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Change in Bowel Movements From Low-Carb Diets

Jun 9, 2011 | By Beverly Bird
Change in Bowel Movements From Low-Carb Diets
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Low-carb diets are necessarily low in fiber, because only carbohydrates can deliver fiber to your body. Insoluble fiber moves through your intestines without being absorbed as a nutrient, and it moves your stools along with it. When you limit carbohydrates to 20 g a day, as some low-carb diets do in their beginning phases, this lack of fiber will usually create a change in your stools. Other factors might impact your bowel movements as well.

Constipation

The Atkins diet indicates that constipation is most prevalent as a side effect during the first week of its program. Through carbohydrate restriction, Atkins' New Diet Revolution provides for only 2 g of fiber per day in the beginning and 18 g per day at the end of the plan. The South Beach allows slightly more in its second phase. MayoClinic.com indicates that women up to 50 years old need 25 g of fiber a day, and men of the same age need 38 g per day. Low-carb diets can fall significantly below these levels, leaving your body unable to move waste through your intestines easily. A poll taken by the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine revealed that 44 percent of the low-carb dieters who responded to their survey reported ongoing problems with constipation.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a less common side effect of a low-carb diet. Atkins indicates that some dieters might suffer from it if they have a problem digesting dairy products. The diet includes eating cheeses, which might prompt this reaction if you're sensitive to milk. If you never used to eat much animal fat, a switch to a low-carb diet with higher concentrations of fat could contribute to diarrhea. Atkins says that the supplements the diet recommends can also cause watery stools.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A small percentage of the respondents in the PCRM survey reported suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. However, the results of the poll were not crosschecked with the respondents' medical records. It's possible they already suffered from this disorder before attempting a low-carb diet. IBS sufferers experience diarrhea, constipation and irregularity accompanied by painful cramping. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse indicates that there is no cure for IBS, but physicians sometimes prescribe fiber and fiber supplements to treat the symptoms. If you're already prone to IBS, the lack of fiber in a low-carb diet could prevent relief and might even worsen your symptoms.

Recommendations

Atkins suggests eliminating milk products from your diet if you experience diarrhea. If your problem is a dairy intolerance, this should bring relief. You might also try stopping the supplements, if you're taking any. If you're suffering from constipation, make sure that at least 12 g of your daily carbs come in the form of vegetables. For both diarrhea and constipation, drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day.

References

Article reviewed by CarmenN Last updated on: Jun 9, 2011

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