Tom (Livingston, Tx) on 05/26/2016
Probably 10 years ago, I decided to take a level half teaspoon of non-aluminum baking soda mornings and evenings as a supplement. I took it for about 2.5 years. It must have really helped my bowels because my regularity greatly improved in the years during and ever since taking the baking soda, so a person could just start with baking soda and add the flours and fibers after the bowels start moving.
I was constipated for much of my life. It's a difficult and stubborn problem to have. Now I stay regular by taking these things first thing in the morning and the triphala capsule evenings:
1/8 level cup whole rye flour. Rye decreases bowel transit time according to studies with rye bread.
1 level teaspoon dietary fiber cellulose powder. This adds about 4 grams of fiber.
1 level teaspoon inulin powder from chicory root.
Six 350 mg capsules of apple pectin. This congeals everything together in the bowels.
For the powders/flours, I just put one powder/flour in my mouth using a eighth cup measure, add some water to my mouth, let it soak in and swallow with additional water.
I discontinued/deleted the barley flour because I thought it slowed my bowel transit time, even though barley is supposed to improve bowel flora.
I did add a 500 mg capsule of triphala evenings which is a blend of 3 Indian fruits known to assist regularity.
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If neccessary, have one 12 oz glasses of bottled 100% fruit juice at lunch and in the afternoon. This supplies potassium for peristalsis and it increased regularity although it's no longer necessary.
Replied By Tom (Livingston, Tx) on 05/26/2016
I stirred the baking soda into a half glass or 6 oz of water and drank it at least a half hour before breakfast or supplements. Water is the only thing that doesn't foam with baking soda. The second dose was I think was at least 2 hours after lunch or in the evening. A person should probably start with taking the baking soda because the baking soda was the main thing that got me regular again, partly I think because baking soda is slick when wet so I think it lubricates the bowels. Also, I think baking soda cleanses the bowels. So after the baking soda gets things moving in a few days or weeks, then the fiber and supplements can be added because a bulk of 8 grams of fiber helps keep thinks moving. The rye flour is 2 grams of fiber for an eighth level cup. The cellulose fiber is 4 grams of fiber for 2 level or slightly rounded teaspoons. The apple pectin is about 1.8 grams for 6 of the 300 mg capsules. So that is almost 8 grams of fiber.
Replied By Dan (Seattle) on 03/17/2017
Uh, there's no aluminum in baking soda. It's sometimes in baking powder however...