Constipation Support

Eating Celery & Apples to Clean the Colon

Colon cleansing has become a commonly questioned solution for relieving constipation and supporting intestine health. Introducing fiber into the colon aids in digestion and promotes natural voiding of the intestines. While there are colon...

How Much Fiber Do Walnuts Have?

Walnuts are a convenient source of dietary fiber. You can eat walnuts on their own as a snack or enjoy them in salads, cooked dishes or baked goods. Including a handful of walnuts in your daily diet is a good way to increase your fiber intake,...

High Fiber Diet Guidelines

Nutritional facts are federally mandated on every item of food we eat; however, warning labels, such as "flatulence anticipated," "dangerous energy spikes" or "enhances love handles" aren't prevalent. High fiber diets are healthy, but that doesn't...

Recommended Fluid Intake for Adolescents

Adequate intake of fluids during the adolescent years is important because it supports many bodily functions. Keeping your teen's body hydrated can prevent some common issues that arise during the teen years. There are some fluids that are better...

Should Someone With Diverticulosis Do a Colon Cleanse?

Diverticulosis, or the presence of small herniations in your intestinal lining, may occur when you exert pressure on your colon while straining to pass hard stools. If you have bulging, weakened areas, or diverticula, in the lining of your colon,...

What Happens If You Don't Eat Enough Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates perform essential functions in the body including supplying energy to working muscles, providing fuel for the brain and preventing protein from being used as an energy source. Your diet should be made up of 40 to 60 percent...

What Vitamins and Supplements Can Cause Constipation?

While vitamins and mineral supplements can be beneficial or therapeutic additions to your diet, some supplements tend to cause constipation. Additionally, some minerals taken for the support of certain conditions may confound the constipation...

What Is Bladderwrack Powder?

Bladderwrack, which is also known by its botanical name, Fucus vesiculosus, is a brown seaweed rich in iodine. It is available as a dietary supplement in powder and liquid forms. Bladderwrack is marketed for thyroid support, constipation and...

Is Kombucha Safe for Pregnancy?

Many natural and herbal teas reportedly reduce or relieve certain pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, heartburn and morning sickness. Although some of these teas are safe for consumption during pregnancy, others lack scientific research to...

Ways to Help With Swelling Feet During Pregnancies

During pregnancy your body produces and retains more fluid, which can contribute to swelling in your feet and ankles. The pressure of your uterus on your veins also affects blood circulation and causes swelling in your lower body. Although...

Is Prune Juice Beneficial to the Digestion?

The prune, a dried European plum, has a high sugar content that protects its composition during the drying process. For centuries, plums were dried in the sun, but commercial mechanized dehydration dries them today. in 2001, plum growers...

What Is the Propylene Diet Pill?

Propylene is a diet pill, also known as propolone. Propolone is a derivative of Propol, a trademark name given by the Obesity Research Institute to glucomannan, a dietary fiber. The manufacturer of Propylene purports that this diet pill will...

Snacks for Kids With Constipation Problems

Constipation can occur in any children and at any time, particularly during introduction of new foods or potty training or when the diet --- especially liquid intake --- changes. Whether children are passing hard stools or are experiencing...

Flaxseed Oil Health Benefits & Uses

Flaxseeds are small, brown seeds that are reported to have numerous health benefits. They can be ingested as whole seeds, ground up or extracted to make an oil. Flaxseed oil does not contain the fiber and lignin components that the whole seeds do...

Are Mangoes Good for Your Digestive System?

More than 4 million Americans routinely experience constipation, or infrequent, difficult-to-pass stools, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Network. Over-the-counter laxatives are the most popular aid for this condition....

Does Lack of Digestive Enzymes Cause Constipation?

Constipation is an uncomfortable gastrointestinal condition that you may experience either occasionally or chronically. While you may have heard that it's caused by lack of digestive enzymes, there's actually no evidence to support this. Instead,...

Reasons for Cleansing the Colon

Colon cleansing is the practice of introducing water or some other fluid into the large intestine, or colon, for the purpose of flushing out waste materials. Though there is widespread anecdotal evidence that regular colon cleansing increases...

What Are the Health Benefits of Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is a plant native to Africa, specifically Egypt, that has been used therapeutically and medicinally for 6,000 years, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Aloe leaves contain a clear gel...

What Are the Benefits of Amla Powder?

Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a tree native to China, India and other tropical areas in Asia. The extract or powder obtained from these potent gooseberries has been primarily used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Amla contains...

The Fastest Acting Foods for Constipation

Your abdomen is full and hard. You haven't been able to go for days. You are constipated and you need help now. Luckily, there are some foods that can help you move your bowels. From prune juice to bran, increasing the fiber in your diet will...

Gut & Psychology Diet

In recent years, claims have been made that tout a direct link between certain foods and the development of conditions such as autism, ADHD, and the anxiety and depression associated with them. If you have suffered stomach issues that seemed...

Is Soy or Rice Milk Better for a Constipated Toddler?

Constipation is a painful and frustrating problem for parents and toddlers. For many children, cow's milk contributes to infrequent bowel movements. Fortified soymilk and rice milk offer alternatives, but choosing which is best for your toddler...

What to Eat if the Colon Is Removed

A colon removal, also known as a colectomy, is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the large intestine. After surgery, your doctor may recommend that you eat certain foods that support recovery and prevent complications. Consult a...

Is Chicory Root Extract Safe During Pregnancy?

Rich in beta-carotene, chicory root extract is derived from the roots of the Chicorium intybus plant. Historically, chicory root has been used as both an edible vegetable and as a medicinal supplement to alleviate constipation and stomach...

Ginger & Constipation

You might have heard that ginger is a helpful herbal medicine and that it can relieve some digestive difficulties. While it's true that ginger is a traditional remedy for certain digestive ailments, but it doesn't have any utility in helping treat...

The Uses of Chickweed and What to Do With Chickweed

Chickweed young shoots are safe to eat and commonly used as salad greens, while several methods of chickweed preparations are used medicinally to purportedly manage a variety of conditions. However, there is not enough reliable information from...

How to Minimize Pain After Hernia Surgery

Some people experience a great deal of pain after hernia surgery, but most find the surgery and recovery quite easy. The American College of Surgeons advises to avoid climbing stairs and driving for the first few days, and to be very careful when...

Probiotics For Constipation

Probiotics are recommended for a variety of purposes including general well-being. Certain foods and probiotic supplements contain "good" or "helpful" bacteria, the kind that reside in your digestive tract. Integrative physician Dr. Andrew Weil...

What Are the Health Benefits of Flaxseed?

Flaxseed, which is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, is often used to support digestive health and relieve constipation. However, consuming flaxseed has many other health benefits when eaten regularly. MayoClinic.com recommends using ground...

Epstein Barr Health Video (Video)

Epstein Barr is a virus in the herpes family that can remain asymptomatic but may cause infectious mononucleosis (mono). Learn more about Epstein Barr including treatments and symptoms in this medical video.