Constipation Research
Constipation is a condition in which a person has irregular and significantly fewer bowel movements than normally required. This may be characterized by diarrhea at times followed by no bowel movements for several days. Constipation causes the stools to be hard and difficult to pass. Chronic constipation develops slowly and may continue for years or could continue for life if measures for cure are not taken. Acute constipation is sudden and usually from a change in daily habits such as no exercise, a temporary sickness or change in diet. Many medications and narcotics can cause constipation. Chronic constipation is caused from an unhealthy lifestyle of poor nutrition, no exercise, and no weight control. Proper nutrition means to have plenty of fiber in the diet and people with constipation usually lead a sedentary life with little fiber in the diet and no exercise. Some constipation is caused from a disease and treatment for it is to treat the underlying disease.
The most effective treatment for constipation is a healthy lifestyle of exercise, nutrition and weight control. The exercise program should be thirty minutes three to six times per week. The nutrition should consist of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, cold-water fish, and fiber. Fruits and vegetables will provide fiber, but the most effective fiber can be obtained from ground up golden brown flax seed which can be taken with water, soy milk or fruit juice. Flax seed has a nutty flavor and when mixed with soymilk it tastes like a milk shake. Start with a teaspoon or tablespoon of ground flax seed and gradually build up to two tablespoons a day. A coffee grinder is excellent for grinding the flax seed. Flax seed has many other benefits above the fiber content because it will lower the LDL bad cholesterol and increase the HDL good cholesterol. It also has a plentiful supply of the good fat Omega 3. For maximum health benefits, all refined glucose and carbohydrates should be eliminated from the diet. Drinking plenty of water will help to soften the stools and is needed with fiber.
