Constipation from too much fiber..

[girl81]

Has anyone here dealt with this? I'm afraid I may have a partial bowel blockage from too much fiber; please help. I drink a lot but it has not helped.

[StarFire]

enema.... :eek: ... not my favorite option! but it will work... or what I do -- I use an herb called Cascara Sagrada it can be found at any health food store. It helps to stimulate the peristaltic action of the colon for 'natural movements' and is non habit forming.

Some people use 'Get Regular Tea' by Yogi... or Smooth Move Tea.... and make sure you are drinking LOTS AND LOTS of water!! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Dancing-7.gif ... good luck! oh... and prunes also work!!

[girl81]

Can I do an enema myself?

[StarFire]

Yes you can... the bags come with directions I believe... I'm not sure what you put in them... I know that part of it is warm water... but other than that I'm not sure -- RAWkinlocs would know - cuz she is usually the one recommending an enema...

maybe do a google search and Im sure some kind of research will come up and give you more info on it!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/th23_29_107v.gif ... good luck!

[girl81]

I really appreciate your kindness Starfire; thank you.

[Revvell]

Just use warm water. That's it! You may need to do a few rounds ~ like 6-8 or until the water runs clear.

I'm curious though ~ too much fiber? What is it you are doing?

[Clare]

Raw immediately cured me of constipation because I had been denying myself quantities of fruit before I was raw. Are you eating plenty of fruit? I eat most of mine in the form of green smoothies...try eating a whole papaya, for example...

[girl81]

Just use warm water. That's it! You may need to do a few rounds ~ like 6-8 or until the water runs clear.

I'm curious though ~ too much fiber? What is it you are doing?

I'm not 100% raw. I think it could be from too many raw mushrooms, steamed broccoli, steamed cabbage, steamed cauliflower. Do you think the mushrooms could be the cause?

[Revvell]

Numerous things could be the cause. I'm looking at steamed cabbage. Sludge?

How much movement are you doing? How much water are you drinking?

Like Clare, eating raw takes care of any problems I might have had with slow bowels. I doubt too much fiber is the cause. I was thinking you might have been doing some without the rest of the food intact such as psyllium husks or something of that nature without enough water.

If all else fails, prunes and prune juice.


I'm not 100% raw. I think it could be from too many raw mushrooms, steamed broccoli, steamed cabbage, steamed cauliflower. Do you think the mushrooms could be the cause?

[girl81]

No psyllium husks here and tons of water.
What is it about prunes that help? Would plums be as helpful?
Numerous things could be the cause. I'm looking at steamed cabbage. Sludge?

How much movement are you doing? How much water are you drinking?

Like Clare, eating raw takes care of any problems I might have had with slow bowels. I doubt too much fiber is the cause. I was thinking you might have been doing some without the rest of the food intact such as psyllium husks or something of that nature without enough water.

If all else fails, prunes and prune juice.

[Kalimelle]

hiya,

you're right---it actually *is* possible to become constipated by consuming too much fiber. this happens to me on occasion when i eat lots of "sushi" made with carrot-pulp "mock salmon". usually, drinking lots of water is all that is needed to remedy the situation, but each individual is different.

prunes are better than plums b/c like all dried fruit, they are more concentrated. i believe they work by pulling more water into the bowel (perhaps with sorbitol? not sure on this...)

keep chugging water, get some exercise, and maybe try some abdominal massage. always massage in circular motions that move the waste from the right side of your belly, across the top (just under the ribs) and down the left side.

~kali

[Revvell]

hiya,


prunes are better than plums b/c like all dried fruit, they are more concentrated. i believe they work by pulling more water into the bowel (perhaps with sorbitol? not sure on this...)



If that were true about prunes then one could use any dried fruit. For some reason prunes work. I don't know why AND I suggest soaking them first, then drinking the juice and eating the soaked fruit.

Why it works? I don't know. But then, I don't know why/how electricity "works" either. Prunes are a natural, age-old remedy.

Be sure you get the unsulfated ones too.

Revvell

[Theogirl]

Dried apricots, pumpkin seeds and lots of water work for me! Prunes too, but don't overdo it at one time or you will have a major tummy ache!

[girl81]

I use an herb called Cascara Sagrada it can be found at any health food store. It helps to stimulate the peristaltic action of the colon for 'natural movements' and is non habit forming.


I took one capsule (400 mg) nearly 8 hours ago with no results... should I take another?

[zig_zag]

Stopping eating prior to 5 pm... If you get hungry or feel like you need a snack, chop up some ginger and boil it to make a tea... let your tummy rest and digest while you're asleep! Also, you might want to consider enemas...

[raven]

I wouldn't take another capsule right now. Do some self-message on your intestines. Try soaked prunes before bed. You can also blend the prunes with the soak water. Add some flax seeds and fresh flax oil to your diet, as well as enzymes and priobiotics. Something easy and inexpensive is a castor oil pack. Buy some pure cold-pressed castor oil and wool flannel (most health stores carry this) and follow the instruuctions on the package. Basically, you saturate the cloth with the oil and place it over your intestinal area. Put some plastic wrap over it and then a heating pad or hot water bottle. Keep the pack on for an hour and do this a few times a day.

