As a Nutritionist with a keen interest in the human digestive system, I frequently talk about bowel movements with clients. Your bowels should move at least once or twice per day if you consume two or three meals each day. This is a topic that raises a lot of debate, especially over what defines “normal.” If this shocks you, let’s explore the fascinating realm of digestion in more detail!
Digestion: A Journey from Mouth to Anus
The complicated process of digestion starts in the mouth. Saliva production increases as we chew our meal more thoroughly. Digestive enzymes in this saliva assist in breaking down the food. Later on in the digestive process, improperly chewed food might cause abdominal discomfort.
After the mouth, the food enters the stomach, where stomach acids further break it down. This process stimulates the rest of the digestive tract to produce digestive enzymes. The food then enters the small intestine, where the real magic happens. Here, nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are digested by digestive enzymes, as well as vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids, and monosaccharides.
When the small and large intestines converge, microorganisms there ferment and degrade any leftovers. The leftover waste is dehydrated, and it is first temporarily kept in the rectum before exiting the body through the anus.
The Role of Accessory Organs
The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, while not directly handling food, play crucial roles in digestion. The liver produces bile, which aids in fat digestion. The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice, which stops the digestion process of pepsin and helps regulate blood sugar by producing insulin. The gallbladder stores bile and releases it into the small intestine when needed.
Understanding Bowel Movements
The longer bowel contents stay in the colon, the more water is absorbed, causing the stool to become harder and drier. These dry, compacted faeces make the bowel difficult to move along, slowing down the process of peristalsis. Waste products left sitting in the colon dry out, breed germs, and produce toxins.
Interestingly, diarrhoea can be caused by long-term constipation, as the gut walls become inflamed by wastes, and new food further inflames the wall. Conversely, when the intestinal contents are moist and bulky, they fill the space inside the bowel, pressing on the wall. This sends a message to your brain that the bowels need to evacuate.
Bowel regularity may differ within individuals. A ‘normal’ bowel movement can be between three times a day to four times a week. The bowel usually wants to empty about 30 minutes following a meal, normally after breakfast. This makes going to the bathroom once a day the most ideal scenario for healthy bowel function.
Signs of a healthy bowel movement include passing stool within a minute or so of sitting on the toilet, passing without pain and straining, and feeling like you have completely emptied your bowel when you finish a motion so that you are not back in the toilet soon after to pass more.
A bowel movement should ideally be soft, formed, and easy to pass; on the Bristol Stool Chart, type 3 and type 4 are considered healthy. If the stool consists of hard lumps or is sausage-shaped but lumpy and hard to pass, it could indicate constipation. On the other hand, watery, mushy stools that lack form may indicate diarrhoea and urgency.
Stools should be medium to light brown in colour; black tarry or red stools may indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Pale or grey stools show a lack of bile, which may suggest issues within the liver or pancreas. Yellow stools can indicate an infection, gallbladder problems, or malabsorption of fats and proteins. If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to seek medical attention.
The Gut-Brain Axis and Bowel Function
The gut-brain axis can significantly impact how our bowels function. Constipation or diarrhoea brought on by ongoing stress can have an impact on other elements of life. Therefore, it is advised to take steps to reduce stress in order to preserve healthy bowel function.
The Role of Diet in Bowel Health
The state of our bowels is significantly influenced by what we consume. Consuming entire foods can considerably enhance gut health, especially fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Supplementing with slippery elm, psyllium husks, chia seeds, ground linseeds, and prebiotic fibres can help bulk up the stool. Avoid processed foods because they are typically heavy in fat and low in fibre, both of which can interfere with bowel function. Maintaining regular bowel motions also requires drinking enough water throughout the day.
Beneficial Bacteria and Bowel Health
For encouraging regular bowel movements, it is critical that the gut include good bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus spp. If you’re facing loose stools, probiotics can provide a swift resolution, with Saccharomyces boulardii demonstrating exceptional effectiveness in alleviating this condition.
Common Conditions Related to the Digestive System
Digestive issues can arise from different conditions, leading to discomfort. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes heartburn and other symptoms when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. Diverticulitis, an inflammation or infection of abnormal pouches in the large intestine, can result in abdominal pain and digestive problems. Stomach ulcers, often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, can cause ongoing inflammation of the stomach lining. Haemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus that can be painful and cause bleeding during bowel movements. The liver’s significance in essential metabolic processes makes liver illnesses like hepatitis potentially serious. If bile flow is impeded, conditions that are gallbladder-related, such as gallstones or cholecystitis, can result in jaundice.
Knowing these conditions’ causes, symptoms, and warning indications can help with early detection and treatment, resulting in optimal digestion. If you suffer any unexpected digestive symptoms or pain, always seek medical care.
The Digestive System and Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise. This can lead to gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach takes longer than usual to empty its contents into the small intestine. Understanding the interplay between the digestive system and conditions like diabetes can help in managing these conditions more effectively.
In summary, the digestive system is a sophisticated network of organs that collaborate to digest food, assimilate nutrients, and eliminate waste. We can assure its ideal performance and general wellbeing by being aware of its function and leading a healthy lifestyle.
For more information
This article was written by our team of specialist therapists at Perfect Balance Clinic. If you would like more specific advice about how our team can help you with this condition or symptoms you may be having, please complete the contact form below and one of the team will get back to you shortly.
