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12 Natural Remedies and Tips for Constipation shares ideas that are easy to add into your busy lifestyle. These DIY approaches address the different causes of constipation with … effective solutions!
What is constipation
If food moves normally through the digestive tract, nutrients are absorbed. The food waste that remains moves from the small intestine to the large intestine, also called the colon. The colon absorbs water from this waste, which creates a solid matter called stool.
Constipation means partially digested food moves too slowly through the large intestine. This gives the colon too much time to absorb water from the waste. This stool becomes hard in consistency and difficult to push out of the body.
How common is constipation
Statistics say that between 16 to 33% of the population struggle with this condition. Constipation is dangerous because it forces toxins to recirculate throughout the body and may also cause colon cancer.
But, it’s a common symptom, especially among Americans. 2.5 million Americans seek their doctor’s help for this condition each year.
Many are struggling with compromised gut health. The colon is the final length of the gut where imperfections will often make themselves known.
During my gut-healing journey I have worked with some excellent practitioners, a few of whom have contributed to my knowledge in this area. One even educated me that the colon changes shape permanently. She said long term constipation can not be “healed”, only managed.
If that’s the case for you, our goal here is to help you manage it well, so you’re always regular.
Those of you who struggle with this problem, or have in the past, know what I mean when I say, pooping is a great feeling! It’s funny, but true. There is nothing, just nothing, like your body working and performing this function properly.
What causes constipation
Causes of chronic constipation include:
- Aging — As we age, we tend to be less active, have a slower metabolism and less muscle contraction strength along our digestive tract.
- Pregnancy — Being pregnant and after childbirth can often cause changes in a woman’s hormones making us more prone to constipation. Physiologically, the baby in the womb pushes the intestines, slowing down the passage of stool; and childbirth can even change the shape of the colon.
- Not eating enough fiber-rich foods — High-fiber foods help move food through the digestive system.
- Lack of hydrochloric acid — From antacids, PPIs, aging, overeating, etc.
- Hypothyroidism
- Gallstones
- Certain medications or iron supplements
- Motility — Slow transit through the large intestine may be caused by abnormalities of the enteric nerves.
- Gluten, soy or dairy intolerance (Eating gluten or dairy, especially milk and cheese)
- Not enough water
- Not enough exercise
- Resisting the urge to go when your body tells you to
- Travel or other changes to your regular routine
- Stress
- Other specific neurological or digestive disorders, including infections.
Some of the solutions below take more effort than others.
But several are as easy as taking a new probiotic or making a special smoothie!
12 Natural REMEDIES and TIPS FOR CONSTIPATION
1. A “new” probiotic
Probiotic-10 50 Billion is an inexpensive probiotic that contains important and impressive strains: B. longum BI-05, L. acidophilus La-14 and B. lactis BI-04, as well as Lr. rhamnosus Lr-32, L casei Lc-11 and L. plantarum Lp-115.
Those special letters and numbers in the name of each probiotic are actually really important indicators of the quality you’re getting.
The first letter, like “B.” or “L.” (or word) in the name of a probiotic is the genus, or broader bacteria name.
The second word is the species. Different species of probiotics have different abilities and serve different functions.
The final number-letter combination is the most important; it’s the specific strain. This detail gives the most unique identification of the bacteria type and is a major indicator of quality probiotics.
Specific strains have been tested for their effect! Oftentimes combining multiple strains brings about the best benefits. Without knowing the strain of the probiotic you’re taking, you won’t know its effect on your body.
Conversely, if you choose a probiotic designed to relieve constipation … you can hopefully expect that benefit!
Speaking from personal experience, and the feedback of others as well, I highly recommend Probiotic-10 50 Billion to relieve constipation! Of course, this probiotic may not work for everyone, but I believe most people will see an improvement, oftentimes significant, with this supplement.
You may also like this Bowel Support probiotic, if you struggle with additional digestion issues.
(source 1)
2. Constipation Smoothie
One of my all-time favorite recipes, this Constipation Smoothie works for most people.
