Why Do People Buy Weird Food Before a Hurricane?

Why does a hurricane warning make us want to stock up on emergency Pop-Tarts, vanilla vodka and Pringles?

When New York City was hunkering down for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, I bought instant espresso and sweetened condensed milk to ensure I would be caffeinated in the face of disaster. That makes sense. I bought various non-perishables that would nourish us, and water and red wine, of course. But the strange thing is, I bought Snack Pack pudding and Nilla Wafers as well, to the curious delight of my daughters who were unaccustomed to mom indulging in sugary processed food. What good would junk food be when we might be in need of good nutrients? Just a panicked one-off? Apparently not, because when warnings for Sandy came, packaged pudding and processed cookies made a repeat appearance. 

I thought I was just buying some secret weapons to distract the kids in case things got really dodgy, but as it turns out, I am not alone. In writing about the psychology of hurricane preparation, Aditi Shrikant at Voxrefers to research by Elyria Kemp about the heightened emotions people have in the lead-up to a storm, and what they consume because of them. Shrikant writes:

“The most common emotional responses were anxiety, fear, anger, and sadness. And the most common purchases? Unsurprisingly, bottled water, batteries, and flashlights, but also cookies, chips, and alcohol. ‘These negative emotional experiences lead them to not only purchase the necessities one may need during a hurricane; they also would buy hedonic products,’ Kemp says.”

Bingo! In this generally junk-food-free and minimal-plastic household, pudding in polymeric cups is definitely a hedonic product.

She goes on to explain that in fact, the proclivity to stock up on junk food before a potential disaster has been studied a lot. I am quite unoriginal, it turns out. “The tendency of those bracing for a hurricane to stockpile junk food has been well-documented. In 2004, Walmart reported that it orders extra strawberry Pop-Tarts before a hurricane because sales spike significantly.”

While pudding and Pop-Tarts might not seem like the smartest strategy for surviving a hurricane, there’s more to getting through a disaster than wholesome nutrients. There is the sanity factor to keep in mind; according to Kemp’s research, people go for high-fat and perishable foods (milk, bread, eggs) to encourage calm and comfort, not because they think they are necessarily practical purchases.

“It’s called emotion regulation consumption – the idea is if someone is stuck waiting for a stressful situation like a hurricane to befall them, consuming the foods they like can lower stress and make them happier. ‘Positive emotions have the ability to undo the effects of negative emotions, so that’s why we purchase these products,’ Kemp says.”

So if you find yourself at the store stockpiling for an upcoming storm … and find yourself inexplicably drawn to the Pop-Tart aisle, don’t despair. You are not alone. Remember that comfort can come in strange packages – even little plastic* cups of pudding. That said, don’t forget the batteries and water.

Parkinson’s Disease and the Uric Acid Sweet Spot

Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s, is characterized by a slowness of movement, rigidity, tremor, and stooping posture, all of which worsen over time. Non-movement symptoms such as cognitive impairment and sleep, smell, and mood disturbances occur as the disease spreads to other areas of the brain.

The cause of Parkinson’s is perhaps “one of the important questions posed by the neurobiology [science] of aging.” For example, why is the consumption of dairy products associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s? Perhaps because they contribute to our exposure to pesticides and other neurotoxins like dieldrin, which continues to be found in the autopsied brains of Parkinson’s victims. Even though dieldrin was banned decades ago, it lingers in the environment and we “continue to be exposed to the pesticide through contaminated dairy and meats…”

The cause of Parkinson’s “is unlikely to be due to milk compounds such as calcium, vitamin D, total fat, or total protein as these compounds are not associated with [the disease] when derived from other sources.” However, it could be lactose, the milk sugar, perhaps accounting for the increased associated risk of death and bone fractures, as well as Parkinson’s. There is, however, a third possibility. a

Milk lowers uric acid levels, and uric acid may be protective against Huntington’s and also slow the decline caused by Parkinson’s. More importantly, it may lower the risk of getting Parkinson’s in the first place. Why? Perhaps because uric acid is an important antioxidant in the brain, something we’ve known for more than 30 years. We can demonstrate uric acid’s importance directly on human nerve cells in a petri dish. When the pesticide rotenone is added, oxidative stress goes up. Add the pro-oxidant homocysteine, and it goes up even more. But, when uric acid is added, it completely suppresses the oxidative stress caused by the pesticide.

