The Fascinating World of Human Stool

Stool, also known as feces, is a natural waste product that our bodies eliminate daily. But have you ever wondered what makes up stool and what its different characteristics can tell us about our health?

Composition of Stool

Stool is primarily composed of:

– Water (about 75%)
– Dead bacteria that help break down food
– Living bacteria
– Protein
– Undigested fiber
– Waste materials from food
– Cellular linings
– Salts
– Fats
– Other substances released from the intestine

Appearance of Stool

The color of stool can vary depending on our diet and health. Here are some common colors and their possible causes:

– Brown: Normal color due to bile content
– Green: Green leafy vegetables, iron supplements, or food coloring
– Yellow: Babies’ stool, yellow food coloring, celiac disease, or gluten intolerance
– White or pale: Medicines, lack of bile, hepatitis, gallstones, or biliary atresia
– Black: Black licorice, iron supplements, or bleeding from stomach ulcers
– Red: Beets, gelatin dessert, tomato soup, or bleeding from colon cancer
– Orange: Carrots, winter squash, pumpkin, or liver problems

Types of Stool

Stool can come in different textures, which can indicate the condition of our digestive tract. The seven types of human adult stools are:

1. Separate hard lumps (constipation)
2. Sausage-shaped but lumpy (constipation)
3. Sausage-shaped with cracks on surface
4. Sausage-shaped, smooth, and easy to pass
5. Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
6. Fluffy pieces, mushy stool
7. Watery or semisolid stool

Odor of Stool

The typical odor of stool comes from its contents, such as methyl sulfides, benzopyrrole volatiles, and hydrogen sulfide. These chemicals can come from our diet, including meat protein, dairy products, and herbs like rosemary.

Contents of Stool

An average healthy adult eliminates around 130 grams of fresh stool per day, with a pH value of about 6.6. The typical stool contains:

– 75% water
– 25-54% bacterial biomass
– 2-25% protein or nitrogenous matter
– 25% carbohydrate or undigested plant matter
– 2-15% fat
– Calcium and iron phosphates
– Intestinal secretions
– Dried epithelial cells
– Mucus
– Undigested foods, such as seeds, nuts, and corn

In conclusion, stool is a natural and important part of our digestive process. By understanding its composition, appearance, and odor, we can gain valuable insights into our overall health and well-being.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces

https://www.umass.edu/mycenter/documents/bb/poop.pdf

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-do-different-poop-colors-mean