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Epoch Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Why Daily Bowel Movements Matter for Kidney Health and Longevity
Having a daily bowel movement isn't just a matter of comfort—it's a vital clue into your kidney function and long-term health. The Science Behind Optimal Bowel Frequency A 2024 study published in The researchers examined more than 1,400 healthy American adults, gathering data on their gut microbiomes, blood chemistry, and lifestyle habits. Participants' self-reported bowel movement frequencies were categorized into four groups: constipation (one or two bowel movements per week), low-normal (three to six per week), high-normal (one to three per day), and diarrhea. The Kidney Connection Kidney function was measured through estimated glomerular filtration rate, which assesses how well the kidneys are filtering blood. The results indicated an important connection: people with constipation showed poorer kidney function markers. Why does this matter? Your kidneys serve as essential filtration systems, removing waste and excess fluid from your blood, regulating electrolyte balance, and producing hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production. When kidney function declines, toxins accumulate throughout the body, accelerating aging and increasing risk for numerous diseases. Those who were constipated—meaning one or two bowel movements per week—had higher levels of toxins in their bloodstream, especially indoxyl sulfate, a waste product that accumulates when the kidneys are not functioning properly. Indoxyl sulfate places significant stress on the kidneys and forms as a byproduct of unhealthy gut fermentation. When you don't get enough fiber, gut bacteria ferment protein instead, creating more waste products and forcing your body to work harder to eliminate them. At the other extreme, the group with frequent loose stools showed signs of inflammation and bile acid loss—often linked to liver and gallbladder dysfunction. When bile acid isn't recycled properly, the gut becomes inflamed, fats don't get absorbed well, and nutrient imbalances may develop. Related Stories 11/26/2024 7/16/2024 Current Factors Affecting Bowel Movement Frequency The study showed that age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with bowel movement frequency. Specifically, younger people, women, and those with a lower BMI tended to have less frequent bowel movements. Researchers noted that female hormonal fluctuations likely contribute to bowel movement changes. Males reported a higher weekly food and snack intake than females, which researchers noted contributed to their high-normal bowel movement frequency. The research team identified several factors associated with achieving the optimal range of bowel movements. The biggest signal for bowel movement frequency came about from those eating more fruit and vegetables, said Sean Gibbons, study co-author and associate professor of systems biology at the Institute for Systems Biology. Other important factors included drinking plenty of water, regular physical activity, and eating a more plant-dominant diet. Natural Medicine Strategies for Regular Bowel Movements While achieving consistent bowel regularity is the goal, it's not always easy in today's stressed-out, processed food era. According to Ayurveda, the traditional medical system of India, occasional constipation often stems from a 'vata' (air) imbalance caused by excessive dryness in the gut, which can worsen under stress. This imbalance aggravates the downward-moving aspect of vata, leading to intestinal dryness and poor elimination. To balance vata and support regular bowel function, focus on warm, moist, oily, and well-cooked foods instead of dry, cold, raw, or highly processed options. For example, tahini—an oily, nutrient-rich paste—can lubricate the gut lining, making it preferable to the dry, hard properties of raw nuts or the cooling effect of yogurt. As winter—a cold, dry vata season—ends in the Northern Hemisphere, foods like organic oats, chia or basil seeds offer natural soluble fiber that lubricates the intestinal tract and promote healthy elimination by binding bile and toxins for removal. For those seeking to improve bowel regularity, research supports several approaches: Increase Fiber Intake Both soluble and insoluble fiber are important. Good sources include mostly cooked fruits and vegetables, such as apples (with skin), pears, berries, broccoli, and carrots. Stay Hydrated Water is essential for softening stools and aiding digestion, and drinking at least six to eight glasses daily may help prevent constipation. Warm liquids, such as herbal teas or clear soups, can also stimulate bowel movements. It's best to avoid dehydrating beverages like alcohol and caffeine, though individual tolerance varies depending on seasonal, hormonal, and emotional factors. For someone who is already constipated but has other strategies to offset