Drinking milk, however, has a uric acid-lowering effect. In the paper making this assertion, a study they cited was “A cute effect of milk on serum urate concentrations,” but that was just a cute typo. The correct title is “Acute effect of milk…” Indeed, drink cow’s milk, and, within hours, uric acid levels drop 10 percent. Drink soymilk, and, within hours, they go up 10 percent. Now, for gout, a painful arthritic disease caused by too much uric acid, the uric acid-lowering effect of dairy is a good thing—but uric acid is “a double-edged sword.”

If our uric acid levels are too high, we can get gout, but, if they’re too low, it may increase our risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.

Incidence rates of gouty arthritis over five years indicate that if our uric acid is over 10.0 mg/dl, we have a 30 percent chance of suffering an attack of gout within the next 5 years. However, at levels under 7.0 mg/dl, our risk is less than 1 percent, so it might make sense to have levels as high as possible without going over 7.0 to protect the brain without risking our joints. But having excessive uric acid in the blood puts more than just our joints in jeopardy. Yes, having levels that are too low may increase our risk of MS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer, but having levels that are too high may increase our risk of gout, kidney disease, and heart disease.

In fact, having a uric acid level over 7.0 mg/dl isn’t only associated with an increased risk of gout, but also an increased risk of dying from all causes. However, having a low uric acid level may also shorten our lifespan by increasing mortality. High uric acid levels are associated with increased risk of death from heart disease, but low uric acid levels are associated with increased risk of fatal stroke. So, keeping uric acid at optimum levels, the sweet spot between 5.0 and 7.0 mg/dl, may protect the brain in more ways than one.

If we measure the uric acid levels in patients with Parkinson’s, they come in around 4.6 mg/dl, which can explain why dairy consumption may increase risk for Parkinson’s since milk pushes down uric acid levels. Dairy intake may also explain the differences in uric acid levels among meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. In the graph in my video, you can see that vegan men have significantly higher uric acid levels at 5.7 mg/dl than vegetarians, presumably because vegans don’t drink milk, and those who both eat meat and consume milk fall between the vegans and vegetarians.

Research Shows Diets Devoid of These Foods Linked to Cancer

When it comes to your health, it would be difficult to eat too many vegetables. But, some veggies are better than others when it comes to protecting you from colon cancer, according to a new study. And, people who refrain from eating a whole category of vegetables were found to be much more likely to suffer from colon cancer than those who eat them. So, which vegetables should you make the focal point of your diet if you’re trying to prevent or treat colon cancer?

According to a study published in the medical journal Immunity, researchers found that eating plentiful amounts of brassica vegetables may be even more important than previously believed. They found that people who eat diets devoid of these vegetables, including: cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale are at a significantly greater risk of suffering from colon cancer.

Everyone knows these particular vegetables are important to our health but this new research found that compounds formed during the metabolization of brassica vegetables could actually halt the formation of cancer tumors and prevent them from forming. Without these vegetables, researchers discovered that people were far more likely to develop intestinal inflammation and form cancer tumors. 

They work by triggering a substance in the body known as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) that protects the intestines from both inflammation and cancer. While we know vegetables protect the body from inflammation and disease, until now, little has been known about the mechanism at work. These exciting findings help us to better understand the way brassica vegetables work to protect and heal our bodies.

The Significance of The Research Beyond Cancer

The research linked a lack of brassica vegetables to gut inflammation, which countless other studies have linked to a whole host of health problems, including: arthritis, other forms of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many others. So, eating your brassicas should be a high priority if you have any chronic health conditions as a way to get to the potential root cause—gut inflammation. Even brain diseases and seemingly unrelated illnesses have been increasingly linked to gut inflammation so it is important to protect the gut and quell any inflammation in that part of the body as part of a holistic health program to heal disease.

What are Brassicas?

Brassicas are a large group of vegetables comprising: bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mizuna, turnips, as well as any of the sprouts of these vegetables.

All of the brassica vegetables are excellent roasted or sautéed in a little olive oil with some sea salt. Additionally, here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:

Slice cabbage and onions and sautee in a little olive oil. Cover until cooked through. Add a teaspoon of cumin seeds, a half-teaspoon of chili flakes, about a teaspoon of ground cumin and sea salt and pepper to taste. Toss until well combined. Serve.

Toss cauliflower in a little olive oil and sea salt. Roast in a 350 degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. This method brings out the nutty flavor of cauliflower. Serve as a side with just about any meal or cover in a bit of vegan mozzarella cheese and a few spoonfuls of your favorite tomato sauce and return to the oven until the cheese has melted and the sauce has heated through (about 5 minutes).

