Stool that floats or sinks. Floating or Sinking Stool: Causes, Normality, and When to Seek Medical Advice

12.04.202208.06.2023 by alexxlab

What causes stool to float or sink. Is floating stool normal. When should you see a doctor about your stool. What do different stool characteristics indicate about your health. How can diet affect stool buoyancy. What medical conditions can cause changes in stool density.

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The Science Behind Stool Buoyancy

Stool density compared to water plays a crucial role in determining whether it floats or sinks. Typically, stool is denser than water, causing it to sink. However, various factors can alter this balance, leading to floating stool.

What affects stool buoyancy? The main contributors are:

Fiber content
Fat content
Gas trapped within the stool

These elements can decrease the overall density of the stool, making it more likely to float. While occasional floating stools are generally not a cause for concern, persistent floating can sometimes indicate underlying health issues.

Common Causes of Floating Stool

Several factors can contribute to stool that floats rather than sinks. Understanding these causes can help determine whether the floating stool is a result of dietary choices or a potential health concern.

High-Fiber Diet

Consuming a diet rich in fiber is one of the most common reasons for floating stools. How does fiber affect stool buoyancy? Fiber increases bacterial fermentation during digestion, producing more gas. This gas can become trapped in the stool, reducing its density and causing it to float.

Which foods are high in fiber and may lead to floating stools?

Beans
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli
Cauliflower

A 2020 study revealed that transitioning from a low-fiber diet to one high in fiber increased bloating, especially when combined with high protein intake. This change in diet can lead to increased gas production and, consequently, floating stools.

Excess Fat in Stool

Stool with high fat content is another common cause of floating. This can occur due to two primary reasons:

Consuming a diet high in fat
Having a condition that affects fat absorption

Conditions that can impair fat absorption include Crohn’s disease and other malabsorption disorders. When the body cannot properly absorb fats, they pass through the digestive system and appear in the stool, often resulting in floating, greasy stools.

Gastrointestinal Infections

Various gastrointestinal (GI) infections can lead to floating stools. How do infections cause this phenomenon? There are two main mechanisms:

Increased gas production: Some infections cause excessive gas, which can become trapped in the stool, reducing its density.
Malabsorption: Certain infections can impair the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to fatty stools that float.

One example of an infection causing floating stools is giardiasis, a parasitic infection that results in greasy, floating stools. Other GI infections that can cause similar effects include those caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella.

Medical Conditions Associated with Floating Stool

While dietary factors often cause floating stools, persistent floating can sometimes indicate underlying medical conditions. Understanding these potential issues can help individuals determine when to seek medical advice.

Functional Bowel Disorders

Research has shown a correlation between functional bowel disorders and floating stools. A 2015 study found that 26% of people with functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, experienced floating stools. Additionally, 3% of those with functional GI disorders had floating stools.

For some individuals, floating stool may be an early warning sign of a GI or bowel problem. When should you be concerned about floating stools? If they occur alongside other symptoms such as:

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Bloating
Constipation

These combined symptoms may signal an underlying GI issue that requires medical attention.

Malabsorption Syndromes

Malabsorption syndromes can significantly impact stool characteristics, often resulting in floating stools. According to research from 2021, floating stools are a common symptom of malabsorption syndromes. In these cases, the stool may also be greasy, large, and have a foul odor.

Two primary types of malabsorption can lead to floating stools:

Fat malabsorption
Carbohydrate malabsorption

Fat Malabsorption

Fat malabsorption is one of the most common malabsorption syndromes and can lead to a condition called steatorrhea. What is steatorrhea? It’s an increase of fat in the stool, causing it to float. While floating stool may indicate steatorrhea, a 2017 article noted that stool sticking to the toilet bowl is a more specific sign of this condition.

Several conditions can cause steatorrhea, including:

Small intestine disorders
Liver disease
Biliary disease

Individuals who have had a portion of their small intestine surgically removed, such as in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, may also experience steatorrhea.