it, one cup of coffee per day may still be fine. Natural Remedies Kiwifruit, rich in actinidin, has been Establish Consistent Eating Habits Try to eat meals at regular times to synchronize your digestive rhythm, and avoid frequent snacking so the 'migrating motor complex'—a brain wave signal that moves through your gut—has time to clean between meals. Exercise Regularly Regular physical activity stimulates intestinal contractions and reduces stool transit time. Engaging in moderate aerobic exercises like walking, yoga, swimming, or jogging may improve gut motility and overall digestive health. Optimize Bathroom Posture A forward-leaning, arm-supported posture—closer to a squatting position—has been Manage Stress Effectively Stress can disrupt gut motility and worsen constipation, and suppressing the natural urge to have a bowel movement adds further strain to your organs, worsening the problem. The Long-Term View: Toxin Elimination and Longevity Bowel regularity isn't just about daily comfort—it's a crucial component of a comprehensive approach to health and longevity. By supporting toxin elimination, you can protect your kidneys, which play a central role in long-term well-being. Practices such as balanced nutrition, hydration, and regular elimination support kidney health—and may pave the way for a longer, healthier life. The simple act of maintaining healthy bowel function could be one of the most underappreciated yet powerful ways to age well.
Associated Press
18-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Scientists Decode Diet From Stool DNA
SEATTLE, Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scientists have developed a breakthrough method to track diet using stool metagenomic data. Developed by researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), the new method, called MEDI (Metagenomic Estimation of Dietary Intake), detects food-derived DNA in stool samples to estimate dietary intake. MEDI leverages stool metagenomics, which refers to sequencing all the DNA present in fecal samples (including microbial, human, and food-derived DNA). This non-invasive, data-driven approach offers an objective alternative to traditional food diaries and questionnaires, which are still the gold standard in dietary assessment but can suffer from misreporting and compliance issues. 'For decades, nutrition research has depended on self-reported diaries and questionnaires – approaches that require a high degree of effort and compliance from research participants. How many strawberries did I eat two days ago? Did I have one glass of orange juice with breakfast, or two?' said Dr. Christian Diener, lead author of the study. 'MEDI provides a solution by analyzing food-derived DNA in gut metagenomic samples, offering a convenient alternative that shows good agreement with known dietary and nutritional intake patterns.' Key Findings: An Alternative to Questionnaire-Based Diet Tracking: Leveraging a database of more than 400 food items and over 300 billion base pairs of genomic information, MEDI accurately detected food intake patterns in infants and adults, and across two controlled feeding studies. MEDI Connecting Dietary Intake to Nutrition: MEDI converts the relative abundance profile of specific food items into nutrient profiles, assuming a 100 gram portion. These nutrient profiles show good agreement with data from controlled feeding studies. Identified Diet-Related Health Risks: Without food logs, MEDI pinpointed dietary features linked to metabolic syndrome in a large clinical cohort. 'Our study represents a major leap forward in how we track diet and its impacts on human health,' said ISB Associate Professor Dr. Sean Gibbons, senior author of the study. 'With food-derived DNA signatures in stool, we now have a powerful way to measure diet and microbiome composition from the same sample, which will expand our understanding of the forces shaping the human gut microbiome, personalized nutritional responses, and disease risk.' With further development, MEDI could transform nutrition science, epidemiological studies, and clinical trials, allowing researchers, doctors, and individuals to track diet-related health risks with unprecedented ease. The full study is published in Nature Metabolism and can be accessed here. For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact ISB's media team at [email protected]. About ISB Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary non-profit biomedical research organization based in Seattle. We focus on some of the most pressing issues in human health, including aging, brain health, cancer, chronic illness, infectious disease, and more. Our science is translational, and we champion sound scientific research that results in real-world clinical impacts. ISB is an affiliate of Providence, one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in the United States. Follow us online at and on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, and Instagram.
