The stool indicates the condition
of the digestive system

• What is the difference between blood in the stool (bloody stool) and blood after a stool?
• Green stool and its causes
• What causes the overgrowth of bacteria?
• Symptoms of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine
• Fighting bacterial overgrowth with the help of natural remedies.
• Mucus in the stool
• Helping your-self with mucus stools
• Yellow stool
• Pale stool

What does your stool look like? Do you realize that its colour, odour, structure and consistency indicate whether your digestive system is working properly? Do you know that it reveals the state of your health? If you want to prevent illness, you should check your stool daily. If you do not, because of embarrassment or disgust, you should think again, as it may help to avert serious health complications in the future. The ideal stool has the colour of old gold, is the shape of a ripe banana, and is of a consistency similar to tooth paste. It floats and is odourless. If yours is not like that, please read on very carefully.

Generally, a change in the colour of the stool is common, often depending on the food you have eaten the previous day. This is not a dangerous sign, particularly when it is a short-term change, happening only on rare occasions, and from one evacuation to another.

However, if the stool and the change in its colour or consistency continue, this may be the result of more serious health problems. If this is the case consider it to be a warning which needs to be dealt with. A visit to the doctor is necessary in order to find the reason behind it. For example, if you have a pale bowel movement, grey or greenish in colour, this may indicate blocked bile ducts or a disorder of the liver.

A stool changed permanently in colour or consistency may be the result of these specific reasons:
Yellow stool with a foul smell: mal absorption of fats due to an insufficiently functioning pancreas; this is seen in pancreatitis, cancer of the pancreas, cystic fibrosis and celiac disease.

Black stool with a foul smell: bleeding in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine due to ulcers or tumours. A black stool may be harmless when nutritional supplements are used that contain iron. However, in that case it does not have a bad smell, there is only a change of colour.

Bloody stool of chestnut colour: bleeding ulcers or tumours in the middle part of the small intestine or the first part of the large intestine, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis.

Hard stool quickly sinking to the bottom - may indicate a diet insufficient in fibre (as found in vegetables, fruit and whole wheat), or an insufficient intake of water. A hard stool is commonly dark in colour because it remains in the intestine longer than is necessary and useful.

What is the difference between blood in the stool (bloody stool) and blood after a stool?

Blood in the stool (bloody stool) is the result of bleeding in the upper or lower part of the digestive system. Based on the colour of the blood in the stool, it is possible to find out whether the bleeding takes place in the stomach, the upper part of the small intestine, or in the lower part of the small or large intestine. The blood in the stool is dark in the case of e.g. an ulcer rupturing in the stomach or duodenum causing a black stool. On the other hand, a lighter colour indicates that the bleeding took place in the second half of the digestive tract. Blood in the bowel movement may also be caused by a cancer of the stomach or intestine, or inflammation of the diverticula - diverticulitis, or ulcerative colitis. Blood is not always readily visible. This type of blood is called “occult” blood, i.e. mysterious, hidden. When noticing any changes it is most important to see a doctor as soon as possible and have him do a faecal occult blood test, which is designed to detect whether there is hidden blood in the bowel movement.

It is important to understand that the stool may be temporarily red after consuming red beets; this is absolutely harmless.

Blood after a stool signifies problems with inflamed haemorrhoids (internal or external), which start to bleed after the evacuation of faeces. Blood after a stool is also noticeable when the mucous membrane of the anus is damaged by mechanical means. In this instance, the blood is light-red. Again, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Green stool and its causes

The liver continuously produces bile, a pale-green liquid, which is excreted directly into the small intestine or is stored in the gall bladder. Bile is necessary for the absorption of fats and vitamins soluble in fats. It also helps to keep the stool soft and gives it its brown colour. But what if the bile is green? The explanation is this: as the bile passes through the intestine it gradually changes its colour from green to yellow to brown due to the bacteria present in the large intestine, which change the bile into bile salts. Often a green stool indicates that the food transited the intestine faster than is normal (this is called accelerated transit time, see digestive problems) before it was able to change from green to brown. Diarrhoea accelerates the transit time of food through the intestine. This means that any factor causing diarrhoea may, in the end result, cause a green stool.

