What Your Poop Says About Your Health — Part 2

By Dt.Padma Kathi
What Your Poop Says About Your Health — Part 2

What Your Poop Says About Your Health — Part 2

Understanding the Signs: Color, Frequency & Smell

“Digestion is not just about food; it’s about how we process life.”
“In Ayurveda, elimination is a mirror to your inner fire — your Agni.”
“When your gut speaks, listen. It’s the voice of your second brain.”

Our ancestors believed that true health begins in the gut. It’s not only about what we eat, but how we eliminate — a core indicator of balance in the body, mind, and spirit.

In Part 1, we explored the Bristol Stool Chart and the seven types of stool. Now, in Part 2, let’s understand what the color, frequency, and smell of your poop reveal about your internal health.

📘 Quick Navigation

🟤 Poop Color & What It Indicates

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  • Brown – Healthy and typical. This color is due to bile and proper digestion.
  • Green – Often seen when you consume leafy greens or if stool passes too quickly through the colon.
  • Yellow – May suggest fat malabsorption. If oily or floating, digestive support may be needed.
  • Black – Can result from iron supplements or internal bleeding. Medical consultation advised.
  • Red – Could stem from beets or possible lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Pale or White – Might indicate liver or bile flow issues. Needs medical attention.

⏱️ How Often Should You Eliminate?

A healthy bowel movement rhythm is typically once or twice a day. However, everyone has their own natural pattern.

Less than 3 times a week could suggest constipation.
More than 3 loose stools a day may point to digestive distress, infections, or IBS.

The key is regular, complete, and easy elimination — without strain or urgency.

👃 What Smell Reveals

While all poop smells, a strong or unusual odor may indicate:

  • Food sensitivities (like lactose or gluten intolerance)
  • Gut infections or parasites
  • Dysbiosis — imbalance in gut bacteria

Trust your senses. Smell is often the first signal from your gut that something may need attention.

🚽 Signs of Imbalance: Constipation, Diarrhea & IBS

  • Constipation – Hard stools, difficulty passing, bloating, or discomfort.
  • Diarrhea – Frequent, loose stools, often accompanied by urgency or cramps.
  • IBS – A mix of both, often triggered by food or emotional stress.

🌿 Natural Tips to Support Digestion

  • Eat more fiber: Include fresh vegetables, fruits, seeds, and whole grains.
  • Stay hydrated: 8–10 glasses of clean water daily.
  • Chew slowly: Digestion starts in the mouth.
  • Incorporate fermented foods: Curd, pickles, kanji, or sauerkraut.
  • Move daily: Gentle yoga, walking, or dancing stimulates the gut.
  • Practice mindfulness: Stress deeply impacts gut health.

💚 Healing Through Awareness

In our previous discussion, we explored how elimination is often a more accurate sign of health than even the food we eat.

Even the best food cannot benefit the body if digestion and elimination are not functioning in harmony.

Elimination is not just a physical process — it reflects how well we release, transform, and nourish our lives.

Let your body speak through its rhythm. Listen. Heal naturally.

Stay tuned for Part 3: “Resetting Your Gut Naturally with Foods, Habits & Herbs.”

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM

    Eye opener to our daily morning ritual. Thank you Padma madam!

    ReplyDelete

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