Constipation:

Constipation can be an acute or a chronic problem for people. If the onset is suddenly, then it is important to investigate whether it’s from some type of medication (sedatives, tranquilizers, opioids, anticholinergics, bismuth salts, iron, aluminum hydroxide, etc), food, or bowel obstruction. Bowel obstruction is usually secondary to some severe physical trauma or intestinal infection.
Chronic constipation may be caused by a long term poor fiber diet, low water intake, hypothyroidism, motility disorders of the intestines, or neurological disorders. Dr. Metcalfe doesn’t recommend the use of laxatives to treat constipation, as they can become habit forming. The best approach is nutritional analysis and correction of the diet and use of natural supplements to treat the cause of the constipation.

Signs and Symptoms:

Incomplete evacuation of stools
Hard stools
Straining to defecate

Treatment:

Lifestyle Changes:

Exercise: helps improve the tone of the intestinal musculature and stimulates digestion.
Stop smoking
Check side effects of prescription or OTC drugs

Dietary Changes:

Increase fiber slowly to reach 30 grams of fiber daily.
Drink more water. Try to drink 8 – 12 glasses/daily

Lipotropic Complex: 2 capsules every morning with breakfast. This is one of the best products for chronic constipation. You may need to start with 2 capsules in the morning and the evening. Dr. Metcalfe recommends continuing this product for chronic constipation by taking just the morning dose.
Multi-Cleanse: Take 1 tablet of Multi-herb and 1 tablet of multi-fiber every morning for 3 days with a full glass of water, then increase to 2 tablet of each every morning for a few more days. Finally, increase to 3 tablets of each every morning and finish bottle.
Maintain effective bowel movements after finishing above by using:
Fibroplex: 3 capsules every morning with a full glass of water.