question on "bulking"

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.

sounds as though you have it figured out.

q

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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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5 mg Pred (yuck!)

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

right..or you'll be passing nuggets.

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