Constipation is a widespread gastrointestinal problem related to changes in gastrointestinal motility. In some cases, constipation is considered a disorder of colonic motility. The intestinal lumen environment, immune system, enteric nervous system, and central nervous system are all involved in regulating intestinal motility. Dysfunction in any part may lead to abnormal intestinal motility, resulting in constipation symptoms.
Probiotics can compete with pathogenic bacteria in the intestine, thereby reducing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria and the inflammatory response caused by them, changing the metabolism of bile salts, and restoring normal fermentation in the intestine. Probiotics restore the physiological balance of intestinal function by colonizing, growing, and multiplying in the human intestine.
The mechanism of probiotics regulating constipation:
1. Improve intestinal flora disorder in patients with constipation;
2. Regulate intestinal peristalsis through probiotic metabolites;
3. Improve the intestinal lumen environment by increasing the end products of bacterial fermentation. The short-chain fatty acids produced by fermented fiber can reduce intestinal pH and increase intestinal peristalsis;
4. Regulate the intestinal immune barrier, intestinal environment, and intestinal mucosal inflammation, and change intestinal peristalsis function.
Therefore, certain specific probiotic strains may benefit patients with constipation by affecting intestinal motility and intestinal secretion by altering the intestinal lumen environment, immune system, and intestinal and central nervous systems. Probiotics are strain-specific, and different probiotic strains have different effects on improving intestinal transit time, bowel frequency stool hardness, and flatulence. Based on existing research results, probiotics can be a powerful adjunct to improve constipation.