Digestive problems affect more than 20 million Canadians¹ each year, and those affected know all too well the impact these problems have on their personal, professional and social lives.

For example, let's take a look at constipation. Being constipated may be due to diet, dehydration, and lack of physical activity, but for many of us, it can be explained in part by a dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. When dysbiosis happens, an increase in specific families of bacteria crowd out the families of bacteria that have a positive effect on the intestine (i.e. promote its natural movement and thus our regularity).

For those that suffer from constipation, it may seem like a good idea to seek quick-fix remedies like laxatives. This option quickly resolves the problem in the short term, but it can actually make the problem worse in the long-run if you don't get to the root of the problem.

Understanding the Different Types of Laxatives

Laxatives are taken to reduce or combat a state of constipation and can be classified into several categories based on their action in the digestive tract².

• Bulk-forming laxatives are dietary fibre and increase fecal mass. These have a well-known positive impact on the bacteria of the gut flora.

• Osmotic laxatives, including alcohol sugars (mannitol, sorbitol, etc.), draw water to the intestine to soften the stools.

• Lubricant laxatives (mineral oil, paraffin oil, etc.) surround the stools with a thin lubricant layer, which allows the contents of the large intestine to be evacuated more easily.

• Stimulant laxatives increase intestinal motility.

Regardless of the consumer’s choice, all of these laxatives have their share of potential side effects, such as increased diarrhea, stomachache, dehydration and decreased absorption of certain vitamins.

Effects of Laxatives on Gut Microbiota

In addition to these negative consequences, these laxatives can have adverse effects on the gut microbiota (all the bacteria found throughout the digestive tract). In fact, in some studies^3,4 where laxatives were used before a treatment like colonoscopy or medical examination, investigators noted significant changes in bacterial populations of the digestive tract before and after taking these substances; dose and duration affected the severity of the disturbance.

In the study by Drago et al.⁴, researchers looked at the changes in the microbiota after a pre-colonoscopy enema. They concluded that the microbiome was still affected one month after resulting in a significant decrease of Lactobacilli and a significant increase in Enterobacteria compared to microbiota before treatment. The number of Streptococcus bacteria was four-fold higher one month after the colonoscopy, which suggests that the use of laxatives may modulate the amount and the diversity of bacteria found in the microbiota.

A decrease in Lactobacilli, a family of bacteria essential for maintaining good immune health, could gradually induce intestinal permeability. In combination with an elevated production of inflammatory molecules, individual may find themselves at an increased risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

In light of the most recent studies on the impact of the microbiota on overall health (both physical and mental), it is recommended that disturbances of the intestinal flora (including excessive use of laxatives) be minimized.

Using Laxatives? Support Your Microbiome

If your condition or specific treatment protocol requires you to use laxatives, it is critical to mitigate the longterm, harmful effect on your microbiome by using a quality probiotic that contains Lactobacilli cultures. The three unique strains of bacteria contained in Bio-K+ products are of human origin and work in synergy with the families already present in our digestive tract to stimulate growth of good bacteria, allowing them to optimize the work they do for the health of their host (in this case, us).

Combining the use of this probiotic with the consumption of prebiotics (dietary fibre), polyphenols (berries) and omega-3 (oily fish: salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel, tuna and herring) seems to be a perfect recipe for limiting the damage to gut flora caused by the use of laxatives.

When a person is constipated, the goal is to get the intestines moving and activate intestinal peristalsis, which will promote the evacuation of stool. We also want to soften the stool through proper hydration and maintaining a healthy and varied gut microbiota through a diversified diet and the use of a daily probiotic supplement.

Some lifestyle steps to support this include eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, chewing food thoroughly, eating slowly and drinking approximately a litre and a half of water per day. Daily physical activity is also an essential step in promoting healthy transit time.

If you feel the need to use a laxative, think about the long-term effects on your gut flora. Reducing good gut bacteria doesn’t just impact digestive health, it can have consequences on overall health. Improving certain lifestyle factors may be more work, but it will have a better result over time. Start slowly. Reduce stress, eat healthy and minimally processed foods, hydrate well and get moving!

Do you have more questions on gut health or laxative use? Let us know in comments below! For more healthy inspirations, join our community. Click here to find the closest point of sale. Contact us or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

References

1. http://cdhf.ca/fr/statistiques
2. Roerig JL, Steffen KJ, Mitchell JE, Zunker C. Laxativeabuse: epidemiology, diagnosis and management. Drugs. 2010 Aug 20;70(12):1487-503
3. Jalanka J et. al. Effects of bowel cleansing on the intestinal microbiota. Gut. 2015 Oct;64(10):1562-8.
4. Drago L, Toscano M, De Grandi R, Casini V, Pace F. Persisting changes of intestinal microbiota after bowel lavage and colonoscopy. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 May;28(5):532-7.