White or clay colored stools are caused by a lack of bile, and can indicate kidney, liver, or gallbladder issues. Improper bile production or issues in the biliary system can produce white stools. It can also be a sign of a quickened transit time where the food moves very quickly through the intestines.
White or gray poops can be due to the consumption of too many antacids or calcium supplements. Barium sulfate milkshake (taken before an X-ray) can also produce white poop. Learn more about bile and the digestive system.
Yellow poop...
Unless due to the presence of certain foods, this is not a typical stool color and can indicate an issue with the stomach, liver, large intestine, or small intestine. It can also mean that poop is passing too quickly through the system, as seen with GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).
Yellow poop can result from insufficient bile output (the bile salts from the liver give stool its brownish color).
Black poop...
Black stools can indicate internal bleeding, and often look "sticky" or tar-like. But black stools can also be common when taking supplements (such as iron) or medications (such as those containing Pepto Bismol / bismuth subsalicylate).
Poop Shape & Size
The size of poop varies depending on what has been eaten and in what quantity. People who eat plenty of fiber have larger stools. Fiber is indigestible, which means that any amount of fiber not fermented in the gut will pass through whole or be fermented by intestinal flora. Stool should be the length of a banana (6-10 inches in length) and look similar to a torpedo.
Researchers at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in England developed a visual guide for stools called the Bristol Stool Form Scale to help us distinguish normal stools from abnormal stools:
#1 Rabbit Poop
Many people produce small, hard, pellet-like poops similar to rabbit poop. Sometimes, the lumps are quite hard and abrasive, causing pain and bleeding when they exit. These are often seen in people who have a low fiber diet from eating too many white foods lacking fibrous content (white rice, white bread, white pasta, and sugar) and low carb diets from eating primarily protein foods with no fiber. Dehydration can also cause rabbit poop.
Eating more fiber-rich foods, cutting out refined foods, and ensuring you are well-hydrated is the best remedy.
#2 Nutty Log
Similar to Type 1, but the pieces are lumped together with some fiber and bacteria. Because of how firm the pieces are, they can be painful to eliminate and cause bleeding, anal canal laceration, or diverticulosis. These stools may have been in the colon for at least several weeks, instead of the normal 72 hours.
People with such stools are more likely to suffer from IBS because of the continuous pressure of large stools on the intestinal walls. The possibility of intestinal obstruction is high, because the large intestine is filled to capacity with stools. Adding supplemental fiber to expel these stools is dangerous, because the expanded fiber has no place to go, and may cause hernia, obstruction, or perforation of the small and large intestine.
#3 Smoother Nutty Log
Similar to type 2, but the transit time is quicker - up to 1 week. IBS is likely, as is constipation. Straining to poop is typical.
#4 Banana Roll
A 6-10 inch banana length stool which is smooth and soft is considered normal.
#5 Smooth, Soft & Chunky
This is considered the ideal, and is typical for someone who has stools 2-3 times a day.
#6 Lumpy Mush / Loose Stools
With this poop, it may sometimes be difficult to control the urge, a problem if a bathroom is not nearby. It is considered borderline normal and can suggest a hyperactive colon, too much potassium, sudden rehydration, drinking high mineral content water, or a rise in blood pressure related to stress. It can also indicate someone with a hypersensitive personality prone to stress,
Other common causes of loose stools include use of colon-cleansing supplements, laxatives, stimulants such as coffee, high doses of vitamin C, magnesium, antibiotics, chemotherapy... the list goes on.
#7 Diarrhea
Here, the poop is in either very loose or in liquid form. Sometimes, it only occurs once or twice a day, and at other times can be acute and require frequent (and speedy!) bathroom trips.
Poop Odor
Our intestines are swarming with trillions of friendly bacteria that help us to digest and metabolize our food. This is also the reason why poop smells - a result of the bacterial activity in your GI tract. It is normal for your bowel movements to have some odor, but despite what you may hear, rotten or foul smelling poop or gas that clears the family out of the room is not a sign of good poop health! If fecal matter has a sharp, sour, or penetrative odor, this indicates that food is not being digested properly.
Generally speaking, those who have a diet high in processed and refined foods, and those who are heavy meat-eaters, have very stinky poop. This points to an acidic body, indicating there is likely putrefying proteins and fermenting carbohydrates rotting in the intestines. Stress can also contribute to an acidic body.
