Is squatting or sitting to defecate healthier

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David

David

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It has been observed that IBD is much more prevalent in 1st world countries rather than 3rd world countries. Some have theorized that this is due to diet or cleanliness or parasites. Well, after reading the following article, let me throw a LONG shot out there and put forth the idea that somehow it's due to us sitting instead of how we evolved: squatting.

http://www.slate.com/id/2264657/

:ysmile:

Now the question is, who else, as they neared the end of that article thought to themselves, "Hmm, I wonder if the neighbors would notice if I popped a squat in the backyard for a few weeks..."
 
If squatting solved all our problems I would start doing it exclusively in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I don't think that's the case.

Straining is the real issue here, which I never do. I suppose if I got to the point where I needed to strain I would try squatting. But I don't see that being a problem any time soon.
 
I had a friend who, when he first started teaching EFL in London, couldn't understand why there were sometimes 'footprints' on the toilet seats in the gents where he worked.
It's an interesting article David. I think it's probably a combination of squatting and diet in countries where they still have the floor level toilets. I remember reading an article years ago that said because they eat very few refined and processed foods with plenty of roughage, generally their stools are softer so passed more easily. They also wash with water afterwards, which I think makes a huge difference too.
 
I've actually tried this. Very difficult to squat on a sitting toilet seat. Very hard on the feet and knees. However, if you do it right, poop does come easier. But it really is difficult to squat over a toilet seat. I've read that you get the similar effect if you prop your feet up on a stool, and lean forward, but I don't own a stool... So...
 
I use prop my feet up on a stool in the bathroom. Ever since my surgery I have had a hard getting my muscles to do their work, and propping my feet up helps move things along.
 
There was a thread on here a while ago on this topic. I think there's something to it.... you know how little kids squat in their diaper to poop before they are potty trained? It's just a natural position.

Of course.... too late for me!!!

-Amy
 
My specialist dietitian once told me that the correct way to sit when doing a poo is -

Slightly raise your feet up, either on a stool or a phone directory or even just on tip toes.
Straighten your back, and lean forwards.

That way you are using different muscles and you're less likely to strain and/or get piles.
 
I should have checked back on this thread earlier so I could follow all of your logic rather than competing with my dog for the prime backyard areas.

You people and your common sense. *shakes fist*
 
Am I the only person who squats?? I rarely get 'd' so it's pretty safe, poop towel and poop roll on the floor . . . squat, sooooo much nicer, easier, much preferred!!
Also on the 1st/3rd world comment . . . . I read somewhere that higher prevalence could be due to a lack of sunlight, I live in the north of England, I think I'm kinda screwed on that one!!
 
I don't think lifting the legs up is very necessary but you can lean forward to reduce strain which does mimic a squat. You can cross your arms over your chest and rest your arms on your knees. But I really haven't noticed much of a difference. Only thing that I've noticed is that if I'm having a hard time (not with solid stool either) then I naturally bend forward but it doesn't always work.
 
sure david . . . I just have a supply of incontinence pads in the bathroom, put one on the floor and cover with flushable blue roll (which is like supersize toilet paper), so poop, then roll it up in the blue roll and flush. I can't believe I'm posting this . . . .
 
This is actually a pretty old question. I can remember as a kid, we had one of those reprints of a late 1800's Sears catalog, and it had in it a "conventional" toilet with the rim of the bowl/seat slanted backwards, so you'd be in more of a squatting position when using it. In addition to humans having evolved this way (squatting for about 200,000 years, sitting for about 200 at most), many believe the pressure of the thighs against the abdomen while squatting to defecate not only forces the waste out much more efficiently, it also forces the ileocecal valve closed, preventing material from the colon from passing into the small intestine under the pressures of elimination. The possible consequences of this should not be missed. The colon is packed with bacteria, but under normal circumstances, the small bowel is relatively free of microorganisms. Since more and more evidence seems to point to inappropriate gut flora - both in type and location - as a possible factor in things like IBD, this could be very significant. It's also pretty well established that squatting makes hemorrhoids much less of a problem.
 
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One has to use the squatting method consistently to see meaningful results. Yes, the first month was hard - but only because my body was limber for sitting and not limber for squatting. Now that my body is re-trained for squatting instead of sitting, it is getting much better for me. Slowly my other symptoms are subsiding as my body is no longer being forced to eliminate in an unnatural sitting position. Long term results are what I'm after, not the 'quick fix'. So I stuck with squatting and it has worked for me.
 
As far as I know, squatting is the best way to defecate healthier. Something like a toilet squat stool can really help you comfortably squat without having to buy a brand new toilet. Plus, no one wants diverticulitis.
 
I'd just like to mention that it's a really bad idea to squat on the toilet seat of a conventional toilet! Regardless of whether it's good or bad for Crohns, they're just not made to take the strain. I saw a medical photo online of someone's buttocks after the toilet had smashed underneath them and it was fairly horrendous. I read too, that local authorities are having to spend a lot on replacing toilets due to the influx of people from cultures where squatting is normal. Maybe that's why there are more stainless steel loos in public places nowadays?
 
I see this is yet another old post. But anyway.

Squatting is much healthier for defecating.

Sitting can lead to constipation. Squatting gets it all out.

I often read things along the lines of:

"The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease are lower in Asia, than in the West".

I would say the Asian diet would have a massive impact. But so would the Asian tendency to squat.

Lizzie said:
I read too, that local authorities are having to spend a lot on replacing toilets due to the influx of people from cultures where squatting is normal.
Click to expand...

In my local library in the woman's toilets, there are huge signs up everywhere telling people to sit, not squat.

Pictures of figurines squatting on the toilet seat with a big red cross through them too; for people that don't speak English.

I don't think anyone pays much attention to them, as the library staff are forever replacing loo seats.

There is a big Asian community in my area.

I have been into the toilet after an Asian lady before, and seen sweaty footprint residue left on the toilet seat.

I always wipe seats down with an organic wet-one before using them anyway, so bottoms or feet previously, don't really matter to me either way.
 

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