Boo…poo?
In the spirit of the spooky season and in celebration of gut health, we’re talking ghost poop and ghost feces.
What is a ghost poop?
“A ‘ghost poo’ is a term used to describe when someone’s poop sinks to the bottom of the toilet and seemingly disappears without a trace,” gut health expert and registered dietitian Julie Balsamo previously told The Post.
That “no trace” includes no evidence when you wipe — and experts say that’s a damn good sign.
“It’s the healthiest bowel movement, actually, in many ways,” Kate Scarlata, MPH, RDN, a Boston-based registered dietitian, gut health expert, and host of The Gut podcast recently told SELF Health”.
There are several conditions that contribute to the spooky display.
The reason why these fish seem to disappear? They are heavier and, thanks to the fibers, sink faster.
Scarlata explains, “Unlike floating stools, which can be live due to excess gas, or malabsorption of carbohydrates or fats, ghost stools are filled with fiber, which gives them a weight that helps them to sink and disappear”.
Easy passage is also a sign that the sphincter and bowel muscles are aligned to push the stool in one cohesive motion.
And how about the ghostly lack of toilet paper proof?
“A lack of waste indicates a good balance of fluid and fat in your stool as stool with a lot of water or malabsorbed fats can be ‘messy’ and ‘mashed-potato-like,'” says Scarlata.
If you’re more in the mashed potato camp, Scarlata says you shouldn’t fear as “we’re all going to have different types of poop from one day to the next.”
Factors including diet, stress, hydration and hormones have a direct impact on the quality, quantity and ghost activity of your stool, and experts note that not having a ghost doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy.
However, a lack of fiber may be to blame for your less-than-stellar poop.
While the American Heart Association recommends at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day to help regulate bowel movements, control blood sugar, and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, most Americans get only about 15 grams per day.
“Plants are your best fiber foods, and fiber helps you pass stools easier and keeps your bowel movements regular. Some notable fiber foods are avocados, berries, beans, and whole grains. California-based nutritionist and registered dietitian Amanda Sauceda previously told the Post.
Too much fiber and not enough water can also keep the golden goal of ghost poo out of reach or out of the bowl, as fiber has a harder time moving through the bowel without water.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, “ghosts” are considered an optimal “four” on the Bristol stool chart — a research tool that “classifies feces” into seven different categories to tell you about the health of your bowel movements.
A “Type 4” on the BSC indicates a thin, “snaky” stool that is also smooth and soft in texture.
Sauceda advised that “hard, pellet-like stool” and stool with “lots of cracks on the surface” are both not “healthy” — ranking as a 1 or 3 on the BSC.
To achieve smooth, “snake-like” phantom stools, people need to increase their fiber and hydration.
Another way to keep your movements smooth is to up your throne game by investing in a Squatty Potty or practicing toilet yoga.
According to experts, sitting on a modern toilet interferes with the angle at which your rectum eliminates bodily waste.
When your knees are raised above your hips and your upper body is bent forward in a squat, the muscle that forms a sling around the rectum can relax, reducing strain, constipation and the risk of hemorrhoids.
“Physiologically, it’s better to poop at that angle,” Dr. Gina Sam, director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Center at Mount Sinai Hospital.
While experts agree that a ghost poop is generally a good sign of gut health, you don’t want a ghost poop every time you go.
As Sauceda noted, “It’s not ideal 100% of the time because you may not notice any changes in your stool. If the poo disappears into the toilet bowl immediately after you go, then you won’t be able to see if there are changes in color or consistency.”
Not having a regular bowel movement doesn’t mean your gastrointestinal health is at risk, but with colon cancer rates rising among young people, experts warn that some signs of obesity and nearby obesity are cause for concern. .
These include rectal bleeding, pencil-thin stools, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, pain during ejaculation, unexplained weight loss, and extreme fatigue.
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Image Source : nypost.com