Poop Frequency
At minimum, you should have one good bowel movement per day, but 2-3 is considered ideal for optimal health.
Stuff In the Stool
Mucus poop...
Mucus is caused by irritation in the intestinal wall. It wraps around the stool and makes it look clear and shiny. It can be caused by spicy food, too much stress, or a weak upper digestive system that allows undigested food to pass through that then become an intestinal irritant.
It is not unusual to find mucus in fecal matter from time to time, but if your bowels have mucus in noticeable amounts for weeks at a time, and if you notice bleeding or a foul smell, you should call your healthcare practitioner.
Greasy poop...
When stools look greasy, it is usually due to a lack of bile from the liver or gallbladder, which is needed to emulsify the fats in the food we eat. If the fats are not properly broken down, they are undigested and become shiny or greasy in the poop. Greasy poop can also be a sign of a liver imbalance and a poor diet from eating junk food. It is common with people who are obese.
Poops can take several wipes to clean away, and they stick to the toilet bowl.
Undigested food...
The stomach is responsible for the initial breakdown of food. Sometimes, hard-to-digest foods are not broken down. If the stomach acid is weak, less food will be broken down properly.
Blood...
Red blood in the stool may be due to hemorrhoids, or from straining too much when constipated. This is in contrast to black blood that is tar-like and can indicate internal bleeding. If you have been eating beets or drinking beet juice, your poop will appear red, which may be easily confused with blood. Supplements (such as iron) or medications (such as those containing Pepto Bismol / bismuth subsalicylate) can blacken stools.
Poop that contains fresh blood or black blood (after you have ruled out supplements and/or medications that can cause this color change) indicate it is time to visit your healthcare practitioner for advice.
Poop Flotation
Normal, healthy stools should be pooped easily and effortlessly, gently submerging into the water. If your diet is low in fiber (less than 30-40 g/day), the stool will plummet quickly to the bottom of the toilet. Floating stools indicate a large amount of undigested fats, which are lighter than water. Floating poop can indicate either too much fat in the diet, or a problem digesting fats.
BEFORE YOU GET POOP PARANOID!
Diet and stress dramatically affect our poop. By simply cleaning up your diet and reducing your stress level, in most cases you will automatically clean up your poop. Eating a diet rich in healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables (especially the leafy greens) ensures you will have the appropriate amount of fiber in your diet. The caveat is if you see any fresh or black blood in your stool. Then it is time for a trip to the doctor.
A Note About Fiber
"Contrary to popular belief, excessive supplemental fiber can cause hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, IBS, and colon cancer. Nature provides all the fiber you need if you eat the right foods."
Irini The Body Healer |
Many people rush to the store and take fiber supplements en-masse to either firm up stools or stimulate a bowel movement. Unless you have been traveling, or have eaten foods that are the likely culprits, then these temporary measures are band-aids at best that only serve to artificially stimulate a bowel movement. They do not address the problem that caused the loose stools, or constipation, in the first place.
Contrary to popular belief, excessive supplemental fiber can cause hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, IBS, and colon cancer. Nature provides all the fiber you need if you eat the right foods.
One of the best and healthiest ways to stimulate a bowel movement every morning is to make your own veggie juice with fresh veggies, or a fruit and veggie smoothie. The only thing you will need to invest in is a juicer and/or blender, and there are so many good quality ones on the market at very reasonable prices.
Make Your Own Healthy V8 or F5 Juice
There are so many different and flavorful ingredients that you can use to make raw fruit and veggie drinks, but these two are the most exciting and refreshing home-made combos our family uses every day!
Home-made V8 Juice | | The Fruity Rini Smoothie |
- Carrots (2 large)
- Cucumber (1/2)
- Beets (1 med, with leaves)
- Ginger (1/2 inch chunk)
- Kale (1/2 bunch or more)
- Tomato (2 med)
- Lemon (1 whole)
- Celery (3 stalks)
I often add a Granny Smith apple to the mix, which helps give a nice, crisp tang! | | - Coconut water (8-10 oz)
- Pineapple (2 chopped slices)
- Any berries (large handful)
- Kale/spinach/chards (1/2 bunch+)
- Banana (1 med)
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