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How Can I Prevent It?

The key to preventing constipation is simple enough: Drink adequate amounts of water — six to eight glasses a day is a good rule — get sufficient fiber by eating fruits, vegetables, and grains, and exercise regularly. Fiber is critical because most of our stool is actually made up of bacteria, and fiber gives bacteria a good foundation to grow on. Ample bacterial action results in a larger volume of stool and better bowel function.