Replace potatoes in your favorite curry dish or stew with peeled and chopped kohlrabi. This creamy-yellow and burgundy colored vegetable (not white and purple like turnips) makes a delicious potato substitute and is much healthier than the white, starchy vegetable. Cook similarly to potatoes.

The One Negative of Apple Cider Vinegar No One Talks About

Think apple cider vinegar is totally good for you? Think again. 

Apple cider vinegar can do everything from settle an upset stomach to cure acne and hiccups to help you lose weight. And that doesn’t even begin to cover all of the ways apple cider vinegar can benefit your health. But before you pick up a glass of this magical elixir, beware: This natural tonic could also have a negative effect on your teeth.

Apple cider vinegar can erode tooth enamel, research shows. While many studies have examined the effects of acidic foods such as soft drinks and fruit juices, there’s research showing that the acetic acid found in vinegar puts it in the same category. In one study researchers placed the enamel of wisdom teeth in different vinegar samples with pH levels ranging from 2.7 to 3.9. After four hours, the vinegars removed up to 20 percent of minerals from the teeth, the study reported. Granted, this experiment didn’t take into account the pH of the saliva of the human mouth, which neutralizes the acidity in the food we eat. But it’s clear that apple cider vinegar has its downsides.  

Still, is this reason enough to give up on apple cider vinegar forever? Don’t even think about it! Just prevent damage to your teeth by diluting the vinegar in water and drinking it through a straw. Jaimi Jansen, a personal trainer and president of Santa Cruz CORE Fitness + Rehab in California, recommends mixing 10 parts water to 1 part vinegar. And afterward, rinse your mouth with water to make sure the acid is completely cleared away.

50 Simple Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Your metabolism is like compound interest: The more you invest, the bigger your reward—in the form of effortless calorie burn. These little tricks provide a big payoff.
Play footsie… with yourself

Are you a toe-tapper? A pencil twirler? A leg shaker? Don’t stifle it—all these little movements can bolster your metabolism. Fidgeters can burn up to 500 calories a day without even thinking about it. That adds up to losing one pound a week. Just make sure your fidget isn’t humming or otherwise making noise, as that may make your coworkers kill you, which would not be good for your metabolism at all! Here are 50 things your doctor wants you to know about losing weight.

Down a cup or two of coffee

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and your daily java can rev your metabolism five to eight percent, helping you burn an extra 98 to 174 calories a day, says Julie Lohre, a certified personal trainer, nutrition specialist, and American Ninja Warrior. Drinking your cup of coffee before your workout can also help you stay more focused on your exercise, which can also boost your metabolism, she adds.

Slap on a Breathe-Right Nasal Strip before bedtime

When it comes to your metabolism, sleep is the reset button. So if yours is constantly interrupted by snoring or sleep apnea then you’re missing out on some of the calorie-burning benefits, Dr. Gandhi says. The fix to bad sleep may be as simple as using a breathing strip on your nose at night or adjusting your sleeping position. In fact, any one of these 12 innocent habits could be destroying your sleep.

Curl up on the couch with your favorite flick

Wait—being a couch potato can help your metabolism? If you’re totally relaxed, then yes. Stress increases the level of the hormone cortisol, which can cause metabolic dysfunction if it’s constantly elevated, explains Bindiya Gandhi, MD, an integrative and functional medicine specialist. The cure is to do something that will help you completely de-stress. Taking a long bath, walking outside, and reading a book are all great options to chill out, but if your favorite method is watching a movie that’s cool too, as long as that’s not all you do.

Make your nightcap a cup of chamomile tea

Even just one or two alcoholic drinks a day can disrupt your metabolism, increasing your risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders, Dr. Gandhi says. Skip the booze altogether or save it for special occasions and learn to wind down at the end of the day with a different beverage. Herbal teas are soothing, no-calorie options that won’t keep you up at night. If you need help cutting back on booze, try these 17 tips.

Watch the sunrise

Getting a little sunlight on your face every morning boosts both your body and your mood, says Ken Ceder, executive director of Science of Light, a nonprofit focused on the benefits of natural light. To get your daily dose, you need to spend at least 15 minutes every morning outdoors, in the sunlight, without sunscreen or sunglasses on. Simply taking in the sunrise can help you lose weight and increase your metabolism naturally, he says. If the sun isn’t cooperating, consider using a light box—it’s just one of the 14 ways you can help avoid seasonal affective disorder this season.

