Why does fibre make you poop

To find out if increasing your fiber intake will help your constipation, try to determine its cause. You can become constipated for a number of reasons, including:. If you already eat plenty of fiber and your constipation is caused by something else, then adding more fiber may not help and could even make the problem worse One 6-month study in 63 people found that for people with chronic idiopathic constipation, a low-fiber or even a no-fiber diet drastically improved their symptoms.

Removing the fiber basically cured them of the constipation For people who eat enough fiber but are still constipated, eating more of it could make their problems worse. In some cases, reducing dietary fiber could help relieve constipation. Fiber supplements can help treat constipation, including for those who have chronic constipation or IBS However, if you have chronic constipation or are experiencing symptoms like pain, wind, bloating and gas, it may be best to go for a non-fermentable, soluble fiber supplement 22 , 23 , This is because fermentable fiber is used as food by the bacteria in your gut, resulting in the production of gases in your large intestine.

This could cause an increase in gas production in your gut, which might make your symptoms worse. Despite being classified as fermentable, studies have shown that psyllium can normalize stools and is well tolerated, even by people with IBS 25 , 26 , People with chronic constipation may benefit from a non-fermentable, soluble fiber supplement.

If your fiber intake is generally low, try including more high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. This will increase both your soluble and insoluble fiber intake and could help relieve your problem. Some high-fiber foods have been shown to be particularly effective for constipation.

For example, flax seeds could help if your constipation is caused by IBS 28 , If you want to try flax seeds, start by taking 1 teaspoon per day and gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 2 tablespoons throughout the day.

To make them more palatable, you can put them in a drink or sprinkle them on your yogurt, salad, cereal or soup. Prunes can also help relieve constipation. Some studies have shown that prunes are more effective than fiber supplements at relieving constipation. The effective dosage is thought to be around 50 grams or 7 medium-sized prunes twice a day 32 , Insoluble and soluble fiber are found naturally in many foods.

However, if you already get enough fiber or your constipation has another cause, increasing your fiber intake from foods may make things worse. Eating too much fiber can cause bloating and other symptoms. Hello Dr. Eva, I am taking Celery Juice in the morning empty stomach. I also eat Celery residue left after squeezing juice through a cloth.

I mix Celery residue with one glass of water and gulp it down after two hours of drinking Celery Juice. Dr I have acid reflux. I was also told that I have a little colitis.

I suffer from a lot of gas always bloating at times my bowels get loose and then it goes away. I do eat Raisin Bran a lot because I love it. If I could just get rid of this problem. The Dr has prescribe pepsin prescription. Now she gave me something cld protonix.

Are they really helpful. You may be eating too much raisin bran and you may want to avoid gluten and dairy to see if that is a source of your problems. I would also look into adding a probiotic to improve the flora in your gut. Of course, check in with your doctor. What a great article. You answered my problem. If I had not read your article I would have went to thinking I had an allergy but, I know I eat a lot of fiber and it effected my uranary tract.

Thank you for all the info,,,,,, I have been so constipated for over a week so I took lots and lots of fibre magnesium Metamucil and stool softeners but nothing happened,,,, I was in so much pain. Until I talked to a friend and she said maybe because you are on weight watchers you are eating too much fibre. On fibre and needed lots of water or tea and finally. I suffer from constipation big time so I take Miralax DR ordered.

Three times so far this week. Thank you. Hi Lila, It is certainly challenging to figure out what is best when you have celiac. Have you worked with someone to make sure you do not have leaky gut syndrome? If so, you can work towards healing the gut with probiotics, omega fish oil and possibly glutathione, which may help leaky gut and the autoimmune issues. I would definitely find a doctor who can help you manage this.

Hi Dr. I have a question for you. And I have been better about it; however, when I consume a lot of insoluble fiber, I seem to get constipated. Is there a reason for this? Also, is there a way to avoid becoming dehydrated at night?

Hi Niesha, You may want to look into the fiber you are consuming. Maybe back off using the particular one you are using and see how your body responds. You may have food sensitivity that is causing a reaction. You may need to be on probiotics as well. Make sure you drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water a day. Hopefully, that will do that trick. Thank you so much for this article. I have been fiber intolerant since I was a child.

I was constantly sick and skinny as a nail, which was my nickname. My mother made us eat salad and fiber rich fruits and vegetables for every meal. I only felt well when I went to stay with my grandmother who made homemade comfort food — chicken pot pies, homemade casseroles, pot roast, apple pies, and on. When I stayed with Granny, not only did she teach me how to sew, I gained at least five pounds. Later in life, I blew myself up trying to eat fiber and had to have a bowl resection.

Fortunately, my doctor told me to leave the heavy fiber alone and eat what I felt like eating. Never again will I try to eat a green pepper or brussel sprout. I do love broccoli — steamed and not raw. I just had a colonoscopy to check if there is a narrowing of sorts. There was none and the doctor asked me to eat ground flax seed.

I think I am even worse now. I just bought dried figs and prunes and prune juice too. After reading your article, I assume that I am eating too much insoluble fiber now.

It also promotes fermentation and gas formation. This is why excessive fiber intake frequently affects the digestive system. Fiber is vital for healthy, solid bowel movements. However, too much of it can cause constipation. A study tested the effects of changing the fiber intake of 63 people who were experiencing constipation, bloating, and stomach pain. In this study, individuals who reduced their fiber intake had more frequent bowel movements, less bloating, and less abdominal pain that those who did not change their fiber intake.

However, it should be noted that for some people, particularly those being treated for irritable bowel syndrome IBS , increasing intake of dietary fiber can be helpful for constipation.

This unwanted result is because the fiber binds with minerals, including calcium , magnesium , zinc, and iron. A person with severe symptoms may choose to adopt a low-fiber diet, which means eating 10 g of fiber a day until their symptoms can be better managed.

This diet is most often prescribed for individuals with serious digestive conditions or after procedures. There are two basic kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble.

Although the body cannot digest either of them, they are both necessary for a healthy diet. Soluble fiber breaks down in the water found in the digestive system and forms a gel. It helps keep stools soft and slows the digestive process. Insoluble fiber does not break down at all, as it passes through the digestive system.

It adds bulk to bowel movements and helps to move food along. Individuals can strive to reach the recommended daily level of dietary fiber by eating a diet rich in:. It is essential to include a variety of fiber-rich foods in the diet. This ensures that a person will obtain a wide range of nutrients in addition to fiber. It will also help them to eat a good balance of soluble and insoluble fiber. Naturally occurring fiber is usually easier for the body to handle than foods made with added fiber.

So, whole grains and fresh fruits are usually more effective sources than high-fiber supplements or energy bars. When someone has eaten too much fiber, the discomfort will pass over time, as the body eliminates the fibrous foods. A person may relieve their discomfort by decreasing their fiber intake, increasing the amount of water they drink, and exercising more. Note that fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet.

Once following a low-fiber diet has helped a person with their symptoms, they can consider re-introducing fiber in limited amounts, so the body has time to adapt.