Thin stools are a sign of deficiency in 'this' in the body

Stool is a mirror that reflects the health status of the digestive system in our body. While we often consider stool to be dirty, careful observation can reveal hidden diseases inside the body.

The most important thing to pay attention to is the color of the stool. The reason why stool is brown is because of bile. Bile is an enzyme that digests fats, produced in the liver and transported to the duodenum through the bile duct. There, it meets food and then moves into the intestines. When bile encounters intestinal bacteria, it changes to colors such as brown, ochre, or yellow. Bile is originally green. Since each person has different diets and variations in gut bacteria, the color of bile after transformation varies. Seeing stool that is brown, ochre, or yellow is all within the normal range.

If stool is red, black, or has a whitish tint, it may be due to illness. Red stool indicates bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract near the anus. This could suggest colon cancer or other conditions. Black stool, on the other hand, signals bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or small intestine. Blood mixed with food turns black over time. Conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, or stomach ulcers can cause bleeding.

If it is white, there is a possibility of bile duct obstruction. When the bile duct is blocked, bile cannot flow into the duodenum, so bile does not mix with the stool. The stool appears as clumped white rice or mashed tofu-like. The bile duct is mainly blocked in cases of cholangitis or bile duct cancer.

If your stool becomes thinner than usual, it can indicate poor nutritional status. It is commonly seen when someone is on an extreme diet that does not properly include meals. Rarely, thinning of stool can also occur due to cancer in the colon or rectum. If the thinning of stool persists and is not temporary, it is advisable to undergo a colonoscopy. Conversely, if the stool becomes thicker than usual, breaks in the middle, or appears small and pellet-like like rabbit droppings, you should pay attention to fluid intake.

The frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, ranging from two to three times a day to once every two to three days. If you do not feel any discomfort, it is all normal. Intense exercise or high stress levels can increase the frequency of bowel movements, while consuming a lot of meat can decrease it.

The smell changes depending on the food you eat. Eating a lot of meat tends to increase the number of harmful bacteria in the gut, leading to a stronger odor.