An observation regarding stool

[tridean]

Hmmm, I really feel uneasy doing this, but here goes.

I can't remember how long this has been happening but my stool is always soft and mushy and it takes a lot of wiping to be clean. Generally, after a coffee in the morning I pass this once a day only bowel movement.

I used to think it was a lack of fiber, yet I would go on fiber diets etc and nothing would change.

Because I have just started reading up on the health section here, I can see that the problem is probably something else and nothing to do with fiber.

But, and here is the reason for the post, whenever I go fishing on my boat, even if just for a few hours one day, or if I go on fishing weekends, my stools are always perfect the day after. It doesn't matter if I ate loads of crap while away, drank lots of beer, none of that will matter, my stool will pass smooth, firm, not dry, and one or two wipes and I am clean.

I am wondering if it is the sea air? :D

 

[theos]

Re: A question regarding stool

Hi Dingo,

It sounds as if, in general, you are constipated/have poor digestion as you only pass one mushy stool per day. (Are you straining to pass this mushy movement?) It's healthy to have 2-3 bowel movements daily about the size and consistency of a banana depending on what you eat and drink.

If you are eating the fish that you catch the omega 3 fatty acids could be firming up your stool by aiding in digestion of needed vitamins and minerals causing a more normal bowel movement the next day. Omega 3's also reduce inflammation and can lead to better bowel function.

Just my guess. Can't find much about it specifically on the net, just dribs and drabs here and there.

Keep reading the health threads and follow the suggestions. :)

 

[stellar]

Just a thought, but could it be the exercise/extra physical activity that might be stimulating your bowels ?
I often have similar issues when I have days off from much physical activity.
More aerobic type movements also help to neutralise my sinus/hayfever symptoms.

 

[Lilou]

A video was linked in another thread for undergroundwellness. While viewing some of their videos, I found this one, which you may find helpful. _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8W4owS1DRM&feature=related

They have several videos on poo. If your diet remains much the same on fishing days, perhaps it is exercise making the difference.

 

[Hildegarda]

Just a thought, but could it be the exercise/extra physical activity that might be stimulating your bowels ?

that's what I thought too. Being on the boat involves a lot of small balancing movement in lower extremities and lower back. Taking modern dance, which relies on similar movements, really helped my intestinal issues at the time, so ... could be.

 

[Z...]

Hi Dingo,
have you completely eliminated dairy and gluten from your diet? I am guessing not since you mention that you still drink beer.
Sounds like the resorption in your intestines is severely impaired and in such cases gluten or/and casein are the usual suspects.

In addition Giardia infection (a protozoan parasitosis) can easily give the symptoms you describe so if I were you I would check this.

 

[Gertrudes]

Just a thought, but could it be the exercise/extra physical activity that might be stimulating your bowels ?

that's what I thought too. Being on the boat involves a lot of small balancing movement in lower extremities and lower back. Taking modern dance, which relies on similar movements, really helped my intestinal issues at the time, so ... could be.

These were my thoughts precisely. Many people report having improved bowel movements with physical exercise that affects the abdominal area.

Also, I once heard an osteopath that was also a physiotherapist mentioning a study about postural effects on bowel movevents. The posture of sitting and leaning forward over your legs proved to be one of the most effective. This is because the seating and leaning actually massages your bowels, helping for an healthy bowel movement.

Corto also brings up relevant points, I think.

 

[tridean]

Re: A question regarding stool

Hi Dingo,

It sounds as if, in general, you are constipated/have poor digestion as you only pass one mushy stool per day. (Are you straining to pass this mushy movement?) It's healthy to have 2-3 bowel movements daily about the size and consistency of a banana depending on what you eat and drink.

If you are eating the fish that you catch the omega 3 fatty acids could be firming up your stool by aiding in digestion of needed vitamins and minerals causing a more normal bowel movement the next day. Omega 3's also reduce inflammation and can lead to better bowel function.

