How to Relieve Constipation: Research on Constipation, Laxatives, and the StayRegular Formula

Probiotics: Relieve Constipation by Balancing Your Intestinal Flora

Bifidobacterium lactis/animalis Study 1

METHOD: In a double blind study, 36 healthy women were studied after consuming fermented milk containing B. animalis along with a control group that consumed milk without the probiotic.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The total and sigmoid colonic transit times were significantly shorter during dosing with B. animalis compared to the control period. B. animalis shortens the colonic transit time in healthy women and may be helpful to relieve constipation.

From: Marteau P, Cuillerier E, Meance S, et al. Bifidobacterium animalis strain DN-173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in healthy women: a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2002;16:587–93.

Bifidobacterium lactis/animalis Study 2

METHOD: 135 constipated females were split between a treatment group taking a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis or a control taking no bacteria over 2 weeks.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: While there were no differences in the groups when the study started, after taking the B. lactis, stool frequency increased significantly at weeks 1 and 2 and defecation condition and stool consistency both improved.

From: Yang YX, He M, Hu G, Wei J, Pages P, Yang XH, Bourdu-Naturel S. Effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 on Chinese constipated women. World J Gastroenterol. 2008;14:6237–6243.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus

METHOD: Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study included 45 children with chronic constipation who received either the probiotic, magnesium oxide or a placebo for 4 weeks.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Both the magnesium and probiotic groups had a higher defecation frequency, high percentage of treatment success, and less reliance on an enema when no treatment worked. The probiotic group experienced less abdominal pain than the magnesium oxide group and control group, however.

From: Bu LN, Chang MH, Ni YH, Chen HL, Cheng CC. Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 in children with chronic constipation. Pediatr Int 2007; 49: 485–90.

Bifidobacterium Infantis

METHOD: 362 people suffering from IBS (any type) took either 1 million, 10 million, or 10 billion CFUs of Bifidobacterium Infantis (in freeze dried form) for 4 weeks following a 2 week baseline. Symptoms were monitored daily using a log.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The 100 million CFU dosage showed significant improvements over placebo for scores related to abdominal pain, bloating, bowel dysfunction, incomplete evacuation, straining, and the passage of gas. The 10 billion CFU probiotic had formulation problems and so data on it was not reliable.

From: Whorwell PJ, Altringer L, Morel J, et al. Efficacy of an encapsulated probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol 2006; 101: 1581–1590.

Lactobacillus Plantarum

METHOD: 68 adults suffering from intestinal problems (constipation and diarrhea) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. Two of the groups (Groups A & B) received a different strain of Lactobacillus Planatrum and the control group (Group C) received a different type of bacteria species, all contained within yogurt. They consumed the yogurt for 6 weeks.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Groups A & B showed drastic and continual improvement in defecation frequency compared to the control group indicating that both strains of Lactobacillus Plantarum were helpful to relieve constipation.

From: Higashikawa F, Noda M, Awaya T, Nomura K, Oku H, Sugiyama M. Improvement of constipation and liver function by plant derivedlactic acid bacteria: A double-blind, randomized trial. Nutrition 26 (2010). 367-374.

Bifidobacterium Longum

METHOD: Rats received a serum containing Bifidobacterium Longum for two weeks while eating a high cholesterol diet.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: B. longum SPM1207 increased fecal levels of lactobacillus bacteria and increased fecal water content while reducing body weight and harmful intestinal enzyme activities. By increasing water content of stools and fighting harmful enzymes, B. Longum shows promise in treating both constipation and colon cancer.

From: Lee DK, Jang S, Baek EH, et al. Lactic acid bacteria affect serum cholesterol levels, harmful fecal enzyme activity, and fecal water content. Lipids in Health and Disease 2009, 8:21.

