Constipation is a problem that affects millions of Americans each and every year.  Many suffer day in and day out with irregular bowel movements and feelings of bloating and heaviness.  Many health experts recommend that eating more fiber rich foods will help alleviate symptoms of constipation and will help induce bowel movements.

However, this is not the case for some.  In fact, eating more fiber rich foods can actually have the opposite effect on some people and can cause severe constipation.  When this happens, those who suffer typically will take an over-the-counter laxative which can have health consequences if taken long term.

Unfortunately, those with chronic constipation are typically suffering from a gut dsybosis.  This dsybosis is usually caused by an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria or fungus such as candida.  Candida can cause all sorts of unwanted symptoms in the body, constipation being one of them.  If you’re unaware of what candida is and would like to know more, please go to our candida homepage for a detailed explanation.

Candida, Gut Dysbiosis, and Constipation

Those suffering from a candida overgrowth in the body will also be suffering from a gut dsybosis.  When the gut is in a state of dsybosis, bad bacteria, fungus, and yeast are able to thrive while good bacteria are crowded out.  This type of situation in the gut typically takes year and years of bad eating habits to develop.   However, once developed, this condition can be extremely difficult to correct.

When the gut microbiome contains high amounts of beneficial bacteria, these good bacteria help keep the bad bacteria in check.  Also, when the gut microbiome is healthy and full of beneficial bacteria, bowel movements become effortless and regular.  In fact, one study found that probiotics giving to patients with chronic constipation helped alleviate symptoms and promoted regularity (1).

It’s for this reason that correcting the microbiome and re-establishing the flora with healthy bacteria is the first step that those should take with chronic constipation. 

The Candida Protocol for Constipation

Following our candida diet protocol can be extremely beneficial for anyone suffering from irregular bowel movements or chronic constipation.  This is because our protocol can help modify the terrain of microbiome in favor of the good bacteria.  When this occurs, the good bacteria are then able to take back control of gut and will begin to outnumber the bad bacteria.

Also, our protocol was designed to help inhibit the growth of candida and move health towards an optimal state.   In order to do this, there are various foods that need to be removed from the diet in order to initiate this positive shift. 

Some of these foods include:

• All Grains
• Sugar
• Desserts
• High Carbohydrate Foods
• Vegetable Oils
• Processed Foods

Removing these foods alone can have extremely positive results on the microbiome.  However, it’s typically not enough in order to get rid of candida completely from the gut.  This is because those suffering from a candida overgrowth have typically been suffering for years, either knowingly, or unknowingly.

Because of this, following a candida diet protocol is usually necessary in order to recovery fully from a candida overgrowth.  This can lead to better optimal health and effortless and regular bowel movements.

Is Fiber Really Necessary?

Although fiber is promoted heavily in order to relieve constipation and irregular bowel movements, we do not entirely agree with this.  Don’t get us wrong, having some form of fiber in the diet has many health benefits and can be healthy.   However, most are overdoing it on the fiber and symptoms such as poor digestion and constipation can result.

This is because all fiber rich foods are always in the form of plant foods.  ALL plant foods contain anti-nutrients which can cause intestinal inflammation and mineral absorption issues (2).  Yet, despite this fact, we are told to consume copious amounts of fiber for good health.  Interestingly, it’s been well documented that those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can respond very well to a low fiber diet.  In fact, a study revealed that the majority of patients suffering from IBS almost always suffered from a candida overgrowth in the body (3).

When an individual is suffering candida overgrowth in the body, their intestines will naturally be inflamed and bowel movements will be poor as a result.  Plant foods containing high amounts of anti-nutrients can make this inflammation worse.  However, by eating the foods included in our candida diet protocol, inflammation can naturally be reduced.

Also, making sure the body gets enough healthy fats in the form of animal, olive oil, ghee, and coconut oil is necessary in order to provide lubrication to the intestines and reduce inflammation.  Bone broths can be extremely beneficial since they can help repair the gut lining and dramatically reduce intestinal inflammation.

Foods that Help Relive Constipation

Luckily, there are several different foods that can be incorporated into the diet that can help naturally relieve constipation.  These foods provide the much needed lubrication in the intestines so that chances of bowel movements increases.  These foods also contain ZERO sugar and will not feed pathogenic fungal overgrowth’s such as candida.  In fact, the foods listed below can actually inhibit the growth of candida in the body.

Foods that Can Help Relieve Constipation:

• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• High Quality Organic Grass-Fed Animal Foods
• Wild Caught Fish
• Ghee
• Butter (if well tolerated)
• Kefir
• Soups and Broths

These foods can be extremely beneficial for anyone suffering from chronic constipation or irregular bowel movements. 

Also, a couple of tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil can be a great way to provide immediate lubrication to the intestines.  Coconut oil also contains a substance called lauric acid which is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  It’s for this reason that coconut oil can be extremely beneficial for those suffering from a candida overgrowth.

Try Our Candida Recipe Cookbook

Chronic constipation suffers and those with candida issues should consider using the recipes in our Crush Candida Recipe Cook Book.  The foods in this recipe book are extremely nutrient dense and soothing towards the digestive system.  These recipes provide everything that the body needs in order to initiate repair in the intestines and inhibit the growth of candida.

Also, all the recipes are low carbohydrate and no sugar.  It’s important that foods taste good when switching to a healthier diet.  Many are under the misconception that food needs to be tasteless or bland in order to be healthy.

However, this could not be further from the truth.  Our candida recipe cook book is full of over 20 amazing recipes that will leave your taste buds happy and your body satiated.  Yet, all these meals are extremely nutrient dense and can help correct imbalances in the gut.

Sugar and Constipation

One of the biggest mistakes people make when suffering from chronic constipation is consuming too much sugar.  Sugar is naturally inflammatory towards both the intestines and body.  Sugar also robs the body of minerals since the body will use mineral stores in order to cope with excess amounts of sugar in the body.  In other words, excess sugar intake can cause mineral depletion in the body.

However, sugar is also the primary fuel source of candida in the body.  Candida uses sugar in order to replicate and survive.  As a result, those on a high sugar diet are going to be more prone to suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), candida issues, and chronic constipation.

Even Fruit sugar can be problematic for those dealing with candida and constipation.  This is because all modern fruit has been hybridized and contains far too much sugar.  It’s important to understand that no such fruit occurs naturally in nature and was never designed to be part of the human diet.

If possible, only consume fruits that are seasonal and that have not been overly hybridized.  Most types of berries make excellent fruit choices and are typically low in sugar with the exception of certain varieties of strawberries.

Wrapping it All Up

To recap, if you suffer from chronic constipation, there is good chance that your gut is in a state of dsybosis and overrun with candida.  Following a low sugar, low carbohydrate, and nutrient dense diet such as the one outlined in our candida protocol can do wonders for chronic constipation and candida issues in the body.

It’s important that you cut out all problematic foods that can contribute to intestinal inflammation and can fuel the growth of candida.  Most oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, butter, and animal fat are extremely soothing towards the digestive tract and can help reduce intestinal inflammation.

Also, for those interested in learning more about candida friendly recipes, be sure to check out our Crush Candida Recipe Cook Book!