Chronic Constipation Issues - PaleoHacks.com

Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T20:24:28Z

I am currently eating a diet of mainly white rice (as a safe starch), eggs, coconut oil and ghee, and small amounts of meat/fish and green vegetables.

I really don't like eating vegetables so my diet doesn't get much fiber aside from the small amount in white rice.

This diet gives me great energy and I feel amazing but still I am having serious constipation and sometimes don't go for a week at a time. Is this from the lack of fiber, I have read a lot on this blog that fiber is not necessary in the diet so this wasn't my biggest worry before I became so constipated.

Other than fiber, is there any other foods that will help me become more regular? I do not enjoy fermented vegetables, but perhaps some apple cider vinegar added to my white rice would help? Or perhaps I should switch to a more fibrous starch like buckwheat or wild rice? Any other suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Answer by Varelse for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T20:33:59Z

You have posted several questions (and never a single answer about anything) about avoiding vegetables and vegetable hate.

Whether you like it or not, whether you think it is necessary or ideal or whatever in the abstract, maybe you should just suck it up and try eating some. Abstract ideas about vegetables not being necessary are irrelevant if they are necessary for you personally to poop properly.

Then, if eating some vegetables helps your digestive problems, you can decide whether you hate constant constipation more or less than eating vegetables, and make your decision with more information.

Answer by Poop Master MC for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T20:37:08Z

I eat a lot of the baby carrots (yeah I know they aren't really baby carrots), I snack on them. Pretty easy to go through a pound in a day, they make me poop like a farm animal.

Answer by joanna for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T20:39:16Z

if you are backed up, your body doesn't like something you are eating or needs something else. maybe try cutting out the rice and just adding one veggie you do like. i'd rather eat a serving of veggies a day than be in pain from not having a bowel movement. my GI doc said that paleolithic people averaged 4-5 bm's a day, so i don't think it's a good idea to not have at least one bm a day.

Answer by Paleolithica for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T20:51:35Z

Consume more raw probiotic foods to enliven your gut flora. And try controlling your rice intake — this is really not making you regular :) I would also recommend eating a few pieces of lard in the morning as it promotes bile and literally makes you poo :)

Answer by Diane for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T21:25:46Z

Maybe you would be interested in the http://www.gutsense.org website.

Answer by veggielover for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-19T22:23:59Z

Probiotics are KEY and have been really helpful for me, but it has been a long journey. Also getting thyroid normalized helped as well. Do you have a good digestive enzyme? Also up the fats, I noticed when I went low fat (before I had good digestive enzymes) i would be backed up for a while.

Try also taking some Magnesium Citrate tablets after you meals, that will really really help. I also take an extra amount at bed time.

Answer by margarets for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-20T01:37:57Z

LENTILS. I'm telling you, lentils will clean you out. You don't need to eat them every day, but find a lentil dish you like (soup is a good bet) and eat it two days in a row. BOOM.

Answer by YoungPaleoLover for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-20T02:27:48Z

Magnesium!!! Get natural calm and put some in some tea before bed. A heaping spoonful is all you need. It literally works with in a day!!

Answer by scott for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-10-20T07:02:29Z

Andrew,

Other than raw carrots, I hate vegetables and I used to eat about 5 servings or less per month. Every time I tried to eat more vegetables it lasted for a day or two then I went back to my usual eating patterns.

I found the solution while listening to the Joe Rogan podcast...green smoothies!

Now, about 5-6 days per week I put a little bit of water and ice in my blender and fill it halfway with various vegetables: kale, broccoli, spinach, beets, baby tomatoes, etc. and blend that vile stuff together. Then I add a couple pieces of fruit (apple+banana, 2 apples, apple+pear) and a big handful of frozen blueberries and blend it all up. The result is about 32 ounces of a thick purplish-green liquid that looks disgusting but actually tastes pretty good.

I drink that and then when it's time to eat, I eat what I like (meat, eggs, fruit) without ruining my meal by adding vegetables.

Answer by Richard N for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-11-01T13:15:33Z

Try magnesium glycinate...this form works great.

Answer by Pecan for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-11-01T14:28:18Z

Cut out the white rice and if you must have a starch source, replace it with potatoes which are higher in fiber and more nutrient-dense. Consider introducing fruit into your diet - best to eat it on its own for breakfast. Try to overcome your aversion to vegetables by trying a different variety and seeing which ones you like.

Answer by ry for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-11-01T19:13:41Z

Lentils are good for you. Better than having it rot in your system. Pooing once a week is not healthy

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2010/06/weston-prices-advice-to-those-on-a-budget.html Dr. Westin A Price point 10 in link says so. He says great source of protein as well.

Its bad too have poo rot in your gut like that don't be so dogmatic about paleo legumes are great for regularity. The phytins get cooked off, flimsy argument. Legumes packed with fiber, protein, and minerals.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/magazine/the-island-where-people-forget-to-die.html?pagewanted=all This article is fascinating. Talks about longest living island in Greece. Largest componenet in diet is lentils.

Answer by Philly for Chronic Constipation Issues

2012-11-02T03:48:35Z

Suffering from constipation can be friggin traumatic. I know as I've had it but fortunately I have cured my own chronic constipation and also helped many others overcome their own constipation too.

I break overcoming constipation into Diet, Physical, Mental.

Diet-wise I recommend getting around 60-70% fats, 15-20% carbs and 15-20% protein. Protein can be a little tough on people who are currently constipated so even going down to 10% protein for some is needed.

Replenishing and rejuvenating your gut health is key. Consume both broth at every meal. Consume probiotics at every meal - start small and increase your intake. Lots of good fats - butter, lard, coconut oil, etc. For carbs eat your vegetables - get at least 100g of carbs a day. If you're eating high amounts of fiber than you will have to slowly decrease it. Excessive amounts of fiber is bad for you and your bowel. Fiber bulked stools to the point where they stetch your colonic walls and damage them. I have started a constipation blog over at http://realconstipationremedies.com which will answer a lot of your questions. If you have any more questions just shoot me an email over to kriscleary@realconstipationremedies.com