Researchers analyzed the clinical, lifestyle, and multi-omic information of over 1,400 healthy adults. The frequency of bowel movements was found to significantly impact one’s physiology and health.
Every individual defecates, but not necessarily daily. Recent findings from the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) suggest that the frequency of bowel movements is linked to long-term health.
A research team led by ISB examined the data of more than 1,400 healthy adults, focusing on how the frequency of bowel movements influences physiology and health. Their results are set to be published in Cell Reports Medicine on July 16.
The researchers analyzed data from willing participants of the consumer wellness company Arivale, concentrating on generally healthy adults while excluding those with specific health conditions or medication use.
The research team classified self-reported bowel movement frequency into four groups: constipation (one or two bowel movements per week), low-normal (between three and six bowel movements per week), high-normal (between one and three bowel movements per day), and diarrhea.
After categorization, the team examined connections between bowel movement frequency and various factors such as demographics, genetics, gut microbiome, blood metabolites, and plasma chemistries.
The study revealed that age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly linked to bowel movement frequency. Typically, younger individuals, women, and those with lower BMIs tended to have less frequent bowel movements.
“Previous studies have indicated how bowel movement frequency can greatly affect gut ecosystem function,” stated Johannes Johnson-Martinez, the lead researcher of the study. “When stool remains in the gut for too long, microbes exhaust all available dietary fiber, which they ferment into beneficial short-chain fatty acids. Following this, the ecosystem shifts to fermenting proteins, producing various toxins that can enter the bloodstream.”
Additionally, the researchers discovered that the microbial composition of gut microbiomes in the study participants was indicative of bowel movement frequency. Gut bacteria that ferment fiber, typically associated with good health, thrived in a balanced zone of bowel movement frequency where individuals defecated between 1-2 times per day. Conversely, bacteria related to protein fermentation or the upper gastrointestinal tract tended to be more abundant in individuals with constipation or diarrhea, respectively.
Moreover, several blood metabolites and plasma chemistries displayed notable associations with bowel movement frequency, hinting at potential connections between bowel health and the risk of chronic diseases. Specifically, protein fermentation byproducts produced by microbes, such as p-cresol-sulfate and indoxyl-sulfate, known to harm the kidneys, were more prevalent in individuals reporting constipation. Meanwhile, indicators of liver damage were elevated in those reporting diarrhea.
Notably, the blood levels of indoxyl-sulfate were significantly related to reduced kidney function, offering initial evidence for a causative link between bowel movement frequency, gut microbial metabolism, and organ damage within this healthy group.
Unsurprisingly, individuals who reported consuming a fiber-rich diet, maintaining good hydration, and engaging in regular exercise were more likely to fall within the optimal bowel movement frequency range.
“Persistent constipation has been linked to neurodegenerative conditions and the progression of chronic kidney disease in affected patients,” mentioned Dr. Sean Gibbons, ISB associate professor and paper’s corresponding author. “Nonetheless, it has remained uncertain whether bowel movement irregularities are early contributors to chronic diseases and organ damage, or if these retrospective associations in ill individuals are merely coincidental.
“Here, in a generally healthy population, we demonstrate that constipation, in particular, correlates with the presence of microbially derived toxins known to cause organ damage, before any disease is diagnosed,” Gibbons highlighted.
The study also explored the relationships between bowel movement frequency and anxiety and depression, indicating that an individual’s mental health history is associated with their defecation frequency.
“Overall, this study illustrates how bowel movement frequency can impact all bodily systems, and how irregular bowel movements may be a significant risk factor in the development of chronic diseases,” stated Gibbons. “These findings could guide strategies for managing bowel movement frequency, even in healthy populations, to enhance health and well-being.”
