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I follow a paleo diet, no dairy with limited fruit consumption. I have been constipated for the past month or so, with a few "droppings" every couple of days. I know I'm eating more than what is coming out the other end. I don't get it!

I eat about 50% of calories from fat, about 1 gram of protein/lb of body weight with about 20% of calories coming from carbs (veggies, sweet potato, super dark chocolate). I exercise well too.

Help! What is causing this? What can I do to poop like I used to?!

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You first need to clarify what you're eating and whether your constipation is occasional or chronic, if you want intelligent responses to your predicament. – Namby Pamby May 3 2012 at 14:10

11 Answers

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What will help me:

Eating sauteed spinach or sauerkraut

Drinking coffee

Taking large doses of magnesium citrate and vitamin C

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Drink more water and start taking Magnesium Malate. I went through the same thing but now its all good :)

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Magnesium Citrate may help more with the constipation. – Dragonfly May 3 2012 at 13:59
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I suffered the same symptoms,until I increased my veg, mainly broccoli I also take magnesium in the form of a spray after a shower and before bed. Also try to increase your fluid intake it just sounds like you have mild dehydration coupled with a lack of fiber.

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How does a spray form of magnesium work? – Shawn May 3 2012 at 11:55
Yea I am very interested in this spray – Laura May 27 2012 at 22:02
When magnesium is taken in tablet form you only get a small amount, due to the acid conditions in the stomach.Transdermal magnesium spray is absorbed through the skin straight into the blood stream so you receive 100% of the magnesium. Its also great for aching muscles and sore joints. You can order it of amazon for about £10 for 800 sprays. – Matthew Stockwell-Allen Jun 3 at 12:19
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My son has had constipation and 2 things seemed to help to make him regular.

1) bone broth. I made "jello" for him with home made bone broth blended with prunes, frozen berries and a few dates (you dont have to make it that sweet, he's only 2 so thats why) and put it in the fridge overnight in cupcake tins. This helped if done regularly.

2) I give him spry gum to chew after each meal. I don't think he was chewing his food enough and therefore not digesting properly. This seems to help the most. You could try just slowing down when you eat and chew each piece for 20 bites. It is tough to get a 2 year old to do this.

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Just a little raw sauerkraut or other fermented vegetables work wonders around our house. Having lived with such issues for years, I also now make sure I take magneseum supplements before going to bed. The sauerkraut is quick, as well, something that is probably meaningful about now.

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In addition to consuming plenty of fat which it sounds like you're doing already, I would suggest increasing your hydration efforts with lots of water and herbal tea. Magnesium is extremely helpful as well.

I disagree with the recommendation for coffee as that can dehydrate you. Drink a LOT of water and you should see an improvement.

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Coffee may dehydrate you if you have tons of it, but if you're increasing your fluid intake in general I personally don't think it's a problem. I do notice that coffee is very helpful in circumstances like these just getting things going. – blueballoon May 3 2012 at 11:35
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Here's some information about coffee and dehydration from MDA: marksdailyapple.com/… Basically: coffee doesn't dehydrate you. I choose to believe it! – Paul D May 3 2012 at 13:25
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I tried magnesium, more fat, more veggie fiber, probiotics, fermented veggies, and the only thing that seems to the trick is more carbs (including both safe starches and fruit).

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I would say increase your consumption of carbs in the form of safe starches. Paul Jaminet discusses this pretty extensively -- has to do with mucus production int he GI tract. I definitely had issues when I used to try to be too low carb because I thought it was the healthy thing to do. Now I eat rice and potatoes and bananas and poop much better.

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I'm having similar issues and all I drink is water and tea. Paleo for 23 days and I'm going about every 3 days. I'm trying to loose weight so I'm mostly VLC. I am only taking a multi-vitamin and some fish oil... I had my gall bladder removed years ago I'm wondering if this is part of the problem?

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I Have the same issue if I go VLC, and I drink tons of water and no coffee. I go sometimes 2 times a day but it's what I call goat droppings-- very hard almost round and no smell. If I am bad and eat rice or more potato than usual it gets better. But no gluten--that's one thing that is not worth it--ever

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I found everything cleared right up as soon as I started eating an avocado a day...the next time I went number 2 it was like that final scene from The Highlander when all the lightening's hitting him and he's flying around in the air.

..I'm not certain but I think I heard.."there can be only one"...take that number 2!

Truth.

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