Could an insulin spike encourage bowel movement?

(b21081b416894ad448be) #1

Bowel movements it’s not a great topic but it’s something we all do in my case sometimes do, I have noticed a pattern and for me, if I follow a diet low in sugar I tend to go less frequently maybe twice a week, it doesn’t matter how many vegetables or leafy greens I eat. The amount and the frequency are much less.
But when I eat something high in sugar or have sugar in my morning coffee it seems to help get things moving.

Could an insulin spike encourage bowel movement?

Without going the whole week I had two choices this morning either break my ketosis by consuming sugar or take a senna laxative, I opted for the first option as I don’t like using laxatives.
And within an hour I had a full evacuation.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

(Allan L) #2

I use psyllium husk to encourage things along naturally. As its 100% fibre it does not count as a carb. Twice a day and my feet hardly hit the floor on a morning and I rush to the bathroom.

Unsure about the answer to your actual question though but my suggestion could be an alternative to sugaring up every morning.

(b21081b416894ad448be) #3

Hi Allan,
Thank you for your advice, I have tried extra fiber supplements in the past all they did was slow things down even more, but ill try the type you suggested maybe ill have better results a second time around, I also tried a digestive enzyme supplement that contains peppermint and betaine hydrochloride which is ment to restore the gut bacteria and help things along.

Do you eat in the morning? Maybe thats where im going wrong my first meal/snack is at lunch time.

(Allan L) #4

I usually break my fast between lunch and 2pm.

Good luck.

I also do a daily pro-biotic Kefir drink. Home made so I can get the lactose sugar very low with extra fermentation so still keto!.

(b21081b416894ad448be) #5

Ive thought that a pro-biotic might help, have done a few batches of homemade yogurt love the taste leave it for 12+ hours.
Do you break your fast at lunch with the Kefir drink or is it the first thing you have after waking up.
Ive often thought of having homemade yoghurt first thing in the morning with my morning coffee (not mixed together) but not sure if it would impact on the fast.
Any tips of how to make homemade Kefir would be appreciated.

#6

Yes and no, if I eat a carby meal I’ll be on the toilet but I think thats more of a rejection than anything. Are you just starting out? Constipation can be temporary side effect while your fat adapting, if not is your fat intake high enough? Fat keeps us moving down there. Your better off using C8 Chain MCT oil than sugar. Same effect and helps ketosis.

(b21081b416894ad448be) #7

Hi lfod14
Im on week 5 of keto, but have had irregular bowels for as long as I can remember, its just a lot more noticeable now when intermittent fasting and cutting sugar/carbs.
I tried the 5:2 diet a few years ago and main reason for stopping it was this problem.
Ill look into the mct oil see if it helps.

#8

Just remember, A little bit is a supplement, a little more will get you going, overdo MCT and the clinical term is “disaster pants”. But no question it’ll work, and again good for energy.

(Mike) #9

I usually find that a cup of coffee first thing is enough to bring on the “Urge”

(Chris) #10

Taking Inulin would probably help you as well.
It’s incredibly good for you, helps to heal your gut and promote healthy bacteria particularly in combination with a good pro-biotic.

About 15 grams a day is a good dose, but start at about 5g or so or you’ll be rushing to the toilet.

(b21081b416894ad448be) #11

Hi All

Thank you for the replies, I will look into the MCT oil and the Inulin supplement.

What are your thoughts on coconut oil would it have the same laxative effect as MCT, I know coconut oil contains MCT and that most MCT oils are made from coconuts but there isn’t a clear answer as to why one would choose one over the other.

There have been some you tube videos of people stating MCT oil is used if energy is required asap, and coconut oil is used for prolonged energy release, coconut oil is available from my local store so might give it a try or would you recommend MCT.

(Deb) #12

A low carb diet of any type invites constipation. Dr. Eric Westman recommends, and I use, Milk of Magnesia once daily.

(Alan Williamson) #13

I eat baby carrots every day. The fiber in them really helps to keep things moving along.

(VLC.MD) #14

No

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #15

That’s not at all my experience. For the first time in my life, I am neither constipated nor experiencing diarrhea. In fact, since the fat I’m eating seems to be lubricating my bowel, bowel movements are very easy. :bacon:

#16

Not sure if you’re still checking this post/question. I will respond with my experience: yes, I agree-- I have thought for awhile now that an insulin spike does cause intestinal movement (which may result in a BM). I don’t know “VLC.MD” but need to be more open-minded. Just because maybe there hasn’t been a medical study, or one “showed” something. It’s never 100%.

The insulin spike causing a BM is actually an easy test for me with non-sugar sweeteners or other things like that which are supposed to be no/low-carb. If I have one and I feel my intestines move (immediately, in less than a second…not like minutes later), or I fart :slight_smile:, then I know it was too high carb or not actually “non-sugar” for me. Like stevia. I know this doesn’t work for me because it causes immediate intestinal movement.

Someone in this topic also responded “Fat keeps us moving down there.” This is a common thing that people say-- but it is definitely the opposite for me. Less fat I poop better. Fat really slows me down. I think for me it has to do with intestinal bacteria. Lower fat they are happy and thrive. Higher fat they are smothered and can’t nosh on things. So lower fat diet I have more colon bacteria and have easier BMs.

These are my experiences.
Yes, insulin spike causes immediate mass intestinal movement for me.
No, fat does not keep things moving for me and conversely too much fat constipates me, again thinking it prevents my gut bacteria.