Can Long-term Constipation Affect Cognitive Function?

Constipation, an unspeakable pain, troubles many friends. Although human beings' sorrows and joys are not the same, when it comes to constipation, they are probably the same. They have tried their best, but still have "no harvest". The feeling of being in the toilet for eternity is not the same. Feel good.

Click to immediate constipation relief

Struggling to have a bowel movement once in a while is not considered constipation. Constipation refers to having less than three bowel movements per week, dry and hard stools, and difficulty in defecation. Occasional constipation is common, but when constipation lasts for >12 weeks, it is considered chronic constipation.

As we all know, long-term constipation is very harmful to the body. For example, abdominal pain and bloating affect the quality of life and can induce mixed hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse. So the question is, did you know that the frequency of bowel movements may also affect cognitive function?

Recently, the University of Massachusetts, Harvard University, and other institutions jointly published a research paper in the well-known journal Neurology, titled "Association Between Bowel-Movement Pattern and Cognitive Function: Prospective Cohort Study and a Metagenomic Analysis of the Gut Microbiome". The results found that, compared with those who had a bowel movement once a day, subjects who had a bowel movement every 3 days or more had significantly worse cognitive function, which is equivalent to three years of cognitive decline. This may be related to intestinal microbiota and specific microorganisms. Types are significantly related.

In this prospective study, researchers examined the relationship between bowel movement frequency and objective measures of cognitive function in 12,696 female subjects from the Nurses' Health Study II (NHHSII); The relationship between bowel movement frequency and subjective cognitive function among 113,145 female and male subjects in three cohorts of the Personnel Follow-up Study (HPFS). In an exploratory analysis, we examined the interrelationships between bowel movement frequency, gut microbiota, and subjective cognitive function in 515 subjects from NHSII and HPFS.

The researchers divided the study population into four categories based on the frequency of bowel movements: every three days or more, every other day, every day, and two or more times a day. At the time of the bowel movement frequency assessment, the mean age of the study population was 75.7 years in the NHS, 58.6 years in the NHS II, and 74.5 years in the HPFS.

Participants with more frequent bowel movements reported higher dietary fiber intake and less frequent laxative use. Participants who had more or less frequent bowel movements were less physically active and more likely to experience depressive symptoms and use antidepressants than those who had one bowel movement per day.

The researchers used CogState computer neuropsychological evaluation software to assess objective cognitive function. The study showed that after adjusting for potential confounding factors, bowel movement frequency was related to objective cognitive function in an inverse J-shaped dose-response manner. Similar dose-response associations were found for learning and working memory, as well as psychomotor speed and attention.

In terms of objective cognitive function, compared with subjects who had daily bowel movements, those who had bowel movements every 3 days or more had a degree of cognitive deterioration equivalent to aging by 3.0 years. Particularly in terms of learning and working memory, subjects who had a bowel movement every 3 days or more experienced cognitive deterioration equivalent to aging by 7.1 years.

Subjective cognitive decline was assessed with a set of yes/no questions, including 7 questions from the NHSII and NHS and 6 questions from the HPFS, regarding self-perceived recent memory and cognitive changes. Results showed an inverse J-shaped dose-response relationship between bowel movement frequency and subjective cognitive decline in three independent cohorts.

In terms of subjective cognitive function, compared with those who had daily bowel movements, subjects with the least frequent bowel movements (once every 3 days or more) and those with the most bowel movements (two or more times per day) had a greater chance of declining subjective cognitive abilities. were 73% and 37% higher, respectively, and were 19% and 10% more likely to complain of subjective cognitive decline over time. At the same time, there is also a nonlinear dose-response relationship between bowel movement frequency and the likelihood of long-term deterioration in general memory, executive function, attention, and visuospatial skills.

Next, the researchers also explored the role of gut microbes in the relationship between bowel movement frequency and cognitive function in 515 subjects. The researchers pointed out that although defecation frequency is not the main driver of intestinal microbial composition, PERMANOVA showed that there was a significant association between defecation frequency and overall changes in the intestinal microbiome, and there was a significant non-linear correlation between defecation frequency and PCo1. In addition, subjective cognitive decline was significantly associated with overall variation in the gut microbiome and was positively associated with PCo1.

