Victoria Station in the heart of London is one of the busiest train stations in the world. Over 70 million passengers pass through the station every year. Every day 2,000 trains go in and out of Victoria.

What would happen if 2,000 trains entered tomorrow, but only 1,990 left? What if the same thing happened again the day after, then the day after that? This would likely have severe consequences and would make front page news in The Guardian.

Three trains in. Three trains out?

What if the same thing happened to us? We have three meals a day — three trains into the station. But only 2 trains leave? Over time, the build-up is called constipation. The consequences? Not a lot different from that of the Victoria Station traffic jam. Serious.

Constipation — referred to as ‘incomplete evacuation’ by Dr. Libby Weaver — can have a multitude of causes. The most commonly held response would be a lack of fibre in the diet. Other causes could be related to inadequate digestive enzymes, stress, food allergy or intolerance, or a thyroid problem. This is but a short list of potential causes.

Regardless of the cause, it is the effect that is most concerning. Constipation can adversely affect your health. Food trapped in the digestive tract for too long is leached of much more of its toxins. This can overwork the liver. It can stick to the intestinal walls and further constrict the flow of waste, potentially causing a condition known as “autointoxication”.

Being ‘regular’ with a well-functioning bowel takes a significant burden off of the digestive system, in particular, the liver.

‘Three trains out for every three trains in’ should be a goal for everyone. The intestinal train wreck that can result from this not happening is not a good thing for long-term health.