Daily Elimination and Its Impact on Your Health

Jan 27
4 min read

Updated: Jan 30

How I Overcame My Long-Term Constipation Struggles

For years, I struggled with elimination. Days would go by without a bowel movement. I never thought of myself as constipated, but after my stroke, I had to face the reality that something wasn’t working.

I realized I was one of the millions of people who struggle with constipation, often quietly and without answers.

People suggested everything you can imagine: coffee, high doses of vitamin C, Epsom salt, colonics, enemas, you name it. None of it worked.

Elimination became even more critical after my stroke because of blood pressure concerns. I eventually relied on a daily laxative, but deep down I knew that wasn’t a real solution, it was a temporary fix.

That concern pushed me to dive deep into the research. I wanted to understand why my body wasn’t eliminating and what was actually happening inside. After piecing together information from many sources and experimenting carefully, I finally figured out what my body needed.

The results came within one day, and I was honestly shocked.

Below is what I learned, why daily elimination matters so much, what happens when we don’t eliminate regularly, and how gentle, supportive changes can make a powerful difference.

Why Daily Elimination Is So Important

Elimination is one of the body’s primary detox pathways. Every day, your body works to package up waste products, used hormones, excess cholesterol, metabolic byproducts, and toxins, and move them out through the stool.

When you’re not eliminating daily, those waste products sit in the colon longer than they should. Over time, some of these substances can be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, increasing the body’s toxic load.

This can contribute to symptoms like:

Bloating and abdominal discomfort
Fatigue and brain fog
Hormonal imbalances
Skin issues
Sluggish metabolism
Increased inflammation
Difficulty regulating blood pressure

Simply put: what your body is trying to get rid of should not be recycled.

Constipation is rarely just a “colon problem.” It’s often a sign that the digestive system as a whole is under-supported.

Your digestive system runs best when it feels safe, warm, hydrated, and well‑lubricated. Without those conditions, stool can become dry, slow-moving, and difficult to pass.

Laxatives, Do They Help or Make Things Worse?

Laxatives can feel like a lifesaver, and sometimes they’re necessary short-term, but they don’t address the root cause.

Most laxatives work by:

Irritating the intestinal lining to force a bowel movement, or
Pulling water into the stool artificially

Over time, this can lead to:

Dependency (your body stops initiating movement on its own)
Weakened bowel muscle tone
Worsened constipation when laxatives are stopped

This was my experience. The laxative worked, but my body wasn’t learning how to eliminate, it was being pushed.

How I Finally Fixed It

What changed everything for me was supporting digestion instead of forcing elimination.

Warm liquids hydrate the colon, stimulate digestive reflexes, and gently signal to the body that it’s time to move waste out. Here's what I did to get things moving again.

1. Wake Up the Digestive System

First thing in the morning, before coffee, I drink:

16 oz warm water (I do two 8 oz cups to keep it warm)
Freshly squeezed lemon
A pinch of high-quality salt (I use Hawaiian sea salt)
Honey (optional)

Why this works:

Hydrates the body after sleep
Stimulates digestion without forcing it
Supports bile flow and elimination
Calms the nervous system so the gut can move

It’s not a laxative. It’s a signal telling the body it's time to get things moving.

Why Lemon, Salt, and Honey?

Warm water alone is helpful, but adding lemon, salt, and honey turns it into a gentle digestive activator.

Lemon 🍋 supports stomach acid and bile flow, helping move stool through the intestines.
Salt 🧂 improves hydration, electrolyte balance, nerve signaling, and gut muscle function.
Honey 🍯 (optional) provides gentle carbohydrate support for the nervous system and digestive motility.

Why Warm Water Matters

Relaxes the digestive tract
Increases blood flow to the gut
Helps soften stool
Encourages natural peristalsis

Cold water can slow digestion, especially first thing in the morning.

2. Avoid Cold and Raw Foods in the Morning

Digestion is naturally slower in the morning. Cold smoothies, raw vegetables, and iced drinks can further slow gut motility.

Switching to warm, cooked breakfasts make digestion feel easier and more responsive almost immediately.

3. Add Olive Oil Daily

This was the missing piece for me.

I added 1 tablespoon of olive oil to my diet per day.

Olive oil supports elimination by:

Stimulating bile production
Lubricating the intestines
Supporting smooth muscle contraction in the gut

Unlike laxatives, olive oil works with your body’s natural processes, not against them.

Within one day, my body responded.

Why Olive Oil Is So Effective

Olive oil gently encourages bile release, making stools softer, easier to pass, and more regular, without irritation or dependency. It breaks down fats and acts as a natural stimulant for bowel movements.

This is why healthy fats are so important for gut health, especially for those who have struggled with constipation long-term.

Quick Recap

If elimination has been a challenge for you, focus on support, not force.

Daily basics to try:

Drink 16 oz warm water with lemon and a pinch of salt first thing in the morning (before coffee)
Avoid cold or raw foods in the morning
Eat warm, cooked breakfasts
Add 1-2 tablespoon of olive oil daily
Prioritize hydration throughout the day
Support your nervous system with slower mornings and reduced stress

Daily elimination isn’t just about comfort, it’s foundational for detoxification, hormone balance, cardiovascular health, and well-being. By focusing on hydration, warmth, healthy fats, and digestive rhythm, you can help your body do what it’s designed to do naturally.