The ingredients are well-researched to provide the body with both soluble and insoluble fiber. The same article discusses the pros and cons of using psyllium husk or acacia fiber.
Beets are discussed at length in that article.
Beans are another great high-fiber food that actually help keep many people regular, while also aiding detox. Learn more about how to pre-digest and add beans into your diet here.
What high fiber foods are the most helpful for you? Berries, oats, seeds and nuts, pears and several other foods help some people. But don’t miss the smoothie recipe for hard to resolve constipation.
One of the best things it provides is steady, consistent bowel movements — instead of stools that are too loose, too hard or too infrequent.
3. Fiber supplement
If you need fiber from a soluble fiber supplement, another great option that I’ve found helpful is SunFiber. It’s actually a gentle low-FODMAP product. Start slowly, and increase to the full scoop in water over several days. Don’t increase beyond the dosage recommendations.
Take this product at night before bedtime.
4. Certain whole grains
If you’re following a grain-free diet, this one won’t work for you. But after being on a detox diet for a year or less, I was able to reintroduce certain nutrient-dense high fiber grains.
When I did, I was amazed at the benefits of fiber — that I’d been missing by being grain-free.
Specifically, oats and sprouted spelt have been amazing for restoring my bowel movements to how they were when I was young.
My naturopath told me my poops would never be the same again after having kids. Well! She was wrong. After reintroducing oats and sprouted spelt, they are! And it’s amazing and encouraging.
Everyone is different in terms of how grains affect them. For me, I do best with one serving of each, daily. Most days, I have oatmeal for breakfast and homemade Sprouted Spelt Bread for lunch and/or dinner.
That’s it, and it works.
Don’t overdo whole grains, though, either, or it can have the opposite effect. More is not necessarily better. I can have more than one piece of spelt bread, but for me, two bowls of oatmeal isn’t always helpful.
4B. Eliminate rice
Have you ever heard of eating rice to slow down diarrhea? Rice indeed slows things down, and can even cause alternating IBS symptoms: both constipation and diarrhea.
If rice is a staple in your diet, consider eliminating it, and replacing it with the high fiber grains listed in this section: oats, sprouted spelt, or even buckwheat.
5. Food intolerance
I have written on this topic before and can’t emphasize enough its importance.
If there is one food group in your diet that your body can’t digest well, it may be sabotaging your entire digestive process. Find this food, eliminate it, and voila. The gateway opens up and your intestines and colon begin performing as they are supposed to, or at least improving.
To find out your primary and secondary food intolerances, you need to order the evaluation in the mail, which is $175. I do not benefit financially, or in any other way, if you choose to do the evaluation. But it has made a HUGE difference in my wellness journey, with the surprise benefit of my bowels improving.
This doctor can do the evaluation through the mail. Call and request a food evaluation, if you’re interested. Here’s more information on the food evaluation in general.
6. Constitutional hydrotherapy
This simple treatment stimulates blood flow and the elimination of toxins. With one evening home treatment, it is common to have a perfect bowel movement the next morning.
Three weeks of treatment, 5 days a week, yields overall and lasting improvement.
Firmly entrenched constipation of the worst kind will need dietary changes as well, which are almost always necessary and certainly ideal.
Constitutional hydrotherapy involves hot and cold towels, a wool blanket and ideally a helper, although there is a way to do hydrotherapy alone. Here are more complete instructions. (I recommend watching a good movie during the process. The cold towels are pretty extreme when they’re first applied. A movie can be the perfect distraction and incentive to keep up with the nightly commitment.)
7. Castor oil packs as a remedy for constipation
When you do a castor oil pack, you absorb castor oil through the skin that signals the smooth muscle of the intestines to move. This action works through the nervous system by stimulating the nerves in the skin.
Castor oil packs also reduce inflammation.
Look for castor oil kit materials here. Consider doing castor oil packs about 4x a week.
Warning: Castor oil packs are not recommended if you are pregnant.
8. Vitamin and mineral supplementation
Having the right balance of certain vitamins and minerals is key for the body to function properly.
Here are ones I’ve found to directly correlate with the body’s ability to expel toxins through the gut:
- Vitamin D: from the sun (more on this below).
