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question on "bulking"

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Ulcerative Colitis
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damo123
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2007
Posts : 956
Posted 8/29/2007 9:33 AM (GMT -8)
I've heard some of the regulars use the expression "use fibre to bulk" up your stools quite a lot in the posts. I was wondering what exactly "to bulk" up means. Does it mean to remove and absorb excess water, give a more solid texture and shape to your stools? Does it mean that small pebble-like stools are combined together to give a larger and better quality stool.

Does fibre help to bind mucus? If you use a fibre supplement does it speed up or slow down delivery of stool to the rectum.

Sorry if this is a basic question, I've just never completed understood the term.

Thanks in advance

 

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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 33632
Posted 8/29/2007 9:40 AM (GMT -8)
sounds as though you have it figured out.

q
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damo123
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2007
Posts : 956
Posted 8/29/2007 10:08 AM (GMT -8)
lol...quincy....ive heard pb4 is the fibre expert so i'll hold off until she hopefully makes a comment! I do think I need some kinda bulking or "clean up" agent though. Does soluble or insoluble fibre or both do this job
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 33632
Posted 8/29/2007 10:13 AM (GMT -8)
yes...you need both. They both absorb water..but the insoluble is what takes up space to prevent the stool from sticking together...like vermiculite in soil or the stones in making cement.

You'll have to find the balance, and not everyone can take all kinds.

Most of the supplements have artificial sweeteners that can cause symptoms...pills or the unflavoured that you add to flavoured drinks would be best.

Inulin and methylcellulose are considered least problematic with allergies..but again, it's trial and error.

You'll have to find your way with the fibre supplements.

Food is still your best bet, however....eating different foods and well balanced meals keeps things moving.

quincy
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 8/29/2007 10:15 AM (GMT -8)
Soluble fibre becomes sticky when it combines with water and forms a gel-like substance (found in fruits and veggies, seeds, brown rice, barley, oats and oatbran.

Insoluble fibre acts as a sponge as it pases through the digestive tract and absorbs moisture many times it's weight in water, by doing so it increases the bulk of stools AND softens it...these characteristics facilitate the transit of foods through the intestines thereby preventing constipation (found mainly in whole grains, legumes (benas, peas and lentils) the skins of fruits and veggies.


Both are a good balance, taking a fibre supplement works well for those who cannot tolerate eating fruits and veggies, however I find that since I take my fibre supplements daily and indefinitely as my GI suggested I can now tolerated also eating fibreous foods without getting all gassy and bloated...you just don't want to over-do fibre in general.


:)
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 33632
Posted 8/29/2007 10:18 AM (GMT -8)
right..or you'll be passing nuggets.
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pb4
Elite Member
Joined : Feb 2004
Posts : 20577
Posted 8/29/2007 10:23 AM (GMT -8)
And drinking plentyof water daily is also essential for more then just risks of dehydration but it helps move the fibre through better then without it, without enough water and eating enough or too much fibre isn't a good combination.


:)
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