Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Advice From Celiacs With Constipation

Wonka

By Wonka
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Wonka Apprentice
Wonka
Posted

I do not get diarrhea (or not very often) but I suffer from chronic constipation (it can be really awful when I travel by air). I do not have hard dry stools. I have normal to soft stools that I can't eliminate (my bowel seems to be sluggish and I don't get enough peristalsis to effectively eliminate). Does this describe the constipation caused by celiac? Will this get better once I can get completely gluten free (I'm working on my kitchen)? Enquiring minds want to know.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Pyro Enthusiast
Pyro
Posted

I found that it really helped when I incorporated higher amounts of fat into my diet, even though I was on an already high fat diet.

The trick was to get more free standing oil and greases rather than just that found in meat. Ground beef is pretty damn good at it.

YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted
I found that it really helped when I incorporated higher amounts of fat into my diet, even though I was on an already high fat diet.

The trick was to get more free standing oil and greases rather than just that found in meat. Ground beef is pretty damn good at it.

I have found taking magnesium trwice a day (to bowel tolerance--when it causees D and back off) works like a champ against constipation while also helping gout he nerves etc.. Also fresh ground up flax seed with a little apple pectin added to the grind is excellent--with plently of water added.

Yolo

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted
I do not get diarrhea (or not very often) but I suffer from chronic constipation (it can be really awful when I travel by air). I do not have hard dry stools. I have normal to soft stools that I can't eliminate (my bowel seems to be sluggish and I don't get enough peristalsis to effectively eliminate). Does this describe the constipation caused by celiac? Will this get better once I can get completely gluten free (I'm working on my kitchen)? Enquiring minds want to know.

That's actually been happening to me lately and I haven't been glutened, so I'd say maybe it is a Celiac thing and maybe it isn't. It's easy to blame everything on Celiac, that's what I usually do. For now, while traveling, try eating more bananas & apples. They're naturally gluten free anyway. And if you like prunes I'd add those too, and as much green food as you can stand. I also eliminate much more effectively and regularly when I am exercising EVERY day. My body is such a bastard, forcing me to exercise like this.......

Lux Explorer
Lux
Posted

I have suffered from the same problem. Interestingly, grease/fat etc absolutely DOES seem to work like a charm...also, I eat an amazing organic yoghurt which has an amazing effect on my system. The brand is called Cyclops; although it's a New Zealand product, so I don't know as to whether it would be available outside of the country. Anyway, I think it's the pectin it contains (which is so good, as apples don't agree with me AT all)...

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted
I have suffered from the same problem. Interestingly, grease/fat etc absolutely DOES seem to work like a charm...also, I eat an amazing organic yoghurt which has an amazing effect on my system. The brand is called Cyclops; although it's a New Zealand product, so I don't know as to whether it would be available outside of the country. Anyway, I think it's the pectin it contains (which is so good, as apples don't agree with me AT all)...

Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt in the US contains pectin, if you'd like to try that, I get big tubs of the plain stuff and add applesauce or frozen fruit.

cloesb Newbie
cloesb
Posted

i had a similar situation and after a couple months of being gluten free it seemed to resolve itself - thankfully. I'm actually pregnant & my constipation has severly acted up again. Milk of Magnesia (2 tbsp) at night seems to be the only thing that does the trick.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Wonka Apprentice
Wonka
Posted
  • Author

It sure would be nice if mine corrected eventually. I am a bit reticent to eat high fat as that is a real trigger for my GERD.

Prairie Girl Apprentice
Prairie Girl
Posted

Hemp hearts really help me. I put them in my smoothies for breakfast and into some of the other things I cook. You might want to give them a try :)

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted
It sure would be nice if mine corrected eventually. I am a bit reticent to eat high fat as that is a real trigger for my GERD.

I'd stick with the veggie route in that case. Maybe some digestive enzymes?

BRUMI1968 Collaborator
BRUMI1968
Posted

This may sound silly, but what about lightly massing your whole abdomen every day. I once read a very interesting article about IBS (I know, I know) that talked about how the nervous system and its communications with the brain can be in part to blame for elimination problems. I know for a fact that unless I eat 90% raw, I have a FAST top digestion, and a SLOW bottom digestion. My stool is perfectly fine, I only elimate it every other day or so. I recently went on a trip and ate raw the whole time (had to eat in my hotel room and was in California - so had avocados and tomatoes all day long), and within two days I was eliminating every day, even twice a day, and it felt newer. Maybe you know what I mean - when you're pretty sure you're pooping out something you ate a week ago. If you massage the bowel and small intestines and tummy and all that, you can help get them moving. Along with a warm tea or water with lemon, to get paristalsis started.

Secondly, try sitting on the pot every day at the same time, regardless of if you have to go. It helps to put your feet up on a stool so that your body is in a position similar to squatting. I'm not kidding that this has helped me immensely.

Lastly, while you're there, do the massaging thing, including down your lower back.

Hope this helps. Glad to hear the stool itself isn't miserable -- I lived through years of that and am so happy to have nice soft management poop. Yahoo!

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

I second the magnesium thing. Like some magnesium citrate in orange juice. Start with a teaspoon, maybe even less, and work your way up to the level that works best for you. Expect it to work in a few hours, though I'm sure we all have our own particulars. If you take too much, you'll know - oh boy will you know!! Just make sure you don't have to stray far from a bathroom, 'cause you're gonna need it.

As for other things, I find bananas to NOT work, in fact they are off my list for that reason. Certain types of carbs are off too. It seems each of us are different that way, so you'll probably have to experiment. You can think of it as a different type of "elimination" diet :lol:

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I get severe C when soy manages to sneak in. In addition to the great advice already given what helps me very quickly is a meal of sweet potatoes, I usually cut them up and boil them then when done I stick them in a saute pan and drizzle some honey or sugar over them to coat. Things usually move smoothly the next morning and I get some extra vitamin A.

Sharon Marie Apprentice
Sharon Marie
Posted

OK This was my problem for years. It was nearly imposable to have a bowel movement even though it was not hard stool. It's like I lacked the lubricant to pass it. Every Am I would resort to a small enema of warm soapy water to enable me to have a bowel movement. Otherwise my entire day was spent feeling like I had to go, but couldn't. And of course the day would be spent feeling totally uncomfortable. I used to worry about the side effects of a daily enema but without one I was miserable. And I felt that laxatives were not a good solution either.

Last November I was diagnosed with celiac sprue and started on a gluten free diet. Now each morning I have a bowel movement normally!

Here it is the last day of January and I am still learning so much from everyone here! Not all of my problems have been taken care of yet but it's a good start! ( My legs and feet are still very painful. )

thanks to you all once again

SharonMarie ;)

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
I get severe C when soy manages to sneak in. In addition to the great advice already given what helps me very quickly is a meal of sweet potatoes, I usually cut them up and boil them then when done I stick them in a saute pan and drizzle some honey or sugar over them to coat. Things usually move smoothly the next morning and I get some extra vitamin A.

Sweet potatoes are a high carb food. I wonder what this indicates? One thing I already know, is that sweet potatoes don't have that effect on me, nor do other carbs. I guess this just proves how individual we all can be.

lizard00 Enthusiast
lizard00
Posted

I tend to go from one extreme to the other, but mostly linger with the big C. I tried the magnesium, and while it made me generally feel much better, didn't help with the C. So last night I drank a 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice. Doesn't taste so great, so I mixed it in with some other juice. But in my book of natural cures, it highly advocates aloe vera juice (as do other people that I know.) Seems to be working :) I've gone twice this AM (TMI, I know...) and I don't have the still full feeling. HOORAY!!!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.