What Your Poop Schedule Says About Your Health
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 31, 2024
We need to talk about something we ALL do.
I’ll admit, it isn’t dinner table conversation, but it IS important.
While discussing your bathroom habits might make you blush, new research suggests they could be a crystal ball for your long-term health.
A groundbreaking study from the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) uncovered a vital link between bowel movement frequency and health.
The details might surprise you…
Scientists recently studied the bathroom habits of more than 1,400 healthy adults, and their findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, are eye-opening.
Here’s how they broke it down:
- Constipation: 1-2 bowel movements weekly
- Low-normal: 3-6 bowel movements weekly
- High-normal: 1-3 bowel movements daily
- Diarrhea: More frequent
But why does this matter?
Well, previous research has shown that bowel movement frequency significantly impacts the function of your gut ecosystem.
When stool hangs around too long, microbes use up all the available dietary fiber, switching to protein fermentation, which leaks toxins into your bloodstream.
The study revealed some startling connections…
Diarrhea was associated with elevated liver damage indicators. And constipation was linked to higher levels of microbially derived toxins known to cause kidney and other organ damage (often before any disease diagnosis).
So, how can you aim for the bowel movement “Goldilocks zone”?
The researchers found that participants who reported eating a fiber-rich diet, staying well-hydrated, and regularly exercising tended to have the healthiest bowel movement schedules.
And that’s an excellent place to start:
- Boost your fiber: Aim to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Get moving: Regular exercise helps keep things moving in your gut.
- Consider probiotics: These beneficial bacteria can support a healthy gut microbiome.
- Manage stress: High stress levels can disrupt your digestive system.
Paying more attention to your bowel habits and making these simple lifestyle changes could help you flush some serious health risks down the drain.
P.S. Humble gut bugs are heart disease superheroes. Here’s why…
Source:
Aberrant bowel movement frequencies coincide with increased microbe-derived blood metabolites associated with reduced organ function, Cell Reports Medicine, Volume 5, ISSUE 7, 101646, July 16, 2024
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...