Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I don’t like using laxatives for the constipation that I’ve lived with almost all my life. I never thought about the effects a laxative may have on my colon until I read an article on the abuse of laxatives. I would like to find something more natural to give me better elimination.” — Kim J., Tucson, AZ

A. Dear Kim, I agree that it makes good sense to wean yourself off laxatives, and I think you can do it in a more natural and non-abusive manner. First, you need to investigate the cause of your constipation, if you have not already done so. Constipation can be a sign of dehydration, lack of fiber in the diet, medication side effects, sluggish bowel function, or even more serious illnesses, so it is important to make sure there is not an underlying problem you need to address. Assuming that your constipation is NOT due to an underlying illness, I would suggest using a good fiber product such as crushed Nordic flaxseed. You may be just lacking an effective level of fiber to stimulate the movement of the colon. There are some excellent daily formulas that also include other minerals and phytosterols, making it not only good for your intestines, but heart healthy as well. Start off with a scoop blended in food or liquid each morning until you have a more normal bowel movement pattern. You may need to use two scoops if you don’t see the changes you desire in a week or two. Remember—when you take fiber, you need to increase your fluid intake. Fiber is a super sponge, and it works best if you are drinking adequate amounts of water (6 to 8 eight ounce glasses) every day to “plump up” that sponge so it can better do its job. Next I strongly recommend a good probiotic formula. Probiotics are the healthy bacterial cultures in yogurt, and can greatly diminish constipation. At your favorite health food store, I would ask for a good probiotic with at least a count of 12 billion diverse organisms. I especially like probiotics blended with a clinically studied, encapsulated DGL, which stands for “deglycyrrhizinated licorice.” DGL helps keep your stomach and intestinal mucosal lining strong and intact. The probiotic and the ground flaxseed powder with other nutrients should give you better results together than either alone.

Healthy regards!

Terry…Naturally