- K2: from egg yolks, butter, raw milk, emu oil, ghee, wild-caught fish, chicken, grass-finished beef and traditional sauerkraut (more on this below).
- magnesium: Thyroid expert Dr. Izabella Wentz Pharm.D., FASCP recommends oral magnesium capsules when constipation is present, and I have found this brand, that she recommends, to work well. 1 to 4 capsules can be used, starting with less (taken before bed) and increasing the dosage as needed.
- potassium: This one came as a big surprise to me, but also works for a few other people in my life. I started with an 1/8 teaspoon of Potassium Chloride in the morning, and ended up taking the same amount again in the evening for the best benefit. Some people increase the dosage well beyond this. Consider a hair mineral analysis to find your correct dosage, and monitor how you feel and how your bowels change with potassium supplementation. I really like this solution, and it’s new to many of us to know we may be potassium deficient! I stir mine into a full glass of water and drink.
Combined intake of both supplemental magnesium and vitamin K2 from certain foods has a great effect on vitamin D levels. You may need almost 250% more vitamin D if you’re not getting enough magnesium and vitamin K2. Sensible sun exposure is the best way to optimize vitamin D levels. I now use a vitamin D lamp (found here) each winter and used to responsibly use a mostly UVB tanning bed in the winter months, 1 to 3x weekly.
Also:
- certain B vitamins: Choline, specifically, is part of the B vitamin family and has been linked to motility. (Egg yolks also contain choline.) Many B vitamins support the overall detox process and wellness.
- and trace soil minerals: Mineral deficiencies are common. Supplementing with a soil mineral (I like this one) is an easy solution. All vitamins need minerals to be absorbed and work in the body. Making up for dietary imbalances allows the body to utilize the nutrition it needs to function properly.
Pour liquid soil minerals into daily water to help provide the minerals that were once rich in our soils.
Other specific vitamins and minerals often deficient in those with constipation include selenium and zinc. Trace minerals not only contain some of these nutrients, they also contain amino acids needed for the repair of the gut.
Other:
- Hypothyroidism is a frequent cause of constipation. Discuss with your doctor the supplementation of thyroid medication, selenium, magnesium and zinc, as they relate to your thyroid and regularity.
9. Prebiotics and resistant starch as remedies for constipation
Prebiotics
While probiotics and their benefits have been well-touted, prebiotics are just beginning to get the publicity they deserve.
What do flora, being a living entity, require for proliferation? Do probiotics eat?
Yes, probiotics eat prebiotics.
Resistant Starch
There are many foods in the human diet that contain prebiotics. Resistant starch is a prebiotic which feeds the good flora in our bodies, promoting a healthier digestive tract and regular bowel movements.
Resistant starch is easy to include in one’s diet and directly affects the colon’s motility! By adding in a daily dose or two of resistant starch, you may notice an immediate difference in your bowels! Read more about which foods contain resistant starch, and find recipes, here.
Consuming sources of resistant starch on a daily basis took me from having pretty good daily bowel movements to having great and ideal ones. I love this easy remedy and hope you’ll try it (in addition to other dietary changes).
10. Consume gelatin
Glutathione, an antioxidant needed in intestinal cells, is often deficient in those with constipation issues. Two components of glutathione are cysteine and glycine.
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine provides cysteine (500-900 mg daily). Daily consumption of grass-fed gelatin provides glycine. (source)
Chris Kresser, functional medical doctor, adds,
Gelatin also absorbs water and helps keep fluid in the digestive tract, promoting good intestinal transit and healthy bowel movements. (source)
Add cysteine and glycine to your diet to potentially improve the integrity of the gut lining and remedy constipation.
Similarly, glutathione (this is the one I take and love) helps to relax the nervous system, repair gut lining and support a healthy gut microbiome.
11. Taurine for constipation
Frequent or chronic constipation can be a sign of poor bile flow. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder. It’s secreted to aid digestion. The main role of bile acids is to enhance the digestion of fat.