In previous threads (do a search) posters have recommended wheatgrass juice for constipation. Green veggie juice helps too.

Suzy

[girl81]

I have at least 60g fiber per day so I fear adding more.
Regarding enemas, can they cause problems later in life with going naturally? Are they difficult to administer?
Should I be worried about the fact that cascara did nothing for me?

[girl81]

After 2 half doses and one full dose, the cascara worked very well for me. That was two days ago and now I'm back to not going. Should I continue to take it until I'm regular?

[girl81]

After 2 half doses and one full dose, the cascara worked very well for me. That was two days ago and now I'm back to not going. Should I continue to take it until I'm regular?

any advice?

[Avacado7]

.........I just came across this thread. How are you doing? I do not have a lot of experience with remedying this...but I can tell you that when I went into my local vitamin shop and complained of constipation, she adviced me to be taking lactobacillus acidolphilus (sp?)...you know...the good stuff that is in yogurt, but is in capsule form. Also, are you walking...cause that action is supposed to help get things going????? If I can get a chance to stop in and see her...I shall ask for you. Good Luck!!!!

[girl81]

.........I just came across this thread. How are you doing? I do not have a lot of experience with remedying this...but I can tell you that when I went into my local vitamin shop and complained of constipation, she adviced me to be taking lactobacillus acidolphilus (sp?)...you know...the good stuff that is in yogurt, but is in capsule form. Also, are you walking...cause that action is supposed to help get things going????? If I can get a chance to stop in and see her...I shall ask for you. Good Luck!!!!

Thank you Ava. :)
Yes, I exercise/walk daily.
I thought Lacto acidolph was for lactose intolerence?

[girl81]

After 2 half doses and one full dose, the cascara worked very well for me. That was two days ago and now I'm back to not going. Should I continue to take it until I'm regular?

at a low dose?

[JudyMac]

Go for fresh apple and prune juice:

Drink 2-3 cups of prune juice.
After ½ hour, drink one cup of apple juice
Then, 1-hour later drink another cup of apple juice.

This eliminates the fibre problem as the active ingredient is the substance dihydro-phenyl-isatin, which is responsible for the laxative action.

There does seem to be something strange going on though. Have you recently changed from a meat based diet? That sometimes clogs the colon, and a simple enema is a good idea. Go and visit your local chemist (pharmacy) and buy an enema bag or buy online if you feel that you do not want the neighbourhood to know your business ;)

Maybe you are intolerant of something that you are eating. In which case keeping a detailed food journal might help you to identify the culprit. Why not log all of your food and drink for the next few days here on the thread and whether it is raw, dehydrated or cooked. Maybe we can spot something.

[Stina]

My approach is to fast instead of adding in more fiber when I realize I'm constipated. I feel like my system gets behind on it's work and I need to give it a break to catch up instead of overclogging it with even more roughage to process. So, if I get my calories from juicing for a day, I get a fiber-rich simple meal like soaked prunces or a carrot to break my fast, my goodness, does it successfully move out the constipation!

[Avacado7]

........Wow...there is a lot of good info coming your way!!
How are you doing? Has anything else helped?
I will be going back into town today, and I will stop and see if that person is working. I know when I was bothered with constipation she suggested the acidophilus....my understanding is that it maintains a healthy environment in the bowel. I am lactose intolerant, so I get the "non dairy" one. It seems to me that when I was looking for answers I read that pears are very high fibre...and also a lot of water in them. I am imagining you are trying a number of the suggestions. I too, thought of the fasting...when I had this problem. Sort of like a general "washing out." Please keep us posted as to what works.
I know it is SUCH and uncomfortable situation! I hope you get relief soon!!

[molliegirl]

In my humble newbie opinion, I think you should do nothing but eat raw food in reasonable quantities and let your body adjust. The longer you're raw, the more regular you'll become as your body figures out what to do on it's own rather than relying on a temporary fix.

[girl81]

I wonder if probiotics may help. ???

[girl81]

enema.... :eek: ... not my favorite option! but it will work... or what I do -- I use an herb called Cascara Sagrada it can be found at any health food store. It helps to stimulate the peristaltic action of the colon for 'natural movements' and is non habit forming.

Some people use 'Get Regular Tea' by Yogi... or Smooth Move Tea.... and make sure you are drinking LOTS AND LOTS of water!! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Dancing-7.gif ... good luck! oh... and prunes also work!!

Starfire, I sent you an email; just wondered how often do you think is safe to take cascara sagrada? Once per week?

[Marin Mom]

Flax seeds make a world of difference for me. I throw a couple of table spoons into my Green Smoothie and blend it up.

[girl81]

Starfire, I sent you an email; just wondered how often do you think is safe to take cascara sagrada? Once per week?

bump for Starfire.