Susan Smith Jones, PhD

LET'S DETOXIFY: Constipation Begone ~ The Squatty Potty Way — Getting Back in the Flow

To listen to an informative radio broadcast all about DETOXIFICATION & COLON HEALTH from my program Dr. Susan's House Calls, please click HERE. To watch the YouTube video on the Squatty Potty, click HERE.

In Ayurvedic and Chinese medical traditions, one of the first things that practitioners want to know is whether a patient is having regular bowel movements, urination, and sweating. This is important because these processes are the body's ways of eliminating toxins. Once toxins have been released into the blood and neutralized by the liver, they must be eliminated safely from the body, otherwise they may become reabsorbed.

The bowel, lungs, kidneys, and skin are our four channels of elimination. Each of these organs ideally should release two pounds of toxins per day. Before I focus more on bowel health, here's some detoxification and rejuvenation info to help you heal your body from head to toe. To support the body's essential elimination, detoxifying, and cleansing processes, daily I take and recommend 3,000 mg of Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica cultivated by the renowned, award-winning company Nutrex-Hawaii. In addition to chlorophyll and over 100 more health-enhancing ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, essential fatty acids, protein and more, Spirulina also produces a unique light-absorbing protein complex called PHYCOCYANIN. Phycocyanin's rich hue provides the "blue" in the blue-green algae with nutritional benefits not available from other foods.

Phycoyanin is only found in blue-green algae like Spirulina—you can’t get it in other foods. This blue protein complex helps reverse aging, reduce inflammation, support brain health, detoxify the liver and kidneys, activate the immune system, and so much more! There are a whopping 519 mg of total phycocyanins in one serving of Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica (tone serving is only one teaspoon of the powder or the equivalency in tablets — totaling 3,000 mg). The phycocyanin content is one of the many reasons I take this superfood supplement daily. The Hawaiian Spirulina from the Kona Coast of Hawaii is the most nutrient-rich superfood on the planet, my favorite multi-supplement, and a superb cleansing and detoxification superfood. For some delicious, nutritious recipes using the vibrant blue-green powder, click HERE. To get a 25% discount on your purchase of Hawaiian Spirulina using the code VIBRANT, click HERE.

BOWEL HEALTH: The bowel is the body's main elimination organ, yet amongst many Americans and others worldwide today, this central elimination system is compromised, as evidenced by high rates of constipation. The National Institutes of Health estimates that more than 4 million Americans have constipation, defined as having a bowel movement less than three times per week. Yet, when you consider that some experts believe that it is normal for the body to eliminate after each meal (three times a day), the prevalence of constipation may be much higher.

Before I discuss constipation further, I wanted to tell you about my favorite Squatty Potty toilet stool that I wouldn't be without and recommend to everyone. As a teenager, my grandmother taught me how to use the toilet properly. Has anyone ever taught you about the importance of squatting when you have bowel movements? Probably not. The Squatty Potty stool is a simple, 100% natural solution for better elimination. This sturdy, custom-designed stool allows for full squatting and semi-squat positions on our existing toilets. And when it's not in use, it slides conveniently out of the way under the toilet. To learn more about the Squatty Potty or to order, call: 1-855-628-1099 MT.

What could be simpler or more effective? It's recommended by doctors for bowel problems that plague many of us today, including hemorrhoids, colon disease, constipation, and pelvic floor issues — just to name a few. Even if you have never had any colon issues, the Squatty Potty will prevent future problems. Preventive holistic practices are always better than dealing with issues after they have manifested. I highly recommend this unique toilet stool for everyone in your family, including children, teenagers, adults, and "goldenites" (seniors).

I have seen this simple solution — the Squatty Potty — help friends and clients with hemorrhoids, constipation, Crohn's disease, and other colon problems. These stools have a lifetime guarantee. You will wonder how you ever lived without it once you start using it. I would not be without my Squatty Potty, and I even take it with me when I travel so that I'll always eliminate fully and keep my colon in the right alignment when using the toilet. It also makes a special gift for your family and friends — a gift that keeps on giving year-round.

I encourage you to start early and train your children and grandchildren to use the toilet properly so that the anorectal angle is in the perfect position. You can only get this position using a squat stool that is the right size for your toilet size, as you'll see recommend in the link below. This photo to the side shows you clearly how the Squatty Potty puts you in the correct position for the healthiest elimination.

To learn more about the Squatty Potty, to watch some video demonstrations, or to order immediately, please call: 1-855-628-1099 MT or visit: SquattyPotty.com. It's a family-run business by the Edwards family who are committed to changing our toilet habits — one stool at a time.

