💩Chronic constipation causes: Lack of hydration or lubrication, not enough exercise, not enough fibre. But also emotional stress, holding on to something (the large intestine is the organ that lets go!). 💩 Most common TCM patterns of chronic constipation: - Liver Qi stagnation: straining, unfinished feeling, bloated at the end of the day. LV 3 - Phlegm: sticky stools. ST 40 - Blood stasis: very painful abdomen. LI 4 & LV 3 - Large Intestine Heat: large amount of smelly formed stools. LI 11 - Y

Most people struggle with constipation because they don’t get enough water and fiber—about 95% of Americans are fiber deficient. Getting the recommended 25–35g of fiber daily from food alone is hard, and many fiber supplements make things worse because people use the wrong type, too much, too fast. Common fiber problems: Certain fibers (like inulin) can cause gas, bloating, and discomfort. People with gut inflammation, IBS, or SIBO often react poorly to the wrong fibers. Any fiber needs a slow r

There’s a lot of confusion about protein and kidney health. When you eat protein, your body breaks it down into nitrogen compounds and creatinine — waste products that the kidney must filter out. If your kidneys are healthy, they can handle this job well. But if your kidney function is already compromised and you overload it with excessive protein, it becomes much harder to filter those byproducts. Here’s the key: ✅ 0.8–1 gram of protein per pound of body weight = ideal ❌ 3 grams per pound = exc