A new study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found a possible link between frequent use of laxatives and a higher risk of dementia.
Laxatives are often used to treat constipation, but this research suggests that using them regularly for a long time might have serious health effects.
The study looked at more than 500,000 people from the UK Biobank, a large health research database. At the beginning of the study, none of the participants had dementia. About 3.6% of them said they used over-the-counter laxatives often during the month before the study started.
Over the next 10 years, the researchers followed the participants to see who developed dementia. They found that 1.3% of the people who used laxatives regularly were diagnosed with dementia, compared to only 0.4% of people who didn’t use them.
After adjusting for age, gender, and other health conditions, the researchers found that frequent laxative users had a 51% higher risk of developing dementia. The risk was even greater for people who used a type of laxative called osmotic laxatives, which draw water into the intestines to soften stool.
The scientists say that their study does not prove that laxatives cause dementia. Instead, it shows that there is a strong link between the two. One possible reason for this link is the gut-brain connection, also known as the gut-brain axis. This is the way the brain and the gut communicate with each other.
Frequent use of laxatives might upset the balance of bacteria in the gut. This could affect how the brain receives signals from the gut or lead to the release of harmful toxins in the digestive system. Over time, these changes might impact brain health.
Even though we don’t yet know how to fully prevent dementia, this study reminds us of the importance of healthy habits. Experts recommend staying active, both mentally and physically, eating well, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and avoiding smoking and heavy drinking.
This study does not mean people should stop using laxatives if they need them, but it does show the importance of using them carefully and under the advice of a doctor. It also highlights the need for more research into how gut health affects the brain, especially when using medications for a long time.
In summary, while more studies are needed, this research encourages people to be cautious about using over-the-counter drugs for long periods without medical guidance. It also adds to our understanding of how different parts of the body, like the gut and brain, are connected and how that connection might affect our long-term health.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and Omega-3 fats and carotenoid supplements could improve memory.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
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