To continue our discussion about all things gut health, we’re starting to trend towards testing now. This week we’ll tackle ways you can test your own gut health at home, without any fancy tests or having to spend tons of money (always nice, right?)
First, a slight disclaimer. As always, work with your doc if you think something bigger is going on. These tests only go so far. If you feel like something is not quite right, trust your gut! Lol, #sorrynotsorry. But seriously, a comprehensive stool test can do wonders for showing you what’s up with your gut bugs, and everything else in your inner pipes. More on all of those tests in the coming weeks too.
So, if you’ve never looked at your poop, it’s about time you start. Your poop will tell you SO MUCH about how you’re body is functioning, or not functioning on the day to day. It’s about time you got familiar with your poop norm, so you know when you’re out of the norm. And yes! This is a topic of conversation I discuss with clients! This is a big part of health, and needs to be talked about when discussing health.
Let’s get to it.
Told you we were gonna get down and dirty. As I mentioned above, this should be done often, like daily. The more you know about your gut and how it’s functioning, the better. A few things to be looking out for:
Black/Red- This can be a sign of bleeding. (Black stools would be blood that’s from higher in your GI tract and red stools would be a sign of blood from lower in your GI tract). Either way, this is a sign to head to your doc. Unless, of course, you just ate some beets or took activated charcoal.
Green- Often caused by eating lots of veggies! If you’ve just had a huge spinach salad, then kale for dinner, you might be seeing some green in the bowl later. Usually not something to worry about, unless it is more frequent. It also could mean that you’re having a bit of a hard time digesting and absorbing the nutrients from the spinach, or your transit time could have been increased. If it persists over a few weeks, consider optimizing your gut health.
Yellow- Yellow stools can be caused by diet changes, but often they’re caused by illnesses, disease or inflammation. If it persists for longer than a week, you should be checked out by your doc for sure.
Pale/Greenish/Yellowish– This is usually caused by lack of bile. Bile is what gives our poop it’s normal brown color, and when it’s not there, it becomes pale in color. This can happen for many reasons, change in diet, inflammation, obstruction, etc. If you’ve eaten different foods than normal over the past few days, then I wouldn’t worry too much about it. But, if you notice it persisting for more than a few weeks, especially if it’s accompanied with physical symptoms (pain in your abdomen, excess gas, bloating, etc.), it’s time to see your doc.
Floating poop is often caused by diet changes. Many people think floaters are caused by fat malabsorption, or too much fat in the stool, but this is often not the case. Usually floating poop is caused by too much gas that is trapped, usually caused by an increase in fiber. It can also be caused by poor digestion or GI distress/infection. Usually it isn’t an issue, but if you’re also feeling physical symptoms, something could be up.
Having undigested food particles in your poop can be alarming. But sometimes it’s not a big cause for concern. Some foods we eat are very hard for our systems to digest, and will go through our GI tract intact. Especially if we eat quickly, without chewing properly etc. If you’re noticing food particles, that’s the first thing to do. Slow down, chew your food thoroughly and make an effort to make it into small bits before even swallowing. If this is a persistent problem, it can indicate inflammation in the gut, low stomach acid or a need for digestive enzymes.
In simple terms, this is the time it takes from eating, to pooping. This can be helpful information so you know if you’re trending more on the constipated side (and might need more water/fiber) or more on the quick side (which might indicate inflammation/malabsorption issues).
Jury is out on “optimal” transit time, but anywhere from 24-48 hours is generally thought of as optimal. It’s also worth noting that men and women will probably be different here. Men being faster and women being slower, so take that into consideration too!
This is an easy test to do, pick something that will “show up” in your poop, beets work REALLY well here, so does corn (lol) although, not AIP friendly. Eat said food, then wait and watch. See how long it takes for it to show itself!
This is another one where “optimal” can vary greatly. Some people’s optimal will be 3x per day, and someone else’s will be 3x per week. Those pretty much represent the ends of the spectrum. If you’re having more than 3x per day, especially if it’s loose/watery, that could indicate you’re not absorbing your nutrients like you should be. Having 3x per week (or less) you might need to up your water intake or veggie intake. If that doesn’t help, you might need to look into some testing to see if there is a gut flora imbalance at play as well.
The Bristol Stool Chart is a chart that helps people decipher where their poop is in terms of transit time. The longer it’s in your body, the harder and more formed it will be, and vice versa. Optimal poopage is around type 4.
However, it all depends on you, your history and what is normal for you, right? I read an interesting line that said “normal stools are not noticeable during defecation”. I think that illustrates everything perfectly. If you’ve had a history of pain and injury, then 5 or 6 might be more normal for you. It all goes back to bio-individuality in the end again, right?
