Constipation Milk Soy

By Dr. Jeeno Jayan, MBBS

Constipation milk soy

Soy Milk may cause constipation.

Based on a randomized controlled study of the New England Journal of Medicine, there is a correlation between soy milk consumption and constipation. It was concluded that soy formula can make stools firmer.

The exception to this was children who are allergic to milk protein. For most of them, their constipation episodes were cleared up when they switched to soy formula.

However, it is very common to individuals with allergies in soy formula to experience discomfort and constipation.

How Soy Milk causes constipation

First, lets ask ourselves why cow milk may cause constipation.

It is because it contains proteins that are difficult for our bodies to digest. This increases the amount of time the body retains it in the colon, resulting in more water being extracted. This can result in constipation.

Soy milk also contains proteins that are difficult to digest. When soy milk is mixed with other food items, it can cause the whole mixture to move more slowly through the colon, as the body tried to digest the proteins.

It is the colon’s natural function to take a mush of food the consistency of a milk shake and extract water to form more of a solid. As long as stool feces stays in the colon, the colon will continue its job of trying to extract moisture. That is why longer transit times can mean constipation.

Is soy milk a healthy alternative

It has been widely marketed that soy products are considered to be a healthy alternative to milk and even meats. Soy has been a part of a typical person’s diet in Asia and serves as a replacement for dairy milk in the USA. However, the consumption of soy products may not be as healthy as one might think.

1. Soy beans have several ingredients or substances that create a negative impact on a person's health. For example, it can be an allergen to trigger allergies, and carries a risk of constipation.
   
   
2. Soy consumption affects a person’s hormone levels; that is why, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends taking soy in moderation.
   
   
3. Soy products can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
   
   
4. Most importantly, soybeans grown in America are for the most part genetically modified. This means that it may have added health risks when consumed in large amounts.

The solution: take a magnesium supplement

We know that soy milk (and regular milk) slow down stool transit time. Magnesium is a way to help keep stool from drying out while spending longer in the colon.

Magnesium functions as an osmotic laxative, in that it draws water into the colon. This action can help stop stool from drying out. By keeping stool moist, stool remains soft and slippery, making for easy evacuation.

Taking a magnesium supplement each evening may help to ensure a regular and easy bowel movement shortly away after waking up.

For the 80% of Americans who don’t get enough magnesium in their diet, the extra magnesium may also result in other health benefits.

Constipation Milk Soy - The Conclusion

Soy milk may help cause constipation.

It contains hard to digest proteins that mean longer transit times. Magnesium may help to reverse this problem.

(Return from Constipation Milk Soy to Causes of Constipation)