Laxatives are commonly used by people who experience constipation, especially when lifestyle changes like eating more fiber, drinking more water, and exercising don’t provide relief.
However, a recent study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has raised concerns that regular use of laxatives might be linked to a higher risk of developing dementia.
The study looked at data from 502,229 people in the UK Biobank, a large health database. The average age of participants was 57, and none of them had dementia when the study began.
Of these individuals, 18,235, or about 3.6%, reported that they regularly used over-the-counter laxatives. Regular use was defined as using a laxative on most days during the month before the study started.
Over the next 10 years, 218 of those who regularly used laxatives developed dementia, which is about 1.3% of that group. In comparison, only 0.4% of those who did not regularly use laxatives developed dementia.
After considering other factors like age, sex, education, other illnesses, medications, and family history of dementia, the researchers found that people who regularly used laxatives had a 51% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not use laxatives regularly.
The study also found that the type of laxative used could influence the risk. People who used osmotic laxatives, which work by drawing water into the colon to soften the stool, had an even higher risk of developing dementia.
Other types of laxatives include bulk-forming, stool-softening, and stimulant laxatives. While the study found an association between laxative use and dementia, it’s important to note that it does not prove that laxatives cause dementia.
The researchers suggest that the frequent use of laxatives might alter the gut microbiome—the community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the digestive system.
Changes in the gut microbiome could potentially affect nerve signals from the gut to the brain or increase the production of toxins in the intestines that might harm the brain.
This finding is particularly important because constipation and laxative use are common among middle-aged and older adults.
The study highlights the need for caution, especially with the regular use of certain types of laxatives like osmotic and stimulant laxatives, which are not typically recommended for long-term use.
While the results are concerning, they should not cause panic. The study only shows a link between regular laxative use and an increased risk of dementia, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
More research is needed to fully understand the connection and to determine whether certain types of laxatives are safer than others.
In the meantime, if you use laxatives regularly, it might be worth discussing this with your healthcare provider, especially if you are concerned about your risk of dementia. They might suggest alternative treatments for constipation or advise on safer ways to manage it.
For those interested in brain health, other studies have suggested that factors like walking speed, high blood pressure medications, a high-fiber diet, and certain antioxidants might also influence the risk of dementia.
Staying informed about these findings can help you make better choices for your overall health.
This study was conducted by Feng Sha and colleagues and was published in the journal Neurology.
As researchers continue to explore the complex factors that contribute to dementia, it’s essential to consider all aspects of health, including how we manage common conditions like constipation.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
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