What Are The Best Natural Laxatives?

I’m sure you have heard fiber is the best thing when it comes to relieving constipation, but why? It all comes down to soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is the one that is difficult to digest and process; after consuming this, it will travel into the intestines and sit where it is unable to be broken down or digested by the body. Soluble fiber is the complete opposite of insoluble fiber and is perhaps one of the best things we can consume for relief of constipation – once it travels down into our intestines and encounters water, it transfers into a substance that readily absorbs water and then helps to keep our stools soft. Once the soluble fiber combines with water, this new substance is able to draw water into the stool to help soften it (naturally, just like the body should be doing on its own). The leading cause of constipation should always be considered from the angle of examining the types and quality of fiber in the diet of that individual. For many people, a diet high in soluble fibers is enough to relieve the effects of hard stools and constipation. The best natural laxatives are going to be the ones that gently helps your body reabsorb the necessary amounts of water needed into the stool in order to ensure that it is soft enough to move through the colon and the intestines and pass easily and freely.

The Best Homemade Laxative

The term “homemade” should be used loosely here (no pun intended) as many of the best homemade remedies are different then what you think. Aside from adding foods high in fiber such as apples, prunes and green, leafy vegetables to the diet, there are a variety of other supplements that you can purchase from any health or vitamin store that can do the trick for you also. Psylium husks are hands down one of the best natural laxatives you can buy, and there are relatively cheap; they contain some of the highest levels of soluble fibers that can be found in any given food source. Some oils such as mineral and borage seed oil are excellent at relieving, and may even work a little too well if a large enough of a dose is used.

While we can focus on what foods and remedies can be help to relieve constipation, due attention should also be given to those things that can constipate us further. Cheese, fats, meat and other junk foods can cause severe distress and make any existing problem worse then it already is. Before trying any natural laxatives, make sure to eliminate those things that most likely contributing and causing the problem in the first place.