“It is interesting to note the makeup of feces, as its color, consistency and smell are of considerable importance to Ayurvedic practitioners. Fecal material is made up primarily of water, bacteria and roughage. Its color is naturally light brown and is determined primarily by the presence of bilirubin derivatives. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of bile. Excess bile production turns stools a greater green or yellow color. The presence of mucous causes stools to appear more pale or white. The smell of feces is due to the by-products of bacterial actions. Below is a detailed chart of the composition of feces.”
The Composition of Feces:
75% water
25% solid matter, composed of:
10-20% fat
10-20% inorganic
2-3% protein
30% dead bacteria
30% roughage s/a epithelial cells and bile pigments
Color: Bilirubin derivatives
Odor: By-products of bacterial action
Excerpt from “Textbook of Clinical Ayurvedic Medicine,” by Dr. Marc Halpern, Founder of the California College of Ayurveda
