To relieve constipation, some patients turn to laxatives. These drugs accelerate intestinal transit and soften the stool. According to a recent study published on February 22, they could increase the risk of onset of dementia. These findings were published in the journal Neurology, the medical publication of the American Academy of Neurology.
In this study, the researchers found that those who used exclusively osmotic laxatives (which increase stool hydration) had an even greater risk. Scientists point out that this study does not prove that laxatives cause dementia but shows just an association. This study was conducted among 502,229 with an average age of 57 who did not have dementia. In detail, 18,235 people in the panel, or 3.6%, said they regularly used over-the-counter laxatives.
Beware of osmotic laxatives
“Constipation and laxative use are common in middle-aged adults. Regular laxative use can alter the gut microbiome, possibly affecting nerve signaling from the gut to the brain or increasing the production of toxins that can affect the brain Our research found that regular use of over-the-counter laxatives was associated with a higher risk of dementiaespecially in people who used multiple types of laxatives or osmotic laxatives,” study author Feng Sha, from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Guangdong, said in a statement. a statement.
According to the results, “218 of those who used laxatives regularly, or 1.3%, developed dementia. Of those who did not use laxatives regularly, 1,969 people, or 0.4%, developed dementia”. After adjustment, those who regularly used laxatives had an overall increased risk of dementia of 51%. And the risk climbed to 64% for users of osmotic laxatives.