question on "bulking"

damo123

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 714

Posted 8/29/2007 10:33 AM (GMT -7)

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

15 mg Pred (yuck!)

2400 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed

Digestive Enzymes

Probiotics + Bio Yougurt

Acidophilus

Calcium

1000mg Fish Oils a day

Aloe Vera

Anti Fungal Supplements & Caprylic Acid

Nexium 20mg a day

No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31381

Posted 8/29/2007 10:40 AM (GMT -7)

sounds as though you have it figured out.

q

*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

damo123

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 714

Posted 8/29/2007 11:08 AM (GMT -7)

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

5 mg Pred (yuck!)

3200 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed

Digestive Enzymes

~~Probiotics + Bio Yougurt~~ Discontinued as I may have dairy allergy

Acidophilus

Calcium

~~1000mg Fish Oils a day~~ Holding off on these for a little bit!

Aloe Vera Juice

Anti Fungal Supplements

Nexium 20mg a day

No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31381

Posted 8/29/2007 11:13 AM (GMT -7)

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

*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

pb4

Elite Member

Joined : Feb 2004

Posts : 20577

Posted 8/29/2007 11:15 AM (GMT -7)

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.

:)

My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31381

Posted 8/29/2007 11:18 AM (GMT -7)

right..or you'll be passing nuggets.

*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 3rd night)

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals

~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime

~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

pb4

Elite Member

Joined : Feb 2004

Posts : 20577

Posted 8/29/2007 11:23 AM (GMT -7)

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.

:)

My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)

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