Taurine is an amino acid and a major component of bile. It protects our cells from the toxicity of bile acids but also stimulates digestion in a myriad of ways.
When enough taurine is available, we can expect more bile and a gentler digestive process.
How taurine reverses constipation:
- It enhances gastric acid and enzyme production, which increases bile flow. (source)
- Taurine increases and improves motility by stimulating muscle contractions for digestion. (source)
- It protects and improves gut health. (source)
Taurine is also known to heighten the benefits of other minerals. Accordingly, it can be taken at night with magnesium. Taurine is often compounded with magnesium in certain supplements. When Mg absorbs well into the human body, this mineral passes into the large intestine and draws water with it. Water in the large intestine results in more moisture in stools.
Tip: If taking Magnesium and Taurine helps to relieve your constipation, be sure to take any iron-rich foods or supplements separately. Iron interferes with the absorption of Mg.
Side benefits: Taurine is a terrific mood booster and provides great energy. Like other amino acids I’ve written about, if your body needs it, you’ll likely notice the benefits!
Warning: Those with active IBD flares may not do well with taurine. Specifically those with ulcerative colitis don’t do well with sulfur-based amino acids.
Dosage recommendations are 500 mg for children and up to 4000 mg for adults, spaced throughout the day.
12. Exercise for constipation
Jogging, rebounding and trampoline jumping are forms of exercise that make us bounce! This action tones the colon and increases detoxification — by stimulating the lymphatic system!
I bought a rebounder several months ago and love it. It’s a great investment, very gentle, even if you’re not a fitness guru, (which I am not!) — and great for the kids in your life, too.
Daily jumping, starting with just 3 minutes and working your way up, will make a difference. For someone with extreme, long-term constipation, jumping will not be enough, although it may be helpful.
On an emotional level, I recommend a larger outdoor trampoline. For those with good outdoor weather, who get bored with monotony, or who have kids with whom to jump — the big tramp is way more fun! (Or watch a movie while you rebound.)
SHORT TERM Remedies for Constipation
If you have badly entrenched constipation and you need immediate relief, there are two methods that are helpful, but relatively uncomfortable:
Aloe Lite
This supplement is sourced from Cape Aloe mill leaf resin from the South African Aloe ferox plant, and sold in small gelatin capsules.
The first time I used this supplement (years ago) I thought I had food poisoning. I took one pill in the morning, and by evening I started having intestinal spasms of sorts. I got sweaty, sat on the toilet and waited. Eventually the flood gates opened, and I felt totally better, all cleaned out. I had been backed up, which made the process uncomfortable.
I continued to use the product, timing it to when it was the most convenient to have a bowel movement. I’d take one pill at night to go in the morning. The intestinal discomfort still occurred but MUCH more mildly, just a wave of discomfort, and then I’d go.
This pill works. And it’s natural. But, it’s not solving the cause of the problem (and may be a bit harsh), which is why it should be a temporary fix.
Enemas
In the past, we have used this remedy for constipation liberally in our home. In my experience, this solution is temporary.
My husband did nightly coffee enemas for many months. While they gave him relief, they did not give insight into the cause of his constipation or solve the problem. He was dependent on the process.
Seek out the root cause of the issue.
I do believe having an enema kit in one’s home is an excellent idea. It helped us to avoid appendicitis. And it’s an excellent tool for circumventing illness or expediting the healing process.
If used for too long, enemas disturb the equilibrium of gut flora. Adding probiotics to enema water helps to restore flora to the region. Here’s a good probiotic to use in your enema water.
(Always be sure to clean your enema bag and tubes well with hydrogen peroxide or bleach. This is necessary to avoid mold.)
Honorable Mention Remedies for Constipation
There are other methods that have helped people who suffer from constipation. I’ll mention a few of these briefly:
- Pathogen overgrowth can cause alternating constipation and diarrhea. If you suspect gut dysbiosis consider herbal treatments to regain gut flora balance.
- Dandelion root has laxative effects.
- Vitamin C is often helpful. Recommendations for constipation say to start with up to 4 grams; and taper down to 1 gram daily.
