BY CLAIR WHITTY
If you have constipation, it means that you won’t have regular bowel movements. In an ideal world you should have at least one movement a day. Ideally, what goes in should come out within a 24 hour period.
Those of you that experience constipation will know how uncomfortable it is. Symptoms of bloating, weight gain, abdominal pain, grumpiness, irritation, low energy are common. You may have bad breath or your tongue may be coated in what looks like a white or yellow fungus. Symptoms of constipation can also include headache or skin rashes.
Common causes can include lack exercise, hormonal changes, and food intolerance, not enough water or fibre. Aim to drink up to one and half litres of water per day. Fruit juices like beetroot or prune, or herb teas that contain milk thistle or dandelion may help. To increase fibre, include oats, muesli, fruit, plenty of leafy vegetables, linseeds, chia seeds, psyllium husks, brown rice, figs, and prunes. In my experience, wheat is the most common food that contributes to constipation. See if you can notice any change by reducing the amount of bread, cakes, buns, and pasta. Having a healthy gut microbiome is essential. Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir are great foods to eat.
To help you top up on your friendly gut microbiome there’s Udo’s Choice Super 8 Immune. This is a one a day blend to support gut and immune health as it contains 8 strains of friendly bacteria and Vitamin C. If you have constipation caused by Irritable Bowel Disease you many need more bifidum bacteria which support the bowel. Super 8 Gold contains 102 billion friendly bacteria per capsule. 80% of which are bifidum bacteria, the main strain used in the lower bowel.
If lack of fibre is your main concern consider Optibac Probiotics Bifido&Fibre which contains Bifidobacterium to help improve regularity and aid occasional constipation.
Optima Colon Cleanse is taken at night to encourage movement the next day. It contains Aloe Vera, Liquorice, Dandelion, and probiotics to support gut health and to maintain intestinal health in general.
Constipation is a symptom you can have in the perimenopause, in this case I would try Irish Botanica Milk Thistle, because improved liver function can support gut motility.
I hope that you can get your gut moving with these tips!
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