I’ve experienced a resolution of constipation with 5:2. This isn’t something that I’d usually discuss, but quite a few people have reported a problem with abdominal cramping and diarrhoea the day after fasting. Apart from bringing down my cholesterol and blood sugar, this has been the most significant benefit I’ve had from the diet.

Thanks Healthyme – these are good suggestions. I have an odd neuromuscular condition, and the usual things didn’t work for me. Not that I was ever particularly concerned about it because I had bigger issues…. And I guess because my gut had always been dead-in-the-water, I was baffled about why people were so fixated on their bowels. I suspect that the same mechanism causing cramping in healthy people on 5:2 actually gets my immobile gut to move, and it might be helpful to others.

AbitunGraceful – it still works for me after 3 years on the diet, apart from the occasional lapse – my broader diet still has an impact on my gut, and eating poorly can still shut my gut down – it can take a month or so to get back on track. Having a properly working gut has had a significant impact on my own general health and wellbeing, so good luck – I hope the diet continues to work for you long-term.

Kjbusa – I don’t know whether you are still on the forum – I thought I’d write an update on the off chance you’d see it. My constipation eventually returned, and was no longer helped by 5:2. Recently I had genetic testing as part of an international effort to find new mutations for rare diseases, and I was found to have a much higher risk of Hirschsbrungs disease. You might wish to google ‘Hirschsprung Disease and Hypoganglionosis in Adults’ – it may or may not be helpful to you, but if you have had a lifetime of constipation, it might be worth exploring.