The UK is constipated

Experts claim the United Kingdom is the most constipated nation in the world and this needs to change if we want to become a healthier nation.

Supposedly, the healthy transit time of food through our bodies is less than 24 hours? On average in the UK, this is now 60 hours for men and 70 hours for women. The colon is a major part of the excretory system, responsible for eliminating food and other wastes as well as protecting the body from infection and disease. In a normal functioning colon, this is achieved with the help of billions of friendly bacteria; however the delicate balance of this internal ecosystem can be easily disturbed by factors such as stress, pollution, poor diet, certain drugs, smoking and exposure to toxic substances.

The Wellness Clinic in Chelmsford claims that Colonic Hydrotherapy treatment can help a range of conditions including flatulence, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), bloating, halitosis (bad breath), constipation, lethargy and diarrhea. We popped along to the clinic to experience a colonic treatment.

What causes constipation?

Although constipation is a common term, from a medical perspective it is hard to define precisely. The dictionary definition is: 'A condition in which bowel emptying occurs infrequently or in which the stools are hard and small or where bowel movement causes difficulty or pain.'

But defining infrequent is difficult when some 90 per cent of people in Western countries have a bowel pattern that ranges from three bowel movements a day to three per week.

Find out more about constipation >>

Nutrition advice

Constipation could be due to a poor diet. A well-balanced diet is the most important requirement for healthy living in general - not just to regulate you bowel movements. Good nutrition helps reduce our risk of getting a large number of diseases, from diabetes to heart disease.

Find out more about nutrition in your diet >>

Fibre

Fibre helps your digestive system to process food and absorb nutrients and is an important component of a healthy balanced diet.

Find out more about fibre >>

Food intolerance

Constipation could be due to a food intolerance. Other health problems linked to food intolerance, include IBS, migraine, eczemea, asthma, lethargy and sinus problems. Are you suffering?

Find out more about food intolerance >>