When I was younger and prone to stuffing my gut with stuff I liked rather than food that was healthy I would occasionally end up with a condition that the old folks categorized as being "Stopped Up". and suggested that I would do well with a big ole glass of prune juice follows by decent size bowl of brand flakes. Then there was always Ex-Lax, milk of magnesia, or magnesium citrate. But the fact is, constipation can wreak more havoc on your internal system and the function of your brain than you may realize. So, what's the relationship? First, let me relate a short story that may give you some insight into an important lesson in life.
Who's in charge here!
by M.N.Curry
Since the day man was first placed on this earth thousands of years ago, he was without real knowledge, his motivation had no foresight that would have given him the ability to anticipate what was to happen and no hindsight that would have given him the ability to analyze. At some time during the bicameral age of man, even before the wisdom of the ancient doctors such as Herophilus or Hicesius and Hippocrates, it was thought that all his directions were given by the internal voices provided by the gods and he reacted to them without question, for who is man to question the wisdom of the gods. But later in his development of independent thinking, the brain began to establish reasoning through thought, and at some point in this transition, the brain started to make independent choices and decisions relying on the results of hindsight and foresight assessments. At this point, the influence of the Greek gods is beginning to diminish and the brain now has the sole responsibility for man's survival, with no internal voices of the gods for guidance internal situations must be addressed. The arms that can grab and hold have their limits, and the legs that can transport have important duties to perform and may become weak and painful. Still, there's one part of the body that is being ignored that will prove more or as important than them all, and failure to recognize its presence will prove vital to man's existence. More often than not the brain fails to recognize the serious signals of stress and overlooks the importance of the role that the other critical functions like the liver the kidneys and a couple more are just as important in keeping things in proper working order. But one of the most important of them is the intestine whose job it is to digest food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste. It also produces hormones that transmit messages throughout the body, regulate water, and fight germs. So if the intestine decides to shut down because it's being abused, the body becomes weak, and the brain becomes confused and disoriented. Now the brain is dependent on the intestines for a little relief and if the intestines don't hold off for a while, things would get a lot worse. The moral of this story is if you want to get your point across and get others to pay attention and acknowledge your presence just act like an asshole!
Can you see the relationship between chronic constipation and an increased risk of cognitive decline? Recent research has highlighted the connection between gut health and brain function, including conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, individuals experiencing less frequent bowel movements (about once every three days or less) have a 73% higher chance of subjective cognitive decline. In fact, chronic constipation can lead to cognition comparable to three years of aging.
Drinking more water is also a beneficial step in keeping things moving along! Adequate hydration helps maintain regular bowel movements and supports overall health. Consider increasing your water intake to promote better gut function and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Remember, taking care of your gut may be a pathway to safeguarding your brain health!
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You're Welcome and
Stay Healthy
M.N.Curry
Dear M.N. Curry,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading your article and found it insightful and thought-provoking. It's fascinating how you've connected chronic constipation and cognitive health. I remember the old remedies like prune juice and magnesium citrate well—just as you described, they were staples in dealing with what my family called being "stopped up."
Your discussion on how gut health impacts brain function underscores the importance of caring for our digestive systems for overall well-being. In light of this, I'd recommend considering magnesium citrate as a supplement. Its high bioavailability makes it a practical option for relieving constipation and supporting overall digestive health. It's a great addition to maintaining gut function and, potentially, safeguarding brain health.
Your story about the evolution of human thought and the importance of recognizing the role of our intestines in maintaining health is engaging and enlightening. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most overlooked parts of our bodies can have significant effects on our overall health. I'll pay more attention to my hydration and gut health moving forward.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information!