It can reasonably be assumed that, as a matter of general health, people need to ingest a
certain amount of fiber and fluids daily and to maintain a sensible level of physical activity.
Many people in today’s society probably are deficient in these areas, and it should be a goal in
overall health maintenance to
achieve recommended levels.
But whether deficiencies in
fiber and fluid intake and
physical activity cause or
contribute to constipation is
questionable. Even more
doubtful is whether correcting
those deficiencies alone can
successfully treat constipation