What can you stool tell you about your Digestion ?

Anyone that has had a consultation with me will know that at some point I will start asking questions about their poo. I like to get details about the colour, size, shape, frequency.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

It is a good indicator of GUT and overall health. When we are passing a bowel movement we are getting rid of any waste product and if this is not happening optimally then we want to understand why.

SO WHAT IS YOUR STOOL MADE OF?

75 of made water,9% is fiber,16 % is inorganic natural good and bad bacteria.

Believe it or not there is a ‘poo chart’ called the Bristol Stool Chart, which provides a visual guide to the different types of stool. ( SEE ABOVE)

SO WHAT DOES A NORMAL STOOL LOOKS LIKE ?

Ideally yours should be something like 3, 4 or 5.

4 being the perfect stool !! Your stool should be like a soft sausage easy to pass with no straining and a mid brown colour.

CONSTIPATION : TYPE 1-2

There is a lot of debate regarding what is constipation as bowel movements can range from x 3 a week to x 3 a day. In my opinion we should be passing a stool daily ( with 3 beeing ok when stool is well formed).

What is also important to consider is how easy it is to have a bowel movement – with no straining or the feeling of an incomplete bowel movement.

Constipation can cause a lot of discomfort, pain and gas contributing to IBS symptoms.

Possible root causes:

Lack of fibre. Start the day with Porridge oat with 1tbsp of flaxseeds, psyllium husk can be helpful.
Dehydration,aim to drink about 2 liters of water

Low stomach acid and digestive enzymes. chew your food , start your meals with a rocket and watercress salad drizzle lemon juice and apple cider vinegar on top.
Hormonal imbalance such as an underactive Thyroid, get your TSH checked at your Gp
Stress
Lack of magnesium which is key for smooth muscle function in the bowel
Vit C can be useful to help with bowel movements, you could also try and add kiwi fruits to your breakfast
Issues with peristalsis and MMC called the migrating motor complex.
An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine called SIBO
Serotonin – or 5HT – is one of the most important signalling molecules involved in the peristaltic reflex –

In this case relying on laxatives is also not the answer. Being chronically constipated should never just be ignored or lived with.

DIARRHEOA : IF YOU ARE A TYPE 6-7 :

possible root causes :

Food intolerances : certain foods are not agreeing with you
An imbalance of gut bacteria not enough of the good one in the large intestine, an overgrow of yeast. Often some gut infections. An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine called SIBO
After a course or several course of antibiotics
STRESS and the connection with serotonin
Magnesium some of the B vitamins deficicncies

Here relying on Imodium long term is also not a good idea. You need to get to the root cause for your loose stools.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS :

· Colour: It should be a mid brown colour. Certain foods can cause a temporary change in colour such as Beets or green leafy vegetables but on an ongoing basis the stool should not be green, sand colour or black. Please get in touch with your GP if this is the case.

· Undigested food: If this happens on a regular basis this is not normal and would imply that you are not breaking down the food that you are eating

· Blood: always a red flag and not something to be ignored. Whilst it can be caused by issues like haemorrhoids it can also be a sign of inflammation in the bowel. Please again get it checked out via your GP.

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