- Olive oil protocol: ¼ to 1 teaspoon of olive oil 4x a day for 4 days. Take a break for 3 days, then repeat. Olive oil’s laxative effects are said to come from its ability to stimulate bile release, lubricate the colon, soften stool and promote gut health.
Renee Kohley says
I have not heard of the hydrotherapy – the instructions look so simple – I love it! These are all such great suggestions to try – will be pinning this to keep on hand! Thank you!
Megan Stevens says
Thanks, Renee. I’m so glad. And you’re welcome! 😉
Pearl Dan says
After trying pretty much every cure known to man (what you eat is paramount but still didn’t do the trick) I finally stumbled upon Golden Paste, this is whole Turmeric powder gently simmered with water and then mixed with coconut oil and freshly cracked black pepper. I take it in a drink twice a day and constipation is a thing of the past. Google Turmeric life for the instructions or check out Turmeric user group on FB, as just adding Turmeric or eating the rhizome won’t work very well.
Megan Stevens says
Wonderful!!! I’m so glad you shared. Thank you! So happy for you!!
Healthy me says
Vitamin and Mineral supplement is the best I can agree with this remedies as I have been taking a supplement also in relieving this constipation. This supplement was called Digestic by Mimonis which has a lot to relieve for but constipation is the number one. It has proven effective by almost my family member who did suffer from constipation.
Megan Stevens says
Thanks for sharing!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Thank you so much for sharing this helpful info! So many great suggestions. I love that you talk about getting to the route cause of it, remedies that can help and also ideas for when something is needed fast – short term solutions. Pinned and sharing.
Megan Stevens says
Thank you, Emily! I’m so glad this is helpful.
Jessica from SimplyHealthyHome says
Great ideas. I know people don’t like to talk about it but it’s such a common problem, especially with the SAD. Sharing!
Megan Stevens says
Thanks, Jessica! So true.
Loriel says
Thanks so much for this Megan. I’m not constipated (I go every single day) but my stools are not soft enough.
A month or so after my son was born 4 years ago, I was extremely constipated and it ended up with painful fissures and hemorrhoids. I healed them but a month ago my fissure opened back up and I’ve been in extreme pain since then. Do you think following these protocols will help soften the stool? Right now I’m taking psyllium husk (Metamucil) and drinking a lot of water but I’m wondering if these would be better.
Also, my daughter was born in November and I had to go on antibiotics twice since then. The fissure re-tore 2 weeks after my second round of antibiotics. I’m wondering if there is something wrong with my gut flora which caused the hard stool?
Dealing with this over the past month has seriously made my quality of life go down since I’m usually I’m usually immobilized from the pain for many hours after a bowel movement. I have 2 young kids I need to take care of and I can’t afford to be in pain so much.
Any insight would be so incredibly helpful and be extremely grateful for.
Megan Stevens says
Hi Loriel, I’m so glad you wrote. It’s great to hear an update on your life!! I’m sorry for your recent pain and struggles!! My first thought is just to do one thing, to see if it makes enough of a difference: either the Jarrow probiotic, the Constipation Smoothie, or add in resistant starch. You may have read the post I wrote on RS (http://eatbeautiful.net/2014/12/22/what-are-resistant-starches-and-who-should-be-eating-which-ones/). That one step softened my stools when I had that same issue. That post gives several examples of different RS foods; so you could see which one(s) sounds the easiest with your life. I can’t believe what a difference RS foods made for me (and my sons). Eventually, I had to switch off RS foods, and that’s when I figured out the Constipation Smoothie. Finally, when I needed the vitamin A detox diet, I found the Jarrow probiotic. I think you will get immediate results with one of these. All three work for me.
The food evaluation with Dr. Zeff is invaluable, too, as is vitamin D, K2 and the liquid soil minerals.
If you need to poop NOW, while you’re adding things and seeing what works, you could certainly try the 4000 mg. of Vitamin C; but I don’t recommend this as the long-term solution.
