In the first study that analyzed the effect of constipation on the aging of the brain, scientists found disturbing connections, writes News.ro with reference to CNN. Chronic constipation, which the authors define as one stool every three or more days, is associated with a 73 percent higher risk of subjective cognitive decline, according to a study presented Wednesday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam.

“Our study provided the first such evidence after examining a wide range of bowel frequency,” Dr. Chaoran Ma, study coordinator and associate professor of nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, told CNN. were surprised by how strong the associations were, especially in those with very infrequent bowel movements,” the researchers said.

About 16% of the adult population worldwide experience constipation, but it is even more common among the elderly due to age-related factors such as lack of exercise and dietary fiber, as well as the use of medications that can cause constipation as a side effect. .

Chronic constipation has been linked to inflammation and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression, but many unanswered questions remain about the relationship between digestive health and long-term cognitive function.

Cognitive function refers to a person’s mental ability to learn, think, reason, solve problems, make decisions, remember, and be attentive.

To find answers to these questions, the authors evaluated more than 112,000 adults who participated in three studies. The first two studies looked at risk factors for serious chronic diseases among North American women, while the latest study looks at the same topics but for men. The authors of the latest study collected data on participants’ stool frequency between 2012 and 2013, participants’ self-reported cognitive function between 2014 and 2017, and details on objectively measured cognitive function in some participants between 2014 and 2014. 2018 year.

Compared with people who had a bowel movement once a day, the constipated participants had significantly worse cognitive ability, equivalent to three more years of chronological cognitive aging, the authors found. An increased risk was also found among those who had more than two bowel movements per day, although the proportions were small.

“The more we learn about the gut’s access to the brain, the more we realize that it’s really important to make sure that (preventing or combating cognitive decline) is a systemic approach,” said Maria S. Carrillo, chief scientist at the Alzheimer’s Association, who did not participate in the study. “The brain is not completely isolated from what’s going on in the blood,” she notes.

This study “was not designed to test a causal relationship between bowel movements, the gut microbiome, and cognitive health, so we cannot draw firm conclusions about the exact causal sequence underlying this relationship.” said the study’s lead author. But the authors found that bowel frequency and subjective cognitive function were related to the participants’ gut microbiome.

Among those with infrequent bowel movements and impaired cognitive function, there was a depletion of beneficial bacteria that produce butyrates, fatty acids that support the intestinal barrier that prevents bacteria and other microbes from entering the bloodstream. In addition, butyrates significantly contribute to digestive health by providing the main source of energy for colon cells.

They can be found in foods rich in fiber, in dietary fiber supplements, in prebiotics, and in whole milk products consumed in moderation, such as butter, cheese, milk.

Those who had two or more bowel movements per day and had worse cognitive function had higher numbers of species that promote inflammation and are associated with dysbacteriosis, an imbalance of gut microbes associated with disease.

Other studies presented Wednesday at the same conference produced similar results. A study of 140 middle-aged adults found that lower levels of the neuroprotective gut bacteria Butyricicoccus and Ruminococcus were associated with higher levels of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers.

In another study of more than 1,000 adults, people with poor cognitive ability had abnormally high numbers of Alistipes and Pseudobutyrivibrio bacteria compared to other participants. Alistipes bacteria have previously been associated with anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression and hypertension.

“It makes sense that people who have much less frequent bowel movements would have less good bacteria and more bad bacteria caused by inflammatory conditions,” says Carrillo. “Further research is needed to identify the microbes involved and their function.” show the authors of the study.

From the point of view of neurological and digestive health, “good food not only nourishes our brain, but also promotes a healthy gut,” emphasizes Maria Carrillo.

Eating enough fiber from vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts can prevent constipation. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, total fiber intake should be at least 25 grams per day. In addition, adequate hydration is important, as it softens the stool, so elimination can occur without effort. Exercising at least a few times a week and managing stress can also help.

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