It’s a question most of us want to ask but are too embarrassed to. Observing what comes out of our bodies can be important clues as to what is wrong with our state of health.
Faeces are comprised of
- Soluble and insoluble fibre that serves as a cleaning agent for the body
- Undigested fats and proteins
- Dead cells from the gastrointestinal tract starting from the stomach (these cells renew every 4-7 days)
- Decommissioned red blood cells that are converted to bilirubin (main component of bile) that gives faeces its characteristic rusty brown colour.
- Dead gut bacteria- This makes up approximately 2/3 of the faecal matter
- Dead parasites
Healthy Faeces
- looks like a soft sausage
- feels teflon coated as it makes its exist
- has a rusty golden brown colour
- has the texture of soft peanut butter
- should float first then sink soon afterwards as they are slightly acidic
- Diet will naturally cause variations to faecal matter for instant iron supplements or dark green leafy vegetables will darken the stool, while beetroot will give it a reddish colour.
Stool Signs to watch out for
Skid marks
Skid marks combined with foul smelling, greasy stools can be a sign of fat malabsorption in the small intestine due to poor bile action or stomach acid (Hydrochloride Acid-HCL) deficiency. Check liver and gall balder.
Greasy Stools
Greasy stools float and are hard to flush. This means that fats are not being property broken down due to bile insufficiency or high fat diet. Pharmaceutical fat blockers will also cause this.Check liver and gall bladder.
Light coloured Greyish Stools
Could indicate anaemia (shortage of red blood cells) or gallstones causing a shortage of bile
White chalk like coloured Stools
Colon is at a standstill due to a low fibre diet, high processed foods, anaemia, thrush, overuse of appetite suppressants and laxatives
Itchy Anus
Check for thrush or parasites. It can also be due to synthetic under wear, excessive sweating, aromatic shower gels, overuse of laxatives, and antibiotics.
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