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What Causes Undigested Food In Stool?
Question: I'm a 52 yr old male. I notice traces of peanut butter or chocolate in my stool after I've eaten them the day before. Both are not completely digested for some reason. I have no pain or discomfort, just noticed the stool.
Does this mean the colon is not doing it's job completely? Or that the villi in the intestine tract are somewhat clogged?
I was considering doing a colon cleanse or detox process but have never done either.
I've had a couple colonoscopys in the past 10 yrs but not sure if preparing for those constitutes a good colon cleanse.
Thanks in advance for your response, XXXXXXX
Does this mean the colon is not doing it's job completely? Or that the villi in the intestine tract are somewhat clogged?
I was considering doing a colon cleanse or detox process but have never done either.
I've had a couple colonoscopys in the past 10 yrs but not sure if preparing for those constitutes a good colon cleanse.
Thanks in advance for your response, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Colon cleanse wont be helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
In general foods are digested in the stomach, duodenum and the first part of small intestine. So the traces of undigested foods in the stool do not indicate colon problem.
In most cases the foods does not get property digested if the food passage through the intestines is accelerated (in simple words the food does not stay long enough to get digested). It may be caused by stress or some kind of gastrointestinal infection.
Digestion also depends of proper bile production and secretion and proper pancreas juice secretion. In case of problems with this organs undigested foods can also appear in the stool.
I suggest you to start with diet improvement (increase fiber rich products, avoid fatty foods, avoid coffee) and probiotic intake. Observe your stool during that time. If this will happen again, consult gastroenterologist.
As this has nothing to do with the colon, no need to make any colon cleanse.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Colon cleanse wont be helpful.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
In general foods are digested in the stomach, duodenum and the first part of small intestine. So the traces of undigested foods in the stool do not indicate colon problem.
In most cases the foods does not get property digested if the food passage through the intestines is accelerated (in simple words the food does not stay long enough to get digested). It may be caused by stress or some kind of gastrointestinal infection.
Digestion also depends of proper bile production and secretion and proper pancreas juice secretion. In case of problems with this organs undigested foods can also appear in the stool.
I suggest you to start with diet improvement (increase fiber rich products, avoid fatty foods, avoid coffee) and probiotic intake. Observe your stool during that time. If this will happen again, consult gastroenterologist.
As this has nothing to do with the colon, no need to make any colon cleanse.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
One other thing I notice is that the stool is most often a soft consistency and not firm. We eat good fiber rich products and whole grain products in our diet.
What are examples of fatty foods? Would fatty foods cause a soft stool result?
Thanks.
What are examples of fatty foods? Would fatty foods cause a soft stool result?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Yes, soft stool can be caused by fatty foods.
Detailed Answer:
Examples of fatty foods: fries, chips, pizza, some types of meats (containing visible fats) and any foods fried on oil.
Yes, fatty foods can cause soft stool. Fats are digested thanks to bile and pancreas juice. If you take too much fats, bile and pancreas juice could not be enough to digest fats.
Some bacterial infection can be also a reason of soft stools. Please follow as advised below. If this wont help, consult gastroenterologist.
Regards.
Yes, soft stool can be caused by fatty foods.
Detailed Answer:
Examples of fatty foods: fries, chips, pizza, some types of meats (containing visible fats) and any foods fried on oil.
Yes, fatty foods can cause soft stool. Fats are digested thanks to bile and pancreas juice. If you take too much fats, bile and pancreas juice could not be enough to digest fats.
Some bacterial infection can be also a reason of soft stools. Please follow as advised below. If this wont help, consult gastroenterologist.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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