The relief you need now! Effectively treat constipation by stimulating gut microbiota, colonic fluid flux and transit activity – for effective results, usually, within 24 hours. Put an end to hard stools and infrequent elimination without laxatives that adversely alter the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and cause post-treatment withdrawal problems like “lazy bowels”. Instead, STIMULATE your bowels naturally.

There is an effective treatment for those suffering from chronic idiopathic constipation, enteric neuropathy (intestinal pseudoobstruction) and other gastrointestinal disorders of an “idiopathic” nature. “Idiopathic” means that the cause of the constipation is spontaneous and unknown – not related to medication, gastrointestinal disease (such as a narrowing of the intestines); or related to a previously identified bowel obstruction.

New Constipation Remedies that Work

For otherwise healthy adults (who do not suffer from kidney or liver disease and are not pregnant or breastfeeding), the (FDA approved) constipation remedies, such as Lubiprostone (Amitiza), effectively treat: (1.) occasional discomfort and straining due to hard stools, as well as (2.) chronic constipation (not disease or obstruction related), characterized by slow stool transiting from the colon over a prolonged period of time (approximately 3 months of strained or infrequent bowel movements constitutes a chronic condition) wherein individuals may experience abdominal discomfort, pain, bloating, compacted lumpy or extremely hard stools, and infrequent bowel movements – fewer than three per week.

Are Lubiprostone Products “Natural” Constipation Remedies?

Words like “natural” and/or “remedy” often go hand in hand with “herbal”, “ancient” or “traditional”, which in most cases equals “without the benefit of testing” and lacking scientific / clinical evidence to backup claims that a particular remedy is effective in the human body. Since the “nature” of the body and how it functions is studied by scientists, chemists, biologists, genetic researchers and medical professionals, what could be more “natural” than taking advantage of the latest molecular genomic techniques to alter the microbiota of the intestinal microbiome to alleviate constipation and manage bowel functions based on how “microbial ecology in the human intestines” operates naturally – and thereby effectively stimulate it.

How to Stimulate Bowel Activity

Clinical studies conducted thus far offer evidence to suggest that the best constipation remedies, and the most natural ways to maintain colon and gastrointestinal health, is using molecular microbiological techniques found in “lubiprostone” (a therapeutic prostone – which is a compound derived from bicyclic fatty acids, naturally occurring in the body and positively effecting “ion channels”). In other words, prostones help stimulate movement in-and-out of cells especially in membranes that control enzymes and “transportation molecules” known as ion channels. How does it work?

Specific ion channels (which are proteins that regulate membrane opening/closing responses) can be selectively stimulated by prostones – such as lubiprostone. Research into ion channel stimulation or “activation” has lead to the development of an FDA approved pharmaceutical product called Amitiza.

Why is Amitiza considered one of the most advanced constipation remedies?

Amitiza contains chloride channel protein 2 (gene code CLCN2) – a transmembrane ion transporter that regulates gastrointestinal pH and water. What does that mean? It means that when these selective ion channel activators are present, they contribute to the secretion of fluids and movement. How so? It’s part of the natural process set in motion when the ClC-2 channel (chloride channel protein 2) are activated and cause secretions into the small intestine.

Fluid secretion, naturally produced by the body, softens hard stools and, usually within 24 hours, acts to alleviate constipation through the body’s own elimination process. It doesn’t involve taking laxatives that adversely affect intestinal flora and can make muscles lazy. Clinical studies conducted using Amitiza showed that between 57 and 63% of participants experienced relief within 24 hours, but since it’s NOT a laxative, lubiprostone-based constipation remedies don’t alter “serum electrolyte concentrations”, don’t create dependency or cause withdrawal symptoms. If treatment is terminated, clinical trials indicate that bowels won’t immediately return to their previous sluggish behavior, however, the frequency of elimination will gradually taper off.

Common Sense Constipation Remedies

If you suffer from occasional constipation (not related to a disease or bowel obstruction), you may find quick overnight relief by:

Drinking senna tea – a fast acting, powerful, highly effective herbal laxative (don’t use for more than a few days – up to a week.)

Chronic colon / bowel problems require basic dietary changes:

1. add psyllium husk, bran and/or flaxseed fiber to daily diet
2. increase water consumption to at least 2 liters per day
3. eat more raw fruits and vegetables than cooked ones
4. reduce proteins, simple carbohydrates, animal fat and dairy

The above constipation remedies are basic common sense solutions that don’t interfere with therapies, such as lubiprostone (Amitiza), which physicians recommend to encourage intestinal fluid secretion, softening of stools and speeding up colon stool transit.

Get the bowels moving with Amitiza while making positive dietary and lifestyle changes so constipation won’t continue after treatment.

(Product examples: (1) Senna Leaves 450 mg Vegetarian Capsules by Nature’s Way, (2) Senna Leaf Tea (Caffeine Free) by Alvita, (3) NOW Foods Psyllium Husk Powder)

Other Bowel Disorders Benefit from Lubiprostone Treatment

Lubiprostone may also be an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and temporary postoperative dysfunctions of the bowel, as well as opioid-induced dysfunctions (opioids being drugs such as methadone, morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone, which certain patients may be taking under the advice of their physician).

Regarding IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), FDA approved lubiprostone is one of the constipation remedies that’s recognized for enhancing fluid secretion and stimulating SMB (spontaneous bowel movements). It’s been observed that products such as Amitiza (which must be prescribed by a physician) will stimulate SBM – within twenty-four hours for most patients and within a week in chronic / severe cases.

What About Amitiza Side Effects

During clinical studies conducted using Amitiza, about 31 percent of participants had temporary nausea. A small percentage of participants suffered from diarrhea, headaches, flatulence and abdominal pain, and some patients experienced vomiting – about 5%.

Contraindications

It’s not recommended to take ANY constipation remedies (including senna tea, over-the-counter laxatives, stimulating fiber drinks, or lubiprostone products like Amitiza) if you have diarrhea, kidney / liver problems, or are looking for a fast (and unsafe) weight loss solution by over-stimulating the elimination process.

Physicians will not prescribe Amitiza for patients who have renal or hepatic disease, anyone who has IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) with diarrhea as a major symptom, or for patients with a bowel obstruction. Since lubiprostone products have not yet been tested to assess how they may affect pregnancy (or breast-feeding), doctors require a negative pregnancy test prior to administering Amitiza to women.

Other Effective Human Resources

Please consult related post for information on other health related topics such as the effectiveness of natural healing techniques, whether or not it’s worth considering acupuncture for weight loss and an in-depth examination of calcium supplements. Effective Human also explores controversial traditional cancer remedies like essiac tea, and in a seven part series on dietary supplements, examines what clinical studies reveal about popular protein powders, HMB, creatine, leptin for weight loss and nitric oxide supplementation for bodybuilders and high performance athletes.