Page 48 - Kick-AssWellnessHandbook_eBook

As gross as it may seem, take a peek at your stool from time to
time and learn that “what comes out” can give you a clue about the
state of your health.

Color: Stool color is often a reflection of what we eat. There is a
wide variance in brown shades that are all considered normal. The
normal production of bile keeps stool within the brown range. Black

or yellow stool may indicate a problem. Black stool may be a sign
of intestinal or stomach bleeding, while bright red stool may mean
that there is blood coming from the anus, rectum, or large intestine.
Some foods and iron supplements can cause a stool to appear

black, as well.

Green stool may indicate diarrhea, or just a sign of a high amount
of greens in your diet. Yellow or pale white stool may indicate a

problem with bile flow, and can be a foreteller of such serious
conditions as cancer of the bile ducts, pancreatic cancer, or
hepatitis.

Smell: The smell of poop is rarely pleasant. However, when the
odor changes or becomes excessively foul, it could be a warning.
Because stool is comprised of undigested food parts, dead cells,
bacteria, and mucus, we cannot expect it to smell great. Foul-

smelling poop may result from taking certain medications, or from
food that has been stuck in the colon for a long time. If the odor of
your stool changes dramatically, it is a good idea to consult a health
practitioner.

© TheAlternativeDaily.com 47
The Alternative Daily