Several years ago, I was working as a consultant for a health food store. One day, a customer came in and started looking around. After circling the isles and inspecting a number of products, he cautiously approached me. The man spoke quietly and seemed a little embarrassed. Why? Because he was looking for something to help manage his constipation.

Constipation is a widespread problem. And it’s nothing to feel self-conscious about. It’s simply a message that our body is sending. The key is to decipher exactly what the message means.

Today I want to list a number of natural remedies for constipation. They’re all generally considered safe and non habit-forming. The reason for this is that they are not stimulant laxatives. Stimulant laxatives are the most severe type of laxative. They stimulate the muscles in the digestive tract in order to speed the flow of waste. The danger they present is that your body can become dependent on their “help”.

One Problem, Many Solutions

Here’s a list of some of the best options for dealing with acute (temporary) or chronic (long-term) constipation.

• Increase you intake of fiber and fluids. If you add more fiber to your diet without adding more fluids, it may make your constipation worse.
• Add more healthy fat to your diet. Fat can act as a lubricant to help waste flow through your body more efficiently.
• Exercise. Aerobic activity, such as walking or jogging, is often a very potent aid in maintaining frequent elimination.
• Probiotics. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that are most often contained in yogurt and other cultured foods. They are also widely found as nutritional supplements.
• Extra vitamin C and magnesium. Higher levels of these valuable nutrients help to draw more moisture to the intestines and thereby allow for softer stools that are easier to pass.
• Coffee. One of the most common natural laxatives in the world is coffee. It’s not appropriate for everyone but, it is often effective for energizing both the mind and the bowels.

Which of these remedies will work best for you? It depends on what is causing your sluggish elimination. In the case of the gentleman I mentioned above, the solution was probiotics. He was already taking fiber, drinking plenty of water, exercising and eating a higher-fat diet. For his body, the beneficial bacteria that a probiotic supplement provided were just the ticket. And science is now confirming my recommendation.

Studies on probiotics are being published fast and furiously.

Medical reviews on constipation now include probiotics as viable alternatives. Studies are even being conducted on specific segments of the population, including women and children.

If you’re one of the many people that suffer from constipation, please do something about it. Eliminating regularly is an important aspect of a healthfully functioning body. And now you know that there are many natural options that can help address this particular message that your body’s trying to send you.

Be well!

JP

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