Nature's Platform (below right) uses the natural squatting position, with the body's full weight on the feet. The pelvis is suspended like a cradle. The thighs compress the abdominal cavity, producing a natural laxative effect.

Sitting with your feet elevated is a crude attempt to imitate squatting. It increases the constricting pressure of the toilet seat, since the body's weight is shifted to the rear. To compress the colon, you have to use the awkward posture pictured below on the left. You still need to hold your breath and push – which is not required when squatting correctly.

Straining in this way is the cause of hemorrhoids, diverticulosis and pelvic floor prolapse. The Israeli physician, Dr. Berko Sikirov, has published clinical research on the use of squatting to cure hemorrhoids. He is quoted in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients (October, 1996) as saying that only the genuine squatting position, with the body's full weight on the feet, offers any advantage over the conventional sitting position.

Finally, all the benefits of squatting have been identified by studying populations that use the natural position. There is no evidence that sitting with your feet propped up provides similar benefits.

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2. I have no problems with elimination. Why do I need to use the squatting position?

Because "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Long-term use of conventional toilets causes wastes to collect and harden in the lower regions of the colon (illustrated here.)

The following picture shows one reason why squatting is more effective. Other reasons are discussed on the Health Benefits page.

3. I like to read on the toilet. Can you read while squatting?

Yes, you can, but not as easily as in the sitting position, because your "lap" disappears. On the other hand, you will get the job done much more quickly, so there is less time for reading.

4. When traveling in India I always had a problem with squat toilets. I couldn't keep my feet flat without falling backwards. So I had to balance on the balls of my feet. This was no fun at all. Will Nature's Platform be any better?

Much better. When you're on the platform, the built-in slope means you're facing slightly downhill. This shifts the center of gravity forwards and offsets the tendency to fall backwards. You feel remarkably stable and secure.

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5. How much weight can Nature's Platform hold?

Nature's Platform has been tested extensively with over 300 pounds and sudden jerky movements and showed no sign of weakness.

The patented design allows a device weighing only 12 pounds to support 25 times its weight. This is because the legs remain absolutely vertical and are never subjected to shearing or twisting forces. The only force which bears on the frame is the force of compression. It would take tons of compression to deform any material, even plastic.

One lady, who describes herself as "quite overweight", was using Nature's Platform for the second time. She happened to be reading a magazine, and something she read made her burst out laughing. Her whole body shook with convulsive laughter – but Nature's Platform did not budge.

"That experience," she later said, "convinced me, once and for all, that I had nothing to fear. Thank you for making such an invincible product."

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6. I weigh more than 300 pounds. What should I do?

You can try using concrete blocks and some plywood. Stack two blocks on each side of the toilet. Cut the platform to the right size with an opening in the center as in this picture. If you don't have a jigsaw, use three boards as in the right-hand picture. Set the platform on the blocks.

1. When you buy the blocks, measure them. The actual size is usually one-half inch less than the stated size. For example, 6 X 8 X 16 inch blocks (a good size to get) are actually 5-1/2 X 7-1/2 X 15-1/2.
   
   
2. The blocks should be even with the top edge of the toilet bowl. You may need to put boards on top of the blocks to get the right height.
   
   
3. Wash and paint the blocks so the floor does not get littered with concrete "crumbs". The plywood should also be painted.
   
   
4. Since this platform will not have a five-degree slope, you will probably need foam heel supports.

Many people find that they lose excess weight once squatting becomes their normal posture for elimination. Impacted wastes in the colon can weigh over 30 pounds. This puts a severe toxic burden on the whole body.

A word of caution: The blocks tend to be a hazard – jeopardizing toes, knees, and the tolerance of others in the household. It might help to tape some padding to any areas you bump against.

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7. I feel nervous being up so high. Is there a way to squat closer to the floor?

Yes. Just put a container on the floor and footpads on either side. The footpads can be concrete blocks, or telephone books, or planks of wood. The version shown here has a forward slope to keep you from falling backwards.

8. If squatting is so natural, how did western civilization get off on the wrong track?

Although squatting is the most natural and effective posture for evacuation, the body is able to use other positions in emergencies (like a broken leg). For thousands of years, kings and queens have taken advantage of this option to distinguish themselves from the "commoners."

