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Constipation or fecal impaction has been attributed to immobility, decreased intake of fluid and fiber leading to prolonged transit time, neurologic disease, impaired anal rectal sensation, bowel lesions and the use of constipating medicines.
Constipating medications include, but not limited to: tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline HCl (Elavil, Endep), nortriptyline HCl (Pamelor, Aventyl), imipramine HCl (Tofranil), doxepin HCl (Sinequan, Adapin), amoxapine (Asendin); muscle relaxants, such as orphenadrine citrate (Norflex), cyclobenzaprine HCl (Flexeril); anticholinergics, such as medications for Parkinsonism; antianxiety agents, such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), prazepam (Centrax), clorazepate dipotassium (Tranxene); antihypertensive agents, such as methyldopa (Aldomet), hydralazine (Apresoline); calcium antagonists, such as verapamil HCl (Calan, Isoptin); opioid analgesics, such as opium, morphine, meperidine, codeine, oxycodone or other brand name products containing these agents; aluminum or calcium-containing antacids, such as Amphogel, Alternagel, or Tums; bile acid sequestrants (for high cholesterol level), such as cholestyramine (Questran), coestipol (colestid).
For individuals who suspect that they have significant amount of accumulations of decayed, impacted fecal matter in their intestines, especially those people who have chronic constipation or habituation to irritant/stimulant laxatives or enemas, it is recommended that they take the Lean-N-Clean® once a day for the first one or two weeks, then advance to 2 doses a day for 6 weeks, then advance to 3 doses a day as desired. Be sure to take at least 3-4 cups of water with each dose.
These step-up measures are necessary to avoid severe cleansing reactions. Cleansing reactions occur when you attempt to cleanse too quickly. Cleansing reactions may include but not limited to headache, skin eruption, constipation, and other symptoms you are suffering due to the accumulated toxic substances being released too quickly, but they will disappear gradually. Your abdomen may swell considerably due to the old feces swelling up with water in the process of being softened by intestinal cleanser giving you the "bloating" feeling. You may also experience temporary increases in gas in your colon. Meanwhile, the toxins trapped in dried up fecal matter are being released. (Note: older people who have never done intestinal cleansing usually experience more cleansing reactions than people who have or younger people). Each pound of hardened feces will expand and weigh several pounds when it finally leaves the body. Once all the old feces are removed, your abdomen will not swell. When you have completed the intestinal cleansing, your abdomen will be flatter, you will have lost inches and most importantly your health will be improved. You may notice improvement or disappearance of symptoms of chronic illnesses you now have.
If you still experience constipation or worsening of constipation, adopting some the following recommendations will be helpful.
- Avoid constipating medications when possible.
- If you need to take calcium supplements, take it in combination with magnesium in the 2:1 ratio.
- Exercise not only can tone your skeletal muscles, but it can also tone the smooth muscles of your internal organs.
- Cut your meat intake in half or more. Replace the portions with cooked or raw vegetables.
- Eat fruits for breakfast.
- Eat a large salad for lunch and for dinner. Eat it as a main course. Try the dressing I suggested in "Nutrigenesis Approach® to Weight Reduction" or use vinaigrette type of dressing. If you do not like salad, eat more lightly cooked (steamed or Chinese style wok cooking) leafy or green vegetables instead.
- Add acidophilus capsules to your regimen. People who are dependent on laxatives are definitely deficient in these friendly bacteria. Acidophilus will help re-establish the normal flora in your colon. They can help digest the residual protein in the colon and increase the absorption of B-vitamins, especially B-12. Take 2-3 capsules at least 2 times a day on empty stomach in-between meals initially until you see significant improvement before tapering to a maintenance regimen of 1-2 capsules daily. Refer to the page on "What are probiotics? What are they good for?" to find out the importance of acidophilus in maintaining healthy intestinal tract.
- Chew 3-4 papaya tablets after each meal, especially after meals with meat or beans. If fresh papaya is available, eat it often. Papaya contains the enzyme papain that helps digest and remove old protein deposit. It makes stool soft and even loose for many people. It is helpful to people with a sluggish bowel.
- Take additional lecithin, one (1200 mg) capsule after each meal. Lecithin will help emulsify (loosen up and break into small particles) the accumulated fatty deposit in your intestines.
- Increase your vitamin C intake up to 2000 mg a day. If you develop diarrhea, then reduce the dosage.
- Avoid taking any irritant or stimulant laxatives such as Cascara Sagrada; Rhubarb Root; Senna containing laxatives such as Sennakot and its generics; Neoloid or castor oil, phenolphthalein containing laxatives such as Phenolax, Ex-lax, Feen-a-Mint; bisacodyl containing laxatives such as Dulcolax or its generics; casanthranol containing laxatives such as PeriColace, Dialose Plus and generics; combination laxatives such as Correctol, Doxidan, Modane, Agoral. These types of laxatives work by irritating your mucous membrane and often cause abdominal cramping. You will become dependent on them if you have not already done so. They should only be taken occasionally when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, with long term usage of irritant laxatives, you will acquire lazy-bowel syndrome. (On August 29, 1997, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on phenolphthalein due to the result of animal studies indicating high doses of phenolphthalein can cause a variety of cancers in laboratory mice and rats.)
- For individuals suffering from worsening of constipation initially after starting Lean-N-Clean® and if all the above measures fail, use an olive oil enema (120 cc) every day until the initial severe constipation problem is solved. Buy an enema bottle from drug store and fill with 120-cc olive oil. Insert into rectum and squeeze all the olive oil into the rectum. Hold until there is an urge to move your bowel.) May also use colonic therapy.
In addition, refer to the "3-day Fasting Experience of a Mother and Daughter" and the "Nutrigenesis Approach Intestinal Cleansing/Body Detox Program".
These recommendations might seem to be drastic changes, but they are natural measures. Although I am a pharmacist, I seldom advise people to take drugs unless absolutely necessary. Chronic constipation and intestinal toxemia are acquired over a long period of time. Correction of such long-term problems takes time. Lean-N-Clean® contains a lot of water-soluble fibers and can be considered as a bulk laxative. It does not irritate the mucosa or cause cramping. It depends on the fibers, the moisture to soften the stool and the bulk to increase the peristalsis of the intestinal tract, and therefore decrease the transit time by mechanical distention without chemical irritation. That is the reason it does not work quickly like the irritant laxatives. However, it slowly tones your intestinal muscles and helps correct the lazy-bowel syndrome over time due to the cleansing properties and nutrients contained in the other ingredients in Lean-N-Clean® that most other fiber products do not contain. Therefore, keep taking Lean-N-Clean® as directed and be patient.
People who are currently dependent on irritant laxatives cannot stop taking the laxatives immediately. Initially, they must take both the irritant laxatives they are accustomed to plus Lean-N-Clean®. They must then taper the dosage and frequency of the laxatives and advance the dosage and frequency of Lean-N-Clean® at the same time.
It might take several months to correct lazy-bowel syndrome caused by habituation to irritant laxatives.
Look for Lean-N-Clean® or Lean-N-Clean® Starter Kits.
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