Squat down to pick things up

Doing “composite movements”—any movement that uses more than one muscle group—can elevate your metabolism for 24 to 48 hours, says Ron Erlich, BDS, a board member of the Australasian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine and author of A Life Less Stressed. Compare that to going for a run, which may burn more calories but only raises your metabolism for a few hours afterward, he says. You don’t have to be a gym rat to benefit. Many of these compound movements can be a part of your everyday life—think of chores, gardening, and even putting away the groceries. This is exactly how many calories you burn doing common household chores.

Cantaloupe, not cupcakes

Simple carbohydrates, like the kind found in junk food, are metabolism killers, Erlich says. The sugars elevate your blood sugar and make you resistant to insulin, he explains. This doesn’t mean you can never have a cupcake or some chips again, but next time you crave something sweet, try satisfying yourself with a piece of fruit first. Bonus: Fruit comes with fiber, a proven metabolic booster.

Enjoy a grass-fed steak with butter

Fat is not the enemy when it comes to weight loss. In fact, eating the right kinds of fats—including butter, coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, nuts, and fat from pasture-fed and -finished animals—can increase your metabolism, Erlich says. Healthy fats help regulate important hormones, including testosterone, and help you feel full longer so you don’t binge on junk food, he adds. Check out these other nutritionist-approved ways to speed up your metabolism.

Facetime a friend in real life

“In today’s ‘attention economy,’ it is easy to get lost in the online world of social media and take your real-life, face-to-face relationships for granted,” Erlich says. Face-to-face time with friends and family has a ton of mental- and physical-health benefits and can tack on years to your life.


Quit your dangerous sitting habit 

Sitting has been called “the new smoking”: Recent studies suggest that sitting for more than eight hours a day raises your risk of a whole host of health problems—and it can definitely slow down your metabolism, says Yasmine S. Ali, MD, president of Nashville Preventive Cardiology, PLLC, and an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. This one has an easy fix: Take a break every hour and stand up—or get a desk that allows you the option of standing while you work. Here are tips to help you recover from a day of sitting.

Chill out—literally

Cold is one of nature’s most powerful metabolic boosters, helping increase your levels of “brown fat,” a type of fat that burns more calories, even at rest. “Going outdoors in cold weather can increase your non-exercise thermogenesis (NEAT) score, helping you torch calories,” says Kristin Koskinen, a registered dietitian nutritionist. “The metabolic act of staying warm is an easy way to boost your metabolism without breaking a sweat.”

Eat an apple before eating anything else

Adding more apples to your diet can help your metabolism, Koskinen says. All you have to do is eat an apple before you eat anything else. “You don’t have to make any other dietary changes. This can decrease your overall calorie intake because of the satiety the apple provides,” she says. “I’ve seen clients increase their metabolism and lose 10 pounds by making this one change.”

Amp up your water

Drinking plenty of fresh water is one of the best things you can do to support a healthy metabolism but, let’s face it, plain ol’ H2O can get boring. To help you drink more of it, Koskinen recommends adding flavor to your water with sliced fruit or frozen berries. Or try changing the temperature for an extra metabolic increase. Nothing wakes you up like hot lemon water, she says. Try these additional genius tricks for drinking more water throughout the day

Use the bathroom on a different floor

When it comes to increasing your metabolism, every little bit of movement helps. So look for unusual ways to work in a few more steps, especially stairs, into your day, says Reggie Chambers, a personal trainer and fitness specialist in NYC. One way to do this? Only use a bathroom located on a different floor of your office or home. Those runs up and down the stairs add up.

Add a little magnesium powder to your drink

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for metabolic health, says Carolyn Dean, MD, of drcarolyndean.com. “Magnesium is required for the body to produce and store energy and yet 75 percent of Americans do not get their dietary reference intake (DRI) of this important metabolism-boosting mineral,” she says. You can take a supplement or mix some magnesium citrate powder into your water during the day.

Eat something already

It’s common for people looking to lose weight to slash their calories. This won’t wreck your metabolism (that’s a myth), but it can make you so tired and grouchy that you skip your workout or end up bingeing on junk food later. 

Add in a protein shake
You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to benefit from chugging a protein shake. Many nutritionist themselves eat more protein to help the body burn more calories, even at rest. And protein shakes are an easy, cost-effective way to get more protein in your diet without having to turn on a stove. 

