Why You Need to Poop Daily for Healthy Hormones

I have to admit it, I never thought I would be one of those people who is completely okay talking openly about poop. But ever since I became a nutritionist, poop has literally become a central focus of my work and life. And for good reason too!

            Before becoming a nutritionist, I was not a daily pooper, nope! And I never knew how that could be doing my body a disservice. It’s not really a topic of learning that comes up naturally ya know? But once I discovered that it is such a major indicator and factor of optimal hormone health, I began to pay attention!

            You see, pooping daily doesn’t just escort our digested food out of our bodies, it also eliminates toxins and harmful hormones as well. Our liver is responsible for processing our hormones, converting them to a different form, and transporting them to the gut to be eliminated through the bowels. One of these major hormones is estrogen.

            If you are constipated or do not poop on a daily basis, that converted estrogen does not have the opportunity to leave the premises! Instead, it can be recirculated back in the body where it doesn’t belong and cause estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is a girl’s worst nightmare. It can be responsible for PMS, mood swings, lowered libido, irregular menstrual periods,  heavy periods, weight gain, hair loss, fertility issues, bloating, hot flashes, and more!

            Another unfortunate side effect of not eliminating daily is the possible formation of acne or other skin issues. Your skin is your largest detoxification organ, if you are not eliminating the toxins that you accumulate throughout your day, then your body could push those toxins right through your skin to get rid of them!

            If you only experience constipation once in a while, there’s no need to fret, but if you are experiencing it frequently or chronically, then it can lead to hormone imbalance.

            There are many reasons for constipation. Now, many of you might be thinking you are not constipated. I used to think being constipated meant it was difficult to physically get the poop out. And while that is also correct, you are actually considered “constipated” if you do not move your bowels through daily. In fact, pooping one to three times per day is optimal!

            Poor diets full of refined sugar and carbohydrates, processed foods, alcohol, stress, dehydration, and lack of dietary fiber can all contribute to constipation. And let’s face it, most of the standard American diet and way of life includes all of these things so it’s an easy problem to run into. Here are few tricks that can help you to stay regular:

·      Drink enough WATER. Yes, actual WATER! Not fizzy waters or coffee or tea or juice or any other beverage because you are bored of water, but clean, filtered water. This will keep you hydrated and unlike coffee and tea, it is not a diuretic which can lead to further dehydration. Staying hydrated will keep things moving!

·      Move your body! Daily exercise is super important to aid digestion as well as balance your hormones so it will really benefit you.

·      Rest to Digest. In order to properly digest your food, your body needs to be in a relaxed state. And proper digestion leads to proper elimination. Rushing around in-between bites or directly afterwards won’t allow your body to do it’s thing.

·      Don’t Allow Stress to Rule the Roost. If you’re constantly running from run task to the next, how is your body supposed to get the signal to release? Stress is no good for the gut and the gut is where all the magic happens so that you can remain healthy and eliminate properly. Take deep calming breathes throughout your day, incorporate some yoga, meditation, or quiet time to bring your stress levels down and allow your body to relax.

·      Boost that Fiber. There are 2 types of fiber. Soluble fiber that helps give bulk to your poop, and insoluble fiber that helps get the poop out nicely. Increasing your non-starchy fruits and vegetables, and also mixing in things like flax seeds, chia seeds, and oats can help boost healthy fiber levels.

·      Magnesium to the Rescue! If diet alone is not helping, then adding a magnesium supplement to your daily routine can be very beneficial. Magnesium Citrate is a great form of magnesium that can help keep you regular while also providing other hundreds of other health benefits including calming the nervous systems and supporting hormone production.

I hope you feel more empowered knowing a little bit more about this somewhat “taboo” subject. Hormone balance is key to a happy, healthy you, and daily elimination goes a long way to support that.