Chronic constipation can be caused by mucus-eating microbes, warns study

When colonic mucin gets eaten away, then it can harden the stools. (Picture: Canva)

• Japanese study links gut bacteria to chronic constipation.
• Bacteria eat colon mucus, causing stools to dry and harden.
• Blocking bacterial enzymes may offer new constipation treatments.

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That discomfort, the bloating, the endless straining that you may feel due to various reasons, is constipation. For many people it’s more than a minor inconvenience. Sometimes, despite taking fibre, fluid, or laxatives, your bowels refuse to cooperate and a new research from Japan may finally explain why.

At Nagoya University, scientists discovered a bacterial tag team in the colon, called the Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. These microbes eat the colon’s protective mucus layer, the very coating that keeps stool soft and easy to pass. Once it’s gone, stools dry out, and constipation stubbornly sets in.

Published in Gut Microbes, the study may also shed light on Parkinson’s disease, where constipation often arrives decades before tremors. Patients were found to carry higher levels of these mucus-hungry bacteria, suggesting gut microbes, not just nerve issues, could trigger early digestive troubles.

The bacterial constipation as per the study

Gut mucus matters

Colonic mucin acts as a natural lubricant, protecting the intestine and keeping stool moist. When it’s eaten away, stools harden, leaving traditional laxatives largely powerless.

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How the bacteria work together

B. thetaiotaomicron strips protective sulfate groups from mucin, then A. muciniphila digests the exposed mucus. The colon loses its slippery coating, and stool turns dry.

The Parkinson’s link

Many Parkinson’s patients suffer constipation decades before movement symptoms. Increased mucus-degrading bacteria may explain why conventional treatments often fail.

Mouse experiments hint at new therapy

Disabling the sulfatase enzyme in B. thetaiotaomicron prevented mucus breakdown in mice. Stools remained soft, suggesting enzyme-blocking drugs could work in humans.

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A new treatment approach

Future therapies may target the bacterial enzymes rather than gut motility, protecting the mucus barrier and offering relief to millions with stubborn, chronic constipation.

FAQs on chronic constipation

Q. What is chronic constipation?

Chronic constipation is a digestive condition in which a person has infrequent bowel movements (typically fewer than three per week), difficulty passing stools, or hard, dry stools that persist for several weeks or longer.

Q. What are the common symptoms of chronic constipation?

Symptoms may include straining during bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, abdominal bloating, stomach discomfort and hard stools.

Q. What causes chronic constipation?

Common causes include a low-fibre diet, inadequate water intake, lack of physical activity, stress, ignoring the urge to pass stools, certain medications and underlying medical conditions.

Q. Can lifestyle habits contribute to chronic constipation?

Yes. Sedentary lifestyle, irregular eating patterns, excessive processed foods and poor hydration are major contributors.

Q. How is chronic constipation different from occasional constipation?

Occasional constipation happens temporarily due to diet changes or travel. Chronic constipation is persistent and may require medical evaluation.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis