Have you considered natural laxatives or bulk forming laxatives to cure constipation? If not, this article will introduce you to the benefits of bulk forming laxatives.
A person who is experiencing difficulty in defecation or has infrequent bowel movements is considered to be constipated. On most cases, laxatives are taken as treatment for constipation. Among the different types of natural laxatives, bulk forming laxatives are usually the best choice in treating painful constipation. Aside from being excellent remedies, they are healthy and safe compared to the other forms of medications.
All about Laxatives
Laxatives are food or drugs taken to induce bowel movement or to treat constipation. Each laxative works differently from one person to another.
• Bulk forming laxatives are laxatives that add bulk to stools. This type of laxative is most effective when taken together with lots of water.
• Lubricant laxatives are laxatives that soften stools and help facilitate the passage of feces.
• Contact laxative are laxatives that increase motor activities in the intestinal tract.
• Saline laxative is a hypertonic solution. It is used to cleanse the bowel esp. when undergoing x-rays, surgery or tests.
• Stimulant laxatives are the harshest forms of laxatives. It squeezes and contracts the bowel to move the stools out. They are only used when prescribed by doctors.
There are three common forms of laxatives. There are over the counter laxatives, prescription laxatives and natural laxatives.
Natural laxatives
Home remedies are also a popular way of treating constipation. Many foods or plants available in the local market can be used as natural laxatives. These foods can easily be part of your daily diet and help regulate your bowel movement. Aside from they are safe and effective, they also contain vitamins and minerals that can’t be obtained from other laxatives.
• Bulk forming foods are foods that promote bulk. It includes prunes, rhubarb, fibs, sauerkraut and aloe vera.
• Psyllium husk is a plant fiber. The fibers help expand the feces and stimulate intestinal lining to boost speed as waste passes. It helps cure loose stool or diarrhea.
• Bran’s are broken husks of seeds which are sifted from cereal grains. It is high on dietary fiber and helps bulk up feces. Brans can be sprinkled on cereals, or as garnish for meat and vegetables.
• Malt soup extract are malt extracts from barley grains. It works as a bulk forming lubricant the same with Psyllium and bran.
• Prunes or prune juice are full of soluble fiber. They contain high levels of iron, potassium and vitamin A.
How Natural Laxatives Work
It is safe to use natural laxative. Bulk forming laxatives are the most common of them all. Foods rich in soluble fiber can be used as a natural laxative. The acid breaks down the food into two parts: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fibers are those difficult to digest. Without changing form, it is moved into the bowel area forming into hard stool. It is then you get constipated. The soluble part is easily turned into water and turned into gel-like sponge. The gel like sponge helps soften the hard stool resulting to easier bowel movement.
Food that are natural laxatives:
• Raw fruits
Raw fruits are very easy to digest. They are naturally high in fiber, antioxidants, nutrients and vitamin C.
• Bananas – are naturally bulk forming laxatives. They are high in fibers that encourage easy digestion. It restores electrolytes and encourages growth of good bacteria in the intestinal tract.
• Apples – Just like the banana, it is also a bulk forming laxative. It has high levels of pectin that helps stimulate bowel movement.
• Melons – are easy to digest. When consumed, they will go straight to the intestines and decompose quickly.
• Berries – Berries such as acai berries, blue berries and Goji berries are high in antioxidants.
• Prunes
Prunes are natural laxatives that are high in antioxidants, iron, potassium, vitamin A and dietary fiber. It encourages good bacteria in the intestines.
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is the best natural laxative. It removes toxins from the body and helps regulate bowel movements. It contains pectin, potassium, malic acid, ash, calcium and acetic acid.
• Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has is widely known to be a natural medicinal plant. The bulk of its leaves are filled with gel. The gel contains 99% water while the 1% consists of 18 amino acids, 75 known nutrients, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins and 200 active plant compounds. Drinking aloe juice provides quick relief from constipation.
• Ginger, Cayenne Pepper and Turmeric
They act as laxative food agents. Ginger is helps maintain regular digestion. Cayenne pepper stimulates the digestive tract and improves the flow of production of enzymes and gastric juices. Turmeric increases liver detox. It helps flush out dietary carcinogens.
• Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like lemon, orange and lime are rich in vitamin C and they are the best detoxifiers. They flush out toxins and help jump start the digestive tract.
• Raw Vegetables
Vegetables act as natural laxatives. They are high in fiber and help regulate the bowel movement.
• Carrot – it adds bulk to stool and helps stimulate the bowel contractions.
• Onion – it relieves congestion and symptoms of allergy, and reduces cholesterol. It also helps in prevention of cancer of the bladder, lungs, breast and ovaries.
• Broccoli and cauliflower – increases glucosinolate in our body; helps flush out carcinogens and toxins.
• Cabbage – it helps soften stools and flush out toxins.
• Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, C, and K. They are high in lycopene that helps in prevention of prostate and colon cancer.
• Leafy Green Vegetables
Vegetables like blue green algae, arugula, barley, bitter gourd, mustard greens, wheatgrass, kale, dandelion greens, spinach, spirulina, alfalfa, chard, chicory or other organic leafy greens are great detoxifiers. They are natural laxative foods which are high in calcium, dietary fiber, vitamins K and C, folic acid and magnesium. Green vegetables create bile, a substance that helps remove waste from blood and organs.
• Avocadoes
Avocadoes are rich in potassium, dietary fiber, folate and vitamin K. It helps fight cancer in the breast, mouth, and prostate and enhances the skin tone.
Foods rich in natural laxatives and bulk forming laxatives are very good for the body. They help lower the risks of cancer, heart diseases and diabetes. But above all, don’t forget to drink plenty of water because water is the best natural laxative that helps treat constipation.
Find out on what constitutes a healthy bowel movement.
