Low carb constipation cures-ideas anyone??

Posts: 566
5/13/13 8:54 P

I have to echo the magnesium.... it's very important.

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5/13/13 8:33 P

Miralax works wonders

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5/13/13 7:32 P

Most people don't get nearly enough magnesium in their diets. Those who have metabolic disorders (diabetes. etc.) can have additional problems maintaining sufficient magnesium levels...not sure if this is your situation, but a lot of people on low/controlled-carb diets have these health issues.

1000 mg/day of magnesium could make a big difference for you.

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5/12/13 9:49 P

I have a friend who swears by Aloe Vera Juice. I think you start by drinking about 1 oz and it can be mixed with water or something else to make it more palatable. She gave me a jug of it, but I always forget I have it.

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5/12/13 8:11 A

Too much sodium and not enough water intake can cause constipation, water and a walk help constipation. ..you could eat Rye bread with seeds as it eases constipation because of the fiber arabinoxylan that is in rye. I toast mine.

Fried foods can delay digestion....Avocados, nuts and Olive Oil and other healthy fats help keep digestion running smoothly...the use of black pepper may help too as it helps digest raw food and mucus forming foods such as dairy.

I have found for me eating 4 ginger snaps with molasses (I buy the Nabisco Brand) helps without much fuss on my part.

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5/11/13 11:42 P

Have a green smoothie at some point in the day. Spinach or berries or parsley will add bulk and fiber.

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5/10/13 11:43 A

Senna works great - completely natural and produces a bowel movement in 4 to 6 hours. Don't forget to drink lots of water with it. I don't know if it has been mentioned but it's best not to take laxatives unless it is a dire circumstance and only as needed otherwise your body can become dependent on them. Secondly do not take fibre supplements that only supply soluble fibre (inulin and psyllium) as you need both soluble and insoluble fibre which you can get from supplements such as GenEssentials Fiber - www.genesistoday.com/products/genessential
s-fiber

Edited by: GDBEAR65 at: 5/10/2013 (11:45)

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5/9/13 7:53 P

Was wondering how I can help the constipation one might get with the Dukan Diet besides the oat bran? Any ideas would be very helpful.

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12/19/12 10:43 P

Thanks guys! Okay, well after some coffee and vitamin C-1000 mg and Magnesium-1500 mg and two tbsp of Olive Oil things seem to be back 'on time' . :) Seems crazy that I need to make such adjustments, when Ive started eating healthy. Shouldn't my body be thanking me for making a change for the good instead I need to tweek it until I can finally go. Weird, but feel much better!

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12/18/12 11:29 A

I could be wrong about this, but some time ago I read that if your stools don't float you're not getting enough fiber.

Metamucil is psyllium - not the best choice for a fiber supp but if it works...

Posts: 98
12/18/12 2:26 A

I think my diet might be too low in fats. I will try to up them and today I bought some magnesium tablets. Any suggestions from anyone on what is the right amount of mg's to take?

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12/18/12 12:54 A

I use metamucil

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12/18/12 12:38 A

I may get flack for this but...is your diet too low in fats? I was keeping a very low fat diet and got stopped up..I added back in some healthy fat...EVOO and some avocado or greek yogurt and it vanished. I also eat a prune or 2 a day for extra insurance (a throw back from when i was pregnant!) Magnesium and water work too like other posters have said. Be careful of psyllium husk or ground flax..while they help get more fiber in if you don't fluff them up with water you wont poop....ever lol.....it was a horrible experience!.. Anyway I wish you the best of luck in finding a combo that works for you, every body is different and food is medicine so personally I steer clear of OTC and scripts.

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12/17/12 5:29 P

What you might not realize is that fiber IS a type of carb. That's why fiber supplements are "high in carbs," but even on Atkins, you don't count those.

However, fiber supplements cause a number of problems. Your body can become dependent on them, so you can't go at all without them, and they can also make it harder to absorb other nutrients. And we're finding that it's probably not actually fiber that reduces your risk of cnacer and heart attack, etc. Those benefits probably come from other, less-known nutrients that are common in high fiber foods.

You really ought to talk to your doctor. You're not obese, so weight loss might not be as high a priority as keeping healthy by eating high-fiber whole foods. Those foods are high in carbs, so most people on Atkins can't get enough fiber. Your doctor, who knows your health history, can help you decide whether you're putting yourself at higher risk from the low-fiber diet than it's worth. If there's diabetes in your family, it might be worth it, but if there's breast or digestive cancers, or heart disease that's not related to diabetes, Atkins might not be a good idea.