That being said, if you’re seeing type 1/2 often, straining and in pain- that’s probably a sign of a bigger issue. Same with type 6/7, you might not be getting all the nutrients your food is providing.
What if you take the time to notice all these things and conclude your gut needs a little attention? Head back a few posts and check out how to get started with gut healing. That will get you started on improving any of these tests that you noticed didn’t quite go so well. And the beauty of at home testing like this, you can always be monitoring your results!
If you want more personalized suggestions, consider booking a Master your MS strategy call. On that free 30 minute call, we’ll tackle one question you bring (might be about gut health!) that you feel is holding you back from feeling your best. Book using the button below!
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👉🏼Feeling stuck with your MS symptoms?
👉🏼Feeling like your body betrayed you and is working against you?
👉🏼Are you worried you’re stuck like this and will never get better?
I get it. At one point I did too.
Years ago I was experiencing “Aggressive MS” and I thought I’d never function the same.
I thought my days of moving how I wanted, or doing anything on a whim were over.
I couldn’t walk well, couldn’t feel my body correctly and I was SCARED.
But now?
I’m confident in the ways I’m helping myself.
I no longer have aggressive MS.
I can move how I want, when I want.
Because of the changes I’ve made over the years.
No, it’s not easy, but that’s where I come in!!
I’ve dedicated my life to helping those with MS realize that feeling better is possible and helping them get there.
My 2 courses and my membership are on sale this weekend for Black Friday,
want to start your own success story??
Comment SUCCESS below and I’ll send you the link!!
👉🏼Feeling stuck with your MS symptoms?
👉🏼Feeling like your body betrayed you and is working against you?
👉🏼Are you worried you’re stuck like this and will never get better?
I get it. At one point I did too.
Years ago I was experiencing “Aggressive MS” and I thought I’d never function the same.
I thought my days of moving how I wanted, or doing anything on a whim were over.
I couldn’t walk well, couldn’t feel my body correctly and I was SCARED.
But now?
I’m confident in the ways I’m helping myself.
I no longer have aggressive MS.
I can move how I want, when I want.
Because of the changes I’ve made over the years.
No, it’s not easy, but that’s where I come in!!
I’ve dedicated my life to helping those with MS realize that feeling better is possible and helping them get there.
My 2 courses and my membership are on sale this weekend for Black Friday,
want to start your own success story??
Comment SUCCESS below and I’ll send you the link!!
Grab your path to healing!!
These are the lowest prices for my courses like ever, and they won’t be back. (And they’ll prob be going up in the new year- planning some updates!!)
Comment HEALING below and I’ll send you a link, or check out my stories!!
Grab your path to healing!!
These are the lowest prices for my courses like ever, and they won’t be back. (And they’ll prob be going up in the new year- planning some updates!!)
Comment HEALING below and I’ll send you a link, or check out my stories!!
The first step to being successful with managing stress (& being successful with anything really) is:
Awareness of where you currently are.
You can’t change or manage what you’re not aware of.
You can only know yourself as deep as you’re awareness of yourself goes.
Try this:
Right now as you read this, pause for a sec.
Take a deep breath, and ask yourself:
Where were my thoughts?
Where is my breathing?
What am I saying to myself?
Get really honest here too (warning- it might be uncomfy)
What did you discover while checking in? Let me know in the comments!
-
-
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa. I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in MS.
I use all the tools I’ve comprised over my 10+ year career (and 14+ years with MS) to help my clients with MS decrease their symptoms, improve their overall health and get back to living life on their terms, not MS’ terms.
Interested to hear how that might look for you? Comment 🧡 below or DM me and we’ll chat!
The first step to being successful with managing stress (& being successful with anything really) is:
Awareness of where you currently are.
You can’t change or manage what you’re not aware of.
You can only know yourself as deep as you’re awareness of yourself goes.
Try this:
Right now as you read this, pause for a sec.
Take a deep breath, and ask yourself:
Where were my thoughts?
Where is my breathing?
What am I saying to myself?
Get really honest here too (warning- it might be uncomfy)
What did you discover while checking in? Let me know in the comments!
-
-
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa. I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in MS.
I use all the tools I’ve comprised over my 10+ year career (and 14+ years with MS) to help my clients with MS decrease their symptoms, improve their overall health and get back to living life on their terms, not MS’ terms.
Interested to hear how that might look for you? Comment 🧡 below or DM me and we’ll chat!
Progress is absolutely not linear.
But, it’s still progress nonetheless.
I see you if you’re in a “dip” or feel like you’re going “backwards”
You’re really not, you’re right where you should be.
Keep going!!
🧡❤️🧡
Progress is absolutely not linear.
But, it’s still progress nonetheless.
I see you if you’re in a “dip” or feel like you’re going “backwards”
You’re really not, you’re right where you should be.
