The Big Picture (Why This Matters)
Laxatives are widely used — particularly among older adults — to treat constipation. But new research suggests that regular, long-term use of these over-the-counter medications may be linked to an increased risk of dementia. In a large population study from the UK, people who reported using laxatives most days of the week had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia over the following decade.
This matters because constipation affects up to 70% of people in nursing homes, and laxative sales continue to rise globally. If a connection to brain health exists, it could have major public health implications. Dementia Risk and Laxatives is an important topic that needs to be carefully studied.
The peer-reviewed study was published in Neurology on February 22, 2023, and conducted by researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (China), University of Cambridge (UK), and other institutions.
Read the full study here.
What the Study Did
To examine dementia risk and laxative links, researchers analyzed health data from over 502,000 adults aged 40 to 69 who enrolled in the UK Biobank project between 2006 and 2010. None had dementia at the start. Participants were asked if they had regularly used any laxatives in the past month — defined as use on most days of the week.
Over the next 10 years, the team tracked whether these individuals developed dementia using national hospital and death records. The researchers adjusted for other factors that could influence dementia risk, like age, gender, education, physical activity, diet, health conditions, and other medications.
The research was a prospective cohort study, meaning it followed people forward in time to observe health outcomes.
What They Found
People who regularly used laxatives had a 51% higher risk of developing any type of dementia compared to those who didn’t.
The increase in risk was especially notable for vascular dementia (which is linked to blood flow problems in the brain), not Alzheimer’s disease.
Other key findings:
- The more types of laxatives a person used, the higher their dementia risk.
- Among single-type users, osmotic laxatives (which draw water into the colon) were most strongly linked to dementia.
- The association held even after accounting for dozens of lifestyle and health factors.
What This Doesn’t Mean
This study does not prove that there is a direct link between dementia risk and laxative.
There are several important limits to keep in mind:
- The study is observational. It shows a correlation, not causation.
- People who use laxatives regularly might have other underlying health problems or habits that increase their dementia risk.
- The researchers did not measure how long people had been using laxatives or how much they took — only that they reported “regular use” at one point in time.
Also, the study only included middle-aged and older adults from the UK, so the results might not apply universally.
Caveats and Context
The potential link between gut health and brain health — known as the gut-brain axis — has been a growing area of research. The idea is that disruptions in the gut microbiome, inflammation, or other digestive factors may influence the brain over time.
This study adds to that conversation but doesn’t close the case. Some earlier studies have hinted at a link between gut disturbances and cognitive decline, but the research is still early and often inconsistent.
Another caveat: laxative use might be a marker for other issues. For instance, chronic constipation itself — or medications that cause constipation — might be part of the dementia risk, not the laxatives per se.
Why This Might Matter to You
If you or someone you care for uses laxatives frequently, this study is a good reason to check in with a doctor — especially for older adults.
Laxatives are convenient and readily available, but they aren’t always the best long-term solution. Constipation can often be managed with lifestyle changes, such as:
- Eating more fiber-rich foods (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
- Drinking more water
- Exercising regularly
- Limiting processed foods and alcohol
Medical professionals often recommend bulk-forming laxatives (like psyllium) as a first-line option, as these tend to be gentler and more in line with natural digestion.
And if laxatives are needed regularly, it’s important to ask why — and rule out any underlying conditions or medication side effects.
This study doesn’t mean you should panic if you’ve used laxatives before. But it’s a reminder that “safe” over-the-counter products may have effects we don’t fully understand — especially when used long-term.
Expert Quote
“Finding ways to reduce a person’s risk of dementia by identifying risk factors that can be modified is crucial,” said study author Dr. Feng Sha.
“If our findings are confirmed, medical professionals could encourage people to treat constipation by making lifestyle changes such as drinking more water, increasing dietary fiber, and adding more activity into their daily lives.”
