Chronic Constipation is a Serious Health Problem!
Chronic Constipation is a Serious Health Problem!
Chronic constipation has potentially serious health consequences beyond simple discomfort or inconvenience.
1. Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Chronic Constipation increases exposure of the colon to carcinogens in stool, such as:
N-nitroso compounds – Formed from dietary nitrates and nitrites, such as those found in red meat and processed meat products (Turner & Lloyd, 2017).
Toxins and inflammatory compounds – Prolonged contact can lead to chronic inflammation, which increases the risk (Wu et al., 2023).
Altered bile acids (needed to emulsify or break down fats)—“Bad” microbes can negatively alter these important digestive molecules and increase cancer risk (Cong et al., 2024).
Tip: Eating 4-5 servings of veggies daily may reduce the risk of constipation and support a healthy gut microbiome.
2. Increased Risk of Diverticular Disease
Chronic constipation leads to increased pressure in the colon, which can cause:
Diverticulosis – Formation of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon wall.
Diverticulitis – Infection or inflammation of these pouches can lead to bleeding, abscesses, and perforations.
Tip: Adequate fiber lowers the risk of diverticular disease. Most Americans get only half of the minimum recommended amount of fiber (Anderson et al., 2017), which is roughly 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.
3. Increased Risk of Neurological Problems
(a) Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as digestion and breathing)
Chronic constipation can reflect or exacerbate problems with the autonomic nervous system, particularly:
Parkinson’s disease – Constipation often precedes motor symptoms by years (Schapira et al., 2017).
Diabetic neuropathy – Nerve damage affecting bowel motility.
Tip: Inform your doctor if you suffer from chronic constipation. Don’t just treat the symptoms with laxatives; look for the underlying cause. Keep your blood sugar under control!
(b) Gut-Brain Axis Disruption
The gut and brain are connected via the vagus nerve (also called the wandering nerve):
Reduced serotonin levels – Serotonin is the “happy” neurotransmitter that regulates mood and gut motility.
Dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) – can affect neurotransmitter production and increase inflammation, impacting mental health.
Increased risk of depression – Chronic constipation is associated with higher rates of depression (Ballau et al., 2017).
(c) Cognitive Impairment
Chronic constipation leads to:
Increased inflammation & toxic burden – Both of which are associated with higher risks of all-cause cognitive decline, especially among the elderly (Wang et al., 2022).
4. Increased Risk of Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures
Hard stools and frequent straining causes:
Hemorrhoids – Swollen veins in the rectum.
Anal fissures – Small tears in the lining of the anus, causing pain and bleeding.
5. Increased Risk of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
Chronic constipation increases the backflow of bacteria into the small intestine, leading to:
Bloating, gas, and discomfort
6. Increased Breast Cancer Risk
Excess Estrogen – Reduced elimination of estrogen through stools increases circulating levels and is thought to increase hormonal imbalances and breast cancer risk. Furthermore, excess estrogen may also contribute to chronic constipation, leading to a vicious circle (Wang et al., 2023).
Conclusion:
I hope that I’ve convinced you that chronic constipation is more than a nuisance—it’s an issue linked to increased health risks, including cancer, depression, and cognitive decline.
What can YOU do if you suffer from chronic constipation?
Get adequate fiber every day, between 25 and 38 grams. If you are eating a low-fiber diet, slowly increase it to avoid upsetting your stomach.
Adequate hydration.
Eat adequate amounts of healthy fats.
Check your medications. Many common medications for depression and high blood pressure can cause constipation.
Contact me for a free 15-minute call! I have dietary, lifestyle, and supplement suggestions to get you back on track.
Disclaimer
The included information is not meant to or should not be used to replace or substitute medical treatment, recommendations, or the advice of your physician or health care provider. The information contained within is strictly for educational purposes and is based on evidence-based nutrition. If you believe you have a medical problem or condition, please contact your physician or healthcare provider.
References:
Anderson, J. W., Baird, P., Davis, R. H., Jr, Ferreri, S., Knudtson, M., Koraym, A., Waters, V., & Williams, C. L. (2009). Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutrition reviews, 67(4), 188–205. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00189.x
Ballou, S., Katon, J., Singh, P., Rangan, V., Lee, H. N., McMahon, C., Iturrino, J., Lembo, A., & Nee, J. (2019). Chronic Diarrhea and Constipation Are More Common in Depressed Individuals. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 17(13), 2696–2703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2019.03.046
Cong, J., Liu, P., Han, Z., Ying, W., Li, C., Yang, Y., Wang, S., Yang, J., Cao, F., Shen, J., Zeng, Y., Bai, Y., Zhou, C., Ye, L., Zhou, R., Guo, C., Cang, C., Kasper, D. L., Song, X., Dai, L., … Zhu, S. (2024). Bile acids modified by the intestinal microbiota promote colorectal cancer growth by suppressing CD8+ T cell effector functions. Immunity, 57(4), 876–889.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2024.02.014
Schapira, A. H. V., Chaudhuri, K. R., & Jenner, P. (2017). Non-motor features of Parkinson disease. Nature reviews. Neuroscience, 18(7), 435–450. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2017.62
Turner, N. D., & Lloyd, S. K. (2017). Association between red meat consumption and colon cancer: A systematic review of experimental results. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 242(8), 813–839. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370217693117
Wang, F., Fei, M., Hu, W. Z., Wang, X. D., Liu, S., Zeng, Y., Zhang, J. H., Lv, Y., Niu, J. P., Meng, X. L., Cai, P., Li, Y., Gang, B. Z., You, Y., Lv, Y., & Ji, Y. (2022). Prevalence of Constipation in Elderly and Its Association With Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in neuroscience, 15, 821654. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.821654
Wang, Y., Jiang, Y., Jiang, L., Xiong, W., Wang, Y., Gao, X., Chen, Q., Lin, L., Yu, T., & Tang, Y. (2023). Estrogen increases the expression of BKCa and impairs the contraction of colon smooth muscle via upregulation of sphingosine kinase 1. Journal of cellular physiology, 238(10), 2390–2406. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.31106
Wu, L., Wu, H., Huang, F., Li, X. Y., Zhen, Y. H., Zhang, B. F., & Li, H. Y. (2023). Causal association between constipation and risk of colorectal cancer: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in oncology, 13, 1282066. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2023.1282066