Why Constipation Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think

Let’s be honest — constipation isn’t the most glamorous topic. But if your digestion isn’t moving smoothly, nothing else in your body is either.

Most people think constipation just means feeling a little “backed up” now and then.

But here’s the truth: healthy digestion is foundational to everything — from your hormones and energy to your mood and skin.

“All disease begins in the gut.” -Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician known as the "father of medicine”

What Is Constipation, Really?

Constipation isn’t just about skipping a day or two. It’s when your body isn’t eliminating waste efficiently — and that means toxins, old hormones, and byproducts your body worked hard to get rid of… are staying inside longer than they should and possibly being re-absorbed.

Ideally, you should be having at least one complete bowel movement a day — and for many people, two to three isn’t excessive; it’s optimal!

Signs of constipation include:

• Fewer than one bowel movement per day

• Hard, dry, or pellet-like stools

• Straining or incomplete evacuation

• Bloating, fullness, or discomfort

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — an estimated 16–20% of adults deal with chronic constipation. But while it’s common, it’s not normal, or healthy.

Constipation Is a Big Deal

Your gut is more than just a food-processing tube — it’s a core detox organ. When things don’t move, toxins that were meant to leave the body can get reabsorbed into the bloodstream, putting extra stress on the liver and immune system.

Here’s what that can lead to over time:

1. Hormone Imbalance

Your liver packages up excess estrogen and other hormones for elimination through the stool. If you’re constipated, those hormones can get recycled back into circulation, contributing to PMS, bloating, mood swings, and even acne.

2. Toxin Reabsorption & Liver Overload

Constipation forces your liver to work overtime, re-filtering what should have already exited. This can cause fatigue, headaches, sluggishness, and skin issues.

3. Skin Breakouts & Dull Complexion

When toxins aren’t leaving through the bowels, your skin often becomes the backup detox pathway — hello, acne, rashes, and dullness.

4. Mood Changes & Brain Fog

The gut produces around 90% of serotonin, your feel-good neurotransmitter. If waste sits too long, gut bacteria can shift out of balance (dysbiosis), reducing serotonin and contributing to low mood or anxiety.

5. Bloating, Gas & Discomfort

Stagnant digestion allows food to ferment longer, feeding the wrong microbes and leading to bloating, gas, and discomfort — not to mention feeling “heavy” or inflamed.

Belly Bloat

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation can have many root causes — and in functional medicine, we always look at why it’s happening.

Here are the most common culprits:

1. Low Fiber Intake

If your diet lacks plant foods — vegetables, fruits, seeds, and whole grains — your stool may not have enough bulk to move efficiently.

2. Dehydration

Without enough water, the colon pulls more fluid out of the stool, making it hard and dry.

3. Lack of Movement

Sitting too much = sluggish bowels. Physical activity literally helps your digestive muscles contract and move waste along.

4. Gut Dysbiosis or Overgrowths

An imbalance of gut bacteria, parasites, or yeast can disrupt normal bowel motility and make it hard for the body to maintain rhythm.

5. Stress & Nervous System Imbalance

Stress activates the “fight or flight” mode — which shuts down digestion. Chronic stress can literally stall your gut’s movement.

6. Medications & Supplements

Certain medications (like antidepressants, iron supplements, or antacids) can slow things down.

7. Low Stomach Acid or Gallbladder Function

If you’re not breaking down fats or digesting food properly, it can lead to sluggish motility and poor elimination.

Constipation isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a sign your body is holding onto what it desperately wants to release. When you support daily elimination, everything else starts to flow more freely too — your energy, mood, and metabolism.

The good news? There are simple, natural ways to get your bowels moving again — and keep them that way.

Stay tuned for Part 2: “Natural Ways to Prevent and Relieve Constipation — and Keep Things Moving Daily!”

References

1. American Gastroenterological Association. Constipation: What It Is and How to Treat It.

2. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 2019. Chronic Constipation and Its Impact on Quality of Life.

3. Harvard Health Publishing. The Gut-Brain Connection.

4. Mayo Clinic. Constipation: Causes and Risk Factors.

5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Definition & Facts for Constipation.