A green bowel movement can also occur as a result of an increased consumption of food containing chlorophyll, a natural green colourant, found predominantly in spinach, leafy vegetables (head or iceberg lettuce, etc.) and in brassicas (savoy cabbage, cabbage, broccoli, etc.). It can also occur after using nutritional supplements containing:

• a high amount of chlorophyll, as in: green algae chlorella, blue-green algae spirulina or dried young barley sprouts, the so-called young barley.


• bismuth
  If you notice a green stool after consuming the above mentioned foods and nutritional supplements do not be concerned. A green bowel movement may also occur as a result of taking laxatives or antibiotics. However, a green stool may also be the consequence of some grave disease as no food was consumed which may have produced this green bowel movement. As a general rule if it does not? Disappear after two, or at most three days, do not hesitate any further and definitely see a doctor. It may be a sign of food poisoning or the side effects of medication, but it may also indicate more serious illnesses, such as:


• digestive tract disorders (ulcerative colitis, IBS, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, cancer, etc.).


• mal absorption


• traveller’s diarrhoea


• infectious diarrhoea – particularly salmonella and giardia.


• an increased amount of undesirable bacteria in the small intestine.

You can treat and remove some of the above causes on your own by eliminating the undesirable growth of bacteria in the small intestine.

What causes the overgrowth of bacteria?

The overgrowth of bacteria is a relatively common condition, and it may have been present in the body for several years before detection. It is caused by the frequent usage of antibiotics, antacids and other medication, which remove not only the undesirable pathogenic bacteria but the friendly bacteria - probiotics - from the bowels too. The small intestine normally contains a relatively small number of bacteria. But the factors listed below may contribute to an excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine.

In a process called de-conjugation of bile, the undesirable bacteria cause an inadequate intake of fats (mal absorption of fats) and block the intake of saccharides. Rather than being used, the saccharides remain in the small intestine where they ferment. As a consequence gasses are formed, pain is perceived, there is bloating, malodorous winds, and mucus in the stool. The stool may also have a foul smell and there can be thin stool, or even diarrhoea. Sweet and starchy foods give rise to the worst symptoms. The toxic metabolic products of the undesirable bacteria damage intestinal cells and thereby inhibit the intake of nutrients. Apart from the reduced ability to absorb nutrients, allergies and intolerance to certain foods can also occur. The overgrowth of bacteria can be caused by:

• a reduced mobility in the small intestine caused by excess sugar in the diet, chronic stress and disorders like diabetes, a decreased function of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) and scleroderma. Statistics show that in the US more than 40% of people with diabetes who also suffer from chronic diarrhoea have their condition connected to the growth of bacteria in the small intestine.


• a decreased production of hydrochloric acid (hypochlorhydria) in the stomach; this is common with ageing. The stomach acid helps to kill bacteria due to its acidity. If there is less of the acid, there is a higher probability of bacterial overgrowth. Another reason behind an insufficient production of stomach acid is the increased usage of antacids.


• structural abnormalities in the small intestine – due to surgery, diverticula in the small intestine, intestinal obstacles and fistulas in the case of Crohn’s disease. This list is not exhaustive and gives only some of the structural causes behind the overgrowth of bacteria.


• stress, impaired immunity, some medication like steroids, antibiotics and contraception pills, lack of fibre in the diet and an insufficient amount of pancreatic enzymes are further causes of this condition.

Symptoms of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine

1. Constipation


2. Stomach bloating and gas after meals


3. Chronic thin stool or diarrhoea – studies show that 48 to 67% of people with chronic diarrhoea also have an increase in the growth of bacteria in the small intestine.


4. Depression


5. Fatigue – caused by an insufficient number of nucleated red blood cells (megaloblastic anaemia; megaloblast = nucleated red blood cell) due to the inability to absorb vitamin B12


6. Nutrient deficiency despite taking nutritional supplements


7. Weight loss


8. Stomach pain


9. Mucus in the stool


10. Gas, aggravated after eating fibre and sugars

Fighting bacterial overgrowth with the help of natural remedies.

It is difficult to do special tests for bacterial overgrowth, as is its treatment. Conventional treatments generally use antibacterial medication; however, this also targets useful bacteria– probiotics. There are three ways to control and treat the undesirable growth of bacteria in the human body using natural means:

• through a diet low in saccharides.


• with the help of medicinal herbs, such as mint oil, which is the most studied of all natural remedies. The oil is contained in a strong enterosolvent capsule, which only opens when it reaches the small intestine where it kills the undesirable bacteria.


