Once we’re out of elementary school, the poop jokes typically end.
After all, our moms tell us not to talk about it. Society says it’s completely off-limits.
And the older we get, we also realize there’s absolutely nothing funny about poop. Still, many of us are hesitant to discuss problems with regularity with anyone, even a doctor.
But the truth is, your regularity, or how often you “go” can offer an important window into your overall health.
In fact, scientists have even discovered a so-called “Goldilocks Zone” when it comes to weekly poop schedules — and if you can stay within the zone, it will help you keep your health at its best.
Here’s what you need to know about how often you should be pooping and what happens if you’re not in the Goldilocks zone…
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The good, the bad and the ugly poop schedule
To find this Goldilocks Zone, researchers collected clinical, lifestyle, and biological data – including blood chemistry, gut microbiome, genetics and more — from over 1,400 healthy adult volunteers.
They then classified each participant’s bowel movement frequencies into four groups: constipation (one or two bowel movements per week), low-normal (three to six per week), high-normal (one to three per day) or diarrhea.
And after comparing frequency to overall health, it became very clear that pooping regularly, but not too often, is vital. In fact, if you’re not, it can lead to serious health problems…
- The team found that in people who are constipated, where stools linger too long in the gut, microbes exhaust all the available fiber and begin to ferment dangerous toxins that can damage the kidneys.
- On the other end of the spectrum, diarrhea causes the body to excrete excessive bile acid, which the liver would otherwise recycle to dissolve and absorb dietary fats.
- This can lead to disease-causing inflammation and liver damage.
On the other hand, fiber-fermenting gut bacteria associated with good health thrived in the Goldilocks Zone of one or two poops a day.
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Getting your poop schedule on track
So who do researchers say are most likely to land in this Goldilocks Zone?
People who eat more fruits and vegetables!
Other secrets include drinking plenty of water, getting regular physical activity and eating a more plant-dominant diet.
But if regularity is your problem, steer towards natural remedies to promote predictable, regular and comfortable bowel movements. I can recommend 7 little helpers that can help you “go” the way nature intended — stress and strain-free — including:
- Ancient aloe – Microbiome-friendly aloe lubricates the lining of the colon and stimulates colon muscles for transit without uncomfortable cramping.
- Inulin – A potent prebiotic, this special plant fiber helps friendly bacteria thrive in the gut.
- Cascara sagrada bark – Rich in natural anthraquinones, this bowel mover helps promote the urge to “go”.
- Senna leaf extract – This FDA-approved over-the-counter, nonprescription natural laxative, signals the muscles of the colon to relax and contract while pushing stool through the colon.
- Potassium – A vital mineral, potassium helps keep stool hydrated for comfortable elimination.
- Slippery elm – A natural soluble fiber, it helps coat the inner-lining of the colon to ease discomfort.
- Black walnut hull – Its active compounds — juglone, tannins and natural iodine — support healthy digestion and regularity.
Sources:
Your Poop Schedule Says a Lot About Your Overall Health, Study Suggests — ScienceAlert