Keto and Constipation?

#1

Hey, all. I’m following Keto very strictly. Getting in enough fats, etc. I drink tons of water and only drink water, plain selzer and home-made mint tea. I’ve been struggling with constipation for about 6 months now after being beyond regular all of my life. I’m pretty sure this is being caused by finishing up menopause. Been on Keto for about 6 weeks. I thought the Keto, with all of the fat, would take care of it, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. I’m keeping my carbs below 20 net gs and I aim for 10 net gs. This means no prunes for me. Any suggestions?

#2

That’s a LONG time to deal with constipation, having it for that long can cause actual issues. Do what you gotta do to fix it. Magnesium Citrate should do the trick, fiber supplements, even the prunes if you want. Don’t let keto stuff override common sense. I kept ignoring mine and it ended in a colonoscopy in my 30’s and a whole lot a trouble that should have never happened in the first place.

#3

It hasn’t been every day, but a lot of days of pooping pebbles. I do go every single day, it’s just the rocks that bug me. So weird, too, since I’ve never had that in my life, but I’m 58 and coming out of menopause and that’s one of the symptoms. I already take Magnesium, but might try some Milk of Magnesia. I’ve been a bit sick the past two days and it hasn’t been a problem. Sorry about the TMI.

(Bunny) #4

I think that’s the healthiest way for poop to form and be released (the way nature intended) and the healthiest stool you can have because it is not becoming impacted stool.

Any stool that is long, is impacted stool.

That’s just my two cents.

(Allie) #5

More salt.

#6

I eat a LOT of salt. Probably not a problem there.

#7

That’s an interesting way of looking at it. We feed our dog raw meaty bones only and have for over 20 years. One thing that happens when you change from commercial dog food to raw meaty bones is that the dogs volume and consistency of poop changes. They poop very small amounts and it’s hard. It barely smells either. It dries up rapidly and becomes chalky. This is because they are using everything that they eat. It is, actually, much more natural, as dogs are top tier carnivore predators and wouldn’t want to announce to the world their location every time they pooped. Perhaps the same is true for humans.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

For me, constipation on keto means low salt (I sometimes get migraine auras, too, if I don’t keep my salt up). Try adding a bit more salt to your food. Two or three U.S. teaspoons (including the salt already present in your food) should do it. Don’t overdo the salt, because then you’ll have the opposite problem (don’t ask me how I know!).

There is a video in which Dr. Phinney explains how the colon works to recover water from the stool, if there’s not enough sodium to go around, which is why getting enough salt helps.

#9

I’ll do it. I do use quite a bit of salt. Only the good stuff. I’ll add a bit more.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #10

Granted, salt is always the first thing I think of in this context, so take my advice with a grain of . . . . :grin:

It’s a quick thing to try, however. But if it fails to help, then it’s time to look into other possible solutions.

Good luck!