Carbohydrate Malabsorption

Carbohydrate malabsorption occurs when the body is unable to properly absorb starch, lactose, and sucrose. How does this affect stool? Unabsorbed carbohydrates ferment in the colon, leading to:

Acidic stool
Bloating
Flatulence

The gas produced during this process can become trapped in the stool, causing it to float.

The Role of Liver and Biliary Function in Stool Characteristics

The liver and biliary system play crucial roles in digestion and can significantly impact stool characteristics when not functioning properly. How do liver and biliary issues affect stool?

The liver produces bile, which is essential for fat digestion. When little or no bile reaches the intestines, it can result in fatty stools that float. This situation may arise due to various conditions:

Liver disease
Blocked bile ducts
Gallstones

In addition to floating stools, individuals with liver or biliary issues may experience weight loss or develop diarrhea. These symptoms, combined with floating stools, warrant medical attention to determine the underlying cause.

Dietary Factors Influencing Stool Buoyancy

Diet plays a significant role in determining stool characteristics, including whether it floats or sinks. Understanding how different dietary factors influence stool buoyancy can help individuals make informed choices about their eating habits.

Fiber Intake and Its Effects

Fiber is a crucial component of a healthy diet, but it can also lead to floating stools. How much fiber should you consume? Recommendations for fiber intake vary by age and sex:

Females aged 19-50 years: At least 25 grams (g) of fiber per day
Males aged 19-50 years: At least 38 g of fiber per day

Interestingly, research from 2016 noted that 95% of adults and children in the United States do not consume enough fiber. While increasing fiber intake is generally beneficial for health, it’s important to be aware that it may lead to changes in stool characteristics, including floating.

Dietary Changes and Gas Production

Sudden changes in diet can lead to increased gas production, which may result in floating stools. This is particularly common when introducing new foods or switching to a different dietary pattern. Why does this happen? The digestive system needs time to adjust to new foods, and during this adaptation period, it may produce more gas than usual.

If you notice floating stools after introducing a new food or changing your diet, it’s likely due to increased gas production. This effect is usually temporary and should resolve as your body adapts to the dietary changes.

When to Seek Medical Advice for Floating Stools

While occasional floating stools are generally not a cause for concern, certain situations warrant medical attention. When should you consult a doctor about floating stools?

Persistent floating stools: If your stools consistently float, especially if this is a new and ongoing change
Accompanying symptoms: When floating stools occur alongside other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss
Changes in stool color or consistency: If you notice significant changes in the appearance of your stool, particularly if it becomes pale or greasy
Blood in the stool: This is always a reason to seek immediate medical attention, regardless of whether the stool floats or sinks

A healthcare provider can help determine if your floating stools are due to benign causes like dietary changes or if they indicate an underlying health condition that requires treatment.

Diagnostic Approaches for Persistent Floating Stools

When persistent floating stools become a concern, healthcare providers may employ various diagnostic approaches to determine the underlying cause. What diagnostic methods might a doctor use?

Physical Examination and Medical History

The first step in diagnosing the cause of floating stools typically involves a thorough physical examination and a review of the patient’s medical history. The doctor may ask about:

Recent dietary changes
Family history of GI disorders
Other symptoms experienced
Duration and frequency of floating stools

Stool Tests

Stool tests can provide valuable information about the composition of the stool and potential underlying issues. These tests may include:

Fecal fat test: To check for fat malabsorption
Stool culture: To identify potential bacterial or parasitic infections
Fecal occult blood test: To check for hidden blood in the stool

Blood Tests

Blood tests can help identify various conditions that might cause floating stools. These may include:

Liver function tests
Pancreatic enzyme tests
Celiac disease screening
Complete blood count to check for anemia or infection

Imaging Studies

In some cases, imaging studies may be necessary to visualize the digestive tract and identify any structural abnormalities. These might include:

Abdominal ultrasound
CT scan
MRI

Endoscopic Procedures

For a more detailed examination of the digestive tract, a doctor might recommend endoscopic procedures such as:

Colonoscopy: To examine the large intestine
Upper endoscopy: To examine the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine

These procedures allow for direct visualization of the digestive tract and can help identify conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease.

