TMI doesn't exist in my world, so let's get into it.
Proper pooping, sleeping and stress management are probably the most important contributors to health.
Here's why pooping is SO IMPORTANT: the Drainage Funnel
Toxins are constantly flowing into and *ideally* out of the body, and they flow out in a hierarchy. If the bottom of the drainage funnel - the colon (aka the large intestine) - isn't eliminating properly (i.e., if you're constipated), toxins will back up into the liver and bile ducts, as well as the lungs, kidneys, and skin. This is why you might break out more if you're not pooping properly. If the liver and bile duct system aren't draining, toxins back up into the lymphatic system and you can get puffiness, fluid retention (often mistaken for fat tissue), and immune-related issues. If the lymphatic system backs up, toxins overflow in the organs and tissues - i.e., throughout the body. This is where things like thyroid issues can crop up. Finally, once toxins overflow there, the end up building up in the cells, specifically the mitochondria - this is where major fatigue, inflammation and other issues can set in.
So. Let's talk poop goals:
You should be pooping 1-3 times daily.
It should be soft and easy to pass.
It should feel complete.
It should not be hard or clumpy.
Consider the Bristol Stool Chart:
Make sure you’re covering the basics:
Drink 100+ ounces of filtered water (2.5-3 liters) with added minerals (a pinch of sea salt or CT Minerals by CellCore are great options)
Eat at least 2-3 tbsp healthy fats daily (eggs, coconut oil, chia seeds, flax seeds, grass-fed butter or ghee, nuts / seeds / nut and seed butters as tolerated)
Eat at least 30 grams of fiber daily, and eat a mix of soluble fiber and insoluble fiber from fruit, vegetables, seeds, beans and whole grains (if you tolerate them)
At least 5-10 minutes of a calming activity like deep breathing / meditation / gentle stretching daily
The equivalent of at least 2 30-minute walks daily
Chew thoroughly, eat slowly and mindfully — don’t rush through meals or eat while working
Eat on a regular schedule — the digestive system loves routine!
Extra food-based support:
Eat 2-3 kiwis or 1-2 pears daily (if you tolerate fruit)
Beet juice
Aloe juice
Bitters before and after meals (I like Urban Moonshine's dandelion bitters and Supernatural's Digest-Ness HRBL gummies)
Products I love as temporary support
I suggest working with a practitioner who knows how to muscle test to identify the ideal products and doses that your body needs, because we’re all vastly different!
CT Minerals by CellCore to structure water
Bowel Mover by CellCore
Advanced Tudca by CellCore - bile support (a practitioner can help you determine whether your constipation is a liver / gallbladder / bile flow issue)
Digestive enzymes (Benezyme, CT Lyme)
Klaire Labs Colon Cleanse
Magnesium — best kind (oxide, citrate, glycinate, taurate, threonate etc.) depends on your particular needs
Most of the people who come to me have done much of the legwork and are covering the basics mentioned above. Here's where I look next, and where most of the magic happens in my practice:
Parasites and harmful bacteria (I see this sooooo often — lifelong constipation resolving once the digestive ecosystem is rebalanced)
SIBO - small intestinal bacteria overgrowth - not a root cause but sometimes still needs to be addressed in conjunction with addressing root cause
Lyme and other tick-borne infections — 100% impact gut health
Viruses — same deal
Need for more bile flow from the liver and gallbladder
Vagus nerve dysfunction
Low stomach acid and/or digestive enzyme production (again not root cause but often needs to be addressed)
Skeletal, organ and fascial misalignments
Stress! Being in fight-or-flight and running on adrenaline all day interferes with digestive signaling and function
Sleep issues and insomnia
Deeper emotional issues, trauma and energetic blocks — held emotions in the body can create energetic blockages; the metaphorical difficulty “letting go” often plays a role, but really any unresolved emotional issue can impact the digestive system
If you find that drinking enough water, or moving your body more, or increasing your fiber intake by eating more veggies does the trick, hallelujah! If not, I strongly recommend working with someone
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