Hugs and I’d love to hear what ends up working well for you. May your tush heal soon!! 😉 <3
BTW, the RS may help, too, with having been on antibiotics. The RS prebiotics will feed any probiotics you’re taking and may help to reestablish the right flora balance in your gut.
linda spiker says
I love that you cover the gamut!
Megan Stevens says
Thanks!
Karen Lee says
Great post Megan. It’s important to know what the cause of constipation is so you know how to prevent it. But if you just have slow motility, I love these ideas for get things moving. My mom swears by burdock tea. But for me, about 4000 mg of Vit C is what makes me regular. When I’m feeling under the weather, I can up the dose to 6000mg and it’s fine. As soon as I start to have loose stool, I cut back. It’s what makes me constipation free!
Megan Stevens says
Thanks for sharing, Karen!
Marjorieann1977 says
So many good tips here! Thanks for sharing – great post!
Megan Stevens says
Thanks, Marjorie.
Carol @studiobotanica says
Thanks for sharing your ideas.I I use many of these in my practice, in addition to herbs.
Magnesium in this way is not new for me.. but I’ve not sourced it locally and want to .
So thanks for the reminder!!
Megan Stevens says
You’re welcome, Carol.
Sarahx3 says
Thank you so much for this post, and I love your blog! It has been encouraging to me, as a busy mom of three, trying to regain health (hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, slow motility, SIBO, possible food intolerances). I have spent the last year treating SIBO (mostly with herbal antibiotics and diet) and will be retested in a few days, hoping for good results, but still uncertain of the root cause of C. I am wondering about using gelatin and prebiotics (RS) post treatment, since I need to start repopulating with probiotics first, correct? I am excited to start trying some Vit C and the trace minerals! I am also curious if the food intolerance testing will be accurate on such a limited diet such as low FODMAP? Thanks again for sharing!
Megan Stevens says
Hi Sarah, You can use Prescript Assist (http://amzn.to/1nMXded) and Saccharomyces Boulardii (http://amzn.to/1KXf8DA) safely with or post-SIBO. These two strains won’t overpopulate your small intestine; so you can then add in RS, and yes, gelatin either way. Regarding the food intolerance, this evaluation is not affected by one’s current diet. Blessings in your process and you’re welcome for the post! 🙂
Sarahx3 says
Hi again! Thanks for your response. Quick question: when did you take the Vit C and D/K supplements, and Prescript Assist? With food/meals or at bedtime?
Megan Stevens says
You can take them all with breakfast, (as long as you’re not taking any pathogen killing herbs at the same time). A second dose of probiotics can be taken, optionally, depending on your budget, before bed.
Sarahx3 says
Hello! I thought of another question…is it beneficial or harmful to take different probiotics either at the same time or after finishing a month or so on one? For example, I tolerated LactoPrime Plus post SIBO meds, and am finishing up those currently, but am considering switching to Prescript Assist. Is there a certain time frame to follow with probiotic usage? Thanks again!
Megan Stevens says
Different strains of probiotics are excellent! As long as you can tolerate a certain strain without bloating, it’s a good one to proceed with. Variety is good.
Allie says
Megan, thanks for this post! A question for you regarding adding probiotics to the enema water… right now I’m on a SIBO protocol by a Dr. Kharrazian-trained doctor that includes regular coffee enemas. Before doing the coffee enema though, I like to clear the bowels as Dr. NCM recommends, so I first do 2 water enemas. I like your idea of adding probiotics to the enema water, but I’m wondering about which probiotic to use and how much. I’m on Kharrazian’s specialty-made probiotic which is just 3 strains studied specifically for use with SIBO patients, and it’s very expensive. Do I need to stick with that in the enema water? Or, since it’s not having to work its way through my small intestine first (where the SIBO resides), can I put in a different probiotic strain? Thanks for whatever insight you can provide!
Megan Stevens says
Hi Allie, that’s right, what you said: the enema water won’t exacerbate SIBO. This is a good product for use in enema water: http://amzn.to/1QVw7KX It’s a huge container and will last a looong time. 🙂 1/2 a teaspoon mixed with a smaller portion of water first and then mixed into the full amount works well.