Just my guess. Can't find much about it specifically on the net, just dribs and drabs here and there.

Keep reading the health threads and follow the suggestions. :)

No strain at all, it comes out very easy. Sometimes I don't catch any fish and there are times when I fish but don't eat it (put it in the freezer).

Just a thought, but could it be the exercise/extra physical activity that might be stimulating your bowels ?
I often have similar issues when I have days off from much physical activity.
More aerobic type movements also help to neutralise my sinus/hayfever symptoms.

I have had this for years and have played cricket and aussie rules football over some of these years, and have also had stints where I run every day.

Thanks for that, was a good watch

Hi Dingo,
have you completely eliminated dairy and gluten from your diet? I am guessing not since you mention that you still drink beer.
Sounds like the resorption in your intestines is severely impaired and in such cases gluten or/and casein are the usual suspects.

In addition Giardia infection (a protozoan parasitosis) can easily give the symptoms you describe so if I were you I would check this.

A video was linked in another thread for undergroundwellness. While viewing some of their videos, I found this one, which you may find helpful. _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8W4owS1DRM&feature=related

They have several videos on poo. If your diet remains much the same on fishing days, perhaps it is exercise making the difference.

No, but I am just embarking on no gluten...started two days ago. I don't drink beer anymore, instead I drink cider. I will check out Giardia infection thanks



My thoughts are that it may be the clean air as opposed to polluted city air, and unclean household air. It may be that relaxation as opposed to everyday stress. I have read that when you are stressed, blood is pulled from the digestive system first.

I guess the only way I'll find out is to go and do some relaxing that doesn't involved fishing, but rather camping or similar.

 

[tridean]

I was always going to the toilet and doing #2 straight after my first coffee, but just over a week ago I stopped drinking coffee and low and behold, I am lucky if I go once every two days!!!!!!

What's more I have cut back considerably the amount of gluten and have increased my fruit/veg, and I even made my own muesli.

No real change to the stool though...very confusing

 

[Gimpy]

I was always going to the toilet and doing #2 straight after my first coffee, but just over a week ago I stopped drinking coffee and low and behold, I am lucky if I go once every two days!!!!!!

What's more I have cut back considerably the amount of gluten and have increased my fruit/veg, and I even made my own muesli.

No real change to the stool though...very confusing

Are you drinking enough water?

If you normally drink coffee to get things moving, drinking more water, or warm water with fresh lemon juice added, will help. :)

 

[Thor]

I was always going to the toilet and doing #2 straight after my first coffee, but just over a week ago I stopped drinking coffee and low and behold, I am lucky if I go once every two days!!!!!!

What's more I have cut back considerably the amount of gluten and have increased my fruit/veg, and I even made my own muesli.

No real change to the stool though...very confusing

Hi Dingo,

I just gave up coffee a couple of weeks ago, too and like you I would go to the toilet with clock-like regularity shortly after my (delicious gourmet ) morning coffee.

Here is the recommendations from Psyche that I have been following. Using magnesium and buffered vitamin c, I can regulate the laxative effect and control my bowel movements (more or less).

I am clueless as to what is going on with the texture change after your fishing trips - hopefully someone else can help shed some light on that.

Good luck and high quality stools :)

Constipation and Keeping Your Bowels Clear

Step 1: Basic Bowel Care
✣✣ Eat two tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day, sprinkled on salads or vegetables. You can also put them in your protein shake for breakfast.
✣✣ Supplementation.

Take 2 grams of buffered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as a powder or in capsules twice per day (4 grams). This also helps with detoxification and supporting your immune system. These products can also be safely used over the long term to keep your bowels regular and healthy in the months and years ahead. If the 4 grams of vitamin C gives you diarrhea or your tummy starts to gargle, decrease the dose to 2 grams. If there is no diarrhea or gargling effects, you can increase your dose by 2 grams and keep adding 2 grams until the symptoms appears, then you reduce your dose by 2 grams and that will be your tolerable level to vitamin C. In case of flu or disease, the required dose may increase for up to 15 grams or more per day.

