Frequency of Bowel Movements May Be Linked to Long-Term Health: Study

Irregular bowel schedules, particularly constipation and diarrhea, are so common that people often see them as mere annoyances. However, a new study suggests they may increase the risk of chronic diseases. “We suggest that chronic constipation or diarrhea may be under-appreciated drivers of organ damage and chronic disease, even in healthy populations,” the researchers wrote in the study, published July 16 in Cell Reports Medicine. The authors found that people who have less than one bowel movement a day have higher levels of uremic toxins, which are related to chronic kidney diseases, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Meanwhile, having one to two bowel movements daily was linked to more beneficial bacteria. They also found that those who frequently have diarrhea have elevated markers of inflammation and bilirubin, which can indicate liver damage....