From the October 2000 Idaho Observer:

All stools are not created equal

by Carol Geck

As we sat in the classroom, listening to my instructor/chiropractor explain about everyone's stools and how everyone's stools are not created equal, I felt quite uncomfortable and, frankly, embarrassed. And then the nervous laugher came bursting out of our mouths. “Go ahead and laugh,” he said, “but...let's face the facts.

Millions of people suffer from a variety of colon problems. Some of these problems are merely inconvenient, some are painful, and some are deadly. Millions of other people will eventually have colon problems.

So...colon health should be a concern of everyone and one of the best indications of colon function is to be found in the nature of the stools each of us produce.

I had always been told by allopathic physicians that it was a “natural thing” for me to not have a bowel movement for three to five days, that it was just the way my body worked. For many years I had multiple problems with my colon. At times I had “rock hard” balls which were the worst and most painful.

I was usually given a stool softener by the doctor that usually did not work. And later, much to my dismay, I found there were synthetic chemicals involved. As most of you know by now, I am totally against any synthetic component going into my body or anyone else's. Then in my studies of natural health and healing, I was fortunate to have an instructor that was a chiropractor with a naturopathic degree who possessed a great knowledge of all functions of the body.

Well...I thought! Now that I have an “expert” handy, let me ask this question:

What does a “healthy stool” look like?

He went on to say, “The answer usually surprises most people. A truly healthy individual with a truly healthy colon, eating the foods that we are meant to eat (that means more fiber such as vegetables), produces a stool that is typically a medium brown color, 1 to 2 inches in diameter, many inches long (approx.18 inches), well formed, almost odorless (how many of us can boast of that fact?), and moves through the anal passage without any straining.”

Wow! I had never seen anything like that come from me, so I must be really messed up. My next thought was of millions of people that were not eliminating a “normal” movement and that we must live on an incredibly constipated planet. My mind was whirling with the thoughts of congested sewers, septic tanks, outhouses and the like. Consequently, the next thought was of the many tons of fecal matter being eliminated everyday by the people on this planet and how we are dealing with and/or processing it (I have a very inquiring mind!).

Our instructor then went on to “enlighten” us on the different kinds of stools many of us have passed and explained why these different situations can occur:

(1.) Thin or ribbon stools usually indicate: Possible spasms or obstructions any place from the descending colon through to the anal passage; or a tightly coiled sigmoid colon; or an enlarged prostate.

(2.) “Rock hard” stools could possibly indicate: Constipation; diets low in roughage and / or water; a diet high in white flour products; possible parasites; sedentary individuals; or persons who ignore body signals for defecation.

(3.) Poorly formed stools could possibly indicate: Diarrhea; diets with too much roughage; colon with too little muscle tone; poor food combination and/or food allergies.

(4.) Foul smelling stools could possibly indicate: Poor digestion, poor food combinations, increased or even decreased colon transit time, parasites, or improper bacterial concentrations.

(5.) Black stools could possibly indicate: Bleeding in stomach or small intestines; ingestion of too much iron, bismuth, certain berries or beets.

(6.) Red blood in stools could possibly indicate: Hemorrhoids, or bleeding in lower intestinal tract.

(7.) Green stools could possibly indicate: Problems with production and / or conversion of bile; possibly too much chlorophyll.

(8.) Light colored stools could possibly indicate: Insufficient bile production; or gall bladder obstruction.

(9.) Floating stools could possibly indicate: High fat diets; persons with poor absorption or digestion of fats; or high mucus conditions.

(10.) Mucus in the stool could possibly indicate: Irritated colons; ulcerative colitis; a diet high in mucus-producing foods (all dairy products, devitalized refined white flour, refined white sugar, red meat); food allergies or sensitivities; or possible parasites.

When the bowel is not moving correctly, our emotions can be very “touchy”; thus, we can become very crabby, cranky, irritable and miserable to be around. Toxic buildup can occur in the small and large intestines (the digestive tract is approx. 31 feet), causing many different gases to occur in the blood stream. Bowel toxins can lead to headaches, sniffles, sneezing, wheezing, allergies, and even asthma, and can lead to some serious diseases. Most of us have heard the old saying, “Death begins in the bowel,” but do we take that statement seriously?

It is important to note the emotional side of bowel problems. How many of us go on trips away from home and usually get constipated? I, for one, can attest to this.

When we become emotional about any situation, our bowel can pay the consequences and make us even more miserable. How many of us get diarrhea when we are anxious or upset, and then get constipated with in days? Having a sluggish, congested bowel, a leaky gut, or a spastic colon, etc., can cause a very emotional person to become even more emotionally impaired. The problems may even become so severe that the unfortunate person may even resort to a psychiatrist when all along it could have been a problem with the bowel.

I also believe that most allergies can occur from a very congested colon and sluggish liver (which usually develops from a sluggish and congested bowel.) Years ago while attending a lecture, Dr. Bernard Jensen stated that most people can carry between five to 45 pounds of dried, old fecal matter in their colon, and not even recognize this fact until they end up with some sort of DIS-EASE. Just lately I heard about a famous movie star who had donated his body to science. Upon examination of his body, the experts found that he had carried 64 pounds of old dried fecal matter in his colon. My thought at that moment was, “Now I can understand why he had such problems with his lungs.”

Having a slow, ornery bowel can cause some very serious problems. How many of you have heard of blood sludge? Blood sludge does not allow our red blood cells an efficient and timely transport of nutrients, oxygen, waste products, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, etc. through our cell membranes which feed, nourish and heal our body. This means that when the blood is in poor condition, we are in big time trouble. Blood sludge can be the result of a poor diet, an imbalance of the body's pH, an excess electrolyte load, and a sluggish, clogged colon. Constant mental and body stress could be another factor of blood sludge.

I know that this month's subject has been “taboo” and “disgusting” subject, but I believe we all need to become more “bowel minded” in order to become a healthier nation and world. We all know of people that have “constipated thinking” and are causing certain problems in their lives, or they could be affecting other people's lives. Most of these people could be helped if they would just open their minds to taking better care of their body and colon. Wouldn't the world be a much nicer and cooperative place if everyone was in great bowel health!

Disclaimer: The guidelines above are only brief simplifications of some of the major reasons for the various stools described. Do NOT attempt to diagnose yours or anyone else's condition based upon this information.

Consult with your doctor if you notice any significant change in the nature of your present stools or if you should have any of the stools listed above.

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Dr. Geck operates Heal-Thy-Self Consulting in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. She is an IIRA Certified Iridologist and Board Certified Naturopath. Dr. Geck is also trained in Live Blood Cell Nutrition Analysis and Aromatherapy. If you would like to reach Dr. Geck for an appointment, call: (208) 267-6606.