Constipation
phenotype · Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms
Nutrients connected to Constipation
A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.
- Fibre supplements (psyllium, methylcellulose, calcium polycarbophil and others)Clinically supported
Bulk-forming fibre such as psyllium is a standard over-the-counter laxative type; MedlinePlus describes psyllium as a bulk-forming laxative.
- SennaClinically supported
Senna is accepted for short-term relief of occasional constipation.
- Bifidobacterium (infantis, longum, lactis, breve)Preliminary or mixed
B. lactis increased stool frequency in adults with chronic constipation in a meta-analysis, with high heterogeneity and risk of bias.
- Prebiotic fibresPreliminary or mixed
Reviews found non-digestible oligosaccharides modestly raise stool frequency, more in constipated people, with low certainty. One small care-home trial of PHGG showed no change in stool frequency.
- Cascara sagradaClinically supported
Accepted for short-term treatment of occasional constipation; not for persistent constipation or long-term use.
- Chicory rootClinically supported
Chicory inulin raised stool frequency in small trials and a meta-analysis; a guideline review names it among the best-studied options. Results are for inulin.
- Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probioticsPreliminary or mixed
Some benefit in adults, especially with B. lactis, and a small benefit in older people; children's results mixed.
- Inulin and chicory root fibrePreliminary or mixed
Prebiotic oligosaccharides modestly raised stool frequency, more in constipated people and short trials (low certainty, several types pooled). A narrative review disputes a laxative effect for inulin.
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