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Best Natural Stool Softeners and Laxatives

What is considered as healthy bowel movement regularity differs from person to person, therefore being constipated isn’t measured by how often an individual passes feces but rather any deviation from their own normal pattern. Constipation is very common and most of us are familiar with the discomfort it can cause through bloating and stomach cramps. Hardened stools are the reason we become constipated so it follows that finding ways to soften the stools will solve the problem. The purpose here is to explain which are the best natural stool softeners and why.

Causes of Constipation

Constipation is a symptom which means the body either isn’t functioning to its optimum and/or it is missing something which allows it to do so. The single most common cause of constipation is due to a diet lacking in fiber.

Other causes of constipation are dehydration, effects of medication on the body’s systems and more rarely some underlying health problem.

Packed, hardened and dried stools occur when waste matter has been too long inside the digestive tract which then makes them difficult to pass.

The Importance of Fiber in Diet

Fiber in the diet is essential for well-being and optimum health. Not all dietary fiber is the same and it is the consumption of foods with soluble fiber that will be beneficial. Certain fibers are indigestible to humans which means they can’t be efficiently broken down by the normal internal processes. Non-soluble fiber can add to the problems of constipation.

When fiber is eaten it brings about changes within the gastrointestinal tract. Besides regulating glucose absorption for healthy blood sugar levels and controlling intestinal pH, fiber absorbs water thus creating a gelatinous product which acts as a lubricant.

Processed fiber acts as both a laxative – a substance which lubricates both fecal matter and the tract through which it passes and a stool softener – something which makes the stool softer.

All of these processes mean that waste matter is passed through the system quickly and efficiently, before drying of stools can occur, which leads to regular bowel movements.

List of Natural Stool Softeners

The best natural stool softeners and laxatives can all be sourced through common food items.

This list is not exhaustive and many more foods can be added which contain varying levels of fiber.

Bran – all types of bran work as effective stool softeners with the most powerful being corn bran, oat bran and wheat bran. All-bran and rice bran, although lower in fibre than the first three brans listed, also offer high fibre options.

Fruit – many fruits contain some level of fibre. I have listed some examples here, in descending order of fibre levels.

Elderberries – over twice as much fibre content as those items at the bottom of the list:

• Blackberries
• Loganberries
• Figs
• Raspberries
• Boysenberries
• Prunes
• Pears
• Apples
• Oranges
• Nuts and seeds – almonds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds
• Aloe Vera juice

Correct dietary fiber intake will do away with the need to buy over the counter laxatives or remedies in most cases.

Prolonged constipation can be a symptom of serious underlying health issues. Additionally, untreated severe constipation is dangerous. In these cases always seek a medical opinion.

This article on natural stool softeners has been written by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton’. Find out more about healthy foods here.