Eat your greens

Veggies take more work for your body to digest, helping increase the metabolic afterburn of your meal, says Scott Putnam, a plant-based nutrition expert at Whole Living Nutrition. “This extra calorie burn from eating plant foods can last up to four hours,” he explains. “It raises your metabolism, and the extra energy you’ll feel will make you want to move your body more.”

Go low-carb at breakfast

Skipping breakfast won’t necessarily kill your metabolism—that’s yet another metabolism myth—but what you eat can impact your metabolism for the rest of the day, says Catherine Metzgar, PhD, RD, a nutritional biochemist with Virta Health. “To improve your metabolism, I recommend that you start your day with low-carb, no-sugar foods that provide protein and enough fat that you’re not hungry,” she explains. 

Skip the soda when eating out

What’s tastier than a hamburger with an ice-cold root beer? Lots of people love ordering a sweet drink along with their dinner, but a recent study shows that drinking a soda while eating a high-protein meal causes the body to store more of the meal as fat and slows down your metabolism. To keep your engine burning hot, swap the soda for water or sparkling water. 

Divide your food into mini-meals

You don’t have to eat every two hours to keep your metabolism humming—yes, another myth—but for some people, eating a small, healthy snack a couple hours before a meal can help banish cravings and enable them to make wiser food choices because they’re not starving when they finally sit down to eat. Note: The serving shouldn’t be major—it can be as small as a cup of soup. 

Do a four-minute workout

Making your workout shorter can help you increase your metabolism for up to 24 hours afterward—as long as you’re also making it harder, says Terry Dubrow, MD, coauthor of The Dubrow Diet: Interval Eating To Lose Weight & Feel Ageless. Short bursts of interval training sprinkled throughout your week are a proven way to increase your caloric burn by increasing excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, he explains. And it doesn’t take much; one study found that as little as four minutes a day can make a difference. 

Take a walk before dinner

Getting a little movement in before a meal—say, a walk around the block or some gentle yoga—fires up your metabolism, giving you more energy and encouraging your body to burn more calories throughout the day, says Dr. Dubrow. 

Get your pumpkin fix 
You probably already know that pumpkin is delicious, but the healthy squash is also a secret weapon when it comes to boosting metabolism, Lohre says. The trick is in the hefty dose of fiber it provides. “Research shows that fiber can rev your fat burn by as much as 30 percent,” she says. “Aim for at least 25 grams a day—the amount in about three servings each of fruits and vegetables.”  

12 Surprising Reasons You’re Constipated

Suddenly backed up? There are a myriad of sneaky lifestyle factors, medications, and illnesses that can cause backdoor blockage. Here’s how to find relief.

Constipation cause: Sitting too much

Our modern sedentary lifestyle is bad for more than just your waistline, says Atif Iqbal, MD, a gastroenterologist and medical director of the Digestive Care Center at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center. Staying in a sitting position for long periods of time kinks up your colon, discouraging stool from passing through and causing constipation. Take regular breaks to stand up and move around. Walking and deep squats, in particular, are two movements that are particularly effective for producing a bowel movement. If constipation is a chronic problem and you don’t feel like squatting on top of your toilet, many have found relief using a “squatty potty,” which elevates the legs to a more natural pooping position. Try these home remedies for constipation relief.

Constipation cause: A dairy-heavy diet

Cheese heads, take note: Eating a lot of this melty, delicious food is one of the main reasons for constipation Dr. Iqbal says he sees. While all dairy products have the potential to stop you up, cheese seems to be the biggest digestive troublemaker—not because it’s inherently constipating but because many people eat it instead of healthier fiber-filled foods like whole grains and produce. If you’re eating pizza, for example, you’re probably not eating a salad. Make sure that you save room in your stomach for fiber-filled fare. Better yet, eat the fibrous foods first. According to a study from the Imperial College London, fiber contains an “anti-appetite molecule” so you’ll end up eating less. These are the things that your bowel movement can reveal about your health.

Constipation cause: Depression

If a bout of depression has you gaining weight or feeling cold constipated, there’s a reason for that. “Depression slows your overall metabolism,” Dr. Iqbal explains. Worse, the medications most commonly prescribed to treat depression are also constipating. There are many non-pharmaceutical therapies for depression that have been shown in the research to be as effective as meds. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, and meditation.