Magnesium supplementation is important as well, as magnesium is perhaps that most important mineral in the body. It helps regulate the neurotransmitters. It naturally relaxes tight, achy
muscles and corrects constipation (which is a common sign of magnesium depletion). Seventy percent of the population is deficient in this mineral. Low magnesium can cause high blood pressure, mitral valve prolapse, tight and achy muscles, muscle spasms, constipation, chronic headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, insomnia, hair loss,
confusion, and more. Take between 500-1000mg of magnesium per day. You can find your magnesium requirements the same way you find your tolerance level to vitamin C. Take a minimum of 700 mg. of magnesium. If you aren’t having a daily bowel movement, then you’re probably still deficient in magnesium. Increase your magnesium by 140–150 mg. (use magnesium chelate, citrate, or taurate) at dinner each night until you begin to have normal bowel movements each day. If you start to have loose bowel movements, reduce the amount.

Step 2: Take an Herbal Laxative
Common preparations include cascara, senna, and rhubarb. Take two to three capsules before bed.
These should NOT be used regularly, as they are habit forming and may make your colon lazy.

Step 3: Dulcolax or Bisacodyl Suppository or Fleet Enema
Most people can achieve a normal bowel movement with Step 1 alone. Step 2 can be helpful in more extreme cases. Steps 3 is rarely needed.

 

[tridean]

I was always going to the toilet and doing #2 straight after my first coffee, but just over a week ago I stopped drinking coffee and low and behold, I am lucky if I go once every two days!!!!!!

What's more I have cut back considerably the amount of gluten and have increased my fruit/veg, and I even made my own muesli.

No real change to the stool though...very confusing

Are you drinking enough water?

If you normally drink coffee to get things moving, drinking more water, or warm water with fresh lemon juice added, will help. :)

Hi Gimpy,
I certainly drink plenty of water, we have a rain tank out the back and I drink in excess of a litre sometimes two a day

I also don't drink the coffee to pass, it just always happens after the coffee, but I will try lemon or ginger tea

 

[tridean]

I was always going to the toilet and doing #2 straight after my first coffee, but just over a week ago I stopped drinking coffee and low and behold, I am lucky if I go once every two days!!!!!!

What's more I have cut back considerably the amount of gluten and have increased my fruit/veg, and I even made my own muesli.

No real change to the stool though...very confusing

Hi Dingo,

I just gave up coffee a couple of weeks ago, too and like you I would go to the toilet with clock-like regularity shortly after my (delicious gourmet ) morning coffee.

Here is the recommendations from Psyche that I have been following. Using magnesium and buffered vitamin c, I can regulate the laxative effect and control my bowel movements (more or less).

I am clueless as to what is going on with the texture change after your fishing trips - hopefully someone else can help shed some light on that.

Good luck and high quality stools :)

Constipation and Keeping Your Bowels Clear

Step 1: Basic Bowel Care
✣✣ Eat two tablespoons of ground flaxseed a day, sprinkled on salads or vegetables. You can also put them in your protein shake for breakfast.
✣✣ Supplementation.

Take 2 grams of buffered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as a powder or in capsules twice per day (4 grams). This also helps with detoxification and supporting your immune system. These products can also be safely used over the long term to keep your bowels regular and healthy in the months and years ahead. If the 4 grams of vitamin C gives you diarrhea or your tummy starts to gargle, decrease the dose to 2 grams. If there is no diarrhea or gargling effects, you can increase your dose by 2 grams and keep adding 2 grams until the symptoms appears, then you reduce your dose by 2 grams and that will be your tolerable level to vitamin C. In case of flu or disease, the required dose may increase for up to 15 grams or more per day.

