Bowel Transit Time Test and Results

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According to the WebMD a bowel transit time test measures how long it takes for food to travel through the digestive tract. People generally don't consult a doctor immediately for changed bowel movements. The fruits and vegetables in the diet decrease bowel transit time, increase fecal weight, number of defecations, fecal excretions and apparent digestibilities of energy, nitrogen, and fat. The low fiber diet increases higher diastolic blood pressure of 80 or even more. On the contrary, the high fiber diet lowers the diastolic blood pressures.

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Constipation is caused by a lifestyle factor rather than an underlying health problem when the body's normal rhythm is disrupted and the movement of stool through the colon slows down. More water is absorbed from the stool than would normally occur, and as a result, stools become drier and harder, making them more difficult to pass out of the body.

How to test for Bowel Transit Time

Charcoal powder is used as a harmless marker which can be seen in the stool once it has completed its journey. To start the test, take four (4) charcoal capsules with breakfast. Record the date and time of the test meal. After every bowel movement, observe the stool under bright light. When a black or charcoal gray stool occurs, again record the date and time below. Continue to observe and record every stool for five more days. The color may return to normal within a day or two but may appear gray again a few days later. Make sure you record every time you see the black or gray stool. Do not consume any more of the marker until five days after it has appeared in the stool. Also, avoid beets, licorice, iron supplements, and any other substance which might color the stools.

After the stools have been the normal color for five days in a row, you are ready to repeat the test, following the same instructions. Three full tests should be done and reported to your doctor.