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12/17/12 2:11 P

Fiber is indigestible so any fiber supp would not count as carbs. The problem with many supps, especially psylium, is they lack insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber stimulates the colon and helps keep it clean. If you have not already resolved the issue, I suggest taking a look at GenEssentials Fiber - www.genesistoday.com/products/genessential
s-fiber

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12/17/12 11:48 A

We never had issues and I suspect it is because we drink major amounts of water and take a magnesium supplement. We also found that we just don't "go" as we used to on the higher carb lifestyle.

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12/16/12 7:22 P

I am not familiar with the Atkins diet, so don't know if you can eat oatmeal, but once I changed my breakfast to oatmeal and egg whites no more issues for me.

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12/16/12 6:51 P

MichelleXXX, thanks yes, some of these I haven't heard of, I'm going tonight to buy some magnesium supplements. I appreciate everyone's responses here. It gets hard to stay eating healthy when your body is so used to the addiction of simple crap carbs and preservatives and wants to put up road 'blocks' :)

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12/16/12 6:48 P

Thanks Russel, yeah, exactly, even though you say you are on Atkins, ppl are telling you to eat the wrong things! And yes you are right the fiber supplements can have a lot of carbs also, which is why I try to stay away from them. Today I upped my fat and had a cucumber and avocado, which I've read helps. I also am going tonight to buy a magnesium supplement which I heard helps as well.

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12/16/12 9:40 A

put ground flaxseed in smoothies, food, yogurt.

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12/16/12 9:28 A

With Atkins Induction, you are supposed to eat 3 cups of greens, and salad vegetables a day. It is 20 net carbs, so if you have a cup of green beans for example with 8 grams of carbs.. only 4 count, and 4 are fiber.

What keeps me from being constipated, since I eat about 25-50 net carbs a day, is high fat. The higher the fat, the more I use the bathroom. I eat about 65% fat. At such a low level of carbs, you are not getting enough fiber to keep you regular, but when I started 3.5 years ago, I had some constipation problems. I solved it by eating a lb of ground beef. Now I add a T of olive oil to my lunch and dinner meals, even though my carb and fiber amounts have increased

I also lose faster the higher the percentage of fat too, so a win-win.

P.S. when you get past Induction, and start increasing carbs, macadamia nuts are a great high fat add-on, in case you don't feel comfortable eating fatty meats, or butter/oils.

Also check your fiber supplements for carbs, and be careful to stay below 20 grams while on Induction, and avoid eating foods not on the plan, like nuts. I know people are trying to help you, but they probably haven't read DANDR, and have no idea what is or isn't allowed. Follow the book.

Edited by: RUSSELL_39 at: 12/16/2012 (09:35)

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12/16/12 7:21 A

Some options I've heard help others:

more exercise
yoga
meditation
fasting
hot ginger tea
coffee
magnesium
high dose Vitamin C
carbonated water
unrefined coconut oil (1t to start; can have strong effect)
more fat, less protein
seafood as your only protein source

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Posts: 98
12/15/12 11:24 P

And thanks! I will try the raw veggie thing. In fact now that I think of it, I had some raw celery and then went that day.

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Posts: 98
12/15/12 11:23 P

How long does it take? Yes, just started first week under my belt.

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12/15/12 11:12 P

Try to eat some of your veggies raw, that will help
Also eat some nuts,. they have only a small amount of carbs.
A cup of hot water and lemon will help too.
If you just started Atkins, it will take your body a while to adjust.

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12/15/12 10:53 P

Hi. I think this is my number 1 issue with low carb. I'm on Atkins, and please no Atkin hater posts. It has helped me cub my appetite and lower calorie count. BUT, my bigger issue is my butt. :) Okay, I know that everyone experience changes in their bodies when drastically changing their diet, however, I am wondering how long you can take a stool softener or something like MiraLax. I mean if I can take it every day and not worry, then that's great. However I've been looking for a natural remedy. Please Don't say "take more fiber" because to be honest that does the exact opposite. Like I tried psylium husks, and couldn't go for a week. Also I tried flax seed, the same thing. For some ppl I don't think fiber works. And yes, I'm drinking a ton more water, but if taking fiber con or a stool softener everyday works, and I'm 'going' rather than a week of feeling 'crappy' for not going then I'd rather do that. Ok, thoughts, people?

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