Definition Of Functional Chronic Constipation
All selected patients were inquired, before, for any possible secondary causes of functional chronic constipation, including alarm features, lifestyle factors and medical treatments and we also identified the response to previous treatment about constipation symptoms, by interviewing patients. Then, they were considered affected by functional chronic constipation only when they showed a frequency of evacuation less than twice a week with increased stool consistency. All the selected patients underwent blood tests, colonoscopy, nutritional assessment , stool frequency diary, LBT, GBT, wireless motility testing, radiopaque markers studies, and when required, tests for pelvic floor dysfunction, and psychological tests exploring patientâs quality of life.
Accordingly, when not eligible, patients were excluded :1): 152 consecutive subjects affected by functional chronic constipation with intestinal motility disorders met the eligibility criteria, along with 150 healthy subjects. Patients and controls in each group were first randomly sampled from the pool of available individuals and, then matched for age, sex and BMI, using MatchIt. This analysis resulted in 86 patients and 86 matched controls that were enrolled for the study. Our patients did not receive any pharmacological treatment before all evaluations.
Surprising Side Effects Of Taking Multivitamins After 50 Say Experts
It has been proven that as you age, you often consume fewer necessary vitamins and nutrients. This has to do with a change in how your body absorbs nutrients, as well as a common change in appetite.
The good news is that supplements are a simple way to gain back some of the nutrients you might be deficient in, and multivitamins can help you consume a handful of different nutrients in just one sitting.
And although multivitamins have been shown to help decrease your risk for age-related chronic diseases, it’s important to be aware of some of the potential side effects of taking them, especially after the age of 50. Read on to learn more about these side effects, and then don’t miss these Side Effects of Taking Anti-Aging Supplements After 50, Say Experts.
Choosing A Magnesium Supplement
Start by checking the labels on magnesium packaging. This will allow you to find the active dosage as well as any other ingredients in the product. They may include flavorings, fillers, or binders.
You also want to confirm the product is safe and effective by looking for a product certified by an independent testing organization like ConsumerLab. In 2019, the company investigated dozens of popular magnesium supplements sold on the market and found a few that disintegrated quickly when exposed to moisture.
ConsumerLab also found several that contained harmful amounts of lead, and others that were improperly labeled based on the contents. These third-party test sites can help you to know if you can trust what you see on the label.
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Do Vitamins Cause Constipation
Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal issue in the United States, reports the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse — it affects approximately 4 million Americans. While anyone can develop constipation, women over age 65 face an increased risk, and so do pregnant women. Several factors — including poor diet, lack of physical activity, dehydration, irritable bowel syndrome and ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement — can all cause constipation, but some vitamins and vitamin supplements can also take the blame.
It Can Relieve Constipation For Many People
If youre constipated and have a low fiber intake, eating more of it could help.
Studies have shown that increasing the amount of fiber you eat could increase the number of stools that you pass .
In fact, a recent review showed that 77% of people with chronic constipation found some relief by increasing their fiber intake .
Moreover, two studies have found that increasing dietary fiber intake could be as effective as the laxative lactulose for relieving constipation in children (
Bottom Line:
Most people dont eat enough dietary fiber. Those who lack fiber in their diet may experience relief by increasing their intake.
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Why Does Iron Cause Constipation
Your body cant always absorb iron easily and whats not absorbed can cause problems such as constipation. You can prevent constipation in a variety of ways, including gaining a better understanding of its causes. Some substances, like caffeine, can prevent proper absorption of iron, so avoid drinking your coffee within an hour or two of taking your prenatal vitamin. On the other hand, vitamin C aids in absorption. Taking your prenatal vitamin with a glass of orange juice can be beneficial.
We suggest letting your primary care provider know about what other vitamins and medications you currently take if your prenatal vitamins have high iron content. Professionals can help you figure out how to take your supplements and medications effectively.
Possible Side Effects Of Multivitamins
Your body needs to consume at least 13 vitamins and 16 minerals regularly to function properly.
A well-balanced diet is the best way to obtain these nutrients. That said, multivitamins provide a good alternative source for those who are unable to meet their nutrient requirements through diet alone.
Multivitamins that provide up to 100% of the daily Dietary Reference Intakes are generally considered safe and often free of side effects, as long as you take them as directed.
Nonetheless, some people may still experience a few side effects when taking multivitamins. Some side effects are more common than others .
