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Fibre

Dudette1

Dudette1

Well-Known Member
Messages
259
Location
England
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bad attitude
Hi guys, soooo since having diabetes I suffer with unbearable constipation (so sorry) but I’m sure or hope I’m not the only one. It’s gotten worse since stopping smoking, I don’t want to live on laxatives, so can we take supplements? and if so which ones as I have no clue I’m reading flax seeds, then seeing we shouldn’t have them, then the husk one can’t spell the first word of it. Any help would really be appreciated x
 
Fibre is likely to add to the problem rather than reduce it like adding cars to a traffic jam.
A magnesium supplement may help.. many have found it does.
What kind of stuff are you eating and are you experiencing pain or just "going" a lot less?
 
I suffered irregular movements for years. Pre and post diabetes. A year or so ago I decided to boost my gut bacteria and ate Greek yoghurt a lot for a few weeks with very good results. I then reduced to practically nothing and all is well.

HTH
 
bulkbiker said:
Fibre is likely to add to the problem rather than reduce it like adding cars to a traffic jam.
A magnesium supplement may help.. many have found it does.
What kind of stuff are you eating and are you experiencing pain or just "going" a lot less?
Click to expand...
Indeed, as a kid, I remember being given daily doses of Milk of Magnesia. More akin to an easy-out than the usual suspects. I tried Fibogel for a while but it had no noticeable effect. My doc did prescribe Dulcolax/Ducosate when I found hospital food was reluctant to leave, but I never used it when I got home again. I find my LCHF diet keeps things happy quite well.
 
Typical day, 2 cups of almond milk for breakfast (no sugars)
Dinner 0% fat Greek yogurt, 90% dark chocolate with raspberries, tea low carb roll with ham, cheese lettuce cucumber
8 glasses of water, walk around 10 miles a day
 
Dudette1 said:
Typical day, 2 cups of almond milk for breakfast (no sugars)
Dinner 0% fat Greek yogurt, 90% dark chocolate with raspberries, tea low carb roll with ham, cheese lettuce cucumber
8 glasses of water, walk around 10 miles a day
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound very much at all, especially with all the walking you do. You don't seem to have anywhere near enough fat or protein. It could even be your problem is not eating enough - there is nothing to get rid of. Where have you read that we shouldn't eat flaxseed? I have a good portion of it every day. It has a lot of good stuff in it, omega 3 and protein as well as fibre. No butter on your low carb roll? Is there a reason for this?
 
Dudette1 said:
Hi guys, soooo since having diabetes I suffer with unbearable constipation (so sorry) but I’m sure or hope I’m not the only one. It’s gotten worse since stopping smoking, I don’t want to live on laxatives, so can we take supplements? and if so which ones as I have no clue I’m reading flax seeds, then seeing we shouldn’t have them, then the husk one can’t spell the first word of it. Any help would really be appreciated x
Click to expand...
Yep. It's much better now, but it seemed to travel along with oedema. I was undiagnosed when it was at its worst, so I've only seen this as a diabetes issue in retrospect. My theory is that my body was trying to dilute the glucose in my blood by retaining as much water as possible...which unfortunately included the colon being a bit over active in removing water from stool. Didn't seem to be affected by what I ate, fibre, etc. and I didn't take anything for it.
 
I find plenty of water does the trick. Try adding a bit of pink salt to it. Usually any problems are eased when I up the water intake.
 
The problem with an ultra low-fat diet is that after a while your gall bladder fills up with bile, and the liver stops producing bile. So constipation of the bile duct, which can lead to the formation of gallstones, and also makes digestion of fat less effective. This drop in fat intake means that the bile no longer performs its function of ridding the body of dead cholesterol from the duodenum and this builds up and clogs the system (like mini fatbergs). The bile duct is also involved in lubricating the lower intestine which you will also be missing.

Many here report that changing to LCHF from a low-fat diet can trigger gallstones - note: these stones will have already formed and build up in the gallbladder like billiard balls in the rack, The increased fat diet increases bile, which flushes the stones out into the bile duct. This causes severe pain if they block the duct.

Ultra low fat is not as healthy as advertised. Your typical meal above would be considered ultra low fat. Your poor liver must be doing handsprings trying to make its own fat through Neolipogenesis.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
That doesn't sound very much at all, especially with all the walking you do. You don't seem to have anywhere near enough fat or protein. It could even be your problem is not eating enough - there is nothing to get rid of. Where have you read that we shouldn't eat flaxseed? I have a good portion of it every day. It has a lot of good stuff in it, omega 3 and protein as well as fibre. No butter on your low carb roll? Is there a reason for this?
Click to expand...