Treatment Options for Conditions Causing Floating Stools

The treatment for floating stools depends on the underlying cause. What are some common treatment approaches?

Dietary Modifications

In many cases, adjusting the diet can help resolve issues with floating stools. This may involve:

Gradually increasing fiber intake to allow the body to adjust
Reducing fat intake if fat malabsorption is the cause
Identifying and eliminating foods that cause excessive gas

Treating Underlying Conditions

If a specific medical condition is causing the floating stools, treatment will focus on addressing that condition. This might include:

Antibiotics for bacterial infections
Anti-parasitic medications for parasitic infections
Enzyme supplements for pancreatic insufficiency
Medications to manage inflammatory bowel diseases

Lifestyle Changes

In some cases, lifestyle modifications can help improve digestive health and resolve issues with floating stools. These might include:

Regular exercise to promote healthy digestion
Stress management techniques
Adequate hydration

It’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on the specific cause of the floating stools.

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Recommendations

While not all causes of floating stools can be prevented, there are steps individuals can take to promote overall digestive health and reduce the likelihood of persistent floating stools. What preventive measures can you take?

Balanced Diet

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for digestive health. This includes:

Consuming adequate fiber from a variety of sources
Balancing fat intake
Eating a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Gradual Dietary Changes

When making significant changes to your diet, such as increasing fiber intake, it’s important to do so gradually. This allows your digestive system to adapt and can help minimize gas production and potential floating stools.

Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration is essential for digestive health. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day to support healthy digestion and stool formation.

Regular Exercise

Physical activity can promote healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

Manage Stress

Stress can significantly impact digestive health. Incorporating stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help support overall digestive function.

Be Mindful of Medications

Some medications can affect digestion and stool characteristics. If you’re concerned about the effects of your medications on your digestive health, consult with your healthcare provider.

Regular Health Check-ups

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider can help identify and address potential digestive issues early on. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns about your stool characteristics during these appointments.

By implementing these preventive measures and lifestyle recommendations, you can promote overall digestive health and potentially reduce the occurrence of floating stools. However, it’s important to remember that occasional floating stools are normal and not necessarily a cause for concern. If you experience persistent changes in your stool characteristics or have concerns about your digestive health, always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.

Causes, is it normal, and when to see a doctor

Stool is denser than water and usually sinks, but it can float if it contains too much fiber, fat, or gas. This could stem from an infection, irritable bowel syndrome, and other health conditions.

If an individual’s stool floats often, it may be the result of their diet or a medical condition.

This article will provide information about some of the causes of floating stool. It will also discuss when a person’s stool indicates the need to seek guidance from a doctor.

Stool’s ability to float is usually related to air. A high fiber diet and gas can cause stool to float.

However, if a person’s stool never sinks, it may be an indication of an underlying health condition, such as:

malabsorption
a gastrointestinal (GI) infection
pancreatitis

Excess fat in stool can also lead to floating stool. This can happen if a person consumes a large quantity of fat in their diet or if they have a condition that affects fat absorption, such as Crohn’s disease.

A diet high in fiber leads to increased bacterial fermentation during digestion. This produces more air, which can get trapped in stool, causing it to float.

Many high fiber foods, such as beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, can cause gas. A 2020 study found that switching from a low fiber diet to a diet rich in fiber increased bloating, especially when the new diet was also rich in protein.

Some people also develop gas when they change their diet. If stool floats after an individual has eaten a new food or has switched to a new diet, gas could be the culprit.

Research from 2016 notes that 95% of adults and children in the United States do not consume enough fiber. Recommendations for fiber intake vary by age and sex.

