What Your Poop is Trying to Tell You

You can learn a lot about your health by taking a look at your poop! What goes in must come out and your feces reflects what is happening inside your body.

Here's the scoop on poop...

A healthy poop should be golden brown.  You want to make sure the color is normal because it tells you a lot about what is going on in your body. 

Your poop should be in one long torpedo.  It should resemble the shape and consistency of an unripe banana (although not that color!) It should not be in pieces but should be 1-2 inches in diameter and 18 inches long!!  ( really?? wow!!) It should also be almost odorless. (more on this tomorrow).

What about color?

Black: Feces can be black if dried blood is present in it from internal bleeding in the upper digestive tract.  See your doctor.

Very dark brown: Drinking wine the night before can do this.  It could also be the result of too much salt or not enough vegetables.

Yellow: There are several infections that can cause yellow poop.  See your doctor if you are consistently pooping yellow.

Green: Babies have green poop when they are given a food for the first time. Adults have green poop if we eat large amounts of green leafy vegetables or lots of food with green food coloring.  Light green poop might indicate excessive sugar in the diet.  Green poop can also occur with diarrhea from bile passing through the system.  Again, see a doctor if you are concerned.

White/pale: A white or pale stool can be an indication of problems in the gallbladder or liver.

Red: Bright red in the feces may be indicative of active bleeding, possibly the results of hemorrhoids.  A magenta color may result from intense red food coloring or red foods such as beets.

How often should I poop?  It really depends on you.  Some people poop three times per week, others three times per day. As long as you are on a regular pooping schedule, you are ok. If this schedule changes and you become uncomfortable, see your doctor.

Next issue- Should it Float?  How can I make it smell better?  And what about Corn?  Stay tuned…