
There are many home remedies for treating nausea.The most popular home remedy is ginger.You can make ginger tea, eat candied ginger, or even take a ginger capsule and it can quickly alleviate the negative symptoms of nausea.Many also do well by eating some plain crackers.But, perhaps the best way to alleviate the nausea symptoms is to go ahead and let yourself vomit.This method works especially well if your nausea cause is the flu or some kind of stomach bug.
A common cause of digestive problems is lactose intolerance.The symptoms may be wrongly diagnosed for years.Often, the person suffering discovers that dairy is the cause of their digestive discomfort on their own.
Lactose intolerance is actually deficiency in the digestive enzyme, lactase.Lactase is the enzyme which breaks down the milk sugar which is found in dairy products.It is estimated that 70-90 percent of Asians, American Indians, Blacks, and those who are from the Mediterranean region are deficient in lactose in varying degrees.
The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance is flatulence and gas, cramping, liquid, often explosive diarrhea.Symptoms typically begin anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours after eating or drinking dairy products.
Lactose intolerance is a condition that usually develops and worsens with time.After the age of two, we start to produce less lactase.However, it usually does not cause problems until years later.
Fortunately, treating lactose intolerance is easy.One that you can do is avoiding all dairy and products which contain lactose.Or, you can supplement the enzyme lactase to your diet.Lactase enzymes work best when taken right at the time of eating foods which contain lactose.However, if some lactose sneaks into your food and you begin to notice negative symptoms, you can still take a lactase enzyme and it may help to reduce or eliminate the discomfort.
If you have lactose intolerance, it is important that you carry lactase enzymes with you when ever you are going to eat.You are going to want to become a real label reader.Lactose is often found in various every day foods such as breads, processed cereals, candies, lunch meats that are not kosher, and many other processed foods.You are going to want be very aware of what you are eating and to be sure to keep that lactase capsule nearby in case you accidently ate some food containing lactose.
Psyllium seed husks are an excellent source of fiber and work as a bulk laxative. Psyllium works as a defecation stimulant. As a bulking agent, psyllium hold water in the stool and add bulk which stimulates the large intestines natural contractions which can lead to more frequent bowel movements. The typical dose is one or two rounded teaspoons after meals or before bed with a full glass of water.
Cascara sacrada has a long history of being used as a laxative. Cascara sagrada works by increasing peristalsis which is the muscular activity of the colon. This herb is considered safe to use but it is advised not to use it long term as it can cause dependence.
