Fortunately there are safer ways to get regular than to dose your body with chemicals. Many common foods act as natural laxatives and all that you have to do to make your body happy is to consume them on a regular basis. You may be a little surprised at which foods are the best home remedies for that slow moving intestinal system of yours. Many of these natural treatments are common foods that are sitting in your kitchen cupboard or fridge just waiting to used. Let's take a peek at some of the best natural laxatives available for your personal use.
Experiencing a slowed down digestive system can mean that you are not eating appropriately and first in the line up of natural defences against constipation is fibre. It is a very important ingredient in any healthy diet plan and it can help to keep you regular. What many people do not realize though is that there are two distinct types of fibre: soluble and insoluble.
Eating soluble fibre on a regular basis will generally serve to keep you regular. Soluble fibre absorbs water causing it to expand and also to soften as it passes through the body. This makes it much easier to pass a stool. Insoluble fibre fills your intestine but is more difficult to digest.
Another completely natural super laxative is flax seed. Flax seed is an important source of omega 3 fatty acids which the body requires to maintain healthy functioning. One half teaspoon of this seed per day will help to keep your good and bad fats in balance and will also help to keep your digestive system flowing smoothly. I would not recommend more than one teaspoon per day as flax truly is an amazing laxative.
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Oatmeal, whole wheat, and other whole grains are an amazing form of natural laxative. A bowl of hot oatmeal in the morning is a breakfast that should keep your system content and humming along at a nice pace all day. Why does oatmeal work so well? Because it is soluble fibre and yes even eating oatmeal cookies will work to help keep your digestive system flowing a little more regular.
By including in your daily diet the correct foods you can maintain a healthy system. Sure there are always times when people get busy and forget to do the little things that they are supposed to but that is generally when your body lets you know that it is being neglected. Constipation is one of the signals that lets you know that you aren't doing something right. That gurgling tummy ache can be quite uncomfortable and it quickly informs you that keeping regular is a very important function of the body.
So which foods are going to get you moving again? You have probably seen jokes or television commercials depicting older people being fed prunes to get them moving, well these images are indeed accurate. Prunes show up as a top choice in food laxatives. Prunes are not only loaded with soluble dietary fibre but they are also very rich in other nutrients. Prunes are an excellent source of Vitamin A, potassium, and copper making them a great food for individuals of all ages.
Unpeeled fruit, leafy vegetables, Aloe Vera juice, avocados, grapes are other fruits and vegetables that act as natural laxatives and they are a great line of defence against constipation. They are a wonderful source of natural fibre and many contain high quantities of water which can be another factor in how quickly your system will eliminate waste. Rhubarb is another food that acts as a natural laxative. The stalk of the rhubarb plant contains anthraquinones which are substances that act as a natural cleansing agent within the body. It is also rich in potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and calcium.
Both flax seed and rhubarb are amazing laxatives which can be eaten on a regular basis but in moderation as they can also cause your system to work a little too actively if consumed in excessive amounts. *Note that it is only the stalks of the rhubarb plant that should be consumed as the leaves contain poisonous substances and for that reason should never be eaten.
One of the most important items in preventing constipation is water. You hear it time and again that a person should drink 8 glasses of water each day to maintain good health. This is very true for many reasons. Drinking an adequate amount of water can help to keep your stool soft and your intestinal tract moist thus aiding in stool elimination. It is estimated that about 20% of our water intake comes from the foods we consume so if you are prone to a slow digestive system choose your foods wisely. Grapes, watermelon, lettuce, berries, pineapple, and celery are a few of these hydrating fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and you may be surprised at how much better you feel.
Simply consuming sufficient water and adequate amounts of these common foods may be enough to keep you from needing prescription laxatives. Where constipation is concerned there are a number of natural laxatives available for your use so give them a try. You may just be surprised how effective a natural treatment can be. *If your constipation and bloating persists seek help from your medical doctor. He will be able to eliminate or diagnose other possible factors relating to your condition.
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