Dr. Priti Nanda Sibal identifies five physiological causes of constipation beyond dehydration: magnesium-calcium imbalance in the gut, bacteria in the wrong part of the intestines, stress affecting the vagus nerve, and methane gas suppressing serotonin. She describes a patient whose constipation resolved after reducing calcium supplements.
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the major problems quite a lot of us are facing today. Are you one of these? If yes, or anyone in your family, whatever you're going to hear from me now, you will be surprised. I have in my practice realized there are about 15 reasons why we feel constipated, and of those 15, let me share the big 5 ones here today. 1. Of course, water is very important. A lot of us are dehydrated or subclinically dehydrated, and that is what leads to constipation. But if you are one who drinks a lot of water and still are constipated, don't worry, there are other reasons to it. If there is an imbalance of magnesium and calcium in the gut, we know that the good balance of magnesium and potassium is needed for mobility, and magnesium and calcium imbalance also results in constipation. In my practice, I have seen that if I have switched women from 1500 to 2000 milligrams of calcium to 500 milligrams of calcium, the first message I have gotten: I am feeling so much better, I am not constipated anymore. Wow! The next reason: our microbiome. It does not mean that our microbiome is compromised or there is dysbiosis, but it means that there is different bacteria at a different place. So right— not at the right place, but at the wrong place. And this is what leads to less mobility and therefore constipation. Do you want to know the remaining two? Of course, I am going to share those. Interestingly, Stress is a big reason for constipation. I'm sure this is making you think. And stress does not only lead to thyroid and cortisol imbalance leading to constipation, but it also leads to the vagus nerve dysfunction which results in constipation. And last but not the least, very, very important is there is lot of gas within is made in the small intestine. And what does this gas do? This gas is methane. What happens with this is this decreases our nice little hormone serotonin in the body. When the serotonin decreases in quantity, it decreases the mobility of the gut and hence leads to constipation. There are other reasons too, and if you want to know more about what I just spoke or more about constipation and how you can correct it. Remember, we will be back with you very soon. Stay posted, stay tuned. Thank you.
