Constipation

Constipation

There are two important luminal (gut) factors, modulated by the gut microbiota, which maintains smooth muscle contraction and balanced bowel movements. The factors include short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids. The absence of SCFAs due to low-fiber diet inhibit mucin secretion by intestinal goblet cells, reduce stool volume by stimulating water and electrolyte absorption, and inhibit smooth muscle contraction in the colon, causing imbalanced bowel movements/constipation.