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Q. I have been on a high-fiber, low-fat diet for a year. I have lost weight, but have more pounds to lose, so I would like to remain on the diet.
However, my bowel movements have changed significantly over the year. I am now suffering from constant flatulence and loose and watery stools. It is embarrassing and stressful.
Is there a natural supplement I could take to correct this problem? How long will it take to get results?
A. A high-fiber low-fat diet is considered a healthy way to cut calories and lose weight without suffering from extreme hunger. Fiber can lead to flatulence, so that might be part of the problem.
You should discuss this change in bowel habits with your doctor so that any serious issues can be ruled out. After that, you might consider keeping a chart of what you eat and your reactions.
We are sending you our Guide to Digestive Disorders for tips to achieve regularity and reduce flatulence. We hope it will help you within a few weeks.
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Cutting 500 calories per a day out of your diet should result in losing 1 pound a week. Talk with your doctor.
1) Try Beano. Beano contains enzymes that break down complex carbs in foods with high fiber. This should reduce the gas you are having.
2) Miralax (PEG-3550) or psyllium or other bulk forming laxatives may be helpful too. Because bulk forming laxatives absorb water they may make stools more solid in addition to making you regular.
3) If you don't need to cut fat out of your diet you can just eat normal food, but smaller portions. Get smaller plates and bowls. This mind-eye-stomach trick works.
4) Drink more water. Never drink soda pop, even the diet varieties.
I use fennel seed to help with flatulence from foods like beans and certain cheeses. An added benefit was that it seemed to also help with loose stools recently. I take a teaspoon with a glass of water whenever I start having those symptoms.
Greg
Why did you write no soda pop, even diet? I try to drink only water but I get much more fluid in-take if I drink diet soda, only caffeine free. Do you suggest fennel?
Thanks in advance for your clarification.
My mother was given a strong antibiotic while in the hospital for an infection. The treatment caused severe diarrhea. They finally sent her home with hospice care. I don't think they expected her to survive. I immediately started giving her Culturelle tablets (2 tables 2x daily) Her diarrhea completely disappeared. I have been a fan of probiotics ever since.
BB,
Soda pop encourages you to eat more. It is acidic, I remember a science experiment where it dissolved a nail. Soda pop gets you used to eating sweet things. What are half of those ingredients in there that you can't pronounce, I don't know so I try to avoid it.
Fennel looks like it's safe and might be effective, but I do not personally recommend it, because of lack of data to support it. Please try it though.
There are several websites that also discourage soda pop, even the diet stuff.
My system never could really digest high fiber stuff - I really start to suffer if I had too much of it.
Most important advice: Discuss changes in bowel function with a physician!!! Thousands of organisms, medications, supplements, and diseases can cause symptoms of flatulence and diarrhea--some damaging to life-threatening.
Meanwhile, you can also:
1. find out what's a normal in bowel function
2. back off the fiber
3. keep a food-symptoms diary
4. switch to SOLUBLE fiber foods
5. remember that weight loss is not as critical as major organ systems health--there are healthy ways to lose weight that won't damage your health