Our body eliminates waste through feces and its appearance (shape, consistency, color and smell), the frequency of bowel movements and changes in intestinal transit can alert you to a health problem, so do not agree. take a look at the toilet and keep track of the times we visit it. But if what worries you is a very specific situation, such as your poop floating, you have to know that fecal floating is a coprological mystery that has not been completely solved and that more than 10% of healthy people expel floating stools. in the water instead of sinking, which is usually attributed to the type of diet or excess gas.
A team of researchers recently discovered a reason why droppings stay afloat while studying germ-free modified mice. They observed that the poop of these rodents had a tendency to sink, but when they took intestinal bacteria from standard healthy mice and put it in the stomach of the germ-free mice, they found that their stool began to float.
This has allowed them to identify gut bacteria responsible for flotation, including Bacteroides ovatus, which had previously been associated with flatulence and anal passing of gas in people. Therefore, and according to the results of the study, the bacterial composition of the intestinal microbiota is directly related to the buoyancy of the stool, although there are also other factors that can influence the specific gravity of the stool, such as lifestyle ( physical exercise, sedentary lifestyle…), the composition of the food we eat, water and gas, as well as certain diseases.
Floating stools, causes and when to worry
Composed of organic matter, bacteria, fungi, mucus, and cells from the lining of the intestine, stool is the largest reservoir of microorganisms—about 100 billion per gram—in the body, and it sinks because it is denser than water. of the toilet As we said, the fact that they do not sink does not have to indicate any health problem, but in some cases, especially if the floating poop is accompanied by other symptoms, it is necessary to consult the doctor. We explain the main causes of floating stools and when it is cause for concern:
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High fiber diet. Dietary fiber can cause a large amount of gas because during digestion bacterial fermentation is greater and more gas is produced, specifically methane.
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Fats. Consuming large amounts of fat or poor absorption of fat can cause increased fat in the stool.
- Changes in the diet when introducing new foods, or increasing the consumption of those rich in fiber such as legumes and whole grains.
- Gastrointestinal disorders such as infections, SIBO or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or parasitosis such as giardiasis. If symptoms such as abdominal pain or swelling, diarrhea or constipation, or unexplained weight loss occur along with floating stools, it could indicate a gastrointestinal pathology.
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Food intolerances (non-celiac gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance…).
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Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, irritable colon), which result in malabsorption of nutrients (carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, fats).
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Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
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Chronic stress, which can alter the balance of the intestinal microbiota, and a poor functioning of the intestine is associated with a lower production of serotonin (the ‘happiness hormone’), as affirmed by the dietician and nutrition expert Ángela Quintas, author, among other books, the secret of good digestion.
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