Low-carb diets

One of the biggest complaints people have after embarking on a low-carb/high-protein diet is constipation. And for good reason, Dr. Iqbal says; eating a diet that focuses on meat, eggs, and fat leaves little room for plant fiber. Even worse, many people consciously avoid fiber-filled foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables because they are high in carbohydrates. Remember, all carbohydrates are not created equal. Focus on just eliminating simple carbs, like sugary treats and white bread. To keep your colon healthy and prevent constipation, make sure you get at least five servings of fruits and veggies a day. (The one exception: bananas, which can be constipating on their own.) Load up on these other 15 foods that are natural laxatives.

Constipation cause: Too much fiber

It sounds completely counterintuitive—isn’t fiber a go-to constipation treatment? But overdosing on fiber can desensitize your stomach lining, making it less responsive to signals to evacuate, Dr. Iqbal explains. This is especially true when people are getting mega doses of fiber from supplements like pills or powders rather than from whole food sources. Skip the fiber pills. Not only is there little scientific evidence to show they work but they may be working against you, at least in the poop department. Still backed up? Your doctor may even temporarily recommend removing fibrous foods from your diet to give your gut a chance to reset.

Constipation cause: Chocolate

Not the best news for those with a sweet tooth: Chocolate can be constipating, although the effect appears to vary from person to person. In a recent survey done by the Rome Committee on Functional Bowel Disorders, 70 percent of people with recurring constipation reported that chocolate was a major offender. There’s no way to tell if chocolate is contributing to your constipation problem unless you completely eliminate it from your diet for a period of time. Start with two weeks and if your constipation improves then make sure to limit the sweet stuff to special occasions.

Constipation cause: Laxatives

If you’re painfully constipated, taking a laxative may seem like the best solution. Unfortunately this could just make your problem worse, Dr. Iqbal explains. Laxatives are meant to be used only on a short-term basis, for a week at most. Any longer and you risk making your bowels dependent, which can start a vicious cycle of constipation and diarrhea. Before you turn to medication for constipation, it’s always best to identify the underlying cause of the constipation and treat that first, he says. Evaluate your lifestyle, dietary habits, exercise, and medications to see what’s causing the problem before popping a laxative.

Constipation cause: Prescription medications


All medications have side effects. And a surprising number list constipation as one of them. Antidepressants (particularly SSRIs like Prozac), anti-anxiety drugs, heartburn medications, and blood pressure pills are the most common offenders, Dr. Iqbal says. “There is always an alternative medication you can try,” Dr. Iqbal explains. “You just need to be clear with your doctor about what problems you’re experiencing.” For instance, he says the calcium in many heartburn medications can cause constipation so instead opt for ones that rely on magnesium to work. Or if you’re on a calcium-channel blocker for high blood pressure you can try a beta-blocker instead. Of course, any changes to your medications should be done under medical supervision.

Constipation cause: Certain multivitamins

Vitamins with high levels of calcium and iron can be extremely constipating, Dr. Iqbal says, and yet many people don’t realize this and take one every day. “Certain minerals, especially in amounts over the recommended daily dosing, can slow down digestion in the large bowel,” he explains. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, there’s likely no need to take a multivitamin every day.

Constipation cause: Painkillers

Anyone who’s endured surgery likely knows that painkillers can cause constipation; sometimes major constipation. But this can also apply to over-the-counter meds like Tylenol and ibuprofen, as well as prescription opiates like hydrocodone and oxycontin. “These medications bind to the same receptors in the stomach, blunting the whole digestive system as well as your pain,” he explains. Painkillers should not be used longer than 30 days if possible, Dr. Iqbal says. During that time you should make every effort to resolve the underlying injury or find other ways of treating the pain. In the meantime, take a daily stool softener along with the pain pills.


Constipation cause: Out-of-whack hormones


As any pregnant woman can tell you, hormones can do a number on your digestive system. In particular, high levels of estrogen and progesterone or low levels of testosterone can be constipating. In the case of pregnancy, the “cure” will come in nine months but for other hormonal imbalances it’s best to cure the underlying condition first, Dr. Iqbal says. As we age, our hormone levels naturally fluctuate so if you feel out of sorts, talk to your doctor about possible therapies and lifestyle changes.

