This topic is somewhere on the border between medical and grose but if you allow yourself to release your inhibitions about this topic for 5 minutes, you might actually learn something and possibly even save your own life one day.

Yes, we are actually talking about looking back into the toilet after doing your business and don't worry, we haven't added any graphics. It is a known fact that what comes out of your body is a clear reflection of what is going on inside your body and sometimes this is the first sign of serious illness. WHAT IS POOH?

What is pooh?

This may sound like a dumb question, we all know its the food that hasn't been digested but what most of us don't know is that about 75% of your average pooh is water. Water is absorbed out of fecal material as it passes through the large intestine, so the longer you take to "go," the drier your pooh will be.

The remaining 25% is comprised of dead bacteria that helped us digest our food, living bacteria, protein, undigested food residue (also known as fibre), waste material from food, cellular linings, fats, cholesterol, salts, protein, and substances released from the liver and the intestines (such as mucus).

SO WHAT DOES YOUR POOH SAY?

(Please note that this does not count for babies as their bodies are still adjusting to new foods and strange pooh is common)

Floater or sinker?

Floater - You have good fibre intake or depending on the colour, bad fat digestion. 

Sinker - You are in need of some fibre. Try eating more fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

Colour

Black / Dark red - This could occasionally happen due to certain foods or medication but if it happens more than occasionally, it may be a sign of internal bleeding, most likely an ulcer. This could potentially be serious so it is best to see your doctor asap.

Brown - Chestnut brown is the ideal colour.The colour comes mainly from bilirubin, a pigment that arises from the breakdown of red blood cells in the liver and bone marrow but the colour itself comes from iron. Iron in hemoglobin in red blood cells gives blood its red color, and iron in the waste product bilirubin gives rise to its brown color.

Very light brown / beige - This is normally a sign that there is too much fat in the pooh meaning that the liver is not doing what it is supposed to be doing. It may be a sign of liver congestion or liver disease. It is necessary to do a liver cleanse with HEPATIC SUPPORT. If this still does not fix the problem, you need to see a doctor.

Orange - This is normally from foods or medications high in beta carotene.

Bright red - This is often from bleeding close to the anus, which is normally a sign of haemorrhoids or anal fissures. Depending on the severity of the bleed and the pain involved, it may be necessary to see a doctor but most often these problems can be sorted out by increasing your fibre intake and taking a supplement like COLON SUPPORT to make sure the passing is easy and painless.

Green - If it is once off, its probably something you ate but if there is stomach cramps and diarrhoea involved, it may be a sign of gastro enteritis (infection).

Yellow - One condition that can cause yellow pooh is an infection known as giardia. Another cause of yellow pooh may be a condition known as Gilbert's syndrome. See your doctor if this is a regular occurance.

Texture

Balls - You are suffering from constipation. If this happens regularly, your peristaltic muscle may be a bit lazy causing the transit time to be too long (it should be about 24 hours), causing matter to become compacted. You need to increase your water intake and take a supplement like COLON SUPPORT to strengthen the colon muscle and clear old colon contents.

Solid - Your pooh should be solid but not hard. If it is hard you need to follow the same advice as above.

Undigested pieces of food - You are eating too fast or not chewing properly. It could also be a sign that you are taking too many stimulants like coffee, smoking, energy drinks or slimming tablets and it is forcing the body to digest too quickly. Taking some DIGEST ENERGY will make sure the food gets digested and absorbed properly.

Peanut butter - This is the ideal consistency.

Soup - It is common to get occasional diarrhoea especially when you are stressed or have been taking stimulants but if you alternate regularly between constipation and diarrhoea, you may suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS FORMULA together with DIGEST ENERGY may help for this condition.

Water - this is normally a sign of either food poisoning or gastro enteritis. If there is vomiting, fever and cramping involved too and it carries on for more than 24 hours, you need to see a doctor as dehydration can set in quickly. It is important not to take something to just stop the diarrhoea as the bacteria or poisonous food needs to get out.

Size

Thin and long - This may be a sign that there is a lot of impacted material on the colon walls which is making it difficult for new pooh to get through. Taking some COLON SUPPORT may help.

Thick and short - The size of your pooh should be directly proportionate to the amount of food you are eating. Your body uses very little of what you eat so the rest needs to come out. So if you have a whole pizza for dinner, you should expect a large pooh during the next day or two. If it doesn't come, you may need to take some DIGEST ENERGY with your meals. This will make sure the food is digested properly and speed up your transit time.

How often should one go?

Experts generally disgree on this one as some say once a week is fine and others will say nothing less that 2 per day! My expereince in the field leads me to believe that as long as you are going every day, there should not be any need for concern. Not going however, for anything more than 3 days is a problem and if not sorted out can lead to serious problems including colon cancer. You can rate your risk on our website. RATE YOUR RISK

If you have managed to temporarility release your inhibitions, I hope you have been enlightened. Please note however that this advice is NOT meant to treat or diagnose so please visit your doctor or qualified practitioner if you have any concerns regarding your pooh.

Yours in health

Marelize Kloppers

Director

Pure Herbal Remedies