Please help! My mother became lactose intolerant several years ago and has been struggling since. It wasn't until recently that she determined she was also gluten intolerant. In that time, she had constant diarreah. She started, along with being lactose free for several years, the gluten free diet several weeks ago (not sure of exact date). She seemed to be getting better in the beginning with her bowel movements, no more being chained to the bathroom, but now it's getting worse, only it's the other way around, extreme constipation. Now she'll go an entire week without having to use the bathroom and when she finally gets the urge, it's unbearable, and not much is happening. She has attempted to drink a glass of Lactaid to help things move along, which worked in the beginning, but not so much now. She is very adverse to taking any kind of supplements or things that shouldn't be in your body to begin with, she would like to find a solution that is natural based, if possible. Being lactose AND gluten intolerant has become the issue in trying to find things that are free of both. If anyone has experienced these types of symptoms, please let me know. Anything'll help.

Also, I've been reading a lot about the magnesium supplements, does anyone have more information on this? Are there any brands over the counter that would be lactose/gluten free? Does it really help with the constipation? Oh, and my mother is extremely well versed when it comes to ingredients containing lactose and gluten, including all the stuff they fail to mention on labels and such, so it is highly unlikely she that she is being glutenized. Please help with any information you can provide and if you have any questions, I will attempt to answer them to the best of my knowledge. Thank you very much!

Is she getting enough fiber? Drinking enough water?

For fiber: Chia seeds, flax seeds, Hemp

8 - 10 glasses of water a day

Magnesium does work, but you cannot randomly throw in a single supplement. The body needs balance. If you add magnesium, you will need to balance with calcium. If you add calcium, you will need trace minerals to balance it.

You can use magnesium gluconate from Solgar now and again, but a long term solution is best. More fiber, adequate water and balanced multi-vit-mineral.

Here is a web site for supplements: www.swansonvitamins.com. You can call them to ask any questions about their products and for a catalog too. @ 1-800-437-4148. Sorry about your mom and sorry I can't help anymore.

Be sure she gets fiber from foods. Also my bowels were sluggish at times so I squeeze and release my stomach muscles a few times. It sounds silly but it helps alot. I never drink caffeinated beverages but will take a good strong cup of tea at times when I am constipated and that is enough to get things moving. Nature Made vitamins are gluten-free I believe. They have statements on the labels.

Two brands which I know of that are good about labeling are NOW Foods, and Source Naturals.

As for magnesium relieving constipation, it most certainly does. Especially magnesium citrate. I've read that about 70% of the population is deficient in magnesium too, so it is no wonder to me that so many people have chronic constipation.

Here are two products which will work:
http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?action=i...mp;item_id=2861
http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?action=i...mp;item_id=3199

Obviously, if there is a lack of fiber, that can cause the same issue, but not knowing her diet, I can't be sure.