xchocoholic,
I'm sure that you already know guarana is a herb used by the South American indians as a stimulant.
It is no better or worse than caffiene.
I did an in depth study of guarana about 18 years ago when I was conned into buying Herbalife supplements. I was told Herbalife supplements gave you energy because of the multitude of vitamins & minerals. They may well have vitamins & minerals, but in very fine print it also mentions guarana (in every supplement if I remember correctly).
It is in many "energy" drinks here in Australia & also now being put into chocolate bars. An energy drink with guarana is the equivalent of about 6 very, very strong cups of black coffee.
No wonder you get increased energy from the drink (or chocolate bar).
I strongly discourage people from using it, as, like caffiene, it is addictive. (despite what the internet ads say).
After you stop regular consumption you get withdrawal symptoms exactly the same as coffee.
And to August59,
I don't take any laxatives any more as I have found the perfect solution which I feel is more natural & gentle.
For breakfast I have a cereal called Rice Flakes with Psyllium (which is made by Freedom Foods in New Zealand, but available here in Melbourne).
I also add a tablespoon of ordinary psyllium husks (which are very light & fluffy and more importantly VERY, VERY CHEAP).
I can't recommend this highly enough for constipation or irregular bowel habits. Of course I also eat alot of fruit, vegetable & filtered water.
But it is the psyllium husks which are truly miraculous for me (I had severe IBS for many years). No more pain. No more irregular BM's.
I measure some of the rice cereal (which already has some psyllium in it) into the bowl the night before. I sprinkle one tablespoon of psyllium husks (from the health food store) over the flakes, I tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseeds (for the omega 3) & generously cover with rice milk & put in the fridge overnight.
It swells & absorbs all the milk (in fact I somtimes put more milk in it in the morning if it's a bit too chewy).
You can prepare it in the morning but you do need to drink plenty of water or liquid as well.
Since I'm always in a hurry to get ready for work, I prepare mine in the evening & the husks swell overnight.
It is just sooooo gentle & works every day. The important word is "gentle" (when your have IBS).
Forget the laxatives, or drugs or whatever. I really don't feel they're necessary. If I've had alot of codiene (which is very constipating) I sometimes have a bowl of this cereal after dinner.
It's very filling.
So my current breakfast is:
1. 1 1/2 ounces or 45 grams of this rice cereal
2. 1 tablespoon of psyllium husks
3. 1 tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseed (your digestive system can't break the outer layer of a flaxseed,you need to grind them in a spice grinder to break them open & like all seeds, you should do this fresh each day or maybe grind enough for 3 days at once - store them in the fridge. Most seeds or oils go rancid fairly quickly. I try to buy small quantities & use them in 1-2 months).
4. Acai powder - 1 scoop (first time I've tried this & don't notice any difference so I won't be buying this expensive anti-oxidant again).
5. Rice milk (or dairy, or soy, or almond milk - what ever you like). I have used soy milk for 25 years until I tried rice milk a few months ago & like it much better).
6. In winter - a banana (for the potassium)
In summer - blueberries, strawberries & raspberries depending on the price (or when I feel extravagent all three). I spend a lot of money on berries in the summer. Only because I work & can afford to.
6. About 5-6 organic walnuts chopped up. I prefer organic nuts. I prefer to only buy organic meat, fruit & vegetables & nuts now. I would rather go without clothes, shoes, haircuts & I haven't had a holiday in 18 years or more (even if I had the energy to actually go somewhere).
I think you have to get your priorities right when you have chronic ill health. No point buying shoes & clothes if you're too ill to step outside the door (or get out of bed).
Victoria
I put the fruit & walnuts on in the morning, not at night.
Out of all the breakfasts I tried over the years, this has to be the quickest, best, most filling & good for regular soft, gentle bowel movements.
This is my weekday breakfast before work.
On the weekend, depending on what I'm doing, I usually have a bunch of organic spinach steamed with a couple of organic free range eggs poached on top OR grilled field mushrooms with steamed spinach.
But it's the psyllium husks that I can't recommend highly enough.
Victoria
