What Your Poop Says About Your Health
Trust Your Gut
Proof Is In The Poop
In this Newsletter:
➡️ What Your Poop Is Really Made Of
➡️ The 7 Types of Stool (and What They Mean)
➡️ Colors, Smells & Clues to Watch For
➡️ Simple Tips to Improve Gut & Bowel Health
Have you ever looked at your poop?
It might feel awkward to talk about — but your poop is actually one of the most honest (and free!) wellness trackers available.
Every bowel movement holds valuable clues about your digestion, gut health, nutrient absorption, and even inflammation levels.
Most of us flush without thinking twice. But by simply paying attention — to color, shape, smell, and frequency — you can catch imbalances early and understand what’s really going on inside your body before symptoms even show up.
Let’s decode what your poop might be trying to tell you. 💩🔍
What Is Poop, Really?
It’s not just waste — it’s information. Healthy stool is about:
75% water
25% solid material, including:
Undigested food (mainly fiber)
Bacteria (both good & bad)
Cells your body sheds from the gut lining
Mucus and bile
What Does a Healthy Poop Look Like?
Color: Medium brown
Shape: Smooth, log-like, S-shaped
Texture: Not too hard, not too soft
Frequency: 1–3 times per day, once a day is great
Effort: No straining, urgency, or discomfort
Smell: Not too foul (bad smell may mean poor digestion or infection)
The Bristol Stool Chart: Know Your Type
This chart categorizes poop into 7 types — and yes, this is used in real clinical practice!
Image credit: “Bristol stool chart” by Sakurambo, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons
👉 Pro Tip: Types 3 and 4 are often seen as optimal. Types 1 and 2 can signal constipation, while Types 6 and 7 may indicate diarrhea or malabsorption. If you notice significant changes lasting more than a few days, it’s wise to check in with a healthcare professional. Consistently seeing Type 1 or Type 7 can be an early sign of gut dysbiosis or inflammation.
Poop Colors: What Are They Telling You
Brown: Totally normal ✅
Green: Possibly from leafy greens or fast transit time
Yellow: May indicate fat malabsorption or gallbladder issues
Black: Could signal bleeding (or iron supplements)
Red: May be hemorrhoids or something more serious — talk to your doctor
Pale/Clay: Could mean bile duct issues — worth checking!
What Can Mess with Your Poop?
Low fiber diet = constipation, incomplete elimination
Dehydration = hard, dry stools
High stress = diarrhea or constipation (your gut has nerves too!)
Food sensitivities = bloating, loose stool
Poor digestion (low stomach acid, sluggish liver) = undigested food, odd smells
Imbalanced microbiome = inconsistent bowel habits, gas, bloating, urgency
🚨 Important Note: It’s normal for your poop to vary a little depending on what you ate, how hydrated you are, or how stressed you feel. But recurring symptom can point to deeper gut issues. If you notice persistent diarrhea or constipation, blood in stool, very foul-smelling poop, unexplained weight loss, undigested food, floating poop, it’s worth talking to a healthcare provider or functional medicine practitioner.
How to Improve Bowel Health Naturally
Here are a few easy, practical tips to support your gut:
🥦 Eat Enough Fiber
Aim for 25–35g/day. Found in veggies, fruits, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and legumes. Helps bulk and move things along.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Water + fiber = smooth bowel movements. Aim for 2–3 liters per day.
🚶♀️Move Daily
Even a 20-minute post-meal walk can stimulate digestion and reduce constipation.
🧘♀️Manage Stress
Stress directly impacts gut motility. Breathwork, meditation, journaling = powerful tools.
⏱️ Chew & Slow Down
Digestion starts in your mouth! Chewing thoroughly helps nutrient absorption and less bloating.
⚖️ Try a Probiotic
Consider one with strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
These support gut lining integrity and regularity.
👉 Note: If you want to add new probiotics, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider.
Don’t Be Afraid to Look 🧐
Poop isn’t gross — it’s information about your health. The more you pay attention, the more you understand your body.
👉 Daily check-in = free gut health report card
Small tweaks like eating more fiber, managing stress, or taking a quality probiotic can have a huge impact over time. Your poop doesn’t lie.
You’ve got this — and your gut will thank you.