Females aged 19–50 years should consume at least 25 grams (g) of fiber per day, while males in the same age group need at least 38 g of fiber daily.

GI infections can cause floating stool.

Some infections may cause gas, which can become trapped in the stool, lowering its density. In other cases, certain infections impair the body’s ability to absorb food, causing malabsorption. This can lead to fatty stools that float.

One example includes giardiasis. This is a parasitic infection that results in greasy stools that float.

Q:

What other GI infections can cause floating stool?

Anonymous

A:

Any GI infection can cause your stool to float, because the gas that the virus, bacterium, or parasite creates causes the stool to float. Other GI infection examples include those caused by Escherichia coli and Salmonella.

Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-CAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational, and people should not consider it to be medical advice.

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Some GI disorders can cause stool to float.

The authors of a 2015 study found that 26% of people with functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, had floating stools.

Additionally, 3% of those with functional GI disorders, which are a group of disorders that affect movement in the digestive tract, had floating stools.

For some individuals, floating stool may be the first warning sign of a GI or bowel problem. When floating stool occurs alongside other symptoms, such as pain, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation, it may signal an underlying GI issue.

According to research from 2021, floating stools are a symptom of a malabsorption syndrome. The stool may also be greasy and large and smell foul.

Examples of malabsorption syndromes that can lead to floating stool are fat malabsorption and carbohydrate malabsorption.

Fat malabsorption is one of the most common syndromes and can lead to steatorrhea. This is an increase of fat in stool, causing it to float. Although floating stool may be a sign of steatorrhea, a 2017 article observes that stool sticking to the toilet bowl is a more specific sign.

Steatorrhea can also occur due to a variety of malabsorption conditions, including small intestine disorders and liver and biliary disease.

Disorders that affect the small intestine can cause steatorrhea. People who have had a portion of their small intestine surgically removed, such as to treat Crohn’s disease, may also experience steatorrhea.

The liver produces bile, which helps the body digest food. When little or no bile reaches the intestines, it may result in a fatty stool. A person may also lose weight or develop diarrhea. Liver disease, blocked bile ducts, and gallstones may cause a fatty stool.

Carbohydrate malabsorption also causes stool to float. It occurs when a person’s body is unable to absorb starch, lactose, and sucrose. Carbohydrates that the body does not absorb ferment in the colon, leading to acidic stool, bloating, and flatulence. This gas can become trapped in the stool, causing it to float.

One important cause of carbohydrate malabsorption is lactose intolerance, which is the inability to metabolize lactose properly. This occurs when an individual’s digestive system produces too little of an enzyme known as lactase. It is also the most common cause of malabsorption.

People with lactose intolerance may experience bloating and diarrhea when they consume milk, cheese, or other dairy products.

As a 2017 article explains, some conditions affecting the pancreas can lead to a fatty stool due to fat malabsorption. Malabsorption can occur when the pancreatic enzymes or bile does not travel in sufficient quantities to the small intestine.

The result is a fatty stool that may float or be difficult to flush. The stool may also be white or very pale. Additionally, a person may notice that they have very dark urine.

Floating stool can also occur as a result of pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis.

Pancreatic cancer causes stool that is greasy and light in color. A person may also experience itchy skin, poor appetite, and weight loss, among other symptoms.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It can lead to pain in the upper abdomen that may also spread to the back. Additionally, a person may experience:

fever
a fast heartbeat
nausea
vomiting
a swollen abdomen

It is not possible to diagnose conditions affecting the pancreas based on a person’s symptoms alone. Pancreatic disorders are serious, so it is essential to get help and treatment as soon as possible.

Floating stools are not usually a cause for concern, as they can result from gas being trapped in the stool and from a high fiber diet. However, if the symptom persists, a person may wish to contact a doctor.

