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Bowel movements naturally
Is there a natural substance I can take each day to ensure a bowel movement? My doctor wants me to take laxatives but I want something more natural.
The trouble with the long-term use of laxatives is that they make the colon lazy and so set up a vicious cycle, which is then difficult to break. The good news is that there are lots of simple and inexpensive ways to break this deadlock.
Chronic constipation takes its toll on the digestive tract, so start the healing process by drinking a quarter glass of aloe vera juice each day. It tastes vile and one of the best ways of disguising this is to juice it with bananas (which act as a natural probiotic to improve digestion) plus a bulking agent such as tofu, natural yoghurt or even fibre-rich cooked oats.
A good quality probiotic, which replaces the so-called friendly bacteria that maintain healthy digestion, will also get things moving again. Look for a brand where the capsule has been enteric-coated to protect the bacteria as they pass through the acidic environment of the stomach.
I would then combine two supplements; Nutrition Now’s Fiber Acidophilus powder, which works as a natural laxative, and Biocare's Intestinal Bowel Supplement, which is part of the pioneering new PharmaGuard range. This new supplement includes soothing peppermint, ginger, cardamon, chamomile, and fennel oils.
*Fiber Acidophilus is available from Victoria Health (0800-413596). Biocare is on 0121-433 3727.