Remedy For Constipation

Over-the-counter laxatives are big business, generating sales of more than $800 million per year. This is more common as we age and it's most important to deal with it to keep your machinery working properly! Among the safest and most healthful are Metamucil and other products that contain psyllium which is an excellent source of soluble fiber and bulks up the stool and stimulates peristalsis, the wavelike contractions of the colon that keep things moving along. Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas recently tested a homemade concoction against psyllium. They found that it worked just as well and cost half as much. In a six-week study, patients taking the homemade solution, made up of applesauce, wheat bran, and prune juice, had improvements in bowel function that actually surpassed those of a control group taking the usual dose of psyllium. In addition to soluble fiber, which also helps lower cholesterol, the mixture provides a hefty dose of phytonutrients.

Recipe: Mix 1 cup applesauce, unsweetened preferred; 1 cup coarse, unprocessed wheat bran, available in health food stores; and 1/4 cup prune juice. Take four tablespoons daily and be sure to store in the refridgerator.