In the end, the researchers identified 19 microorganisms that were significantly related to defecation frequency and 15 microorganisms that were significantly related to cognitive function; 3 microorganisms were significantly related to both defecation frequency and cognitive function, including Tumorococcus tumefaciens and Clostridium citrate. and anaerobes (An250). Dysbiosis-related genera Lepidobacteria, such as Vibrio parvum, Vibrio allostasis, and Vibrio atypical, are gram-negative and strictly anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity, intestinal tract, and genitourinary system, and are more frequently associated with related to defecation.

In subjects with less frequent bowel movements, a reduced abundance of Roseburia spp., including the major butyrate-producing bacterial species R. inulinivorans and R. faecis, was observed. In terms of cognitive function, enrichment of the opportunistic pathogen Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum and the anaerobic bacterium Blautia sp. CAG 257 was associated with worsening of cognitive function. The dietary fiber processor and butyrate producer Eubacterium eligens was more abundant in subjects with better cognitive function.

In general, people with constipation should pay more attention. The lower the frequency of defecation, the worse the cognitive function measured objectively, and the higher the risk of subjective cognitive decline. The enrichment of pro-inflammatory microbial species and the depletion of butyrate-producing microorganisms associated with intestinal microbial dysbiosis may partially explain the mechanistic link between abnormal bowel movements and cognitive function.

Coincidentally, a cross-sectional study in my country [2] found that the prevalence of constipation is higher in the elderly in China, and the prevalence of constipation in patients with dementia and na-MCI (na-MCI) is higher compared with cognitively healthy individuals. higher. The School of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong has also published an article [3], which believes that the microbiota-gut-brain axis is considered to play an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD), and PD-like intestinal dysbiosis occurs in the prodromal stage of PD. , which has the same meaning as this study.

From the above, we know that long-term constipation is not a trivial matter and is inextricably linked to physical health. To attract sufficient attention, we must improve our lifestyle and actively treat it. The authors pointed out that this study still has certain limitations, and more prospective studies are needed to confirm the association between bowel movement frequency and cognitive function and to further elucidate the mechanistic role of gut microbiota in cognitive impairment and dementia.

Natural Herbal Medicine For Relieving Constipation-Cistanche 

Cistanche is a genus of parasitic plants that belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. These plants are known for their medicinal properties and have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. Cistanche species are predominantly found in arid and desert regions of China, Mongolia, and other parts of Central Asia. Cistanche plants are characterized by their fleshy, yellowish stems and are highly valued for their potential health benefits. In TCM, Cistanche is believed to have tonic properties and is commonly used to nourish the kidney, enhance vitality, and support sexual function. It is also used to address issues related to aging, fatigue, and overall well-being. While Cistanche has a long history of use in traditional medicine, scientific research on its efficacy and safety is ongoing and limited. However, it is known to contain various bioactive compounds such as phenylethanoid glycosides, iridoids, lignans, and polysaccharides, which may contribute to its medicinal effects.

Wecistanche's cistanche powder, cistanche tablets, cistanche capsules, and other products are developed using desert cistanche as raw materials, all of which have a good effect on relieving constipation. The specific mechanism is as follows: Cistanche is believed to have potential benefits for relieving constipation based on its traditional use and certain compounds it contains. While scientific research specifically on Cistanche's effect on constipation is limited, it is thought to have multiple mechanisms that may contribute to its potential to relieve constipation. Laxative Effect: Cistanche has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a remedy for constipation. It is believed to have a mild laxative effect, which can help promote bowel movements and induce constipation. This effect may be attributed to various compounds found in Cistanche, such as phenylethanoid glycosides and polysaccharides. Moistening the Intestines: Based on traditional use, Cistanche is considered to have moisturizing properties, specifically targeting the Intestines. Promoting hydration and lubrication of the Intestines may help soften tools and facilitate easier passage, thereby relieving constipation. Anti-inflammatory Effect: Constipation can sometimes be associated with inflammation in the digestive tract. Cistanche contains certain compounds, including phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans, that are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing inflammation in the intestines, it may help improve bowel movement regularity and relieve constipation.