Magnesium supplementation is important as well, as magnesium is perhaps that most important mineral in the body. It helps regulate the neurotransmitters. It naturally relaxes tight, achy
muscles and corrects constipation (which is a common sign of magnesium depletion). Seventy percent of the population is deficient in this mineral. Low magnesium can cause high blood pressure, mitral valve prolapse, tight and achy muscles, muscle spasms, constipation, chronic headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, insomnia, hair loss,
confusion, and more. Take between 500-1000mg of magnesium per day. You can find your magnesium requirements the same way you find your tolerance level to vitamin C. Take a minimum of 700 mg. of magnesium. If you aren’t having a daily bowel movement, then you’re probably still deficient in magnesium. Increase your magnesium by 140–150 mg. (use magnesium chelate, citrate, or taurate) at dinner each night until you begin to have normal bowel movements each day. If you start to have loose bowel movements, reduce the amount.

Step 2: Take an Herbal Laxative
Common preparations include cascara, senna, and rhubarb. Take two to three capsules before bed.
These should NOT be used regularly, as they are habit forming and may make your colon lazy.

Step 3: Dulcolax or Bisacodyl Suppository or Fleet Enema
Most people can achieve a normal bowel movement with Step 1 alone. Step 2 can be helpful in more extreme cases. Steps 3 is rarely needed.

Thanks for that. Looking at Magnesium deficiency, it may explain some other things going on. I might have to look at what foods contain magnesium (i'm not prepared to take pills)

Cheers

 

[mada85]

I'm not so convinced of the necessity for 2-3 bowel movements every day. Have a look at Dr Michael Levitt's website (_http://www.michaellevitt.com.au/) where you will find some very interesting information about bowel health, including the use of magnesium as a bowel cleanser. If I recall l correctly, he does not recommend the use of laxatives, not even herbal laxatives, as they are all habit forming.

Thanks for that. Looking at Magnesium deficiency, it may explain some other things going on. I might have to look at what foods contain magnesium (i'm not prepared to take pills)

You may like to consider that in a perfect world all our food would be 100% organic and packed with all the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for health. Unfortunately, the soil is depleted and even the organic food one buys in the shops is lacking in vitamins, minerals and 'life'. This means that it is impossible to obtain all one's necessary vitamins and minerals from food sources alone. Not to mention that long-term deficiencies can lead to all sorts of health problems which can only be rectified by the use of supplements.

 

[tridean]

I'm not so convinced of the necessity for 2-3 bowel movements every day. Have a look at Dr Michael Levitt's website (_http://www.michaellevitt.com.au/) where you will find some very interesting information about bowel health, including the use of magnesium as a bowel cleanser. If I recall l correctly, he does not recommend the use of laxatives, not even herbal laxatives, as they are all habit forming.

Thanks for that. Looking at Magnesium deficiency, it may explain some other things going on. I might have to look at what foods contain magnesium (i'm not prepared to take pills)

You may like to consider that in a perfect world all our food would be 100% organic and packed with all the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for health. Unfortunately, the soil is depleted and even the organic food one buys in the shops is lacking in vitamins, minerals and 'life'. This means that it is impossible to obtain all one's necessary vitamins and minerals from food sources alone. Not to mention that long-term deficiencies can lead to all sorts of health problems which can only be rectified by the use of supplements.

Thanks I will check out that link.

I understand fully what you are saying regarding food. It is a great point, but as for supplements, I am simply not prepared as of yet, I still have far too much to read just to catch up with a small % of this forum regarding diet. I just have too big a back log of books to get through. I am a slow reader and I can not sift through even a few pages of this forum without getting agitated from reading off the screen. I guess in saying that, one might say then that taking supplements is even more necessary in my case seeing as I am not up to speed on the diet etc, but I have lived my whole life never taking pills for anything and its a big adjustment. Where does one start? Does one fully commit to the whole list of supplements? Can I afford it? Is there a way to start slowly, i.e. what is the best one to start with? I am reluctant to ask questions of this nature because it is up to me to research this myself and so I am not 'prepared' enough yet.

Psyche said that magnesium is the most important mineral in the body so it's a start :)

Cheers