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Watch The Simple Carbs
Do you ever wonder how a party-size bag of chips affects your digestive system? Well, for one thing, it wreaks havoc on your bowel movements the next day. As a more effective constipation treatment, instead try adding vegetables, complex grains and good fatsmonounsaturated and polyunsaturatedto your diet. According to WebMD, the good fats in olive oil help coat the intestine, making it easier for food to move through.
Getting Rid Of Constipation Caused By Vitamins Or Due To Other Factors
It has been seen that there are times when one needs to take in vitamins to meet the nutritional deficiencies in the body. And the problem of constipation also exists. In such cases, you have to learn the various ways in which the problem of constipation can be dealt with successfully. Mentioned below are some simple ways in which the problem can be solved to a great extent
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Supplements That May Cause Or Worsen Constipation
There are a number of supplements that can cause constipation. Iron supplements, for example are a common culprit. The good news, however, is that certain forms of iron may be less likely to cause constipation than others.
Similarly, calcium supplements can cause constipation in some people, but one particularly popular form of calcium may be more likely to do so than another.
Other supplements reported to cause constipation, although less frequently, include cinnamon, berberine, nattokinase, chlorella, NAC and beta-sitosterol.
Excessive intake of vitamin D as a supplement can cause hypercalcemia with symptoms including constipation.
If you take one of the supplements above and experience constipation, you may want to consider trying a different form, when possible , or stopping the supplement to see if that helps.
Prenatal Vitamins With Stool Softener
Its generally considered safe to take certain stool softeners when you experience constipation from your prenatal vitamins. There are no known issues with taking medications such as Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, and Miralax. If you have questions about which stool softeners you can take with which prenatal vitamins, ask your primary care provider.
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Fiber Is Generally Good For Digestion
Dietary fiber is the name given to the non-digestible carbohydrates in plants. It can be found in all plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds.
Its usually categorized into two groups, based on solubility:
- Insoluble fiber: Found in wheat bran, vegetables and whole grains.
- Soluble fiber: Found in oat bran, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and peas, as well as some fruits and vegetables.
That said, most fiber-rich foods contain a mixture of insoluble and soluble fiber in varying proportions.
Even though your body cant digest fiber, eating enough of it is thought to be very important for your gut health. This is partly because dietary fiber increases the size of your stools and makes them softer.
Larger, softer stools help keep you regular, as they move more quickly through your bowels and are easier to pass .
These two types of fiber help with this in slightly different ways.
Insoluble fiber bulks up your stool and acts like a brush, sweeping through your bowels to get everything out and keep things moving.
The soluble variety absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance. This helps your stool pass smoothly through your bowels and improves its form and consistency.
The fermentation of one type of soluble fiber, known as prebiotics, in the large intestine can also help maintain a healthy gut by increasing its number of good bacteria .
This could also improve your health by decreasing your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity .
This Supplement May Help Relax Nerves And Muscles
Magnesium is a mineral that’s needed for your overall physical health. About half of the magnesium in your body is found in your bones. The rest supports cell function throughout the body.
Among other things, magnesium plays a key role in muscle function, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and blood sugar level. Magnesium also is important to your immune system and keeps it working well.
You probably get enough magnesium from the foods you eat, like nuts and grains, but supplements may be helpful for people with a few specific conditions.
This article explains some of the health benefits of magnesium. It offers information about taking supplements, including what to look for. It also presents possible side effects and drug interactions.
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How To Best Prevent Constipation Caused By Multivitamins
The easiest way to prevent constipation caused by multivitamins is to limit consumption of constipation-causing vitamins and minerals.
For instance, if youâre choosing between two multivitamins with different iron levels, it may be best to go with the supplement that contains the least amount of ironâespecially if you can make up the difference through your diet.
Taking individual vitamins and minerals is another way to limit constipation.
For example, if you only need to take a vitamin D3 supplement, why throw in a bounty of bowel-breaking vitamins and minerals? Only take the vitamins and minerals you need to keep you happy and healthy.
Including Healthy Fats In The Diet
The body needs all kinds of nutrients for keeping healthy. Including healthy fats in the diet in the form of coconut oil, raw milk, and butter, fish oil, pastured meats etc. can help greatly in dealing with the problem of constipation caused due to vitamin supplement intake.
Now that you know, avoid vitamins that can cause constipation and lead a healthy life.
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Multivitamin Side Effects: Timespan And When To Be Concerned
1 ).
People who take multivitamins often do so to improve or maintain their health, protect themselves against nutrient deficiencies, or simply make up for the odd nutrient gap in their diet .
You can purchase multivitamins without a prescription, and most people view them as safe, which might explain their popularity. Despite this, multivitamins are not risk-free.
