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Staying Regular

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bulk Orders
Broadly speaking, there are three main types of laxative. Bulk-forming types include bran and isphagula husk, which are concentrated fibre preparations that work by absorbing fluid in the gut, literally bulking-out the bowel to get things moving. While they certainly help to remove unwanted waste, they can be so efficient that the body doesn’t have time to absorb essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
 
Senna is what’s known as a ‘Contact Laxative’. Such preparations can be very effective as they stimulate the muscular contractions in the bowel to encourage the natural process of elimination. They should however be avoided by people who have diverticulitis (a condition that causes “out-pouching” of the intestine) – senna in particular is known to exacerbate the symptoms and may cause stomach cramps. Nor should they be taken over a long period as the bowel’s muscles may become lazy and start to rely on contact laxatives to do the work for them.
 
So-called ‘Osmotic Laxatives’ such as Magnesium Sulphate draw water into the bowel to soften stools and make the motions easier and more comfortable to pass. They are suitable for short-term use only because of their tendency to deplete the body’s reserves of sodium and potassium.
 
Fruits and Fibres from Ortis combine these three laxative actions to gently, naturally and effectively re-establish regular bowel movements when your routine has been disturbed, or taking steps to relieve constipation hasn’t worked for you (see The Rough Guide to Regularity). Just one senna-free tablet swallowed at night with a large glass of water can be enough for many people to get things moving again – or try chewing half a Fruits and Fibres cube if you want to give your digestion a more gradual nudge towards regularity.
 
A pack of 24 Fruits and Fibres cubes or tablets normally costs £7.84, but readers of this Digestive Health Extra can try before they buy. Write with your name and address to TryF&F, Freepost (SK2183), Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5YH to request your free sample of either the cubes or the tablets. Please state which you’d prefer. No stamp needed.
BUL
DID YOU KNOW?
Reflexology can improve a sluggish digestion by easing
inflammation and stimulating the natural processes of
elimination.
Senna tree in full bloom.