Poo. Doodoo. Turd.
We all do it. We don’t like to talk about it. And we all definitely don’t like to look at it. However, it might be what holds the key to figuring out how well your systems are running.
Yes, we are talking about poo and how to successfully decipher the hidden messages it holds. The end goal? A closer connection and understanding of what is happening on the inside and how your body is functioning.
So, how exactly does your poo talk to you?
Poop essentially is made up of your digestive system’s trash. This includes undigested matter, dead cells from your intestinal lining, and even bacteria that live in your GI tract. Most importantly, it contains a variety of clues on what is going on inside, and below are four of the most important of these.
- The color: Typically, poo should be brown in a healthy adult. However, in diets rich in green leafy veggies it could appear green which is totally normal. The brown color is a result of bile which makes the color of poop a potential indicator for liver function.
- The consistency: Is your poop firm solid, soft solid, semi-solid or liquid? The consistency can be an indicator of different things including the sufficiency of your diet and presence of infections.
- The frequency: A healthy adult should pass poo one to two times a day. If your frequency is decreased then you may have constipation due to a number of reasons. Increased frequency is also a problem and sometimes indicates some form of irritation to the intestinal lining.
- Additional material: The final set of important clues in your poo are additional materials like blood, pus, mucus and even worms. These are collected as the stool passes along the intestines and their presence is an indication of problems along the tract.
What your poo tells you
Now that you know what to look for, it is important that you learn to decode the message. For the most part, there are three main messages that your poo can pass (pun very much intended).
The first is the quality of your diet. This mainly affects the frequency of your bowel movements. For example, if your diet is low in fiber and water you may end up with constipation.
The second important message is about the presence of defects in the actual intestinal wall. This presents itself in a number of ways including blood in the poo and even diarrhea. The causes here vary and can be as simple as bacterial infections of the lining and as serious as malignancies.
Finally, your poo may indicate the effectiveness of complementary digestive organs particularly the brain, the liver and the pancreas. These are organs that indirectly contribute to the digestive function. With the brain, it is the gut-brain axis that’s involved and this plays a role in everything from peristalsis to production of digestive enzymes.
What does all of this have to do with your gut health and microbiome?
By definition, microbiome refers to the genetic material of all the microbes – bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses – that live on and inside the human body. These are microorganisms that live in your body and that play a positive symbiotic role.
They are particularly important in the gastrointestinal tract and are involved in everything from digestion itself to synthesis of important compounds like vitamin K and conjugated bile. They are generally very useful in ensuring gut health and overall wellbeing.
What should you do with all of this information?
Be aware and in tune. Sure your poo will change from time to time but for the most part, you will find that when you are healthy it is consistent. As you notice changes take note, pay attention and make shifts as necessary.
Tips for a healthy GI tract and elimination
- Stick to a diet rich in fiber.
- Drink enough water.
- Don’t hold in poo. If you get the urge just find a restroom and do your thing.
- Include superfoods like microalgae for micronutrients useful in digestion like zinc and calcium.
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Support a healthy microbiome with probiotic rich foods.
Utilize whole food supplements like Essentials from New Earth to help in digestion and gut function.
The Essentials Package
New Earth offers a variety of gut nourishing supplements designed to help maintain a healthy body and healthy you. The Essentials package, in particular, helps to support the ever important gut-brain axis. As the name suggests, it contains essentials for healthy gut function including digestive enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics along with organic Wild Microalgae™ for optimal mind support.
Get on the New Earth Life bandwagon
Your gut, it’s at your core and a key player in your wellbeing. In fact, it is the gateway for the absorption of the nutrients your body relies on day in and out.
Be in tune with your poo and support your ever important gut, it’s what we call living the #NewEarthLife.
The best part is that they are all organic and they come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.