Most people know when their poop is not healthy because they have stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, or alternate between the two. At the same time, many people have unhealthy poop, yet they have no idea. What exactly is considered healthy poop? Continue reading to find out.
Types of Poop
The Bristol stool scale (also known as the BSF scale) recognizes seven different types of poop. Here’s a list and a general explanation of what it means:
- Separate lumps (constipation)
- Multiple solid lumps (constipation)
- Solid with cracks (light constipation/transient abnormality)
- Solid, smooth, soft (good poop)
- Soft blobs (light diarrhea/transient abnormality)
- Fluffy, mushy blobs (diarrhea)
- Watery, little or no solids (diarrhea)
Studies using the Bristol stool scale have shown that shape and type of feces can indicate a defecation disorder[1]. Researchers continue to use it in studies to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical treatments over 20 years since its inception.
The Bristol stool chart is also used to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has multiple types characterized by different symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation and an alternation between the two.
Which Is Healthy Poop, And Why?
Only solid, smooth, soft poop (Poop Type #4!) that is easy to pass is good poop. Why is this? This is because it has sufficient moisture, but not too much. Poop that is dry has generally been in your system for too long. You should have at least one bowel movement per day, and defecating should not hurt.
On the other hand, poop that has too much moisture can signify digestive issues, infection, or constipation. Yes, constipation. When people are backed up, they can still pass liquid stool, as sludge tries to make its way out of the colon. This can cause alternating poop, or mixed poop.
Poop should generally be brown in color, and should not have an overly putrid odor. Yes, shit stinks. But it shouldn’t make you wish you were dead when you’re the one defecating!
Occasional abnormalities are generally nothing to be too concerned about. Eating something that did not agree with you, having a viral or bacterial infection, or even changing your diet suddenly can all make a difference in your stool. These changes will normalize within a few days or once you are no longer sick. If you notice a trend, however, and it is not changing, it is time to take action.
Why Do I Need Healthy Poop?
Most people don’t even give their poop a second thought. It’s just shit, after all. But when you consider that your elimination is a reflection of what you are putting into your body, and what your body is doing with it, poop becomes more important to pay attention to.
Unhealthy poop signifies a problem. Constipation is a problem. Diarrhea is a problem. There are many digestive diseases that are becoming the norm rather than an exception, and that is a problem.
When you are eliminating toxins properly, you are much more likely to have better health and well-being. Poop is literally toxic waste that needs to be expelled from your body on a regular basis. It is made up of undigested food, bacterial waste, and other substances you don’t want robbing you of good health.
Infrequent bowel movements means that you are not ridding your body of these toxins. Chronic constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fecal impaction, and a host of other painful results. It can also affect energy levels, your immune system, mental clarity and your mood!
Signs of A BIG Problem With Your Poop Beyond Not Being Healthy Poop
While there are some issues with poop that you can take your time to figure out a fix for naturally, there are some signs that it is time to see your doctor or get additional digestive support as soon as possible.
Black, Tarry Poop
Black poop can signify blood loss in your gastrointestinal tract. There are some supplements and medication that can cause black stools, but if you have not been ingesting anything outside the norm, or if you have other symptoms such as stomach pain, you will want to notify your doctor.
White, Pale Poop
White or gray poop can signify issues with your liver or gallbladder. This happens when you are not producing enough bile. You may want to check in with your doctor to ensure your organs are OK. If everything checks out, and you are just not producing enough bile (or if you’ve had surgery that affects bile production such as having your gallbladder removed), purchase this ox bile supplement by Nutricology. This supplement works quickly and helps you digest fat, which will help fix your poop and provide other benefits such as ridding you of sluggishness caused by poor digestion. Click here to buy.
Colorful Poop
Your stool can run a gamut of colors. The color may be influenced by the foods you eat, infections, and diseases. Feces can be a variety of colors due to incomplete digestion of food, such as green for veggies, red for beets/tomato juice, orange from carrots, etc.
Green poop can result from too much bile. Red poop can signify blood in stools, hemorrhoids. Orange poop can also be the result of blocked bile ducts and taking certain medications, including antibiotics such as rifampin. Yellow stool may be telling you that you are not absorbing your food properly, or do not produce enough bile.
Click here to read more about the benefits of ox bile and how it can help you digest fats so you do not feel “heavy” after eating a rich meal. Ox bile supports your body’s digestive system so that you absorb nutrients properly, and thus have healthy eliminations.
Have a chat with your doctor immediately if your poop is funky colored for an extended period of time, or if red or black stool occurs more than once and you cannot relate it to food you ate recently (such as beets).
Oily/Greasy Poop
Oily/greasy stools can be a major cause for concern. This is because it can point to pancreatic cancer. However, it can also be a sign of a sluggish liver, malabsorption, and not digesting fat. If you believe your problem is not digesting fat well, squeeze lemon juice or raw apple cider vinegar with mother (click here to see what that is) into your water, or try ox bile.
Pencil-Thin Poop
Pencil thin poop can point to constipation. This is because poop can be forcing its way around a blockage. It is worth checking out with your doctor, especially if accompanied by pain.