• probiotics, which replace the undesirable bacteria with friendly bacteria (Flora Protect)


• digestive enzymes

Mucus in the stool

Commonly its presence indicates a non-specific inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and of itself is not dangerous. Mucus in the stool can occur with constipation but it can also be present with diarrhoea. The worst case scenario is when the mucus in the stool is accompanied by bleeding from the rectum. The condition may also be the result of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation. The diagnosis and treatment of this condition needs to be put into the hands of a doctor – a gastroenterologist.

According to alternative medicine, the reason for mucus in the stool frequently lies in an increased number of bacteria in the small intestine, food allergies and food sensitivity. Often, these problems are easily taken care of by the right diet and by taking nutritional supplements.

An excessive amount of bacteria makes gas and bloating worse after eating any type of sugar, be it white sugar, bread, pasta, rice or milk (which contains sugar - lactose). People who have mucus stools due to food allergies need to eliminate all allergy-causing foods from their diet. Further reasons for mucus stools:

• diverticulitis


• celiac disease


• Crohn’s disease


• ulcerative colitis

If the tongue is covered in a thick white film with imprints of teeth on the sides this indicates that the mucus in the stool is caused by fatty foods, milk products and wheat. It is often recommended to stop eating these foods at least until the condition improves. Bacterial and parasitic infections may also be behind mucus in the stool. Often this is accompanied by sudden diarrhoea, pain in the lower stomach region and blood in the stool.

Helping your-self with mucus stools

If we are not dealing with serious diseases, the problems connected with mucus in the stool, bloating, gas and constipation can often be solved by drinking more water, using herbs or foods that work as mucus cleansers (producing a smooth surface on the mucous membrane of the intestine). For example flax seeds left soaked in water overnight are such cleansers. Another great help in this case is the Colonix Program.

Yellow stool

As with green stool that can take its colour from the increased ingestion of green foods, yellow stool can also get its colour from the increased intake of foods containing yellow or orange pigments like carotenes. Carotenes are present in carrots, apricots, etc. Obviously, this situation is harmless and short-lived.

Other than this case a yellow stool is not normal. Remember, if you have a yellow stool or a pale bowel movement, the stomach, liver and the small or large intestine may be suffering from a serious disease. A yellow stool may signal the following:

• fast transit of food through the gastrointestinal tract. This happens for example in people suffering from GERD (gastroesophageal reflex).


• insufficient bile excretion.


• bacterial infection in the bowels (which usually appears suddenly).


• genetic disease – celiac disease, when the body is not able to properly digest gluten.


• inflammation of the bile duct (cholangitis) caused by a bacterial infection or gall stones.


• inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis).


• gall stones, produced by the hardening of the bile and by the formation of crystals. These can form as a result of cirrhosis or a blood disorder.


• infection by giardia – a parasite which lives on the surface of the intestine. The source of the parasite is contaminated water and it spreads mainly among children and their carers. It reaches the body via the mouth. Paranil is a very effective help with getting rid of the parasites.


• inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) – a viral liver disease. There are three main forms of the disease (A, B and C) and many other less well known forms.


• jaundice – a condition that arises when, due to increased levels of bilirubin, the skin becomes yellow or orange. It can also be accompanied by a yellow stool. This disease occurs in people who have problems with the liver or suffer from a form of hepatitis.


• mal absorption syndrome – a disorder in the absorption of nutrients during digestion.

Pale stool

This may be caused by the insufficient functioning of the kidneys. It occurs with health problems like inflammation of the gallbladder – cholecystitis, with gall stones, parasitic infections (giardia), cirrhosis of the liver, chronic pancreatitis or hepatitis. The brown colour of the stool is the result of the liver bile salts. If their production is reduced the stool is of a light colour. Medication containing aluminium hydroxide may be another reason for the paleness. A stool can become temporarily lighter in colour after an examination using a barium test.

A pale stool can be glossy or grey, floating, and it may be malodorous due to the fat in the stool.

A hard stool is formed when the food transits the digestive tract slowly; this is typical with constipation. It may be the result of an inadequate intake of fibre and not drinking enough water. On the other hand, a thin stool is the result of the fast transit of food through the intestine, which is typical of diarrhoea. For causes and solutions see Symptoms of bowel problems – diarrhoea, constipation and Solving the problems of constipation and diarrhoea.

- Prof. Katharine Horak, Doctor of Natural Science

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