Help, My Poop is Green!

We all poop. Our poop comes in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes, ranging from soft processed poop to hard pellets. Our poop also comes in a variety of colors, telling us about our intestinal health (and sometimes what we ate the day before). What if your poop is green, though, bright green? Is your poop supposed to be green? Is green poop any cause for concern? Let's find out.

So where does green poop come from?
There are mainly two causes for having a green bowel movement, your diet and fast evacuation. Eating foods that are green (such as vegetables) will make your feces a mossy green, and eating lots of lollipops or Jell-O will make it a brighter, vivid green. Eating foods rich in iron is another cause. The more you eat, the more greener your poop will be! If you're really uneasy about your green feces, see a doctor - he will most likely tell you the culprit is your diet.

Another reason is fast evacuation. Your poop is naturally green inside your body and turns into a dark brown color after going through your entire system, but if the process is rushed, it won't have time to morph into its usual brown color. There are many reasons for fast evacuation, including use of laxatives, diarrhea, and food poisoning, but shouldn't be any cause for worry. If you continually have green feces accompanied by diarrhea though, see a doctor. This may be a sign of a growing problem.

My baby's poop is green! Is this normal too?
Perhaps. Here are some of the reasons why your baby's defecation may be that color:

- Iron-fortified formula. If you feed your baby formula, the iron in it may be the cause. Eating lots of iron is also the cause for green poop in adults.
- Dairy sensitivity. If you breast-feed your baby, the dairy in your diet may be upsetting the baby's stomach. Try eliminating dairy from your own diet to stop this problem.
- No reason at all. Sometimes babies just have green poop!

Babies generally poop all colors of the rainbow, but consult your doctor if you have any concerns.

My dog's poop is green! Should I be worried?
Usually not, but one serious cause of green stool is poison. If your dog's stool is bright green, call a doctor immediately. Your dog may have eaten a poisoned rodent or poison from a mouse trap, and can be fatal if left untreated.

Are there any serious causes of green poop for humans?
Indeed there is, although it's fairly uncommon. Here are some of the serious causes:

- Salmonella poisoning. You can get Salmonella poisoning from undercooked meat and poultry. To avoid this, always cook your food throughly and never eat anything raw.
- Giardia, an intestinal infection. This is usually characterized by stomach cramps, nausea, and watery diarrhea. This is caused by the parasite Giardia Iamblia, usually transmitted through water.
- Intestinal Disorder.

If your green stool is accompanied by pain and diarrhea, see a doctor if it continues for too long. Otherwise, green stool isn't a cause for concern!

So how can I get my poop to resume a normal brown color?
It's very simple - eliminate the culprits. Examine your diet and see if that may be the problem - two main sources are too much iron and food dye. Rich leafy vegetables, although healthy for you, has a good amount of iron that can be too much with excessive consumption. Vary your diet instead and eat other raw foods instead. Seafood and meat contain iron also, so limit your intake.

Food dye is found in many, many food items. The key to avoiding this is to eat natural foods. Processed foods will generally contain more food dyes, such as lollipops and Jell-O gelatin. These are unhealthy regardless, so try eating healthier - your body will thank you later.

If your green stool is because of fast evacuation, see a doctor. He or she will determine what course of action to take. Otherwise, be merry and celebrate your healthy poop.