High Fi---ber

This is definately not the most pleasant topic to talk about but may be one of the most important. There's a general saying that goes, "What goes in must come out," so make sure its high fiber foods with plenty of nutrients. Bowel movements tell a person a lot about their health. There are specific signs to look for in a bowel movement to know if it is healthy.

Frequency of bowel movements is number one. There are discrepancies in how often a person should have a bowel movement among healthcare professionals, but at least know that once a day would be healthier than once a week. It's all about the elimination of waste. The sooner the waste is eliminated from the body the better.

Color of the stool is important. A medium brown is the proper color. If the stool is dark, this means it has been in the intestines for longer than necessary and some of the byproduct gets absorbed into the system. Pale stool could be due to a decrease in bile output, affected by an infection, gallstones, or other illness, or from too much undigested fat in the diet.

Size and consistency of stool reveals much about an individuals diet. Large, hard stools, or constipation, means lack of fiber and water to help loosen waste. Constipation increases anxiety if stool is large and hard in consistency because it can be painful. It is fairly common for people with infrequent bowel movements to develop hemorrhoids and fissures that can add to the pain. A consistent, long term high fiber diet is the best solution to ease constipation and its effects.

And the last sign pertains to the olfactory organ - smell. All stool will have an odor, however, on occasion a foul smell may emit from the stool. The foul smell tends to be from different foods in the diet, but could also be from an overabundance of bacteria, a parasite, or fungi in the intestinal tract.

Even though this topic is an uncomfortable one, it should be of high importance in a person's health regimen. Pay particular attention to frequency, color, consistency and smell of the stool and adjust your diet accordingly. You'll be much healthier for it.