Pooping

At some point, it became taboo to talk about pooping. Well, not here!! It's so important for our health to poop regularly. So let's dive in.

Pooping is one of the most natural things your body does. It's literally a poop machine! It should be easy, and you should feel GREAT afterward.

Paying attention to your pooping habits can give you incredible insight into the health of your body. In fact, it's one of the easiest ways to gauge and examine your health. Most of the time, people don't like to spend much time in the bathroom, but every once in a while, it is important to take a look at what you're leaving behind. The shape, color, and texture are just some of the things you should be looking at! Was it hard to pass? Too easy to pass? Was there urgency, pain, or blood? Is it floaty or greasy? There are so many factors to look for!

It's time to start thinking of pooping as the most important part of your daily routine!

Let's examine the Bristol Stool Chart to understand what ideal poops look like and what others can indicate.

This chart classifies stool samples according to shape and consistency and assigns a number from 1-7 depending on their characteristics. Stools that are well-formed and easy to pass are considered ideal, shown as types 3 and 4. Stool that is hard and difficult to pass (Types 1 and 2) indicates constipation. This can lead to straining and the development of hemorrhoids, as well as a prolonged build-up of toxic waste in the colon. It's also uncomfortable! Stool that contains excess liquid or is entirely liquid indicates diarrhea (Types 5, 6, and 7). Prolonged bouts of diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malnourishment.

Now that you know the optimal shape and consistency, let's talk about color. The color can be very telling of big issues or can be changed by the things you eat. For example:

Brown is the optimal color. There can be a big range of brown colors that are considered normal, but "healthy" stool is always brown.
There are some medications and supplements that can make your stool black. It can also be an indicator of bleeding if it has a tar-like consistency. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing black poop.
Green stools can be a sign that you're eating plenty of green vegetables. Great! Or it can be a sign that you have some sort of infection or gut issue like IBS. Talk with your doctor if you have green poop.
Yellow stools can be an indicator of poor fat absorption or liver issues. Talk to your doctor about yellow poop.
White or clay-colored stool can be an indicator of a bile issue or obstruction. Talk to your doctor about white or clay-colored poop.
Red stool can be an indicator of blood in your stool. It can also be dyed red by foods like beets, pomegranate, or radishes. If you can't pinpoint a red food that could cause red poop, talk to your doctor.

Now you know what the ideal poop should look like. If you are not at your desired regularity or are looking to make improvements, here are some things that can make your bathroom experience more pleasant!

Sufficient water intake! One of the most common factors leading to constipation is dehydration. Adequate water can help move things along. A general rule of thumb is to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day.
Identify food sensitivities! Food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances can be a cause of diarrhea or constipation. If you are participating in the Total Functional Health Reset, you are already working on this!
- Get that fiber!! Fiber is one of the most helpful components for gut regularity. If you are starting from a very low-fiber diet, increase your fiber intake slowly and be sure to increase your water intake as well. Too much fiber too fast can have the opposite effect and lead to constipation, gas, and bloating!
- Put your feet up! This tip might sound strange at first. Think about this: toilets have not been around for all of human existence! How and where did our ancient ancestors poop? The answer is squatting!! It's most natural to poop in a squatting position, but this position is difficult to achieve when sitting on a modern toilet! Luckily, modern technology has granted us access to things like the Squatty Potty to help us achieve optimal pooping form! Check it out or make your own!
- As you continue to learn more about your body, your gut, and ways to heal, you may find your pooping woes work themselves out. But PAY ATTENTION! Your poop may be the first indicator if something is off in your body. Notice something different than usual? Look at what you've been eating and where you've been. This can help you identify certain triggers to avoid in the future.
  Happy pooping!