Why Your Gut’s Motility Matters
Gut motility is just a fancy way of saying how quickly food moves through your digestive system. Your gut muscles are guided by your “second brain,” also called the enteric nervous system, which contains about 500 million nerve cells running from your esophagus to your colon. These nerves work with your brain to keep things moving, break food down, and move waste out. How well this process works depends on things like hydration, fiber, hormones, and even the balance of bacteria in your gut.
If your gut is too slow, waste and toxins hang around longer, which can cause bloating, constipation, and increase the risk of colon problems. If it’s too fast, your body doesn’t have time to absorb nutrients, which can lead to deficiencies, dehydration, and ongoing digestive irritation. With colon cancer continuing to rise in adults over 30, it is more important than ever to stay mindful of your gut health.
How fast or slow is your gut?
Measuring your gut motility helps you figure out if your digestion is sluggish or too quick. This can help you spot potential issues early and take preventative steps to protect your digestive health.
How to test it
Eat 1 tablespoon of whole sesame seeds on an empty stomach and track how long it takes for the seeds to show up in your stool.
Because sesame seeds aren’t easily broken down, they pass through mostly intact. The time from eating to seeing them gives a rough idea of your gut transit time.
Typical results:
- Less than 24 hours: May suggest rapid transit
- 24–48 hours (up to 72 hours, and for women even up to 100 hours): Generally considered normal
- More than 72 hours: May indicate slow motility
If you feel unsure or that your gut could use extra support, schedule a Functional Medicine drop-in with me. We can order gut-specific tests and create a plan to start improving your digestion and overall health today.
