No one wants to talk about it. It is embarrassing, it is gross, women don’t even do it!

I hate to break it to you, gentlemen, but even that attractive girl you’ve been checking out POOPS.

If it is so natural and we all do it, why do we get so grossed out and embarrassed about it?

Knowing what a normal bowel movement (BM) looks like for you can save your life, literally. Over 70% of your immune system is located in your digestive system. If you have an irregular BM, you may be able to detect serious illnesses early.

So before you flush, take a quick look at your junk and think about these tips:

Frequency: This is dependent upon the person. Some people have a BM twice per day, some go twice per week. As long as you are comfortable and know what is normal for you.

Color: “If it’s brown, flush it down.” Your BM should be brown. Occasionally (usually when sick) it can be green. This is a result of a shorter transit time from when you eat it to when you make it to the bathroom. If it is red or black, that’s a “red” flag!

Size and Shape: Gingerbread cut outs are normal. As long as it’s coming out, it is a generally a good sign.

Odor: It’s supposed to smell, it’s poop! That’s a good sign your gut is functional.

Having some constipation or diarrhea issues? Take a look at your diet, fiber intake, water ingestion, and exercise frequency. Fiber intake is generally 20-25 g of dietary fiber per day.

So, next time you hit the john, take a peak before you flush!