It is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional if:

a floating stool also looks very fatty or greasy, and the symptom persists
a person experiences chronic constipation or diarrhea
the stool is very light or pale
a person begins losing weight unintentionally
a person with an underlying medical condition develops changes in their bowel habits
a person has very dark urine

If an individual suspects that they have pancreatitis, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if the following symptoms occur:

pain that begins in the upper abdomen that:
- begins slowly or suddenly
- spreads to the back
- is mild or severe
- lasts for several days
fever
vomiting
nausea
a swollen abdomen
a fast heartbeat

Stool is the body’s way of eliminating waste, and it typically reflects a person’s diet. Floating stool, changes in stool color, and other temporary changes in bowel habits are usually not a sign of a serious medical condition.

However, a person should contact a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse. A doctor can do a variety of tests to reach a diagnosis.

Read this article in Spanish.

What It Can Tell You About Your Health

Healthy poop typically sinks to the bottom of the toilet bowl. You may have floating poop temporarily if you have an illness. But regular floaters can indicate a health condition.

When was the last time you took a look at what you left behind in the toilet bowl?

While there are certainly more appealing (and better-smelling) things to look at, checking out what’s coming out the other end can actually tell you a lot about your diet, activity level, and health in general.

It can be especially important to know whether your poop sinks or floats. But since you’re probably (hopefully?) not looking at anyone else’s poop on the regular, it can be hard to know whether yours is “normal. ”

Let’s cover the basics of what normal, healthy poop looks like, what to do when it doesn’t look normal, and when to see a doctor.

Poop typically consists of:

indigestible fat
food residue
bacteria
a large percentage of water

Hearing a hearty “plop!” when you’re sitting on the toilet is actually a sign that your poop is dense and, therefore, healthy.

If you’re eating a fiber-full diet and your digestive system is firing on all cylinders, your poop should be heavy enough to land at the bottom of the toilet bowl.

What to do if your poop floats

Even though healthy poop sinks, occasionally your poop will float like a life preserver.

If you’re leaving the occasional floater behind, it’s probably not a cause for concern. Eating a new food or food that gives you a lot of gas can make your poop less dense, resulting in floating stools. After a day or so, this typically goes away on its own.

Floating poop can sometimes be a symptom of a gastrointestinal infection or a stomach bug. These, too, tend to be temporary and will go away on their own.

But if your poop frequently floats and feels greasy, it could mean that you’re experiencing malabsorption.

Another symptom of malabsorption is weight loss. See your doctor if this is a regular symptom for you, especially if it’s accompanied by floating poops.

Floating poop can also be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS has other symptoms, too, such as:

cramping
bloating after meals
constipation
frequent diarrhea

If you frequently have floating poop in addition to these other symptoms, talk with your doctor.

Healthy stool is brown. This is because bile from your digestive organs tints the color of your poop.

Your poop can vary in color according to what you’ve eaten recently. If your poop looks super dark or even black, it’s probably because you’ve been eating a lot of blueberries or a food that uses dark food dyes, like black licorice.

Unhealthy shades

If your poop isn’t on the range of colors between yellow and dark brown, it can indicate an underlying health concern.

Light color

Poop that’s a lighter shade of brown or gray, or clay-colored, can indicate that your bile ducts aren’t functioning at their full capacity. This can be a sign of:

hepatitis
bile duct blockage
gallstones
swelling in the liver or pancreas

If your poop becomes lighter in color than usual and doesn’t return to its dark brown color, pay attention to other symptoms you be having. Contact your doctor if you aren’t feeling well.

Red

Poop that’s red, or stools that come out bloody, can be a sign that you have a blockage at your rectum. It can also indicate hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal bleeding.

In some cases, red poop can be a warning sign of colorectal polyps or intestinal cancer.

If you’re seeing blood in your stool or frequently have red poop, contact your doctor and let them know, regardless of other symptoms. They’ll be able to tell if you need to have your stool tested to determine what’s causing your red poop.

Poop can take many shapes and still be healthy.