Keep going!!
🧡❤️🧡
Lol, all this got me was an MS diagnosis.
This was me basically my whole life up until a few years ago.
My clients have all talked about situations like this too.
It’s no wonder why a lot of us have an autoimmune disease now.
Please, speak your truth. Your body will thank you.
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in MS.
I use all the tools I’ve comprised over my 10+ year career (and 14+ years with MS) to help my clients with MS decrease their symptoms, improve their overall health and get back to living life on their terms, not MS’ terms.
Interested to hear how that might look for you? Comment 🧡 below or DM me and we’ll chat!
Lol, all this got me was an MS diagnosis.
This was me basically my whole life up until a few years ago.
My clients have all talked about situations like this too.
It’s no wonder why a lot of us have an autoimmune disease now.
Please, speak your truth. Your body will thank you.
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in MS.
I use all the tools I’ve comprised over my 10+ year career (and 14+ years with MS) to help my clients with MS decrease their symptoms, improve their overall health and get back to living life on their terms, not MS’ terms.
Interested to hear how that might look for you? Comment 🧡 below or DM me and we’ll chat!
This has been a TOUGH week friends.
Don’t lose yourself.
What else would you add to this list?
What helps you when life is super hard?
❤️❤️
This has been a TOUGH week friends.
Don’t lose yourself.
What else would you add to this list?
What helps you when life is super hard?
❤️❤️
I’ve been actively working on my nervous system for the past year or two.
That hasn’t meant that all my anxiety or depression magically vanished.
It just means that when I do find myself feeling like an anxious mess or a depressed puddle, I know how to attend to and care for myself.
Not in the goal of “fixing” per se, more honoring and accepting.
This is one of the ways I help my clients improve their MS symptoms, but attending to their nervous systems and improving their stress response and resilience.
I have so many ways to work with me.. from 1:1 support to my free community.. comment below “interested” and we’ll chat about what would be right for you!
I’ve been actively working on my nervous system for the past year or two.
That hasn’t meant that all my anxiety or depression magically vanished.
It just means that when I do find myself feeling like an anxious mess or a depressed puddle, I know how to attend to and care for myself.
Not in the goal of “fixing” per se, more honoring and accepting.
This is one of the ways I help my clients improve their MS symptoms, but attending to their nervous systems and improving their stress response and resilience.
I have so many ways to work with me.. from 1:1 support to my free community.. comment below “interested” and we’ll chat about what would be right for you!
This is exactly why I do what I do.
Because when I was suffering and going through it, I had no one.
No one in my corner who fully understood.
Sure I had some people around me who cared.. but that’s different than understanding and being supportive.
I don’t want that for you.
I want you to feel confident,
in control of your life,
like you have someone in your corner who understands on a completely different level than those around you.
This is why I do what I do.
Because I don’t want you to feel alone.
PS- My second book is available for pre-order!!
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
I teamed up with 6 other authors to detail how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
(Also, 5 of the 7 authors also have MS!!)
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack
Comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
This is exactly why I do what I do.
Because when I was suffering and going through it, I had no one.
No one in my corner who fully understood.
Sure I had some people around me who cared.. but that’s different than understanding and being supportive.
I don’t want that for you.
I want you to feel confident,
in control of your life,
like you have someone in your corner who understands on a completely different level than those around you.
This is why I do what I do.
Because I don’t want you to feel alone.
PS- My second book is available for pre-order!!
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
I teamed up with 6 other authors to detail how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
(Also, 5 of the 7 authors also have MS!!)
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack
Comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
When this is a new habit.. it’s HARD!!
We encounter so many messages that say DONT take time for you, prioritize others, you must.
So.. what stands in your way of prioritizing you?
What is your hesitation when you go take a minute for yourself?
What is the guilt you feel after you actually do?
I’m planning something in a few weeks to help you with just these things.. stay tuned…
When this is a new habit.. it’s HARD!!
We encounter so many messages that say DONT take time for you, prioritize others, you must.
So.. what stands in your way of prioritizing you?
What is your hesitation when you go take a minute for yourself?
What is the guilt you feel after you actually do?
I’m planning something in a few weeks to help you with just these things.. stay tuned…
I’ve found that most all of my clients (and my past self too) would say NOPE, at least at first.
There are so many reasons we don’t value our own needs as much as others, but this is something that def has to be addressed if we want to continue to make progress with improving our health.
You matter.
Remember that.
🧡❤️
I’ve found that most all of my clients (and my past self too) would say NOPE, at least at first.
There are so many reasons we don’t value our own needs as much as others, but this is something that def has to be addressed if we want to continue to make progress with improving our health.
You matter.
Remember that.
🧡❤️
This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
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