Regular Bowel Movements Indicate Good Health, New Study Reveals Regarding Fecal Patterns
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell Reports Medicine, researchers have identified a "Goldilocks zone" for bowel movements, suggesting that a frequency of 1-2 times per day could lead to better health outcomes.
The study, led by Sean Gibbons at the Institute for Systems Biology, delves into the intricate relationship between bowel movement frequency and health. Previous research has suggested associations between constipation and higher risks of infections, and diarrhea with higher risks of neurodegenerative conditions.
The study found that fiber-fermenting gut bacteria associated with good health thrive in the "Goldilocks zone" of one or two bowel movements a day. On the other hand, both constipation (fewer than 3 times per week) and diarrhea (4 or more times per day) present unique health risks.
Constipation, according to the study, is linked to the build-up of harmful protein-fermenting bacteria and toxic blood byproducts such as indoxyl-sulfate and p-cresol-sulfate. These toxins can lead to kidney damage and increased chronic disease risks. In diarrhea cases, the study found clinical chemistries indicative of inflammation and liver damage.
Demographically, younger people, women, and those with a lower body mass index tend to have less frequent bowel movements. Men, who generally consume more food, may contribute to differences in bowel movement frequency.
The study collected clinical, lifestyle, and biological data from over 1,400 healthy adult volunteers with no signs of active disease. Participants' self-reported bowel movement frequencies were categorized into four groups: constipation, low-normal, high-normal, and diarrhea.
The team paired biological data with lifestyle questionnaires to paint a clear picture of those who typically fall into the Goldilocks Zone. Eating more fruit and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, regular physical activity, and a more plant-dominant diet were the biggest signals associated with falling into the Goldilocks Zone.
Gibbons hopes the study will encourage doctors to consider the potential risks of not managing bowel movement frequencies. The next step in the research could involve designing a clinical trial to manage the bowel movements of a large group of people over an extended period to assess its potential in disease prevention.
However, more research is needed to define the optimal range of bowel movement frequency more precisely. This evidence underscores that extremes in bowel frequency (too few or too many) may signal underlying gut dysbiosis and systemic health problems, while moderate regularity reflects healthy gut function and metabolic status.
[1] Gibbons, S. et al. (2022). Bowel movement frequency and human health: a comprehensive analysis of gut microbiota, metabolites, and physiology. Cell Reports Medicine.
[2] Science Alert. (2022). Optimal bowel movement frequency could improve health, study suggests. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencealert.com/optimal-bowel-movement-frequency-could-improve-health-study-suggests
[4] Gibbons, S. et al. (2021). Gut microbiota and host physiology in health and disease. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
- The new study in Science Alert reveals that eating more fruit and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a more plant-dominant diet could help individuals fall into the "Goldilocks zone" of one or two bowel movements a day, which might improve overall health.
- The researchers from the Cell Reports Medicine study found that fiber-fermenting gut bacteria linked to better health flourish within the "Goldilocks zone" of 1-2 bowel movements per day, suggesting that optimal nutrition and fitness-and-exercise practices could play a crucial role in promoting health-and-wellness and preventing health risks associated with both constipation and diarrhea.