Bifidobacteria bifidum, infantis, longum and Lactobacilli casei, plantarum, and rhamnosus

METHOD: Twenty children ages 4-16 with constipation received a probiotic mixture over 4 weeks made of up Bifidobacteria (B.) bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum, Lactobacilli (L.) casei, L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of bowel movements per week doubled while abdominal pain decreased from 45% at baseline to 20% at week 4. No major differences found for the consistency of the stool over time.

From: Bekkali NL, Bongers ME, Van den Berg MM, Liem O, Benninga MA. The role of a probiotics mixture in the treatment of childhood constipation: a pilot study. Nutr J. 2007;6:17.

Glucomannan: Prebiotic Fiber And
One of the Most Effective Constipation Laxatives

Glucomannan Study 1

METHOD: In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, 31 children with chronic functional constipation were given glucomannan or a placebo over 4 weeks. Children were rated by the physician as successfully treated when they had equal to or greater than 3 bowel movements per week and less than one soiling per 3 weeks with no abdominal pain in the last 3 weeks of each 4-week treatment period. Children continued to take their pre-study laxative as well.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Significantly fewer children complained of abdominal pain and more children were successfully treated while on glucomannan (45%) as compared with placebo treatment (13%). Parents rated significantly more children (68%) as being better on glucomannan versus 13% as being better on placebo. Children with constipation only were significantly more likely to be treated successfully with fiber (69%) than those with constipation and encopresis (28%).

From: Loening-Baucke, V., et al. Fiber (glucomannan) is beneficial in the treatment of childhood constipation. Pediatrics. 113(3 Part 1):259-264, 2004.

Glucomannan Study 2

METHOD: Over 21 days, 8 healthy adults consumed 1.5grams of glucomannan 3x/day (with meals) to see the effect on colonic ecology and bowel habit while eating a low fiber diet.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The glucomannan supplement increased defecation frequency and stool weight by 27% and 30% respectively. The glucomannan also improved the amount of beneficial bifidobacteria in the stool and lowered the fecal ph – making for a more hospital environment for beneficial bacteria (lowering fecal ph is one method of how to relieve constipation).

From: Chen, H. L., et al. Konjac acts as a natural laxative by increasing stool bulk and improving colonic ecology in healthy adults. Nutrition. 2006.

Glucomannan Study 3

METHOD: 93 patients suffering from chronic constipation received 3 grams of glucomannan/day for 1 month and 2 grams per day for another month. The study was open and non-controlled.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: After 1 month there was significant improvement in the number of bowel movements per week, a reduction in the number of enemas needed and a reduction of abdominal symptoms. Glucomannan was well accepted and there were no relevant side-effects.

From: Passaretti, S., et al. Action of glucomannan on complaints in patients affected with chronic constipation: a multicentric clinical evaluation. Ital J Gastroenterol. 23(7):421-425, 1991.

Magnesium: Constipation Laxatives that Work by Osmosis

Magnesium Oxide Study 1

METHOD: Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study that included 45 children with chronic constipation who received either Lactobacillus rhamnosus, magnesium oxide or a placebo for 4 weeks.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Both the magnesium oxide and probiotic groups had a higher defecation frequency, high percentage of treatment success, and less reliance on enemas when no treatment worked. The probiotic group had less abdominal pain than the magnesium oxide group and control group.

From: Bu LN, Chang MH, Ni YH, Chen HL, Cheng CC. Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 in children with chronic constipation. Pediatr Int 2007; 49: 485–90.

Magnesium Oxide Study 2

METHOD: 107 cancer patients taking opioid analgesics (which have a high rate of causing constipation) were prescribed a variety of laxatives, including magnesium oxide with pantethine (a form of pantothenic acid) (19 subjects), magnesium oxide by itself (10 subjects), stimulant laxatives (like senna) (10 subjects) and other combinations.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: The magnesium oxide group with pantethine and the magnesium oxide only group outperformed the stimulant laxative senna group, reducing rates of constipation to under 20% for those that took them while the senna based group’s rates stayed around 40%.