Floating Bowel Movements

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garina
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Floating Bowel Movements

Post by garina »

Is there a reason a person would have floating BM's. They used to sink, but not so anymore. They are formed, as I only have D now whenever I get glutened, which was recently from one of our favorite restaurants.

Is it a bad thing to have floating BM's? I am somewhat constipated, but take as much Magnesium as my kidneys can handle. Although, I think my kidneys are Stage 3 when speaking of kidney failure. Scares me a bit, but I feel I need the magnesium (Triple Calm and citrate) to get through the hard times. I also take CalMag, 1 teaspoon daily, along with about a 1/4 scoop of Miralax to help things along. Adds up to about 450 mg magnesium daily, mostly from citrate. Could that be the reason for floating BM's?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks

garnia
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

floating BM's are caused by a couple of things

- malabsorption of fats and/or
- slightly fast transit time so the motion has more air/gas in it

if you are worried about magnesium and kidneys then I would encourage you to swap to topical magnesium rather than oral intake.
Gabes Ryan

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tex
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Post by tex »

Whether or not they float or sink depends mostly on how much trapped air they contain and on the foods in your diet. More fiber means lighter weight. Poor digestion means more trapped air. As long as you feel good and don't seem to have any digestion problems, I wouldn't worry about whether they float or sink.

At least that's my 2 cents worth, but then I don't claim to be an expert on the topic. :lol:

Tex
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tex
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Post by tex »

gabes wrote:if you are worried about magnesium and kidneys then I would encourage you to swap to topical magnesium rather than oral intake.
I don't think that will make much difference because the magnesium still has to be absorbed into the bloodstream before it can be transported to the cells where it is needed, and the kidneys still have to take out any excess amount.

I'm in the same boat — I have to limit my magnesium intake because of compromised kidney function.

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
garina
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Post by garina »

Gabes,

I had not thought about malabsorption of fats, and if that is the reason, I wouldn't know how to eliminate that problem. But, I know I don't have rapid transit time, at least, ever since D went away and C came about. That's why I started taking magnesium. I do try and eat lots of walnuts/pecans, etc,. and cook with olive oil and some coconut oil, mostly olive oil. I eat low carb (due to slightly high glucose), and don't add sugar to anything. But, I'm not afraid of fats and I do love bacon! Thanks Gabes.

Tex,

Trapped air - I just don't know how to fix that. I like what you said that if digestion isn't a huge problem, then maybe there are no worries. Right, it's the pits to have kidneys that are compromised, and I'm not even diabetic and hope to never be. My Grandmother was, so I know I have to watch glucose and A1c closely. Elevated glucose, I'm told, brands me prediabetic.

The only thing I can think of is maybe digestive enzymes of some kind. Other than that, I'm stumped.

Thanks,

garnia
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