We know that we need adequate fibre, water and a regular routine to aid our digestive processes, yet many still lean quite heavily on laxatives in an attempt to speed up the process.
Before you opt for this 'solution', you need to be aware of some digestive facts...
Your large intestine has three sections:
1. ascending
2. transverse
3. descending
When you go to the bathroom, you usually empty the (descending) last section, which fills again 24-hours later and the process is repeated.
If you take a laxative, you often empty all three sections, so it may take up to 3 days to fill each section (ascending, transverse and descending) before your body is ready to eliminate again. This can perpetuate a viscous cycle of laxative abuse as you may start to panic after a couple of days and take more laxatives, assuming you're constipated.
It's important to also keep this '3-day rule' in mind when incorporating intermittent fasting into your regime.
