The Science of Poophoria

Infrequent or difficult to pass stools cause more than just frustration. Effects include gas, bloating, cramping, decreased appetite, and fatigue, just to name a few. Not fun.

One approach is to relieve symptoms as they come with common over-the-counter stomach remedies. Another is to get ahead of the problem by addressing the lower GI tract as a whole, from your gut microbiome to your colon.

As you might have guessed, we advocate the second option. Poophoria’s Harmony probiotic and Rhythm fiber/magnesium blend work in concert to promote regularity before it becomes a problem and then, once effortless bowel movements become part of your daily routine, to sustain them indefinitely.

Thanks to some willing volunteers at the University of Bristol two decades ago, we now have a simple tool to assess the quality of our stools, and by extension the general health of our GI systems.

The Bristol Stool Chart rates stool appearance on a 7-point scale. Types 1 or 2 are likely indicators of constipation, while Types 5-7 signal diarrhea. The sweet spot is Type 3 or 4, which is a stool that’s easy to pass without being watery.

Consistently ending up in that middle range is the goal — it’s your body telling you that whatever you’re doing, keep doing it!

Probiotics are good bacteria that have health benefits when consumed. You can get them by eating fermented foods such as yogurt or sauerkraut, as well as by taking nutritional supplements. Certain probiotic strains are especially good at improving digestive health. B. lactis and L. casei, the active ingredients in our Harmony product, have been associated with softer stools and a reduction in chronic constipation.

Meanwhile, fiber—sometimes referred to as a ‘prebiotic’—is the fuel that powers that helpful bacteria living in your gut. When consumed either in food or supplement form, fiber increases the water content and bulk of the stool, which aids in moving it quickly through the colon.

Magnesium citrate is a type of elemental magnesium that causes the intestines to loosen the stool, thereby relieving constipation and promoting regularity. While commonly found in natural foods such as leafy vegetables and whole grains, taking magnesium as a supplement is another way to harness its positive effects.

The straightest path to poophoria, however, runs through all three — probiotics, fiber, and magnesium. And achieving that feeling is easier than ever with our doctor recommended harmony and rhythm bundle.