2023-07-23 17:44:36
New Research Shows Link Between Constipation and Dementia
Constipation can have serious long-term health consequences, including inflammation, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, and depression. However, a new study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association international conference in Amsterdam has revealed that chronic constipation may also accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of developing dementia.
The study, which analyzed data from over 110,000 participants, found that those with infrequent bowel movements showed poorer cognitive performance, equivalent to aging three years. Additionally, two separate studies discovered a connection between certain gut bacteria and an increased risk of dementia.
University of Massachusetts Amherst professor Chaoran Ma and his team collected data on bowel frequency and mental functioning from 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2017, respectively. They found that participants with constipation had significantly worse mental functioning compared to those with daily bowel movements. These individuals also had fewer gut microbes responsible for digesting dietary fiber.
Surprisingly, the researchers also found that people who had bowel movements more than twice a day showed a slightly increased risk of cognitive decline. This suggests that there may be an optimal range for bowel movements to maintain brain health.
“These results underscore the importance of physicians communicating with their elderly patients about gut health and constipation in particular,” said Dong Wang, lead investigator on the study and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. He recommends measures to prevent constipation, such as maintaining a healthy diet high in fiber and polyphenols, drinking plenty of water, and engaging in regular exercise.
Heather M. Snyder, Alzheimer’s Association vice president of medical and scientific relations, emphasized the importance of maintaining overall bodily health. “Our body systems are all connected,” she said. “When one system isn’t working properly, it affects other systems.”
The findings from this study add to the growing body of research highlighting the link between a healthy gut and a healthy brain. Researchers are hopeful that further investigation into this connection will lead to the development of new therapies and risk-reducing approaches for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.]
#Constipation #increase #risk #Alzheimers