[kitty2]

Not the most pleasant question but - I know that some people have floating stools and others don't but I was wondering why all of a sudden mine starting floating when I've always been a "sinker". Does anyone know if that signals any changes in my body? Thanks!

 

[flux]

The only thing that can make a stool float is gas. So probably you had some trapped gas and it hitched a ride on the way out.

 

[kitty2]

Flux - that does make since. I seem to have plenty of "hitchhikers".

 

[maggiew]

A high content of fat in the stool will sometimes also make it float, but it is mostly gas that is trapped by the fat. ------------------Praying for a cure for this NASTY IBS!

 

[race_ttc]

Kitty,Ideally your stool should float. What it means is that the density of your stool is less than that of water. This is a good thing because it typically means that your stool is softer, which makes it much easier to pass, plus softer, bulkier stools usually result in a cleaner track, sorta speak. The best way to get floater is to get enough fiber in your diet. Both insoluble and soluble fiber are needed. Both types will help to bulk up your stool, and the insoluble fiber will act sort of like a scrubber to help clean the walls of your colon (reduces toxins in your system).Race

 

[Guest]

Kitty... Race is 100% correct. I was given this information by a naturopath years ago. There is usually more odor with sinkers because the waste has been in the intestines longer. Floater are what you want. GAs has nothing to do with it.

 

[stinky too]

kitty,well better a sinker than a stinker

------------------Prayer doesn't change God , it changes the one who prays..

 

[flux]

quote:A high content of fat in the stool will sometimes also make it float, but it is mostly gas that is trapped by the fat.

Fat does not do this. It really does contain gas. When the gas is removed, a fatty stool drops to the bottom.

quote:There is usually more odor with sinkers because the waste has been in the intestines longer.

Odor is from trace gases. That depends largely on the kind of gut bacteria one has.

quote:Ideally your stool should float. What it means is that the density of your stool is less than that of water. This is a good thing because it typically means that your stool is softer

No matter how soft stool is, it will not float unless it contains gas. Having gas or not having does not directly mean anything for health. Whether fiber causes floating stools depends enitrely on how much gas is produced from the fiber.[This message has been edited by flux (edited 02-24-2000).]