Constipation is a common problem that affects millions of people around the world.
Many people experience it from time to time because of changes in diet, not drinking enough water, lack of exercise, certain medicines, or health conditions.
When eating more fiber, drinking more fluids, and being physically active do not provide enough relief, many people turn to laxatives. These medicines are easy to buy without a prescription and are often considered safe when used for short periods.
However, a large study suggests that using laxatives regularly over a long time may be linked to a greater risk of developing dementia later in life.
The research was carried out by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was published after analyzing information from the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest long-term health research projects.
The UK Biobank contains medical and lifestyle information from more than half a million volunteers and has helped scientists study many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.
In this study, the researchers followed 502,229 adults who did not have dementia when the research began. About 3.6% of these participants reported that they regularly used over-the-counter laxatives, meaning they took them on most days during the month before joining the study.
The volunteers were followed for around 10 years. During that time, about 1.3% of the regular laxative users developed dementia, compared with only 0.4% of people who did not regularly use laxatives.
After taking into account differences such as age, sex, medical conditions, and other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that people who regularly used laxatives had a 51% higher risk of developing dementia.
The researchers also looked at different kinds of laxatives. The strongest association was seen with osmotic laxatives. These medicines work by drawing water into the intestines, making stools softer and easier to pass. Although all types of laxatives were included in the analysis, osmotic laxatives appeared to have the strongest link with future dementia.
It is very important to understand what these findings mean. This study does not prove that laxatives cause dementia. It only found an association between the two. People who regularly use laxatives may differ from non-users in many ways that are difficult to fully measure.
For example, long-term constipation itself or other underlying health problems might also play a role. More studies are needed before scientists can say whether laxatives directly increase dementia risk.
One possible explanation involves the gut-brain connection, often called the gut-brain axis. Scientists now know that the digestive system and the brain constantly communicate with each other. The intestines contain trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that make up the gut microbiome.
These microorganisms help digest food, support the immune system, and produce chemicals that may affect brain health. Regular use of laxatives could change the balance of these bacteria, reduce their diversity, or affect the signals sent between the gut and the brain. Over many years, these changes might influence memory and thinking, although this idea still needs to be tested.
The study also reminds us that protecting brain health involves many daily habits. Keeping the brain active by reading, learning new skills, solving puzzles, or spending time with friends may help maintain memory. Regular physical activity improves blood flow to the brain and supports overall health.
Eating a balanced diet, especially one rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil, has also been linked with better brain function. Good sleep, controlling blood pressure and diabetes, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress are all important ways to lower the risk of dementia.
If you need laxatives only occasionally, this study should not cause unnecessary worry. However, people who rely on them regularly should speak with their doctor.
A healthcare professional can help identify the cause of ongoing constipation and recommend safer long-term solutions, such as dietary changes, more physical activity, drinking enough water, or other treatments when needed.
This research offers an important reminder that even common medicines may have long-term effects that scientists are still discovering. More studies will be needed to confirm these findings and understand exactly how laxatives may affect brain health. Until then, using laxatives carefully and only when needed is a sensible approach.
The research was conducted by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences using data from the UK Biobank and was published in the journal Neurology.
If you care about brain health ,please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more health information, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
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