... The Fat Flush Plan, Ann Louise Gittleman – pg. 184 http://healthybodydaily.
com/colon-health/dr-oz-poop-what-the-color-of-your-poop-is-telling-you. 08-05-
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The Straight Scoop on Poop Have you ever wondered what your poop says about you and your diet? What does it mean if your poop smells bad? What do the different shades of poop mean? How often and how much should I eliminate each day? What does the shape of my poop say about the quality of my health? These are some of the issues that must be addressed in any study of the nature of the stool our bodies expel. Elimination is an essential function of the body’s digestive process. If your feces have a foul odor, it is a sign that putrefaction is taking place. This is a signal that your intestines are holding more bad bacteria than good. If the foul smell is associated with stool that is also black in color, this could be a danger sign of intestinal bleeding (likely coming from your stomach and upper small intestine). This could be caused by ulcers, tumors, or consumption of medicines containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol), which is a heavy metal. Your poop should be brown in color, but occasional changes in shades are generally nothing to be concerned about. The color can change depending on the food you have eaten. Have you ever observed red stool after eating beets or borcht? This is a very common occurrence, and is a good example of color change caused by a specific food. This is not to say that red stool should not be a cause for concern. It can be a sign of hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, or even rectal cancer. The brown color present in healthy bowel movements is caused by the presence of biliruben. After the contents of your intestine have moved through your body, the chemical changes in biliruben produce the brown stool. If your poop travels through your intestines more quickly than normal, the biliruben will produce green stool. Green stool can also be caused by antibiotics, leafy greens, or possibly a sign of Crohn’s disease. Do not overlook the potential danger in green stool, even though an occasional change in color may not be a concern. Another possible indication of Crohn’s disease is maroon-colored stool. This could be a sign of intestinal bleeding, and could warn of a serious health problem. Yellow poop can indicate a problem with your gallbladder, or it can also be a symptom of infection. As you can see, monitoring the color palate in your stool is very important, and can be an obvious indicator of the health of your digestive system overall. How often should you have a bowel movement? Elimination should occur one, two, or even three times per day in order to prevent stagnation of food in your digestive system. In order to facilitate this frequency, you should be consuming enough fiber to assist your body in this process. Psyllium or ground flaxseeds are excellent additions to a healthy diet, and are easily found in your local supermarket or health food store. Ideally, your stool should be approximately an inch (or more) in diameter, and smooth. It should remain in one piece as much as possible, and slide gently into the water. It should not be pebble shaped—even if the pebbles are large—or watery. If your poop is watery, you might have a serious bowel problem, and your body will be losing important electrolytes. If these watery bowel movements continue, consult a health care professional to confirm that you do not have a condition that requires medical attention. If constipation is your problem, you might not be getting enough fiber in your diet. Make sure you consume enough water and fresh vegetables in order to aid your intestines in cleaning out your bowels on a regular basis. Your stool contains toxins that need to be released from your body, so when you feel the urge to go, GO! Do not hold it in, if possible, and eliminate your stool as soon as you feel the need. Sources: Medicine.net, The Fat Flush Plan, Ann Louise Gittleman – pg. 184 http://healthybodydaily.com/colon-health/dr-oz-poop-what-the-color-of-your-poop-is-telling-you
08-05-12
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Below is an alphabetical list of possible diseases and problems associated with changes in color and consistency of your stool: Celiac Disease Cholera Crohn's Disease Cystic Fibrosis E. Coli (0157:H7) Gallbladder Cancer Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD) Lactose Intolerance Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatitis Peptic Ulcer Rectal Bleeding Salmonella Shigella Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Stomach Cancer Ulcerative Colitis Below is an alphabetical list of other possible causes associated with changes in color and consistency of your stool: Antacids Barium (from a radiographic test) Bile duct cancer Bismuth-containing medicines (for example, bismuth subsalicylate [Pepto-Bismol]) Bleeding into the intestines Bleeding into the stomach or esophagus Consumption of black licorice Consumption of certain fruits and/or vegetables (for example, beets, spinach, and cranberries) Food dyes (particularly red and green) Gastritis Infectious colitis Intestinal malabsorption Iron supplements Tumors of the pancreas or pancreatic duct Tumors or polyps of the stomach or intestines
Sources: Medicine.net, The Fat Flush Plan, Ann Louise Gittleman – pg. 184 http://healthybodydaily.com/colon-health/dr-oz-poop-what-the-color-of-your-poop-is-telling-you
08-05-12