If you would like to listen to my radio interview about Colon Health & Detoxification, please click HERE. And if you are currently constipated and would like more ways to remedy this condition, or if you want to prevent any constipation in the future, below are a number of factors which may help you, many of which are related to our modern diet and lifestyle:

Prevent Constipation the Natural Way

Diets low in fiber: The bulk and soft texture of fiber help prevent hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. Most Americans eat too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains and too many processed/refined foods from which the fiber has been removed. The average American consumes only 5 to 14 grams of fiber daily, which is far short of the 20 to 35 grams recommended by the American Dietetic Association.

Diets high in dairy, wheat, refined sugars and excessive red meat: These foods can be difficult for the body to digest and promote the formation of a sticky mucus to buffer against irritation. This dense mucus can slow the bowels.

Not enough liquids: Liquids add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. Most Americans do not drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day. Instead, they consume sodas and other caffeinated drinks as well as alcoholic beverages, all of which exacerbate dehydration.

Lack of physical activity: It is unclear precisely why, but long periods of physical inactivity can bring on constipation. Every year, there is a fresh survey that comes out that determines that Americans do not get enough exercise, adding to the constipation epidemic.

Prescription medications: A number of pharmaceutical drugs such as pain medications, antidepressants and blood pressure medicines can cause constipation.

Gut bacteria may also be implicated in constipation. Our guts are populated with billions of intestinal bacteria that serve many functions including aiding in digestion, synthesizing vitamins and serving as the body's first line of immune defense against foreign invaders. The majority of bacteria in the digestive tract are limited to the colon. However, if normal contractions of the bowel (called peristalsis or motility) are impaired and/or acid secretion from the stomach is reduced, colon bacteria may migrate upward and overpopulate the small intestine -- this is known as small intestine bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO. Depending on the type of bacteria that proliferates in the small intestine, constipation may result from SIBO. Bacteria that emit high levels of methane gas are known to cause constipation.

In my workshops and retreats around the United States and worldwide, I am often asked why is chronic constipation the cause of so many problems. This is what I usually say.

Chronic constipation can cause all sorts of health complications, from hemorrhoids to fecal impaction. Many people also experience related symptoms such as headaches and back pain, which accompany the constipation. None of this is pleasant, but from the standpoint of detoxification, constipation is one of the largest barriers to the efficient elimination of accumulated toxins. If stool sits inside the colon too long without being eliminated, the toxins contained within may be circulated back into the blood. Furthermore, stools that are held up from being eliminated may generate even more toxins. The bacteria implicated in constipation emit their own wastes, which must be eliminated. With chronic constipation, good bacteria may die off as harmful bacteria flourishes and their toxins may damage the colon, causing further stagnancy.

Thus, an essential component of any detox program is one that resolves constipation and promotes healthy elimination. While eating high-fiber foods, drinking plenty of water, and participating in regular exercise can go a long way towards these goals, those seeking a deeper level of detox will want to consider colon cleansing as well. Laxatives can help hasten the release of waste matter, but you should be careful not to use chemical, stimulant-type laxatives too often. In the long run, these stimulants can damage the delicate nerve supply to the intestines and end up worsening the condition of constipation. Using stimulant laxatives for a long time can also cause low potassium levels, loss of protein and decrease bowel contractions and natural bowel activity. Instead, one can turn to nature's medicine chest for safe and effective laxatives that cleanse the colon naturally and promote detoxification.

However, even with all of these guidelines, you still want to use the Squatty Potty daily for ease and flow of your elimination. It's a simple solution that will change your life for the better the first time you use it.

Medical Research

Research has shown that the "squatting position" for defecation can help you overcome many of our modern day colon problems. Some doctors and medical researchers claim that these problems can be caused as a result of your posture while sitting on your toilet.

• Hemorrhoids
• Constipation
• Bloating & Gas
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Colon Cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Heart Attack & Stroke
• Gerd (Gastric Reflux)
• Appendicitis
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse

"Because of the anorectal angle being in a kinked position while sitting, you are forced to strain in order to move the bowels, which is the main cause of hemorrhoids. While squatting, the angle straightens out allowing the fecal matter to eliminate quickly and easily without straining." ~ Israel Journal of Medical Sciences

"The ideal posture for defecation is the squatting position, with the thighs flexed upon the abdomen. In this way, the capacity of the abdominal cavity is greatly diminished and intra-abdominal pressure increased, thus encouraging expulsion." ~ Dr. Henry L. Bockus: Gastroenterology

To order the Squatty Potty today, please call: 1-800-670-1130 or visit: SquattyPotty.com