Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders and can be treated in various ways. In this article, we'll focus on behavioral and natural remedies.
Constipation affects approximately 9 million women and nearly 4 million men, approximately 13 million people in total. It's not a disease, but a symptom that can arise due to various intestinal disorders; almost everyone experiences it at some point in their lives. Other times, constipation is caused by diseases that only indirectly interfere with intestinal function.
In the adult population, constipation mainly affects the elderly and women (almost four times more than men).
Symptoms
You may be diagnosed with constipation if you have the following symptoms for a prolonged period of time:
- Reduced number of bowel movements (less than 2 per week)
- Difficulty or straining to evacuate
Constipation is also closely linked to hemorrhoids (find out how to treat them with natural remedies) . In fact, hemorrhoids and anal fissures are considered causes of constipation because they complicate the natural evacuation of stool. Some people experience pain when going to the bathroom, with a feeling of bloating and a full stomach.
Cause
To understand why you suffer from constipation, it helps to understand how the colon, or large intestine, works.
As food passes through the colon, it absorbs any remaining water and forms waste products, called feces, which muscular contractions push toward the rectum. When the feces reach the rectum, they are solid because most of the water has been absorbed.
Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water, or the colon's muscle contractions are too slow and weak, causing stool to move too slowly. The stool then becomes hard and dry.
There may be several causes, but the most common is undoubtedly an unhealthy lifestyle, with a hectic pace and a low-residue diet that significantly contributes to the onset of constipation. In fact, an unhealthy diet (low-fiber diet), insufficient water intake, and lack of physical activity contribute significantly to constipation.
Here is a list of the causes that lead to the onset of constipation:
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Unbalanced diet: if you eat a diet low in fiber, you are more at risk of suffering from constipation;
- Lack of physical activity: Although doctors can't exactly explain the connection between the two, it can happen that after a health problem or illness that forces you to stay in bed without being able to exercise, you may begin to suffer from constipation.
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Fluid deficiency: Increased fluid intake does not always relieve constipation, but many people notice a reduction in symptoms when they drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding dehydration;
- Ignoring the need to go to the bathroom, if you ignore this urge you may no longer feel the need to go to the bathroom, this could lead to constipation;
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Laxative abuse. If you use laxatives, the symptoms will ease, but over time you will need to increase the dose because your body develops a dependence on them. Be very careful because laxatives can be addictive.
Don't make the mistake of self-medicating with over-the-counter laxatives just because you think you need to go to the bathroom once a day to be "healthy." When taking a laxative, you should always consult your doctor. - Use of certain medications, such as antispasmodics, iron supplements, diuretics.
Behavioral remedies
When constipation is not caused by a specific pathology, it is important to address diet and lifestyle changes.
First of all, you need to try to change your behavior according to the following indications:
- Follow a fiber-based diet. Recommended foods include: whole oats, whole grains, bran, pollen, flaxseed, sweet almond oil, prunes, kiwi, artichokes, and carrots.
- Physical activity is essential for those who suffer from constipation. Getting active also helps boost your intestinal function. A 20-minute walk is enough.
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Drink plenty of water. Keeping your intestinal contents hydrated shouldn't be underestimated; as a general rule, your body needs at least 2 liters of fluids a day.
When you regularly consume less water, your body replenishes it by reducing urine production and/or increasing water reabsorption from the colon. In this case, the digestive residues become drier, making their expulsion slower and more difficult.
- It's also important not to procrastinate. In fact, if you're experiencing constipation, it's advisable to go to the bathroom as soon as possible when you feel the urge.
Aloe, a very powerful natural remedy
Together with behavioral remedies, exceptional results are obtained with the use of Aloe, in fact the anthraquinone molecules present in the leaf stimulate the peristalsis intestinal and act as such metabolism rebalancer.
In particular, Aloe Arborescens capsules, richer in anthraquinones than Aloe Vera, are ideal for this type of problem.
What are anthraquinones?
Anthraquinones are molecules present in the Aloe leaf.
Where exactly are they located?
In the peel there is a larger concentration, in the gel a residual part.
The main molecules that belong to the anthraquinone group are:
- Aloemodin;
- Aloin;
- Aloetic Acid;
- Anthranol;
- Chrysophanic Acid;
- Resisthanol;
Anthraquinones, in addition to their intestinal regulatory action, are recognized for their detoxifying, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antitumor properties.
Properties of the individual anthraquinone components:
- Aloemodin: It boasts important cytotoxic effects especially against precancerous and cancerous cells of particular tumors, as numerous in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated.
- Aloetic acid: has a natural antibiotic action, especially in combination with the other anthraquinones present in aloe.
- Cinnamic Acid: with intense antibiotic, antibacterial, and germicidal activity, effective against various bacteria such as salmonella, streptococci, and staphylococci.
- Chrysophanic Acid: it is a good purifying, diuretic, laxative agent, with eupeptic and tonic properties.
- Aloin: It occurs in the form of two isomers known as Aloin A (barbaloin) and Aloin B (isobarbaloin) and is the invented name for the molecule that most represents the anthraquinone class. In addition to its laxative, it also has detoxifying, antibiotic, antitumor, and antioxidant properties.
You must be very careful because not all Aloe products on the market contain the anthraquinone component.
Many Aloe producers, during the processing stage, eliminate anthraquinones even though they have exceptional therapeutic properties.
Why?
Because Aloin, which is part of the anthraquinones, has a yellowish color, a pungent odor and a bitter taste.
From a commercial perspective, these characteristics are "unwelcome" to Aloe consumers! Furthermore, creating a product without anthraquinones allows companies to advertise a "differentiating" product.
To avoid odor and flavor problems, many manufacturers remove the peel during aloe processing. Even if this part of the aloe is removed and only the inner gel is used, a small amount of anthraquinones are still present within the gel. Using carbon filters or other processes ensures their complete elimination.
By doing this, they delude you into thinking they're providing you with added value, but in reality they're offering you a weakened, substandard product.
How can you tell if an aloe product contains the anthraquinone moiety? I'm sorry, but you can't know unless you understand the manufacturing process of the aloe you're purchasing.
What is certain is that the 100% organic Aloe Arborescens contained in the capsules is processed through cold dehydration which allows all the active ingredients present inside the Aloe to remain intact.
We process the entire Aloe leaf specifically to allow you to benefit from the over 300 pharmaceutical elements present in the entire leaf.
What benefits do the capsules provide you?
- Take all the active ingredients present in the whole Aloe leaf
- Say goodbye to the bitter taste of Aloe
- Do not take preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, additives present in various products with Aloe
- The entire anthraquinone fraction is present
What Claudia thinks*
Using 100% organic Aloe Arborescens capsules rebalances the metabolism and helps restore regularity within the first 24 hours of taking them.
What does Fabrizio think*
Aloe Arborescens capsules stimulate the immune system and restore regularity to the digestive system.
Even Francesco, despite not having constipation problems, benefited from it 😉
What does Francesco think*
If constipation becomes a chronic problem and you cannot improve it, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
Watch Fabio's testimony*
