Constipation, of humans and their beloved animals, is a mega-bucks business. When I check on the financial performance of constipation medications, I notice companies developing them are among the big players in the share market.
There are good reasons for their profit. We have more formidable challenges today in combating constipation. For instance: Super-rich fast food chains have phenomenal success through cleverly-crafted advertisement campaigns in convincing humans to substitute fresh food for "convenient quickies". On the other hand, humans who consider themselves not gullible i.e. health-conscious - have to constantly look out for undesirable elements sneaking into their food such as unhealthy fats, sugars and the relatively unknown genetically modified food. Since I am paying to maintain this website, I would like to call down evil upon those @%*%~ motorists who constipate me with their irritating driving attitude. Hope they will be constipated 24/7.
To sort out myths, half-truths and the truth is also a challenge. Many MLM companies do a good job in keeping the old story of autointoxication pretty much alive. How could I not mention a party called "opposing view" that is, in opposition to mainstream medical concept, even denying the usefulness of dietary fiber in relieving constipation with ultra-sophisticated reasoning?
The saddest irrefutable fact is that constipation is a part of our mortality. The most advanced medical achievement to date is still unable to completely eradicate constipation as a side effect of medications especially for patients who could not help being grievously ill or injured.
On the brighter side, countless inexpensive and even free natural constipation remedies do exist under the sun. Some aspects of traditional wisdom from different cultures I think is worth looking into if we are willing to view their strengths and weaknesses objectively.
The outlook on health which I have written here is very much inspired by my mom - a woman of limited formal education who went through a lot of hardship, yet perpetually optimistic about life. One thing she always reminds me is :" If you can help it, take less OTC medication. More natural stuff." She has three grandsons and she herself is still active - doing a hundred things a day. How could I turn a deaf ear to that advice?