Your feces will typically appear in formed logs with a clay-like consistency. Narrow, snake-shaped poop is also considered normal. Your poop can be large, small, short, or long: All these shapes fall on the spectrum of normal.

Unhealthy shapes

There are some things about your poop’s consistency and shape that can point to an underlying health condition. Most things about your poop’s shape and size are related to your diet.

Poop that looks lumpy or comes out in small softball- or caterpillar-like shapes can mean that you’re constipated. Increase your water intake if you notice your poop coming out pebbly or dry, even if you’re not straining when you go.

Poop that looks jagged or fuzzy might mean it’s time to load up your plate with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

A low amount of fiber in your diet can result in poop that’s extremely soft. If your poop lacks (for lack of a better word) definition, change up the amount of fiber you’re getting at each meal.

Even healthy poop doesn’t smell the best. There’s a reason, after all, why the word “excrement” is synonymous with “gross.”

Unpleasant-smelling poop is the result of bacteria and food decay. Poop has a very distinct smell that you’re probably familiar with, and everyone’s poop smells unique to them. Poop that smells earthy or musty is typical and normal.

Unhealthy smells

Poop that smells greasy, foul, or especially putrid can be a sign from your body that there’s something else going on.

Taking antibiotics changes the microbiota in your gut. This can result in foul-smelling stool. It’s often temporary and will resolve on its own, but a course of probiotic supplements can’t hurt to help things along.

If you menstruate, your poop may have a distinct and powerful odor during your period (which is totally normal).

You may also experience foul-smelling stool in addition to diarrhea if you take more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin or supplement. This, too, will resolve on its own in a day or two.

Seeing a doctor

If your poop is especially smelly and accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to contact your doctor.

Bacterial infections like E. coli, food and dairy allergies, and gastrointestinal parasites can cause your stool to smell abnormally offensive. Malabsorption can also cause a strong stench.

If your poop smells worse than usual, pay attention to other symptoms that you may be having. See your doctor if you have especially smelly stools and:

frequent cramping
constipation
diarrhea
weight loss
bloody stool

Some people poop a couple times a day. Others only poop every other day. Regularity is important, but there’s a wide range of what’s “normal” when it comes to poop frequency.

You may poop more often or less frequently depending on how much fiber is in your diet, how much meat you eat, how much physical activity you tend to get, and other factors.

Fixing constipation

If you feel constipated, first try to increase your water intake. Being dehydrated means that you might not have enough water traveling through your intestine to form solid, healthy poop.

If that doesn’t work, increase your fiber intake. Keep in mind that eating a lot of fiber can actually slow your digestion, at least at first.

Constipation home remedies are another option if you’re not pooping regularly. Consider taking a magnesium supplement or a natural laxative to get things moving. Getting some exercise, like going for a run or practicing yoga, can also help.

If you experience constipation on a regular basis, or if your stools are hard and dry, let your doctor know.

Healthy poop will typically sink to the bottom of the toilet, look dark brown, and smell a bit musty but not especially foul.

Poop gives you important clues into what’s going on inside your body. Any stool that’s not within the realm of what’s normal for you is a reason to pay close attention.

Stool that floats, is a different color than usual, and smells especially foul could indicate that you need to have a conversation with your doctor.

Feces buoyancy linked to intestinal microbiota

American researchers figured out why some feces sink in water while others float on the surface. According to experiments on mice, the composition of the intestinal microbiota is solely responsible for this. The report on the work was published in the journal Scientific Reports .

Feces 10-15 percent of people float on the surface of the water, and this is not associated with any pathological condition. Among people with functional bowel disorders, this proportion rises to about one in four. Historically, it was believed that the buoyancy of feces is due to the high content of fat in it, but in 19In 1972, Michael Levitt, a gastroenterologist from the University of Minnesota, and his student William Duane, in experiments with the stools of 39 people (including six patients with steatorrhea), showed that even fatty feces sink when gases are removed. The researchers did not specify the origin of the gas component, and this question, which has the potential for clinical application, has remained open until now.

