Our poo is our daily health report card…
Unfortunately about 1 in 3 people are constipated—not going every day—and 1 in 2 people have a gut-related health condition, resulting in not-so-normal poo patterns.
What does your poo say about you? Check out the 8 poo types and see where you stack up.
Ideal: The Golden Poo:
Medium brown. Solidly formed in the shape of an S or C. Passing 1-3 times per day.
Leftovers.
Can you see those Brussels sprouts, sweet potato or mushrooms you ate—and still not completely broken down? This is not ideal. Shows it did not pass through the entire process of digestion.
Culprits: Food intolerances or sensitivities; Low digestive enzymes or stomach acid; Poor chewing; Eating distracted or on the go
Hacks to Help: Mindful eating; Supplement with digestive enzymes + digestive bitters; Probiotics; Awareness of food sensitivities.
Slip & Slide.
Watery stools usually mean you ate something that your body yells, “May day, May day! I don’t like this.”
Culprits: Dysbiosis, fungal or bacterial infection; Food intolerances; Low digestive enzymes
Hacks to Help: Supplement with digestive enzymes + digestive bitters; Probiotics; Awareness of food sensitivities; Stool testing to assess bacterial profile.
Green Quease.
Green poo often with queasy feelings. May indicate your gallbladder is not thoroughly breaking down bile salts to move your poop over to that brown color.
Culprits: Low bile salts, stomach acid + digestive enzymes; processed or poor nutrient dense foods; Low water intake; Toxins in daily life (hygiene, cleaning supplies, air, etc.)
Hacks to Help: Supplement with bile support + digestive enzymes; eat hydrating foods + plenty of water; avoid canola oils = processed foods
Molding Clay.
Pale or clay-colored stools. Problem with the drainage of your biliary system
Culprits: Low bile salts, stomach acid + digestive enzymes; processed or poor nutrient dense foods; Low water intake; Toxins in daily life (hygiene, cleaning supplies, air, etc.)
Hacks to Help: Supplement with bile support + digestive enzymes; eat hydrating foods + plenty of water; avoid canola oils = processed foods; Add more fiber to your diet (especially veggies—cooked), Celery juice on an empty stomach in the morning.
Mr. Stanky.
Dark, foul, sometimes greasy and/or stinky. Something is toxic (i.e., not right).
Culprits: High amounts of non-organic, non-fresh foods; General toxicity overload; Additives and chemicals; Poor lifestyle habits (smoking, sedentary, fast food); Use of plastics.
Hacks to Help: Eliminate as many toxins as possible to lighten the toxic load (hygiene, cleaning, food supplies), Celery juice on an empty stomach in the morning, Apple cider vinegar shots, Liver support herbs.
The Big Dump.
After a day or two (or three!) of not going, you finally go…all at once.
Culprits: Low stomach acid, sluggish motility, bacterial overgrowth
Hacks to Help: Apple cider vinegar shots, digestive enzymes & bitters, pro-kinetic supplements, sleep 7-9 hours, move your body (but avoid overtraining), drink more water, cook veggies (avoid raw), experiment with low FODMAPs.
Lumpy
Slightly constipated.
Culprits: Eating “roughage”, dysbiosis, low fiber diet or too many raw veggies/fruits or dry foods (packaged bars, crackers, nuts and seeds, etc.), slight dehydration, low stomach acid or enzymes, sitting for too long, not chewing your food enough.
Hacks to Help: Apple cider vinegar shots, Iberogast & digestive bitters, chew your food really well, cook your veggies to soften them, move your body, take a quality probiotic.
The Rock.
Difficult to pass or rock-like. You still get it out—but a little straining was included.
Culprits: Stress, low water intake, low fat intake, dry foods (nuts, crackers, bars, shakes) eating on the go, low fiber intake, low stomach acid, bacteria imbalance (low “good bacteria”), lack of sleep.Hacks to Help: Sleep 7-9 hours, move your body (but avoid overtraining), drink more water, eat hydrating foods (veggies, fruits), cook veggies (avoid raw), experiment with low FODMAPs, Iberogast and IB Guard (peppermint oil), take a quality probiotic.
Pebbles.
Like acorns or little rocks, these come out in bits and pieces—in one sitting or throughout the day.
Culprits: Stress, low water intake, eating on the go, low fiber intake, low stomach acid and bacteria imbalance (low “good bacteria”).
Hacks to Help: Apple cider vinegar shots in water, prebiotic & probiotic foods, prebiotic veggies and plenty of greens, chew your food, slow down to breathe at meals,walk after a meal, regular yoga and meditation, Iberogast and IB Guard (peppermint oil), take a quality probiotic.
Heal Your Root Cause
Just because your abnormal poo pasterns are your “norm”, does NOT mean they have to be your normal.
Contact Dr. Lauryn at her virtual Thrive Wellness & Recovery Clinic today to schedule an appointment and let us help you heal your root to feel good, inside and out.