Why Are So Many People Constipated?

Constipation is a huge issue for many people. In fact, so much so, that I stopped asking people, "are your bowels moving normally?". Because, people will always respond, "yes!". Then later in the conversation somehow it will come up that they may only go every three to four days and have done their entire life! People don't even realize what constipation is.There is a lot of misinformation about bowel movements. But, basically, if you are not going AT LEAST one time per day (going more often in a day is much better), then, you are constipated. There are many factors in constipation, such as fibre, water intake, intestinal motility, and more. Often people are not doing the simplest things. What our mother used to tell us as kids WAS important--to eat our vegetables! Veggies and fruits give great fibre to create a good healthy bowel movement. It is surprising to me how many adults I meet that actually hold their noses to get down a few green beans! Seriously! It is kind of funny, but not, because we have to eat healthy unprocessed foods to be healthy. Not only for fibre, but for vitamins and minerals.
In Chinese medicine we have numerous ways in which to view constipation. It is a topic that encompasses pages and pages of text. There are herbal formulas to regulate the motility of the intestines, formulas to add moisture if the body is in a state of chronic dehydration, formulas to dry an overly moist intestinal environment, formulas to create movement in a weakened metabolic system, and formulas to just -make you go in those emergency situations. There are many many choices. The reason for this is that there are many ways in which a person can be constipated. 
At bomamed, we really emphasize the use of probiotics for intestinal health. Many of us are deficient in the basic fundamental part of our intestinal health-bacteria. 70% of our immune systems are housed in our small intestine. This part of our body being healthy is the basis upon which our entire body relies. It translates into healthy assimilation of vitamins and minerals and the absorption of those substances, as well as influences our immune systems and even our hormonal and neurological systems.
Did you know that you can influence the balance of hormones by influencing the health of your intestinal tract? It is true! 
So, being constipated can breakdown all aspects of your health, including your mental state of being. Depression is often routed in constipation. In Chinese medicine, there is a clear relationship between mental imbalances and the organs they are a symptom of.
Lastly, if you are not eliminating properly, your metabolism will be sluggish making you overweight. Your hair and skin and nails will not be shiny and beautiful. You will lose your glow!
Addressing health is obviously most important from your health's standpoint, but, also consider how much money you can save yourself in facials, creams, cosmetics, and who knows what else.
At least one poop a day keeps the doctor away!