Tag: constipation

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Cleanliness Part I – Banish Constipation

Cleanliness is my religion. I hear people striving for habits like healthy eating, clean diet and regular exercise but how many of us pay attention to the daily body function of waste release? If I don’t poop in the day I get stressed out. If I don’t go for two days, I start panicking.

Our digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. Digestion and absorption of what we eat and drink may tell on our overall health but the third and most important function – elimination – is what will give you the exact picture. And yes, I mean it literally! It is healthy to go twice or even three times in a day, but going once is a must. For a rotting fruit in a basket will cause the other fruits to rot. And just like that, waste and toxins in our system if not flushed out, will not allow the good stuff we consume to do any good for us.

At this point, it is relevant to become aware of all the many things that could cause constipation. And there are so many:

  1. not drinking enough water
  2. lack of fiber in diet
  3. a high protein diet
  4. a dairy rich diet
  5. eating less or staying hungry
  6. eating in a hurry / on the go / standing
  7. excessive alcohol or caffeine intake
  8. sedentary lifestyle
  9. lack of exercise
  10. lack of proper deep sleep
  11. change in routine
  12. change in circadian rhythm
  13. controlling when you get the urge
  14. hormonal disturbances / moon cycle for women
  15. stress – unable to express freely, or unable to let go
  16. weather changes
  17. a new environment
  18. dependency on laxatives

There’s no point beautifying your home if you are not going to make any efforts to keep it clean. If cleanliness be your first habit, start with yourself. Keep your insides clean. Banish constipation for good. The root of all illness is constipation. Choose wellness, choose cleanliness and make it a habit today.

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Papaya For Constipation

Constipation is the mother of all diseases. When you are constipated, you are withholding harmful toxins that not only damage your body but also cause bloating and weight gain. I have struggled with constipation since childhood and I continue to get constipated once in a while. But it is no more a struggle getting myself to poop. Papaya seems to work like magic. So here’s how papaya works and how you should eat it to completely flush out and clean your system.

  • Papaya produces heat in the body.
  • It is rich with both fiber and water content.
  • Thirdly, papaya contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down tough protein easily.

All of these three amazing properties makes papaya an effective natural laxative. To benefit optimally, eat a small bowl full of papaya first thing in the morning, that is on an empty stomach, or after a workout session. Consume it an hour before your dinner. Eat it in sufficient quantity and not just one or two bites. Avoid making a smoothie, have cut fruit instead. This way, more of your saliva mixes while ingesting it which further helps in better and faster digestion due to the digestive enzymes present in saliva.

If you live in the tropics, a little of papaya everyday will work better at keeping the doctor away! Be careful not to eat too much of it because this fruit does produce heat in the body. Pregnant women should take care. There are so many factors that lead to constipation. I will write an independent post on these. In the meantime, if you are suffering from lazy bowel movement, try having a bowl of papaya before you decide to pop a laxative. Let me know if it works like magic for you too!

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Water On An Empty Stomach

If you were to study our digestive system, you would realize that water has little to do with the stomach and more to do with the large intestine. Water stays in the stomach for less than 5 minutes after which it goes through the small intestine where some of it is absorbed into the blood stream and the rest of it continues into the large intestine.

Insufficient water can cause blood to become thicker and results in high blood pressure. Airways get restricted by the body in an effort to minimize water loss and dehydration can cause fainting. But water is needed the most in the processes of sweating and removal of urine and feces and lack of it can cause constipation and weight gain, the mother of all illnesses!

The very first thing I watch is the amount of water I drink, how I consume it and most importantly – when. I drink a glass or two on an empty stomach. Generally first thing in the morning and one hour before a meal because that is when the stomach is empty. At other times I am drinking less amounts of water or may be just sipping on it. I generally drink when I am thirsty, but I make a conscious effort when I am having it on an empty stomach and here’s why.

When the stomach is empty, the food consumed is already in the intestines. Water speeds up the process of metabolism. Its main purpose is to flush out the large intestine and that is why it is recommended that we consume a good amount of water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

Water also removes toxins accumulated with faulty eating and purifies the blood. It not only helps in eliminating waste and keeping our bodies clean from the inside but also leads to weight loss or weight maintenance. Drinking water in small amounts periodically helps prevent water retention and bloating.

Thus to conclude, I have found that the total amount of water i drink in the day is not very relevant. Of course one shouldn’t be having too much or too less, but what really benefits is the right amount of water consumed at the right time as per our body’s requirement.