Allie says
Thank you Megan for your suggestions and link. I bought the product you mentioned and have been using it now for a couple weeks in my enema water. After researching it, I actually have been doing a “transplant” with it, meaning I’ve been adding minimal water to the probiotic powder (plus a smidgen of baking soda to balance the pH), using my enema equipment to get it in, then leaving it in permanently, i.e. not going to the toilet to expel it after a set amount of time. This has been working great for me! A question I have now is, do you know if there is any drawback to increasing the amount of the probiotic powder? I seem to be doing fine with the 1/2 tsp you suggested, and am wondering if there would be any risk in titrating up the amount until I’m at, say, a full tablespoon. What are your thoughts?
Megan Stevens says
Allie, that sounds great what you’re already doing; yay! But I do not know about the latter, increasing the amount. I would say, theoretically, if you’re getting good results with the 1/2 tsp. but you need bowel movements more often or improved bowel movements, then you could try increasing to 3/4 tsp. to see what happens and possibly continue increasing until you get to optimum bowel movements if you keep seeing that effect. BUT I don’t know factually. I am just speculating. Also, make sure you are ingesting prebiotics so the probiotics in your colon can feed on them; and this should help as well. I’m glad to hear about the transplant and your improvement! 🙂
Allie says
Even though this post was about constipation, I actually am not doing the enemas or adding the probiotic to my enemas for constipation purposes… the coffee enemas (for me) are for stimulating my vagus nerve (which can help with SIBO as the vagus nerve controls gut motility to some extent, as well as the ileocecal valve), and adding the probiotic to my enema water is for the purpose of simply repopulating my gut/colon with more beneficial bacteria since I know from an organic acids test that I have an imbalance. So that’s why I was thinking “the more the merrier” as far as increasing the probiotic in my enema water. Thanks for your feedback Megan!
Megan Stevens says
I have read some of Dr. Kharrazian’s work and am familiar with his approach via the vagus nerve. Blessings in your process!
Susanne Bengtsson says
I’m sorry I know I am very late in this thread but I do regular coffee enemas and would love to try using probiotics in the water. I clicked on the link above but the product is unavailable everywhere I looked – is there another probiotic I can use (it doesn’t need to be SIBO sensitive)? Would this one work perhaps and open up one capsule?
Megan says
Hi Susanne, here’s a good one to use in enema water: https://amzn.to/3T945T8 🙂
Chris Pederson says
My wife doesn’t want to admit it but she is constipated. I am glad you brought up that it is common among Americans and is a result of compromised gut health. She started having problems about three days ago and refuses to go to the doctor. I don’t want her to get any other health issues from it like appendicitis so I’ll look into getting her enemas that she can use whenever.
Megan says
Hi Chris, great. You might also try the probiotics and Constipation Smoothie, so she’s not locked in to enemas. Best wishes, and thanks for commenting. 🙂
Amy says
I know this is an old post so not sure if you’ll see this but wondering if you have a current active link for the Aloe pills? I’m trying to figure out the cause of my constipation but need quick relief now while I’m doing that. I do enemas every night but they are quite the process and I don’t always have the time. Thank you!
Megan says
Hi Amy, I was surprised to see that product change, but the link above is now updated with their new bottle (same product)! 🙂 I know what you mean about enemas being time consuming. Have you already increased your magnesium as much as possible? Also, have you made yourself the Constipation Smoothie on this site?
debi says
You mentioned beets. I have been drinking beet kvass for a while now and it seems to be helping. When I don’t drink it, I notice ?
Megan says
Great, Debi! Thanks so much for sharing. Such a great way to get some of the benefits of beets plus probiotics! 🙂 What a true superfood.
Dorothy says
I drink a cup of hot water soon after I get up with magnesium powder. Later on I drink a cup of hot green tea. I also take magnesium at night and use magnesium spray at bedtime, take Radiant C powder in water, and also NAC is a part of my regimen. We have a good probiotic(Megaspore). I take one in the morning and often a different one at night. Thankfully, I stay mostly regular these days. We have a rebounder, which I need to use more. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!
