Squatty Potty video goes viral, but does it work?
A magical unicorn using a special footrest effortlessly eliminates itself creating cone after cone of rainbow-colored soft serve ice cream. The viral video has reached more than two million viewers, and numbers are rising.
The claim: changing from a sitting, to more of a squatting position, unkinks the colon and allows more efficient elimination.
Of course, treating difficulties like constipation, can be complex. Dehydration, lack of fiber, and even age can play a role.
When it comes to position, there is evidence that squatting can increase the anatomical opening. Critics contend that research involved a full squat, rather than the partial squat, achieved using the special toilet bowl contoured stool.
I spoke with colorectal surgeon, Dr. Jorge Marcet, at Tampa General Hospital. He was not familiar with the Squatty Potty, but did say positional change can help relax muscles in the pelvic floor. That could help some individuals experiencing difficulties.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE SQUATTY POTTY BELOW OR CLICK HERE.