Can yogurt cure constipation?
You’ve seen the commercials and heard the claims. Eat biotic-enhanced yogurt and, like magic, you’ll be “regular” in two weeks. Fact, fiction, or somewhere in-between? The fact is constipation is a medical problem that shouldn’t be taken lightly. “If you’re not having at least three bowel movements a week, you are constipated,” explains David Schaffzin, MD, Virtua colorectal surgeon. “Curing it with yogurt may be worth a try, but adding more fruit, vegetables and whole grains to your diet is also helpful.” If after two to three weeks of this approach, you are still constipated, it’s time to see a physician. “When I consult with a patient who is constipated, I may recommend an initial course of stool softeners if that hasn’t already been tried, or I may ask for further testing such as a colonoscopy,” says Dr. Schaffzin. What causes constipation? Most constipation problems are common, and they are caused by changes in diet, not enough water or fiber, lack of exercise and some types of me