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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/9/2011 1:29 PM (GMT -5)
is it bad to eat prunes if you are not constipated. I enjoy them and was wondering if they are too much of a laxative?
Posted 10/9/2011 1:55 PM (GMT -5)
Not for me they're not. I love, love, love prunes. I eat some every day. I guess you have to see how your body reacts to them.
Posted 10/9/2011 2:44 PM (GMT -5)
I've eaten them even when I've had D before and didn't notice an increase in frequency. I just wouldn't eat too many.
Posted 10/9/2011 4:35 PM (GMT -5)
yeah, i never found that prunes were a laxative for me. they just taste good.
Posted 10/9/2011 4:59 PM (GMT -5)
I just read this on livestrong.com I think its convinced me to ease up on the prunes. Another reason I like them is they are relatively cheap and I don't eat regular sugar.

Laxative Dependency

Because prunes contain an ingredient that is an irritant laxative, similar to stimulant laxatives such as Ex-Lax, long-term use of prunes can cause your digestive system to become dependent on prunes for normal bowel movements, warns the University of New Hampshire Health Services. If your digestive tract becomes dependent on laxatives, when you stop taking them you may experience temporary withdrawal symptoms, including constipation, weight gain and fluid retention.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/346774-side-effects-of-prunes/#ixzz1aKAc40bJ
Posted 10/10/2011 3:33 AM (GMT -5)
Interesting...but how many a day do you eat?

Are you still using the metamucil?

q
Posted 10/10/2011 11:02 AM (GMT -5)
Yes, I take the psyllium husk, 12 caps a day. My bowel movements are the best they've ever been. I just love to eat prunes, but it looks like they could take over for your normal bowel movement. What do you think?

My normal bowel movement is once every two or three days. These make me go everyday, but I don't want to be dependent on something other than psyllium husk to move my bowels regularly. I'd rather go every two or three days.
Posted 10/10/2011 2:35 PM (GMT -5)
Maybe have one or two daily? and mix that in with other fruits.

q
Posted 10/10/2011 7:57 PM (GMT -5)
I've definitely cut back. Thanks.
Posted 10/11/2011 7:22 PM (GMT -5)
I don't think you need to worry about eating too many prunes. They're very healthy and I've never heard that dependency claim anywhere else so I'd say you're safe to eat as many prunes as your heart desires. All that statement is really saying is if you eat a bunch of prunes, then stop, you might get constipated until your body re-adjusts. When you type in laxative dependency into Google, most of the searches tell you to eat prunes to OVERCOME laxative dependency. I think they taste nasty so I will not be joining you in eating any. :)
Posted 10/12/2011 8:16 AM (GMT -5)
I love prunes, too! I would eat them more often but dried fruit gives me gas. :o/
Posted 10/12/2011 9:34 AM (GMT -5)

Ugh Just Ugh said...
I love prunes, too! I would eat them more often but dried fruit gives me gas. :o/

most probably the sulfites from dry foods give you gas. if so, whou should avoid all rich sulfites/sulfides foods. i am sure you will see a difference.
Posted 10/12/2011 4:24 PM (GMT -5)
It's funny,prunes don't have as much fiber as one would think. That they work on the colon like a laxative can be borne out in the juice form, that works very well. Maybe prunes are like methadone to get off of heroin. At some point you need to get off of prunes as well. The safer poison?
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