No I don’t eat much in a day really at all, oh yeah I do have loads of butter on my roll ha! can’t remember where I saw it, will have a look and see if I can find it..so I can have the seeds then? If so I will put them in my yogurt :)
 
Oldvatr said:
The problem with an ultra low-fat diet is that after a while your gall bladder fills up with bile, and the liver stops producing bile. So constipation of the bile duct, which can lead to the formation of gallstones, and also makes digestion of fat less effective. This drop in fat intake means that the bile no longer performs its function of ridding the body of dead cholesterol from the duodenum and this builds up and clogs the system (like mini fatbergs). The bile duct is also involved in lubricating the lower intestine which you will also be missing.

Many here report that changing to LCHF from a low-fat diet can trigger gallstones - note: these stones will have already formed and build up in the gallbladder like billiard balls in the rack, The increased fat diet increases bile, which flushes the stones out into the bile duct. This causes severe pain if they block the duct.

Ultra low fat is not as healthy as advertised. Your typical meal above would be considered ultra low fat. Your poor liver must be doing handsprings trying to make its own fat through Neolipogenesis.
Click to expand...

I’m not on a low fat diet, this is just a typical one day.I’m on low carb.
 
Other foods I eat, sausages, peppers, onions, bacon, eggs, cheese, steak, cauliflower, potatoes once a week, my treat food. Chicken, garlic, butter on everything, olive oil extra virgin. Only thing I don’t have is fish, this is just a few things I would eat in the week as well as what I wrote above.I eat a mixture of things but still struggle. That’s why any help on what people take would be really helpful to me.
 
Dudette1 said:
Other foods I eat, sausages, peppers, onions, bacon, eggs, cheese, steak, cauliflower, potatoes once a week, my treat food. Chicken, garlic, butter on everything, olive oil extra virgin. Only thing I don’t have is fish, this is just a few things I would eat in the week as well as what I wrote above.I eat a mixture of things but still struggle. That’s why any help on what people take would be really helpful to me.
Click to expand...
Thats a more realistic list, and I cannot see anything that could lead to the problem you report especially if you are hydrating well. There are other seeds than flax. e.g. chia, linseed, poppy, hemp. Other than that may I suggest more greens such as broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, which have soluble fibre. even apples and pears but these have high sugar content.

Do you like licorice?

Do you use any artificial sweeteners? Some of them such as xylitol have a laxative effect. Granny's remedies such as prune juice, or figs. Just a few ideas that are not in pill form

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-foods-for-constipation#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
 
Oldvatr said:
Thats a more realistic list, and I cannot see anything that could lead to the problem you report especially if you are hydrating well. There are other seeds than flax. e.g. chia, linseed, poppy, hemp. Other than that may I suggest more greens such as broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, which have soluble fibre. even apples and pears but these have high sugar content.

Do you like licorice?

Do you use any artificial sweeteners? Some of them such as xylitol have a laxative effect. Granny's remedies such as prune juice, or figs. Just a few ideas that are not in pill form

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-foods-for-constipation#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
Click to expand...

Thank you, this is extremely helpful
 
Dudette1 said:
Hi guys, soooo since having diabetes I suffer with unbearable constipation (so sorry) but I’m sure or hope I’m not the only one. It’s gotten worse since stopping smoking, I don’t want to live on laxatives, so can we take supplements? and if so which ones as I have no clue I’m reading flax seeds, then seeing we shouldn’t have them, then the husk one can’t spell the first word of it. Any help would really be appreciated x
Click to expand...
Psyllium husk - I think?? Hope I’ve spelt it right!
 
I have flaxseed every day as part of a low carb diet.
Milled flaxseed with chia seeds (2 dessert spoons flaxseed to one of chia) and either a little chopped nuts or sunflower seeds, made into a porridge - cooked in water with a little coconut milk and cinnamon and served with double cream on top.
I also have a couple of servings of green veg with dinner.
 
Warning - some might find this post a bit too graphic!
Although I try hard to keep up my fibre intake and drink lots, I have a serious constipation problem. Imo this is not necessarily due to my very low carb diet, though I expect that doesn't help. To keep myself out of A&E (seriously - impacted stool can require emergency treatment and I have come very near needing that a few times) - I have regular recourse to glycerol suppositories. They are prescribed for me by my GP, but they can be bought over the counter. Imo they are much preferable to laxatives, as they are obviously not ingested, and in the nature of things come out of the body fast. They are made from peanuts oil and are like little jelly torpedoes.
Good luck!
PS these are much cheaper at Superdrug than at Boots: https://www.superdrug.com/Health/St...lief-Suppositories-X-12/p/633164#pdp__details
 
I'm another who swears by seeds. They were recommend to me by a gastroenterologist several years ago when I had IBS type problems.
I find either linseed/flaxseed or chia seeds work the same. I'm now on just a tablespoon a day to keep regular which I increase if necessary.
I simply add the seeds to yoghurt and berries, or 1 sq dark chocolate, or a little coffee. You can eat it straight away or leave it overnight to thicken.
They also mix well into cream or coconut milk.

They can also be made into a bread equivalent with eggs and baking powder, check out 90 second bread.

I'd also agree your diet is very low in natural fibre, add more green leafy veg and seeds.
 
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