Constipation cause: Undiagnosed medical conditions


A huge range of health conditions can cause constipation, Dr. Iqbal says. The most common one he sees, particularly in younger people, is hypothyroidism. “Your thyroid controls your metabolism so when it’s not functioning well, everything slows down, including your gut,” he explains. Other illnesses that have constipation as a major symptom include diabetes, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, autoimmune disorders, and some cancers. The most important thing is to identify the underlying cause and treat that. “Because constipation is so common, many people ignore it,” Dr. Iqbal says. “Most of the time it’s not a big deal but sometimes it is indicative of a larger problem.” If your constipation comes with other symptoms, has changed significantly, or if it’s lasted longer than three months, ask your doctor for a full medical work-up to look for illness.

15 Foods That Are Natural Laxatives

Keep your digestive tract healthy with one of these foods that are natural laxatives.
Watermelon

This sweet summer treat might be one of Mother Nature’s most surprising but effective fruits to keep you regular because of its super high water content. “Watermelon is close to 99 percent water, so this is an awesome choice to keep the bowels moving,” says Libby Mills, MS, RDN, LDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Water helps keep the food you eat moving through your intestines and … beyond. Find out when you should (and shouldn’t) take laxatives.

Whole grains

Here’s one more reason to embrace carbs and eat more bread: they’ll help you go. Whole grains like quinoa, bulgur, brown rice, whole wheat, oatmeal, and barley are high in dietary fiber, which helps soften stool so it’s easier to go, normalizes bowel movements, and may even prevent hemorrhoids.

Blueberries and strawberries

Your favorite jam ingredients contain a very important component of bowel health, which is pectin. “This is a type of soluble fiber that makes those cooked foods gel up as they cool,” says Mills. Don’t miss these other 11 home remedies for constipation.

Dark leafy greens

Kale is more than a food trend, it’s also one of nature’s best natural laxatives. Dark leafy greens like kale, collards, Swiss chard, and spinach contain magnesium, a mineral that helps soften stools, making them easier to pass.

Raisins

Grandma should have prescribed raisins instead of prunes. Not only is this dried snack higher in stool-softening magnesium and fiber, most people think it tastes better, too. Plus, it doesn’t contain the same bloat-inducing sugar alcohol, sorbitol, that prunes do. Figs are another good choice for anyone looking for natural laxatives.

Yogurt

Yogurt and kefir contain probiotics, which help maintain a health balance of gut bacteria. Probiotics are little microorganisms that break down fiber. “When you suddenly have more microbes ‘eating’ the fiber, that’s going to help things pass more quickly,” says Mills. Here are 21 more health secrets your gut is trying to tell you.

Chia and flaxseeds

Topping your yogurt or oatmeal with chia and flaxseeds is a laxative bomb (trust us: in a good way). These seeds are super high in fiber, which helps normalize the stool in size and shape, as well as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in easing inflammation. “You don’t think of our bowels as getting inflamed, but if you have any issue like hemorrhoids, this might help,” says Mills.

Apples and pears

These fall fruits are packed with pectin, a type of fiber that stimulates the bowels and keeps things flowing regularly.

Broccoli and cauliflower

This duo contains a double whammy of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps solidify loose stools, lubricates the large intestine to promote the flow of waste, and may even play into colon health, says Mills. Find out what your bowel movements reveal about your health.

Citrus

Juicy fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes not only boast a high water content, which softens stools and reduces bloat, they also contain large amounts of bowel-stimulating pectin. “Anything that is super juicy is great to keep things moving,” says Mills.

Sweet potatoes

The sweet potato is a superfood for a reason. Sweet potatoes contain an array of nutrients that act as natural laxatives, such as water, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin B6. They also keep the nervous system healthy, which plays a role in bowel movements.

Pumpkin

This low-carb, low-sugar wonder is packed with fiber, critical to constipation relief. It also has potassium, a mineral that acts as an electrolyte to keep the digestive tract balanced.

Coffee

Your morning cup of joe stimulates your brain and your bowels. Caffeine gets things moving, but too much coffee can actually cause constipation, so be mindful of how much you’re drinking. Learn more about why coffee makes you poop.

Granola bars
Granola bars and protein bars aren’t found in nature but they often contain chicory root fiber. “This is completely natural and can cause pretty quick emptying,” says Mills. Best of all, they’re easy to travel with. For more fixes you can use on the go, try these smart tricks for avoiding constipation when you travel.

Saurkraut

If you need help going, try using sauerkraut as more than a condiment. This fermented cabbage is high in probiotics, which aid in the digestive process. Cabbage before it becomes sauerkraut is also good because it contains fiber. If natural laxatives aren’t helping, get to the root of the issue with these 12 surprising things that give you constipation.