Then, in the mid-nineteenth century, at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, indoor plumbing became universally available. The early industrialists decided (rather arbitrarily) to install throne-like toilets everywhere – to allow ordinary people to feel like kings and queens. Knowing nothing about physiology, they sincerely believed that they were improving people's lives.

Those who felt uncomfortable with this decision were forced to keep silent. (In Victorian England, bodily functions were considered unmentionable.) From Great Britain, the most influential country in the world at the time, the fad quickly spread to the rest of Europe, and to North America and Australia. No country wanted to seem "backward" at a time when the world was making such rapid "progress."

Until just a few years ago, the taboo on discussing this subject kept most of the western world in the dark about how the human body was designed to function. The ignorance of the medical profession has been especially regrettable – and has caused much needless suffering.

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9. Is Nature's Platform really necessary? Couldn't someone just climb up on the toilet seat and use the squatting position?

Someone who is very flexible and agile might be able to do that, but there are two factors to bear in mind.

The first is comfort. In over 3 years of testing with hundreds of individuals, the unanimous verdict was that Nature's Platform is much more comfortable, stable and easy to use than balancing on the toilet seat or the rim of the bowl. Even people who had been doing that for decades said they intend to purchase Nature's Platform as soon as it becomes available.

One tester put it this way: "I never realized I was living in a hut until I had a glimpse of the palace."

The second factor is safety. Using a toilet in this way can dislodge the bolts that hold it to the floor. Once the seal between the toilet and the drainpipe is broken, toxic methane gas can leak into the house.

Toilet bowls are not designed to bear the concentrated strain of someone squatting (especially someone heavy.) They have been known to collapse, causing severe injury from pieces of jagged porcelain.

One additional factor to consider is that by purchasing Nature's Platform you are supporting the effort to re-educate the Western World, and thereby eradicate some of the most terrible diseases afflicting our society.

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10. Can the elderly use Nature's Platform? And how about small children?

If your knees and hips are flexible enough to squat without discomfort, then anyone of any age can use Nature's Platform. However, if there is any feeling of unsteadiness or tendency to lose your balance then you should have something to hold onto. Either attach hand grips to the wall, or set a chair in front of the toilet (facing away) so you can hold onto the back of the chair.

A chair is also advisable for small children. A folding chair with rubber feet is ideal. A walker also works well, especially if space is tight.

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11. Will squatting cure my constipation?

It depends on the underlying cause or causes. Squatting will certainly improve the situation significantly, but it may not "cure" it. There could be other factors involved. Make sure that your diet is healthy and that you are getting enough exercise.

In some cases, congenital factors may interfere with elimination. But whatever your inherent limitations might be, using the squatting position is the most important thing you can do to maximize your ability to eliminate.

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12. Why didn't my gastroenterologist tell me about squatting?

Because surgery is his main source of income.

With rare exceptions, gastroenterologists never mention the therapeutic value of squatting.    Even when a patient reports curing a colorectal ailment by switching to the squatting position (as many have done), the doctor will not share this information with his other patients.   He is afraid of putting himself out of business.

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13. Will squatting reduce the need for colonic irrigation?

The colonic irrigation industry sprang up to remedy the ill-effects of the "porcelain throne." Sitting toilets result in incomplete evacuation. The wastes accumulate and harden, constricting the colon and exposing it to toxic carcinogens. Colonics are very helpful to clean out the impacted wastes.

But, as more and more people use the squatting position, the need for colonics will diminish. Other specialists who will also find their patients disappearing include gastroenterologists, urologists and gynecologists. To learn why, see the Health Benefits page.

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14. Can Nature's Platform be used for urinating also?

Yes, of course. Men just aim downwards, and for women, the urethra naturally points downwards.

Over the years, we have found that a very small percentage of customers feel the need for a "urine shield." So, we include instructions for making a simple but effective shield that can easily be removed for rinsing.

Some women find it helpful to use a special funnel, such as the Lady J in conjunction with Nature's Platform. It's also available at campmor.com.

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15. When everyone has switched to squatting, what will we do with all the obsolete toilets?

One good suggestion has come to our attention and can be seen here.

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