Bowel Movements
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated about 1 year ago
The Healthy Colon
The colon is a muscular tube that extends about 5 to 5½ feet in length. It’s comprised of the large intestine, rectum, anus and large intestine and forms the end of the gastrointestinal tract. Food is moved into the colon from the small intestine via a process of muscle contraction called peristalsis. The main function of the colon is to absorb water and nutrients from food and process and eliminate feces. To aid with these processes, the healthy colon contains almost 60 different bacteria and microflora which assist digestion, maintain the pH balance of the system, and process nutrients.
The normal process of digestion takes from 12 to 24 hours, assuming that the colon is functioning properly and not clogged or blocked in any way. If clogged, food will pass slowly through the system, allowing undigested matter and toxic residues to build up and become encrusted on the walls of the colon.
Normal Frequency
Many people give little thought to the frequency of their bowel movements unless they are actually experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms or discomfort. And while it’s true that there’s no one steadfast rule for the necessary frequency of bowel movements, most folks would be shocked to realize that the human body is designed to produce 2-4 movements a day. In general, those who have less than 3 movements a week may suffer from constipation, while at the same time, more than 3 watery stools a day could be indicative of diarrhea.
Healthy Consistency
A normal bowel movement is different for each person and may vary in both size and shape, but in general it should be soft and easy to pass. Those who experience hard or pellet-like stools or straining with bowel movements even 25% of the time may be suffering from constipation. Stool should be brown or golden brown in color with a texture similar to peanut butter and a size and shape similar to a sausage.
What's Abnormal?
Although bowel movements will differ for each person, there are certain signs that most likely indicate a problem. Here are few bowel movement symptoms that should warrant special concern:
Blood: It’s never normal to have blood in the stools. This symptom could be the result of several conditions ranging in seriousness from hemorrhoids, to an infection, to colon cancer.
Black Stools: Black, tarry stools with an unpleasant odor may be caused by eating certain foods or taking an iron supplement. However, they can also be caused by internal bleeding.
Red Stools: Stools can become red or maroon from eating certain foods, or from conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, colon polyps, colon cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Green Stools: Green foods or iron supplements may cause the stools to become green, as can colonic dysfunction.
Pale or Clay Colored Stools: Stools that are pale or look similar to clay may be caused by taking antacids or by hepatitis.
Constipation
Constipation is a very common problem that affects millions of Americans each year. Constipation can be defined as hard, dry, or lumpy stools that are difficult or painful to pass. It is usually accompanied by symptoms such as back pain, bloating, and discomfort. Chronic dehydration, lack of exercise, and poor diet can all contribute to the development of constipation.
Despite its frequent occurrence, constipation should not simply be accepted or ignored, especially when it can be treated with a few simple dietary changes. Increasing the consumption of purified water and dietary fiber will help to soften and bulk up stools, moving them through the system more quickly.
In addition, using an oxygen-based colon cleanser, such as Oxy-Powder® will help to clean clogged residue from the colon and allow food to pass more efficiently through the intestinal tract. And unlike harsh laxatives or enemas, Oxy-Powder® will not disrupt the delicate balance of healthy bacteria in the colon.
About the Author
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. The products he promotes are free of toxic tag-along herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, heavy metals, fumigants, irradiation, liver-toxic glues, binders, or gelatin capsules with animal-source risk and toxic preservatives.
