What Helps Constipation

Magnesium is an essential mineral for the human body absorbed through foods including nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts), beans (black beans, edamame) and vegetables (spinach, potatoes). It is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body helping maintain nerve and muscle function, a healthy immune system, blood glucose levels, as well as, aiding in energy and protein production.

Psyllium is a soluble fiber made from the ground husks of Plantago ovata plant seeds. It is a prebiotic inducing the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the human body, as well as a widely-used laxative. Grown worldwide, it is most common to India.

Glucomannan is a water-soluble fiber supplement made from the root of an elephant yam, also known as a Konjac, Amorphophallus konjac. Native to East and Southeast Asia, the root has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and as a food source in the form of tofu and noodles. Glucomannan is used in the treatment of high cholesterol, metabolism and constipation.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that naturally live in the human body. They typically include strains from the common bacteria groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as well as the yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii. Found naturally in fermented foods (kombucha, tempeh, kimchi, miso and sauerkraut) and dairy (yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese), probiotics are part of the microbiome or the healthy community of organisms that keep the body healthy.

Aloe Vera or Aloe barbadensis miller is a succulent plant native to the Arabian Peninsula. The name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word alloeh meaning shiny bitter substance as its fleshy leaves contain a bitter yellow sap. Uses include skin care, digestion and topical antiseptic, and it can be traced back 6,000 years to Egyptian stone carvings.

Senna is an herb containing plant compounds called sennosides, which irritate the lining of the bowel with a laxative effect.