Have you ever felt constipated? The biggest cause of constipation is a lack of fiber in your diet. Although the normal recommended intake of fiber should be about 25-30 grams per day, the average person's daily consumption of food only contains about 5-8 grams of fiber. Fiber comes from many types of food. Certain high fiber foods include: dried beans or peas, bran cereals, dried fruits like dates and figs, bran muffins or breads, broccoli, green beans, and many leafy, green vegetables. All of these foods contain a lot of fiber, which is not digested and turned into roughage (an important component in stool).

Many people who have problems with their bowel functions are unaware of their situation because they think it is normal. Most people who develop colon cancer or hemorrhoids have bowel problems and suffer from chronic constipation. Adequate fiber intake greatly helps normal bowel movements take place. If you have preexisting colon or rectum conditions, proper fiber intake can prevent further damage from taking place.

The colon removes water from stool to give it shape. As the stool moves through the colon, gentle pressure waves pass it towards the rectum. Stool should remain soft for smooth movement. Fiber absorbs water and keeps your stool soft. Unfortunately, without adequate fiber (roughage), stool becomes hard and does not move through the colon as it should. When this occurs, high pressure waves are used to force it through the colon. Producing these high pressure waves wears out your colon and at this point "straining” (forceful abdominal pushing) is necessary for bowel movements. Unfortunately, straining can cause hernias, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, or other colon conditions.

Normal bowel movements should occur 1-3 times a day without straining or use of laxatives. Make sure you drink lots of water get plenty of fiber in your daily diet to "stay regular." Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Enhanced Fiber Food, which provides the body with its normal daily allowance of fiber.