Posted on 02/23/2023 12:11:42 PM PST by ConservativeMind
People who regularly use laxatives may have more than a 50% increased risk of developing dementia over people who do not use laxatives, according to a study.
Researchers also found that people who used only osmotic laxatives, a type of laxative that attracts water to the colon to soften stool, had an even greater risk. Other types of laxatives are bulk-forming, stool-softening, and stimulating. However, the study does not prove that laxatives cause dementia. It only shows an association.
Feng Sha, Ph.D.: "Regular laxative use may change the microbiome of the gut, possibly affecting nerve signaling from the gut to the brain or increasing the production of intestinal toxins that may affect the brain."
Sha noted osmotic and stimulant laxatives are not recommended for regular use, yet some people use them regularly.
The study involved 502,229 people. Regular use was defined as using a laxative most days of the week during the month before the study.
Over an average of 10 years, 218 of those who regularly used laxatives, or 1.3%, developed dementia. Of those who did not regularly use laxatives, 1,969 people, or 0.4%, developed dementia.
After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, education, other illnesses and medication use, and a family history of dementia, researchers found people who regularly used laxatives had a 51% increased risk of overall dementia compared to people who did not regularly use laxatives.
The risk of dementia also increased with the number of laxative types used. For people using one type of laxative, there was a 28% increased risk, compared to a 90% increased risk for people taking two or more types of laxatives.
However, among people using only one type, only those taking osmotic laxatives had a heightened risk, with a 64% increase compared to those who did not use laxatives.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I have previously thought osmotic laxatives, such as Milk of Magnesia or Miralax, were a safer option, after dietary fiber did not work. I wonder if something is being pulled back through our intestinal wall beyond just “water.” Something is likely to cause this added dementia concern.
Also, people using more than one type of laxative also showed a dementia association.
Exercise/walking and fiber sources seemed safe. I would imagine drinking extra liquid was fine, too.
I stopped reading when I got to Feng.
Well, yeah...
You crap your brains out...
;]
“However, the study does not prove that laxatives cause dementia. It only shows an association.”
Maybe dementia is causing the need for laxatives. Can you forget that you need to make a BM?
Don’t take laxative and sleeping pills at the same time.
I guess Im doomed Ive been using laxatives, everything under the sun for my entire life. Now I use Miralax and Benefiber, but Ive used everything and I mean everything
Research indicates that everyone with dementia also drank water and ate food.
Aspartame might be the culprit here.
kinda explains “the don’t give a sh*t attitude” some people have...
prunes and prune juice.
That helps but my colon does not work without some sort of medication, without it it does not work, does not produce any urges so its not like a regular colon anymore its a colon that only functions with meds thats why I take benefiber, sometimes miralax when I need to
Joe doesn’t forget to poop
He just lets the mud flow whenever he wants to or not
oh well. sorry.
Yeah it is what it is..my doc told me to use Benefiber and miralax that its harmless so we shall see
It’s because they already had sh!t for brains and the Laxatives just made it pour out.
Why am I LOL?
Oh, you know.
The walmart knock off is cheaper and works pretty good 2.
Are laxatives the same as stool softeners, or are they two separate things?
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