How do you keep yourself regular ?.

[GezFox]

I have always had irregular bowel movements I.e. Every three days is quite normal for me. I try to drink 1.5 litres of water a day and run three times a week. Every once in a while I will go through A period of a week when I don't go properly at all . I am thinking of taking some sort of laxative / stool softener to get things moving . What would you recommend ? am gong on holiday in 5 days and want to try and resolve before I go. Thanks ,

Myths about eggs- scroll down this piece

www.saga.co.uk/magazine/health-wellbeing/wellbeing/old-wives-tales-about-health

I discovered pears when my dd decided she loved them when weaning. The effect on a little baby is impressive! Banana seems to have the opposite effect.

So try one or two pears a day? I think that would be more pleasant than prune juice/medication.

Glycerin suppositories are a god send

Colon massage?

Ortisan is good and bodycare normally sell it, its kinder than a laxative i.e. no severe stomach pain!

I have severe, chronic constipation and have had it since a very small child. I have tried everything and the only thing that works is a sachet of Movicol everyday.

Linseeds! I can't believe nobody has said this so far. Two tablespoons washed down with plenty of fluids everyday. Bob's your uncle.

You can also eat them sprinkled on stuff but spooning them in is a lot quicker and easier.

A glass of prune juice daily 1st thing seems to do the job.

Oh and linseeds mixed in water or yogurt. That and a glass of prune juice makes the perfect recipe for regularity

I use two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds.
I mix it into natural greek yogurt every morning.
I have IBS and so far this has made me more regular and my poops are actually quite "normal" now..

FYI OP linseeds and flaxseeds are the same thing.

Nowhere near enough fat in that diet. Nor carbs. We need everything, I really don't believe in particular food groups being 'bad'

All food groups are needed to both provide nutrients AND aid in the absorption of those provided by other foods.

Also we would as a pp said need to know amounts. How many cals are you having? How much running?

If you're not eating enough vs energy output your body will hold onto more to try and ensure you get all your nutrients.

Do you feel bad with it?Boated and constipated? And are your bowed movements really hard and difficult to pass or ok? Because if you feel ok that can just be normal for you. I eat similarly and go many times a day so everyone's different. I see you eat linseeds a few times a week. I have them daily in homemade yoghurt which is massively probiotic and definitely helps

You could try psyllium husks (which are a bit gross) or a supplement of magnesium citrate

Low carb diet can make you constipated as there is not enough insolvable fibre which bulks stools. Add brown rice to a meal per day & you will see a difference.

Carbs are needed; linseeds are best soaked overnight (taste like walloaper paste but they release the omega threes and are more 'slippery.') take first thing, plus half to a pint of warm water and wait half an hour before eating.

The difficult part is finding your optimum balance of fibre to other nutrients in your diet. I found too much fibre, and certain kinds, was causing me further problems. I used to swear by apples until I realised they were giving me stomach aches; the same for oaty things like porridge. Now I don't have a great deal of fruit - just a good serving of chopped pears/peaches/grapes on my All Bran in the morning, with some sultanas, and I always have wholemeal bread at lunch. Before I go to bed I have 1-2 sachets of Movicol. All this solved massive problems that had going on for thirty years

Thanks all - great advice ! Will start giving some of these a go and also start adding some brown rice / pasta / lentils to salads . Have linseeds today to add to my yogurt and have started the day with an apple.
I did take 2 sennokot last night but no movement yet !

Chia seeds

Fibre and fluids. That's all you need.

Prune juice.