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New research by the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) reveals that bowel movement frequency, often regarded as a mundane bodily function, is significantly influenced by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), with profound implications for long-term health. The findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine on July 16, highlight how these demographic factors can affect bowel regularity and, consequently, overall health.
An ISB-led team delved into the clinical, lifestyle, and multi-omic data of more than 1,400 healthy adults, sourced from the consumer wellness company Arivale. This study focused on generally healthy adults, excluding individuals with certain health conditions or on specific medications. Participants self-reported their bowel movement frequency, which was then categorized into four groups: constipation (one or two bowel movements per week), low-normal (three to six bowel movements per week), high-normal (one to three bowel movements per day), and diarrhea.
Key Findings:
- Demographic Influence: Younger individuals, women, and those with a lower BMI were found to have less frequent bowel movements.
- Gut Microbiome: The study revealed a strong association between bowel movement frequency and the composition of the gut microbiome. Fiber-fermenting bacteria, beneficial for health, thrived in individuals with a bowel movement frequency of one to two times per day. Conversely, bacteria associated with protein fermentation were more common in individuals with constipation or diarrhea.
- Health Implications: Blood metabolites and plasma chemistries also showed significant associations with bowel movement frequency. For instance, microbially derived protein fermentation byproducts, such as p-cresol-sulfate and indoxyl-sulfate, were found in higher concentrations in the blood of individuals with constipation, indicating potential kidney damage. Elevated levels of liver damage markers were observed in those with diarrhea.
“Prior research has shown how bowel movement frequency can have a big impact on gut ecosystem function,” said Johannes Johnson-Martinez, the lead author of the study. “If stool stays too long in the gut, microbes exhaust the dietary fiber and switch to fermenting proteins, producing toxins that enter the bloodstream.”
Moreover, the study highlighted the connection between bowel movement frequency and mental health, with anxiety and depression history correlating with bowel habits.
Dr. Sean Gibbons, ISB associate professor and corresponding author, emphasized the broader health implications: “Chronic constipation has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders and chronic kidney disease progression. Our findings in a generally healthy population show that constipation correlates with blood levels of microbially derived toxins known to cause organ damage, suggesting that bowel movement abnormalities could be early drivers of chronic diseases.”
Diet and Lifestyle: Participants who consumed a fiber-rich diet, maintained proper hydration, and exercised regularly were more likely to experience optimal bowel movement frequency.
This study underscores the importance of maintaining regular bowel movements for overall health and wellness, providing insights that could guide strategies to manage bowel health in healthy populations.
For further details, refer to the full study in Cell Reports Medicine: “Aberrant bowel movement frequencies coincide with increased microbe-derived blood metabolites associated with reduced organ function.” DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101646.