Megan says
Hi Dorothy, your regimen sounds good! Thanks so much for sharing! Love that you have a rebounder, too! 🙂
Dorothy says
Hi Megan, these tips are great for all of us who struggle off and on with being “irregular”.
I’ve been using psyllium husk in the morning lately (about a tbsp and a half), with good results, but I ordered a non organic one and now need to get the organic and take it. I like that some of your recipes include this ingredient too. I was wary of using it at first because of another blogger’s negative view of it, but it does seem to help!
I also eat usually beans every day, sometimes several times a day, and the soluble fiber on them in beneficial.
I have a question about the NOW probiotic you recommend. It says it needs to be refrigerated, and I’ve read or heard that it’s best to get probiotics that don’t need to stay cold. I think the reasoning is that if they don’t do well in room temperature, they may not survive the body’s somewhat higher normal temperature. Do you think it matters whether or not they need refrigeration?
Megan says
Hi Dorothy, thanks for sharing your comments, and great question. I don’t think that particular probiotic needs refrigeration, and I do think it causes a lot of confusion. It may be a good idea for the longevity of the product to refrigerate it when it arrives, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
Dorothy says
Ok thanks, that’s good to know! I’ve ordered some. 🙂
Megan says
Great! I hope you find it helpful! 🙂
Dawn Zuvich says
Hi Megan,
My daughter has very low levels of taurine. We started supplementing but she doesn’t have a gallbladder. Will the taurine still be beneficial if she doesn’t have a gallbladder? I also clicked on your digestive enzyme recommendation but it wouldn’t come up. Could you let me know which one it is? Thank you!
Megan says
Hi Dawn, I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say definitively on this topic, but I can say that people without a gall bladder do use taurine for that reason, to help create bile acids and better break down fats. (I would warn against ever using TUDCA, though, which is another form, based on my doctor’s research on its dangers.) The digestive enzyme I’ve liked is Digest Gold by Enzymedica, but I do not use their product with the probiotic; I haven’t tried that one, so I can’t comment on if it’s better or can cause issues. I’ve used this one: https://amzn.to/45rxFI0 One more thing about taurine: What my doctor would say is to use the minimum amount of taurine needed for any benefit you notice, and then to not take it indefinitely. If you ever notice adverse reactions, it’s time to stop, he would say. Best wishes!
Greg says
Hi There. Thank you for these tips! I was especially interested in learning about Taurine.
The complete game-changer for me was upping my potassium intake from foods. There are a few “potassium heroes.” Those are foods that have a very large amount of potassium in a small amount. Cantaloupe are my favorite and are one of the highest potassium fruits. In one 6 inch diameter medium cantaloupe you can get 2000 mg of potassium, which is 60% of the USRDA. I started grinding up around 1 cantaloupe a day into a smoothie using the VitaMix— using coconut water as the mixing liquid (another high potassium food.) It’s much easier to eat 1 cantaloupe this way than chewing it. This has completely cured long-standing issues. The US Daily Value for potassium is 4700 mg/d, However, there is good research that our Paleolithic ancestors consumed around 10,000 mg/d. Most people don’t ingest anywhere near 4700 mg/d. If you ate a cantaloupe a day (or increased your potassium intake by 2000-4000 mg per day) I can almost guarantee you won’t have constipation issues anymore.
Megan says
Hi Greg, I really appreciate your insights and agree that potassium is a game changer, and extra important in pretty high doses for some people. I’ll see how I can modify and add to what I’ve written to put more emphasis on that solution for readers. Thank you! Taurine is awesome, but from my doctor, I’d just caution you per his wisdom, that there comes a point when taurine stops working and can be harmful, so it’s best not to use it long term, based on its sulfuric nature. (I used it and felt gains for about 3 months, and then stopped.) My doctor’s also a big proponent of potassium for most people. I’d caution, personally, against too much cantaloupe as the source, though, as it’s high in vitamin A; here’s my article on that topic if you’re interested: https://eatbeautiful.net/vitamin-a-detox-diet-free-printable-food-lists-avoid-eat-toxicity/ Best!