most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-20T07:45:59Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/106713 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues Elle 2012-03-22T13:43:45Z 2012-03-23T07:54:31Z

<p>So we've been doing Paleo for about 2 weeks now, and my boyfriend came to me this morning asking if I had read anything having to do with starting Paleo and "bathroom issues". Apparently, he is a once every 2-3 days kinda guy, and "can feel it coming on". The last 2 days, he said it's been almost liquid, and it's a "I have to go NOW" type of thing. It seems like it's been more often too (he said once/day).</p> <p>Is this normal for starting Paleo? We have had 2 "cheats", but the issues have not at all coincided with the cheats (one happened about a week before the issues, and one was last night, which was since the issues have started). I don't really know how to judge, because "normal" for me is around 2x daily, so yeah...</p> <p>He hasn't been eating anything that he hasn't had before (no veggies, ferments, etc. that he hasn't had before and handeled fine), we have just cut out the processed crap, grains, etc.</p> <p>What could be causing the loose stool, and the frequency?</p> <p>NOTE: He does feel good, no tummy ache, or anything like that. Just the actual issues with the bm.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106719#106719 Seamaster 2012-03-22T14:22:46Z 2012-03-22T14:22:46Z

<p>Not unusual in the early days, in my experience. This too shall, um, pass. </p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106720#106720 Dragonfly 2012-03-22T14:23:00Z 2012-03-22T14:23:00Z

<p>I wouldn't say it is "normal", but some people will experience bowel issues if their system is shocked with a big increase in fat (too much coconut oil can do this to me) or a big increase in fiber. </p> <p>It also <em>could</em> be completely unrelated to diet and he might have a virus that his system is shedding.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106721#106721 greymouser 2012-03-22T14:25:13Z 2012-03-22T14:25:13Z

<p>I've had a slew of lower GI issues, which got way better when diet was formalized and made better, and finally resolved after a surgery (and still maintain diet). When things were bad, I probably saw every form of stool possible (yuck, I know).</p> <p>I know this is only anecdotal, but in my case, I would say two things helped. 1) Ran a course of a potent, mixed variety of probiotics for about 1 month. 2) Maintained eating "enough" fiber - this varies from person to person (for be it's 14-24g a day), and the type of fiber (soluble v. insoluble) matters - i.e IBS sufferers probably want to avoid "scratchy" supplements, for e.g. I'm not necessarily advocating supplementing fiber.</p> <p>I do strongly suggest running a temporary course of probiotics. Gut flora is a tricky internal system to maintain. If you get one, make sure it's a good one that a) has a variety of bacterium, and b) hopefully makes some claim that their proprietary system somewhat gaurantees that the pill will actually make it through the stomach undigested -- you want to get those bacterium in there! The why, is because bacterium will help to digest some otherwise undigestable material, as well as actually adding a substantial amount of bulk to stool.</p> <p>I do continue to supplement fiber, but very little - I get 85% of what makes me feel normal from diet alone. I suggest trying that, but especially varying the natural soluble and insoluble fiber (e.g. broccoli and sweet potatoes gives a nice spectrum of both). If I eat a white potato, I'm "too bound up" - then again, this may be exactly what the BF needs. Soluble fiber will help to keep stool together, whereas only insoluble fiber (i.e. "roughage") will help one pass stool, but it won't help the stool "togetherness".</p> <p>Finally, don't discount the badness of your cheat days. I don't want to take something you enjoy away from you, but it may be hindering progress.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106744#106744 Jennifer 2012-03-22T15:18:04Z 2012-03-22T15:18:04Z

<p>The increase in Fat did that to me, it went away pretty quickly. If he's been on antibiotics recently (in case its C diff) or lasts too long, he may want to get checked out. Just be sure to stay hydrated</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106762#106762 PaleoGran 2012-03-22T16:29:12Z 2012-03-22T16:29:12Z

<p>Also, if the fiber intake has been markedly reduced, the bowel muscles need a time of adjustment to return to their normal function, after having been overstretched by large amounts of fiber.</p> <p>I've read other posts of folks having loose stools or diarrhea during the adjustment time. When I went very low carb, and went on a low fiber diet, my bowels needed a few months to adjust. Once they adjusted, all was well again. :)</p> <p>Bone broths, meat broths, sea salt might be helpful.</p> <p>Another possibility: has there been an increase in FODMAP foods?</p> <p><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02506.x/full" rel="nofollow">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02506.x/full</a></p> <p><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06149.x/full" rel="nofollow">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06149.x/full</a></p> <p>All the best to you. :)</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106797#106797 Eugenia 2012-03-22T20:11:25Z 2012-03-22T20:11:25Z

<p>It will pass. But definitely not just cut down foods, but you should add foods to help this: offal, coconut oil, home-made goat kefir, sauerkraut etc.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106824#106824 Christopher Gagnon 2012-03-22T22:36:50Z 2012-03-22T22:36:50Z

<p>I had precisely the same trouble. For me, probiotic supplements helped, but things didn't <em>really</em> settle down until I reintroduced some "safe starches," which wasn't until after about 4 months. I wish I'd done it sooner, because for me personally, I think my gut flora just wanted more carbs. </p> <p>It didn't take much, but after months with barely any starch, it made a big difference, and within just a day or two. I used primarily white rice. For me, white rice and raw fish (as in sushi), or white rice and lamb (specifically--no other meat worked), both proved very soothing to my gut. </p> <p>I still use those foods "medicinally" when things flare up a little down there. I remember the "lamb and rice" formulas for our dogs and cats, when they got sick...maybe there is something to that.</p> <p>Also, homemade chicken soup with some rice in it. I made a looooong simmered bone broth first from the chicken carcass. That was a great combo to get things under control. Bone broths are often mentioned for gut health.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/106713/2-weeks-and-and-having-bowel-issues/106876#106876 Aglaee the Paleo RD 2012-03-23T07:54:31Z 2012-03-23T07:54:31Z

<p>It could be a <strong>FODMAP</strong> issue: <a href="http://www.eat-real-food-paleodietitian.com/paleo-diet-and-fodmap.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.eat-real-food-paleodietitian.com/paleo-diet-and-fodmap.html</a></p>