Constipation - Flax or Psyllium

[rc21839]

I'm constantly constipated and have taken to laxatives, enemas and whatever I can find to get it out. I've read that either Flax or Psyllium helps with constipation but would like to know which one is better? In other words, which will make me go quicker and keep me regular?

Also, please use small words and tell me exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.

[not2late]

You can use either flax, psyllium or wheat bran. Dr. Atkins says in one of the later chapters that his preference is for psyllium.

These kinds of laxatives are known as "bulk-forming" laxatives. They work by absorbing water and expanding in your intestines. The "bulk" stimulates your intestines to move the laxative bulk and the other stuff out.

They take a couple of days to work. And you MUST drink at the very least 64 ounces of water daily. If you don't these laxatives might constipate you more.

You should also be taking a fiber supplement/laxative daily while on Induction, as per Chapter 11. Additionally, if your Induction vegetable has been limited to lettuce, start varying your "salad" by choosing other vegetables on the "salad" list or include some vegetables from the "other vegetables" list.

I hope you find relief.

[Moochiecat]

Some people find that eating certain veggies will help them go easier as well. One person recently said it was spinach, and for myself, it's sauteed peppers...experiment a little and see if there might be something you can eat to help you as well.

[Kent]

I personally favor SF Metamucil, but you may vary. Another good suggestion is to start limiting your cheese (cream cheese and otherwise) intake. Cut out all cheese from your diet for a few days, and eat some good fibrous vegetables. In my case, fried foods will also help keeping regular as well.

[teejay]

personally I use the flax meal

2 Tbsp. flax meal
1 Tbsp. water

microwave until warm. Eat.

I found that if I use it in the evening shortly after dinner this seems to work best for me.

TJ

[tickletussler]

try and use psyllium husks or flaxseed meal - something more natural than laxatives, because when you get used to laxatives, it is very hard to come off them later down the track. Also you may find you may need more and more laxatives as you build up tolerance over time, so it's better to go for more natural fibres.

[Elizellen]

A quarter of the microwaved flax bread recipe a day might do the trick!

http://www.lowcarbrecipes.org/recipe.cgi?action=view_recipe&id=2112&recipe=Microwaved%20Flax%20Bread&category=Breads%20and%20Biscuits

[rc21839]

Ground Flax

Is Ground flax the same as flaxseed meal? I want to try the recipe that you posted...

[tickletussler]

Yes it is. Flaxseed meal is also known as linseed meal too.

[Elizellen]

If you can only find seeds (not preground) of flax/linseed then you can grind themselves in a coffee grinder or food processor