2023-07-19 23:05:39
memory and thinking skills
Enter 2023.07.20 08:05 Hits 49 Enter 2023.07.20 08:05 Hits 49 People with chronic constipation are more likely to have cognitive decline. [사진=클립아트코리아]
Chronic constipation may not only be an indicator of gut health, but a potential warning sign of reduced thinking ability, a new study has found.
According to a research team at Harvard University’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, middle-aged and older American adults who are chronically constipated (less than three bowel movements a week) show signs of brain aging.
The research team built their study on data from three large studies that tracked more than 100,000 US healthcare professionals over several decades. In 2012–2013, subjects reported on their bowel habits, and between 2014 and 2017 they self-assessed their cognitive function.
As a result, it was found that those who reported chronic constipation had lower memory and thinking test scores than those who had regular bowel movements. This equated to being three years older. Also, those suffering from chronic constipation were 73% more likely to say that their cognitive abilities were declining.
“These findings add to the evidence that gut health and brain health are linked,” the experts said. One possibility the team theorized is that constipation and cognitive abilities are linked through the gut microbiome.
The team analyzed their gut microbiome and found that people with constipation and poorer cognitive abilities tended to have relatively fewer gut bacteria that produce butyrate (butyrate), an important fatty acid that helps control inflammation. Bacteria in the gut excrete butyrat when they break down the fiber.
In recent years, numerous studies have investigated the link between the gut microbiome and various diseases, including degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
“The results of this study underscore the importance of physicians discussing intestinal health, especially constipation, with their elderly patients,” said Dr. Dong Wang of the research team. By eating and exercising regularly, you can prevent constipation and improve gut health.”
The results of this study (CONSTIPATION ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE AGING AND DECLINE: Plus, Gut Bacteria Linked to Alzheimer’s Biomarkers, Dementia Risk) were presented at the General Assembly of the American Alzheimer’s Association on the 19th and when published in a peer-reviewed journal. was considered preliminary.
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