Many of us get constipated during the holidays and when we are traveling.  In fact, 16% of Americans suffer from chronic constipation, especially the elderly and women with autoimmune conditions.  When we move our bowels regularly, the liver is able to detox from toxins and bad estrogen. You should be able to go at least once every 24 hours. If you are going at the same time every day, that’s even better. 

Constipation can be caused by many factors. Dehydration, lack of exercise, insomnia, low fiber diet, high dairy and protein diet, scar tissue from previous surgeries, low magnesium, stress, anxiety or some medications might bind you up. Around 50% of people taking a narcotic pain reliever suffer from constipation. 

If your medication is the culprit leading to constipation, it could help to see a holistic MD and functional nutritionist.  Here are some of the ways I combat constipation:

• Beginning the day by juicing and drinking 16oz of fresh celery juice on an empty stomach
• I follow this with a green smoothie consisting of wild blueberries, lemon, kiwi, spinach, kale, water and a small piece of raw garlic
• Drinking 2 liters of water each day
• Eliminating all dairy and red meat
• Consuming 6-8 cups of cruciferous and green, leafy veggies per day.  Sweet potatoes are also helpful!
• Probiotics
• Magnesium Citrate supplements before bed
• I take 2 digestive enzymes with each meal.  I am MTHFR positive so I take a methylated B complex at the same time so that I absorb it better
• I avoid food on planes.  It's usually cooked in canola oil, which is very hard on the digestive system

**THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.