Suzanne Wright
The Metabolic Health Coach
Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Is Constipation The Reason I Can't Lose Weight?
26 Sep 2022
Trouble going to the toilet?
Feel like if you could just get more regular, you'd feel less bloated, have a slimmer tummy and maybe lose some KGs?
You can certainly FEEL lighter after a satisfying poo.
It might be assumed that it would make you quite considerably lighter.
But how much does a stool actually weigh?
How much heavier are you when you are constipated, compared to when you are emptying yourself regularly?
Well, you might be surprised (or perhaps disappointed?) to learn that the average UK adult passes just 106g of stool per day (see study if you want the details)
So even if you do ALL your business in one go, that's not going to show a great deal of impact on the scales.
In fact, even a few days' worth of backed-up poo isn't really going to add up to very much in terms of weight.
Have you ever weighed yourself before and after a poo?
If you haven't, can I suggest you try it, just to see for yourself how little a poop weighs?
Even a big one.
So perhaps a congested, backed up bowel isn't having as great an impact on weight as you thought?
Well, yes and no.
In terms of stool weight, no. - it's VERY unlikely that you've got 10kg of poo stuck inside you.
And so, if you were thinking of laxatives as a quick-acting short-term solution to a weight problem, you are better off looking at other options.
But Could Constipation Be Affecting Your Weight In Other Ways?
When you are constipated, there are a number of things happening:
-
Your food isn't passing through your gut very promptly
On average it takes 60 hours for food to pass through your gut transit system (from your mouth to your anus)
If this movement is slower, it will affect the way your gut functions, which can lead to changes that make it harder to manage your weight.
Stools that remain in the colon for too long can turn into those little pebble-like poos. And if they are too large and hard to pass through, it can lead to impaction.
-
Your body may be taking too much water out of your colon.
This leads to a dehydrated stool, which moves more slowly (and weighs less.)
Drinking more water should help this!
Keeping well hydrated is really important for weight loss!
That's why it's one of 5 things I recommend that you get in order BEFORE you lose weight.
Want to know what the other 4 are? Click here to find out.
-
Your stool may have less bulky fibre than is optimal
Eating extra fibre would increase the weight of your poo, but also makes it pass more easily.
Did you know that increasing your fecal output (i.e. having more voluminous stools) is linked to a reduced risk of bowel cancer? See Study for more details.
Fibre is essential for maintain a healthy gut flora.
And a healthy gut flora is a really good thing if you want to find it easier to lose weight, and to keep it off.
Constipation can be a side effect of medication
More and more people take medication every day.
But if you are constipated, it may be worth looking at the leaflet that comes with your medication to see if constipation is one of the side effects.
Drugs that can cause constipation include:
- Antihypertensive drugs (for high blood pressure)
- Antidepressants
- Iron supplements
- Antacids
- Opiates
- Antihistamines
If you think that your medication may be causing your constipation, speak to your doctor - they may be able to switch you onto a different form that doesn't cause this problem.
Brain chemicals and their effect on gut function
Gut health is such a fascinating thing, and we are learning more and more about it all the time.
Some substances that are mainly thought of in terms of their impact on brain function are now known to impact gut function too.
For example:
- Serotonin - the "happiness" hormone. Not only do we now know that much of our serotonin is made in the gut, but we also know that Serotonin helps the gut muscles to function properly. It has a vital role in propulsion/peristalsis.
- Acetylcholine -. This neurotransmitter signals the gut muscles to contract behind a bolus of stool, squeezing it along the colon.
- Nit Oxide - This substance plays a role in stress reduction, but it also aids muscle relaxation in the colon. It signals muscles to relax in front of a bolus of stool, allowing the stool to pass through.
So, not only does relieving constipation make you feel good. But feel good brain chemicals help you to relieve constipation!
Want some help with your weight loss strategy?
If you're putting the effort in, I want you to be in the BEST position to achieve your weight loss goals.
Download your free guide, where I'll show you the 5 things to get in order BEFORE you start your diet.
(And no, I'm not going to tell you to clear your fridge out, or download a calorie counting app. There's a lot more science to it than that!)
Want to know how to plan a whole week's worth of meals that'll drive weight loss?
My Meal Planning for Weight Loss Masterclass has a strong emphasis on gut health.
Because gut health is REALLY important if you want to keep the weight off for the long term.
And I want that for you.
I'm not trying to sustain a nation of yo-yo dieters - I want you to achieve healthy weight loss, and then keep the weight off without having to constantly diet.
In the masterclass (which is only £12 btw) I'll show you how to plan a whole week's worth of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, all with my 4 principles for healthy weight loss.
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SWEET TOOTH?
Like ethical loo roll?
I love helping people to improve their gut health - both for weight loss and for overall wellbeing and quality of life.
But I also love companies that do things a bit differently, to help the planet and improve sanitation too.
(plus I love a discount code - who doesn't?)
If you fancy
-never running out of loo roll again
-buying loo roll with paper wrappers instead of plastic
-supporting a company that gives 50% of their profits to providing clean water and access to toilets.
-Toilet rolls that look so fancy sitting on your bathroom shelf in their jazzy wrappers that your mother-in-law comments on how cheery they are (yep, seriously)
-getting £5 off your first box of bamboo or recycled toilet paper.
Use this link
(for transparency, I'll get £5 off too if you use this link)