This article discusses whether you should be concerned about taking multivitamins. It reviews the potential side effects of multivitamins and which ingredients may cause them.
Ways Your Body Is Telling You You’re Running Low On Key Vitamins
- Your hair, skin, and nails can show what vitamins and minerals your body is lacking.
- Fatigue, constipation, bruising, and muscle soreness are also indicators of possible vitamin deficiencies.
Your body gives you a lot of information, including what’s going on inside you that you may not be able to see. The key is to pay attention to symptoms sometimes sneaky ones so you can get the nutrients you need to feel great again.
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Can Supplements Cause Constipation
While numerous supplements may relieve constipation, a few may also cause or worsen it. The following supplements have been associated with an increased risk of constipation:
- Iron. Iron supplements may cause digestive side effects, including constipation. Some forms, including ferrous sulfate, are more likely to cause constipation than other forms, such as iron bisglycinate chelate (
Keep in mind that other supplements may cause constipation in some people. If you suddenly develop constipation after starting a new supplement, discontinue the supplement and get advice from your doctor.
Summary
It Will Provide You With The Nutrients You May Be Deficient In
As you age, your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients naturally changes, which is why multivitamins can sometimes help supplement the ones you may need.
“Women are at a greater risk of deficiency for vitamins B6, B12, and D as they age, which are nutrients commonly found in multivitamins,” says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook and member of our expert medical board.
Another issue that people may face as they age is a decrease in appetite. “Losing your appetite long term can contribute to not taking in enough nutrients,” says Goodson, “and multivitamins can help ensure individuals are meeting their micronutrient needs when their diet might be lacking.”
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Other Supplements That May Help
Research suggests that the following products may also relieve constipation:
Although these treatments may be worthwhile if youre looking for natural constipation remedies, you should first discuss them with your doctor. Thats because herbal supplements may react with common medications and cause adverse effects if used incorrectly.
Summary
Sujiaonori, lactitol, CCH1, and MZRW are treatments that may help relieve symptoms of constipation. To ensure your safety, consult your doctor before trying them or any other supplement to treat constipation.
Supplements That May Help With Constipation
Now that you know what stuff might cause constipation, here are some options that might help you get relief.
- Magnesium. Studies show that supplementing with certain types of magnesium like magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide may help improve constipation.
- Probiotics. Some studies show that certain strains of probiotics may be effective for improving constipation symptoms. Just keep in mind that we need more research to show which strains work best.
- Fiber supplements. Certain fiber supplements may be helpful for improving symptoms of constipation. Psyllium supplements may help increase the water content of your poop. This can make your trips to the porcelain throne more relaxed.
Some studies show certain medications and other supplements can also help improve constipation symptoms. This includes:
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Best Foods To Relieve Constipation
If your fiber intake is generally low, try including more high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet.
This will increase both your soluble and insoluble fiber intake and could help relieve your problem.
Its best to do this gradually, as dramatically increasing your intake in a short period could cause unwanted side effects like pain, gas and bloating.
Foods high in insoluble fiber include:
33 ).
However, if you have IBS, you should probably avoid prunes since sorbitol is a known FODMAP and can exacerbate your symptoms.
Bottom Line:
Insoluble and soluble fiber are found naturally in many foods. Prunes may also be helpful, as long as you dont have IBS.
Colonic Transit Time Breath Tests And Wireless Motility Analysis
The colon transit time was measured with radiopaque markers, using multiple capsule techniques . The patient ingested 1 capsule a day for 3 consecutive days and each capsule with 24 different shaped radio-opaque polyurethane markers, and then performed abdominal x-rays on day 7, at 9.00 am, to reconstruct the colon activity during the last week. Normal transit time was considered about 30-40 h, whereas the upper limit, above 70 h. Markers scattered about the colon was due most likely to STC, whereas markers gathered in the recto-sigmoid tract was considered a defecatory disorder .
Moreover, LBT and GBT were used for measuring oro-cecal transit time. A rise in hydrogen of ⥠20 ppm by 90 min was considered the cut-off value used to exclude SIBO for both tests. Time to the second peak and rise of 5-10 ppm of hydrogen, or a level of positivity for methane ⥠10 ppm on a breath test, were considered useful in estimating oro-cecal transit time . Wireless motility analysis was also used to quantify oro-cecal transit time , in order to define the presence of a delayed small intestinal transit time. Normal small-bowel transit should be 6 hours or less . Finally, STC and/or delayed oro-cecal transit time were definitively endorsed when radiopaque markers and/or breath tests with wireless motility analysis identified a specific intestinal motility disorder.
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