The Impact of Bowel Movements on Cognitive Decline and Brain Health

Chronic constipation, defined as having a bowel movement only every three or more days, has been linked to a 73% higher risk of subjective cognitive decline. The study, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, found that constipated participants had significantly worse cognition equivalent to three years more of cognitive aging compared to those who pooped once a day. The research also revealed a link between bowel movement frequency, gut microbiomes, and cognitive function. Infrequent bowel movements and worse cognitive function were associated with a depletion of good bacteria that produce butyrates, while those who pooped more than twice daily and had worse cognitive function had a higher amount of species that promote inflammation. Further studies are needed to identify the specific microbes involved and their function.