For the majority of the people who have come into the clinic for help with constipation, I find almost all tried various forms of fiber and laxatives ranging from psyllium to senakot, which work great for a short amount of time, and then, you are back top square 1 – constipated!!!

So what is going on with the body?

Quite often people are unaware that going once to three times a day for a bowel movement is normal!

Some simple tricks to get your bowels moving:

1. DRINK ENOUGH WATER – I can’t stress point enough! How do you expect to have a good, normal bowel movement if you don’t drink enough water!!! Normal stools are soft, medium brown / light brown in color, well formed, with no undigested food except for the occasional corn bit, no mucus and no blood should be present in the stool

2. Make sure you are getting enough fiber – fresh fruits and vegetables and grains are a great source. These help to bulk up the stool and also reduce your cholesterol! Oatmeal with 1 heaping tablespoon of flax is a great way to get the fiber and feel energized in the morning!

3. Physical activity is a great way to get those bowels moving – so why not just go for a run or a brisk walk around the park. Need more suggestions? please call our Toronto naturopath to schedule a visit and find out what might be the natural solution for you to treat constipation naturally.

By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.