To understand it, staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under the direction of Nagarajan Kannan, used conventional C57BL/6 (B6) and gnotobiotic (born and reared in aseptic conditions that do not have a microbiome) mice. Some of the latter have been colonized with microbiota in their intestines by a single intragastric injection of the drug, either in the faeces of normal mice or from one of two healthy women, or by allowing contact with environmental bacteria. Fecal sterility of germ-free mice and successful colonization of the intestines of the rest were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, scanning electron microscopy, and measurement of bacterial DNA concentration (a measure of microbiota density).

Flow cytometry showed that the number of undigested particles of food biomass is inversely related to the density of the intestinal microbiota. In thermogravimetry, the feces of germ-free mice differed from the rest of the samples in at least three temperature ranges; pycnometry revealed its significant superiority in relative density. The shape, size and color of the stool in all groups of animals did not differ.

To assess the buoyancy of faeces, the researchers used a simple LIFT test they had previously developed – levô in fimo (literally translated from Latin as “raising in dung”) test. It consists in placing stool fragments in water and a Trump fixer solution (10 percent formaldehyde and one percent glutaraldehyde) in phosphate buffer (TFS), followed by recording their position (at the bottom or surface) after a minute, hour and day. It turned out that all samples from germ-free mice sink in water and TFS in less than a minute, while about half of the bacteria-colonized samples remain on the surface of the water and all of them continue to swim in TFS after a day.

Also, the authors of the work performed simultaneously LIFT and microbiota density determination in gnotobiotic mice before intragastric colonization (all faeces were drowned, bacterial DNA was practically not determined) and after it weekly for 12 weeks. By the third week, with all methods of microbiota formation (transplantation from mice and humans, from a non-sterile environment), the DNA concentration in the whole stool began to stabilize at a level of more than 10 thousand nanograms per milligram, from that time all biosamples floated.

Metagenomic analysis of the intestinal microbiota of conventional, artificially colonized gnotobiotic and their donor mice revealed 13 dominant species of gasogenic bacteria from 11 genera, and their composition in different animals was extremely heterogeneous. The most common was methane-producing Bacteroides ovatus , associated, as previously shown, with an increased risk of flatulence in humans.

Thus, the buoyancy of feces depends solely on the gases produced by the microbiota; Swallowed air and the chemical composition of the dense matter of the stool do not play a role in this, Kannan concluded.

In 2019, Tufts University researchers reported that fecal transplants from physically fit older adults significantly increased the grip strength of mice. At the same time, a Belgian-Dutch scientific group showed that the intestinal microbiota affects the quality of life and the risk of developing depression. In turn, the species composition of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract depends on at least 69 main factors, including such non-obvious ones as the opinion of one’s own body weight and plans to reduce it, preferences for chocolate varieties and taking antidepressants – the Dutch, Belgian, Russian and British scientists.

You can read about the various uses of excrement in wildlife in the blog “It’s the norm: about the instrumental use of feces.” Issues related to fecal transplantation are analyzed in detail by Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Mikhail Gelfand.

On mice

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Why do poop sink (and why do they float) – Drink-Drink

When was the last time you looked at what you left in the toilet?

While there are certainly more attractive (and better smelling) things, checking out what comes out on the other end can actually tell you a lot about your diet, activity level and overall health.

It is especially important to know if your stool is sinking or floating. But since you probably (hopefully?) don’t look at other people’s poop regularly, it can be difficult to know if yours is “normal”.

Let’s go over the basics of what normal, healthy poop looks like, what to do if it doesn’t look normal, and when to see a doctor.

Floating and sinking poop

Feed typically consists of:

indigestible fat
food debris
bacteria
high percentage of water

90 002 Hearing a loud “clap!” when you sit on the toilet, it is actually a sign that your poop is dense and therefore healthy.

If you’re on a high-fiber diet and your digestive system is running at full capacity, your stool should be heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the toilet.