Constipation Remedies
How Vitamins & Superfoods May Help
 

Are you constipated?  Do you need to learn which natural constipation remedies work the best?  Many naturopaths think that we should ideally have 2-3

Taking care of our colon is important, because decaying waste that is not properly eliminated can cause toxins to be released into the bloodstream, and can also become a breeding ground for yeasts, parasites, bacteria and viruses to develop.  Many holistic health care practitioners think that  having a healthy colon is paramount to having a healthy body!  So if you are constipated, read on for some of the common causes and for some natural constipation remedies like probiotics, minerals and superfoods.
 

Constipated?  Symptoms
 

In addition to not having a bowel movement 2-3 times per day, typical symptoms of constipation include hard feces that are difficult to get out and excess intestinal gas  In addition, many people who are constipated are also fatigued, nauseated and depressed.
 

Constipated?  Common Causes

If you are constipated, one common cause is a diet including too many refined foods, especially white flour products and not enough fiber, and lacking in key vitamins and minerals.  Not enough exercise, overuse of laxatives, too much iron or dehydration can also cause constipation. Also, lack of enough serotonin, one of the "feel good" neurotransmitters, which is also found in the gut, as well as pregnancy hormones and some pharmaceutical drugs can make it difficult to be regular.  Having a stopped up colon with old, hard fecal matter that needs cleaning out can also cause constipation.
 

Constipation Remedies:  Vitamins, Minerals and Other Superfoods
 

First you just want to take a look at your diet and exercise, and try to cut back on refined foods, add fiber rich foods like whole grains and fruits and vegetables.  You also should be exercising at least 30 minutes per day, even just walking is fine.   Park a little farther away at work and when shopping, and take the stairs.  If you are taking an iron supplement, you might want to cut back or find a different supplement.

Probiotics and magnesium are two key nutrients that you want to increase if you are constipated*.  Probiotics are the good bacteria that are normally found in your gut in great abundance.  Use of antibiotics, even once, can kill many of these good bacteria, along with the bad, and cause you problems with your gut.  You can increase your good bacteria with a good probiotic supplement much faster than with foods, although eating cultured foods like real sauerkraut and yogurt can be helpful as well*.  Magnesium helps with intestinal motility, which means it helps move things along, and many of us today are deficient in magnesium, so this mineral is a good supplement to add if needed*.   One Probiotics Supplement we recommend is Flora Source:

Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Capsules Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Capsules is your essential ally in digestive and immune system health support with 16 powerful probiotics including L. acidophilus, and 32 billion CFUs (active cells) per serving.* Flora Source Multi-Probiotic Capsules has been improved with the new Bif Relief strain, giving you the most potent help available for the seven most common, stubborn digestive worries including: constipation, irregular bowel movements, abdominal pain, nausea, gas and flatulence, gurgling, and regurgitation. Now with non-gas forming scFOS prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestive microflora. 60 Vegetarian Capsules Suggested Use: Adults take 1 capsule twice daily, preferably in separate doses. Dosage can be doubled. For children 60 lbs. or more, take 1 to 2 capsules daily. *At time of manufacture.

More on Probiotics

Another good supplement with magnesium and many trace minerals is Emerald Sea.

As far as vitamins, vitamin B5 and vitamin C can both help constipation, vitamin B5 by establishing a more consistent action of the intestinal walls, and vitamin C by moving things along more quickly*.  We recommend, however, unless under the advice of your healthy care practitioner, that you take B vitamins in the complex that they are found in nature.  Goji Juice is a very rich, whole food source of vitamin C.  Noni Juice is good overall for the digestive system*. Vitamin D is very important for intestinal health as well*.  Many of these vitamins and superfoods like goji juice can help if you are constipated.

We highly recommend a superfood like RawBurst if you want to increase your vitamins C naturally.  RawBurst is made out of fruits and berries, and carefully processed to retain the important vitamins and phytonutrients.

Constipation Remedies: Vitamins & Superfoods*

• Probiotics
• Trace Minerals, like Emerald Sea
• Coral Calcium (with calcium and magnesium in a 2:1 ratio, and trace minerals)
• Natural Vitamin C complex:  Try RawBurst
• Goji 100 Juice
• Noni 100 Juice
• Vitamin B complex
• High vitamin cod liver oil (for vitamin D) or get some summer sun!
• Intestinal cleanser
• Chlorella and/or Greens
   

Constipation Remedies:  Food Choices
 

Many people who are constipated can fix their constipation problems simply by changing their diets, although as we mentioned above, taking probiotic supplements can be very helpful to get you off to a good start, especially if you have had some antibiotics lately.  Try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains that are rich in the B vitamins, and foods high in vitamin D, like butter and shrimp. 

Depending on how constipated you are, something as simple as consuming 3-4 prunes every day may just do the trick!

More foods that are good if you are constipated include high vitamin C foods, like citrus, peppers and parsley.  Fermented foods, including cultured vegetables, miso, naturally fermented unpasteurized soy sauce and yogurt can also be helpful. Bitter vegetables and herbs, such as bitter salad greens, will stimulate the bile and help in the digestion of fats, which can speed things along in your intestines.  Prunes and flax seeds may also be helpful, as well as adding more leafy greens to your diet.  Nuts are a good source of both magnesium and fiber.  While it is always good to shift towards eating a more whole foods-based diet, if you are constipated, this is especially true.

Other Constipation Remedies
 

Daily exercise, even if it is housework, gardening or a 20 minute walk, may be indispensable if you are chronically constipated.  In addition, you might want to think about a thorough colon cleanse, as that can help when you are constipated.  If the diet, exercise and colon cleanse are not enough, then the first 2 supplements we recommend are magnesium and probiotics.  You might also want to think about adding some of the other vitamins, minerals and other superfoods to your diet, as indicated above.

For a thorough colon cleanse, we highly recommend OxyPowder™:

Take The Free Colon Cleanse Test
 

We also highly recommend the 7 Day Transformation to infuse your body with nutrients and help eliminate toxins at the same time.  This can help to get things moving again!

* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Healthy Vitamins and Minerals
Natural Constipation Remedies