Struggling With Bowel Movements on a Vegan Diet? Here's Some Advice to Promote Regularity

Waking up in the middle of the night, particularly at 3 a.m., can be a distressing experience for many. This time, often referred to as the "hour of the wolf," is known for increased vulnerability to emotional overload and hormonal changes, making nightmares, waking thoughts, or restlessness more likely.

There are several possible causes for this phenomenon. Stress and anxiety, disrupted circadian rhythms, and emotional factors are common culprits. However, medical conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, digestive issues, or certain medications can also cause frequent awakenings at this time.

Recent insights suggest that a consistent waking pattern at 3 a.m. might indicate liver malfunction or stress on liver function. Additionally, heart risk factors may be involved, as cortisol levels peak in the early morning hours, potentially contributing to heart attack risk, especially in women. Elevated blood proteins that increase clotting risk may also be highest upon waking, adding cardiovascular concern for those waking at such times.

From a psychological or spiritual perspective, waking around 3 to 4 a.m. could signal unresolved emotions, grief, or a stress response, possibly linked to both physical lung health issues and emotional states.

Other lifestyle factors influencing waking include caffeine or alcohol consumption before bed, inconsistent sleep schedules, bedroom environment, and use of electronic devices.

Regularly waking up at 3 a.m. could be a possible red flag for emotional stress, circadian rhythm problems, organ health issues (notably liver and heart), or lifestyle factors disrupting sleep. If this symptom is persistent and accompanied by other health changes, medical evaluation is advisable.

The National Library of Medicine offers a resource for identifying when medical attention is needed urgently. Their list of signs for emergency medical attention is distinct from the studies and publications mentioned earlier and is not part of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) or the recommendations by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

In case of serious medical symptoms, calling 911 is an option. It's crucial to seek help promptly if you're experiencing symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

In a separate development, the plant-based food retail sales hit $5 billion, as reported by The Good Food Institute and the Plant Based Foods Association. Meanwhile, various studies have been published on plant-based diets, including "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Health Effects of Vegan Diets," "Anti-inflammatory Effect of Whole-Food Plant-Based Vegan Diet vs the American Heart Association - Recommended Diet in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: The Randomized EVADE CAD Trial," "Comparative Effectiveness of Plant-Based Diets for Weight Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Five Different Diets," and "Nutrition: Comparison of Nutritional Quality of the Vegan, Vegetarian, Semi-Vegetarian, Pesco-Vegetarian and Omnivorous Diet."

The Institute of Medicine published "Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Total Water and Macronutrients," and The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics published information on the topic of "Fiber."

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3104220/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152507/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3680269/ [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6085499/ [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6737107/

Struggling With Bowel Movements on a Vegan Diet? Here's Some Advice to Promote Regularity