I don’t need to tell you about the miseries of constipation. If you suffer from it, you’re only too well aware. Even though it is a topic most people would rather avoid discussing, it is essential for optimum health.
Most of us don’t put a lot of thought into what happens to our food after we chew it. But your body does four things with the food you put in it.
It digests it, absorbs it, utilizes it and then eliminates it. All these processes need to function smoothly. If one of those functions is obstructed for any reason, the entire body suffers. If you don’t eliminate on a regular basis (1-3 times a day), your lymphatic system gets backed up and your body begins to absorb the toxic fecal material stagnating in your colon. And you start to feel symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, rashes and acne.
Re-training your body to eliminate on a regular basis could take some time, so be patient. But if you follow and maintain these steps religiously, you will see improvement
Here are three simple tips that I learned:
WATER, WATER, WATER
Chances are, you are more dehydrated than you think. Water is needed to help food pass through the small and large intestines, along with the colon and rectum, as it can take up to 24 hours for food to pass from the mouth to the anus. In the intestine alone, one liter of fluids is absorbed daily to help with digestion. In the colon alone, 2-5 kilos of fecal matter can be stored because of dehydration caused by lack of water. Aim to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
EXERCISE
Moving your body every day is key to daily bowel movements. What is the best kind of exercise to do? The one you will get done on a daily basis! You don’t have to do a ‘killer’ workout every day for it to be considered exercise; just get up and MOVE. Getting 20 to 30 minutes of continuous movement will help move your bowels. Exercise is even more important during long periods of sitting, such as commutes, trips, sedentary desk jobs, and screen time. Write it into your daily schedule and your daily bowel movement will follow closely behind.
LOTS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Changing your diet to incorporate 50% to 75% fresh fruits and vegetables will radically change your daily elimination habits, as they add fiber to your diet. When planning meals, plan your vegetables and fruits first, and then add the carbs and protein. For instance, at lunch, fill your plate with a beautiful, BIG salad as the “mattress” for the rest of your meal. Experiment with a new vegetable or fruit frequently. Eat seasonally; buy fresh and local produce; and, of course, organic is best if it is an option.
Incorporate these three tips into your daily routine and your body will be a well-oiled machine in no time. Oh yes, and speaking of oil, one more tip: 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil right off the spoon will lube your system. You will be feeling lighter, more energetic, and less bloated in no time at all.
If you need instant relief follow these steps:
Take a walk
Dry brush your body.
Watch this short video showing you how:
http://www.livinglibations.com/default/products/body-care/happy-hands-feet/dry-brushes
Take an Epsom salt bath for 30 minutes
Drink Senna tea
(in Egypt available at http://www.imtenan.com/senna-leaves-tea/
A word about medical laxatives. A laxative will only temporarily relieve your symptoms without fixing the underlying root cause and can eventually turn your natural elimination signals off. Use them sparingly or not all.
Be well:)
Dana