Whether or not a person is constipated, has diarrhea or has normal bowel movements is directly influenced by diet, fluid intake, trauma (physical or emotional), medication use, surgeries, exercise and even environmental conditions. Some live with constipation or diarrhea their entire lives and, because they have known no other way, display little concern; however, these conditions can be indicators for future disease.

Constipation is a congestion of the gastrointestinal tract. It is normal to expel nearly the same volume of fecal matter and urine per day as is consumed in food bulk and fluids. In other words, if you normally consume 2-3 meals per day, one would expect to have at least 2-3 bowel movements per day. As we often say, healthy babies eat and drink, then expel urine many times per day and have bowel movements at least 2-3 times daily, or more. This is normal from birth to death. The body must expel toxins from the residues left behind by food and drink or such residues will putrefy, leading to an environment in which fungus, parasites, viruses and bacteria thrive.

In general, it should take 3-4 hours to fully digest carbohydrates (grains, starches, fruits and vegetables), while proteins and fats can take 6-8 hours to fully digest. Combining proteins/fats with carbohydrates can create the overgrowth of micro-organisms. For instance, consider a lunch consisting of potato chips and the average sandwich, consisting of bread, meat, some sort of spread (such as mayonnaise), lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles. While it will take just 3-4 hours to breakdown the bread and vegetables (non-starchy vegetables will not become sugars but tomatoes, sweet pickles, potato chips, etc. will), it will take 6-8 hours to breakdown the meat and certain spreads. This means that, while the starchy bread, potato chips and vegetables digested a full 3-4 hours before the meat, they cannot be fully digested until the slowest digestible food (the meat). The bread, potatoes, tomatoes and sweet pickles, starches that break down to sugars in gastric acid, will by nature of the fact that they are sugars, will feed fungal, viral, parasitic or bacterial overgrowth during the final 3-4 hours of digesting the meat. One would expect not more than 24 hours to pass before expelling foods and beverages consumed within the prior 24 hours. This is not intended to over-simplify digestion; however, it suggests that combining certain foods with others at specific times of the day may be better for proper health.

It may be best to combine proteins with non-starchy vegetables in a meal, such as a meat and vegetable omelet for breakfast around 6am and a salad with meats and/or cheese and dressing for lunch around 11am - noon. This means that dinner consumed sometime between 6PM-8PM should be whole grains and starches* combined with vegetables but no proteins or fats. A good snack, at least 2 hours before or after any other type of meal would be fruit. Even the healthiest of fruits still contain sugar and fruit juices are concentrated sugars. Drink water instead.

How do you know if you are constipated? Many symptoms will appear, such as cramping, bloating, gas, straining to expel, obesity, distended belly, lack of focus, disorientation, indigestion, acid reflux, fatigue, headaches, bad breath, sinusitis, allergies, skin disorders (psoriasis, eczema), anxiety, depression, sugar cravings, hemorrhoids and increased or decreased appetite.

Both constipation and diarrhea can effect peristalsis, which is the muscle movement of the intestinal tract to expel digested matter from the body. Certain diseases, medications and lack of exercise can inhibit proper peristalsis and digestion. Normally, peristalsis is stimulated by the consumption of food and beverage. Most often, peristalsis is harmfully influenced by medications, alcohol and surgery but coffee, tea, chocolate and other tannin-containing foods/beverages can effect peristalsis.

Medications that commonly constipate or cause diarrhea include (but are not limited to) anti-depressants, anti-biotics, blood pressure medications (especially diuretics), antihistamines, medications or OTC products containing mercury (Thimerisol) and/or aluminium, prescription or mass-market vitamin/mineral supplements (anything bound by chemical exipients and binders), antacids, pain-killers, sleep aids, Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) and steroids. Consumption of, and inability to digest, grains, starches (including root vegetables), dairy and sugars (including Splenda, Equal, Sweet n' Low and other artificial sweeteners) can also lead to constipation (or diarrhea). Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, extensive exposure to X-rays, CT-scans, MRI's, PT-scans, etc. also cause constipation or diarrhea, as can metal or chemical residues built-up in the body's organs and tissues.

What foods, beverages and supplements help stimulate peristalsis? Tannin-containing foods can enhance peristalsis but because they are also normally stimulants, they can cause diarrhea. Consuming L-glutamine (such as IntestiNEW or the I.B.S. Kit), Yaeyama Chlorella, beneficial flora (such as FloraMax50 or SupremaDophilus) and fiber (such as FiberSMART ~ NO psyllium, cascara sagrada or senna) aids digestion, peristalsis, as well as healing/sealing the gastrointestinal/urinary tract. Magnesium (especially Magnesium Plus Ionic Fizz) is also excellent for relieving constipation and can be consumed with most medications. PSOE's (such as Vital Proteozymes, Wobenzym or Ultra Proteozymes) are terrific for systemic detoxification but they cannot be used with all medications. Also try: Wormwood Combination, Immucleanse, Caprylic Acid, Oregamax - we highly recommend the Anti-fungal Diet AND the Anti-fungal Rotation Regimen or Anti-parasitic/Anti-fungal Rotation Regimen.

Raw foods, such as non-starchy vegetables, low-glycemic fruits, tree-grown nuts, seeds, sprouts, honey, unpasteurized/organic milk, yogurt, cheeses and butter (especially fermented with active cultures) provide energy and promote peristalsis, as do spinach, kale, parsley, cilantro and oils (fish, flax, borage, black currant seed).

What about colonics and enemas? We believe the body should naturally eliminate toxins, that is, without artificial means. That being said, we believe it is better to use colonics or enemas from time to time than it is to remain constipated. Try fasting cleanses to give organs and tissues a rest 2-6 times per year – it feels great!

Walking, running, swimming and bending are very helpful in stimulating digestion and peristalsis.

* NOTE: Regarding food combining, all grains (especially soy) and starches (except whole brown rice) should be avoided if there exists a fungal, parasitic, bacterial or viral overgrowth. If this is the case, avoid all grains, starches, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, sugars, alcohol, oranges, tangerines, strawberries, bananas and grapes.

LINKS ON THIS KNOWLEDGEBASE TO ARTICLES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

DIETS & CLEANSES:

http://kb.vitaganza.com/categories/Diets+and+Cleanses/

FUNGUS & ANTI-FUNGALS:

http://kb.vitaganza.com/categories/Fungus+and+Anti-Fungals/

GASTROINTESTINAL & URINARY TRACT DISORDERS:

http://kb.vitaganza.com/categories/Gastrointestinal+and+Urinary+Tract+Disorders/

PARASITES & ANTI-PARASITICS:

http://kb.vitaganza.com/categories/Parasites+and+Anti-Parasitic+Regimens/