Association between dietary vitamin E intake and constipation: NHANES 2005-2010.

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Gastroenterology
• Public Health

Background:

• Constipation is a common gastrointestinal issue affecting many adults.
• Dietary factors are known to influence bowel regularity.
• The specific role of vitamin E in constipation requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between dietary vitamin E intake and constipation prevalence.
• To analyze this relationship in a representative sample of United States adults.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.
• Vitamin E intake assessed via 24-hour dietary recalls.
• Constipation defined using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS).
• Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Adults with constipation had lower dietary vitamin E intake.
• A significant inverse association was observed between vitamin E intake and constipation risk.
• Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a non-linear inverse relationship (p=0.0473).

Conclusions:

• Dietary vitamin E intake shows an independent inverse association with constipation prevalence in US adults.
• Higher vitamin E consumption may play a protective role against constipation.
• Further prospective studies are recommended to confirm these findings.