EVEN though we all do it, many of us struggle to talk about our poop habits – even with loved ones.
But paying close attention to the size, smell, colour and texture of your poo can reveal a lot about how healthy you are.
Paying close attention to the texture of your poo can reveal a lot about how healthy you areGetty Images
The Bristol Stool Chart indicates what your poo should look likeWikipedia
The shape and size of your number twos are dictated by your gut, which is another name for your digestive system.
Scientists have found that maintaining good gut heath can reduce your risk of illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Your number twos will fit into seven categories, according to The Bristol Stool Scale.
These are as follows:
Type one: Separate hard lumps, hard to passType two: Sausage-shaped but lumpyType three: Sausage-shaped but with cracks on its surfaceType four: Like a sausage or snake, smooth and softType five: Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (passed easily)Type six: Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stoolType seven: Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid
Dr Nigma Talib, a naturopathic doctor and gut expert, revealed in a TikTok video what the type of poop you have says about your gut health.
HARD LUMPS
Type one
Roundish poops tend to be small and difficult to pass.
And according to Dr Nigma, these can be a sign you’re getting too much protein and not enough fibre in your diet.
Protein itself is one of three different kinds of macronutrients that are essential for building muscle mass.
The NHS suggests healthy adults need 0.8-1g of protein per kilogram of body weight.
For example, a 60kg adult would need 48-60g per day.
Protein is found mostly in animal products although it can also be found in nuts and legumes.
Some of the most common sources protein are meat, poultry, seafood, beans, peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts and seeds.
But there is such a thing as too much protein.
In recent years, protein has surged in popularity in the western world, as a weight-loss and muscle building aid. Therefore many people consume much more that the recommended daily amount in a bid to improve their physique.
Studies have shown people that eat very high protein diets have a higher risk of kidney stones.
Also a high protein diet that contains lots of red meat and higher amounts of saturated fat might lead to a higher risk of heart disease and bowel cancer.
Government guidelines say our dietary fibre intake should be 30g a day, as part of a healthy balanced diet.
According to the NHS, most adults are only eating an average of about 20g day.
Eating plenty of fibre is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
Some good sources of fibre include: wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholewheat pasta, wholegrain bread and oats, barley and rye.
CATERPILLAR SHAPED
Type two
‘Caterpillar’-shaped stools mean you are dehydrated and may be suffering from constipation.
These poops look like lots of small round poops stuck together – and are usually quite uncomfortable to pass.
Dehydration is a common cause of constipation.
When a person becomes dehydrated, their intestines cannot add enough water to stools, leaving them dry and hard.
The NHS recommend that we drink six to eight glasses of water per day.
HOT-DOG SHAPED
Type three, four and five
A stool type she nicknames the ‘hot-dog sausage’, Dr Nigma said is the “perfect” poo.
These can look log shaped with some cracks on the service.
They should also be somewhat soft and easy to pass.
You may notice slight changes on a day to day basis, but more drastic changes in your bowel movements are a red flag sign for bowel cancer so make sure you see a doctor.
PORRIDGE-LIKE
Type six
Next up is the ‘porridge poop’, which Dr Nigma says is evidence of infection.
This is when the poop is runny but is not entirely liquid.
If it lasts no more than a few days, it is likely from a common virus or stomach bug.
If it lasts for just a day, the doctor said it can also be a sign of a food intolerance or anxiety.
Too much magnesium, either from diet or medications, could also lead to diarrhoea, as well as stomach cramps and vomiting, she said.
MUCOUS-LIKE
Type seven
A particularly graphic one is the ‘mucous poop’, which tend to be coloured with white or yellow streaks.
These types of poops can be an indicator of Crohn’s disease,
Crohn’s disease is a bowel condition that can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract.
Asides from mucous-y poop, the condition can causes diarrhea, malnutrition, blood in the stool, and abdominal pain, according to the NHS.
Over 500,000 people in the UK have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the two main forms of which are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Normal for you
When it comes to going for a number two, plenty of people aren’t really sure what’s normal.
Keeping an eye on what’s ‘normal’ for you though is crucial, as is being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
Pain or a lump in your tummy
Extreme tiredness
Losing weight
If you notice any changes to your usual habits, don’t be embarrassed, speak to your GP.
And if you are eligible for a bowel cancer testing kit, make sure to do on.
The Sun launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign in April 2018 – to call on the Government to lower the bowel cancer screening age to 50 and raise symptom awareness.
As a result, people in their 50s started to be invited for screening last year