By using molecular models, the researchers from Virginia Tech discovered the protein that interacts with abscisic acid, known as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma.

The scientists indicated that abscisic acid works independently to bind itself on the lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 protein—a protein that is required in order for abscisic acid to produce positive health benefits. This process is the first step that leads to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Ultimately, the process helps to block inflammation and prevent the onset of disease.

According to the researchers, therapies that use abscisic acid to treat inflammatory diseases may be safer than conventional pharmacological drugs. Josep Bassaganya-Riera, professor at Virginia Tech and the study's lead investigator, said that abscisic acid does not seem to be associated with any negative side effects, "thereby representing a promising new therapeutic avenue."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that this discovery may help many Americans since inflammatory diseases like IBD account for more than 700,000 physician visits and 100,000 hospitalizations each year.

Individuals with sickle cell suffer from painful episodes caused by sickle cells that get caught in small blood vessels and result in blood flow blockage. The frequent use of narcotics in these patients, especially in young children, is effective, but leads to mild constipation.

In addition to discomfort, studies have found that this health complication can worsen the side effects of sickle cell disease. In an effort to reduce the chances of developing constipation, medical professionals have recommended giving these individuals laxatives and stool softeners.

During a one-year study, researchers observed hospitalized sickle cell patients who were treated with narcotics and compared it to the number of individuals who received treatments to prevent constipation.

The team discovered that approximately one-third of the patients who participated in the study were not given laxatives or stool samples.

Sarah O’Brien, a researcher at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, stated that "the abdomen is a well-known site of sickle cell pain." She added that "abdominal pain due to constipation may be misinterpreted as a worsening [sickle cell symptoms] with subsequent higher doses of narcotics and therefore worsening constipation."

Each year, between 70,000 and 100,000 American are diagnosed with sickle cell disease, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention report.

First, the recent study showed that a growing number of children who consume low amounts of fiber and water are more likely to have these severe side effects. Also, the researchers have found some physicians believe constipation is temporary in children, and changes in diet as they age will rid them of the problem.

Furthermore, despite suffering from chronic constipation, children often go undiagnosed, which delays treatment and causes side effects to worsen.

This research was conducted based on a previous study that showed 25 percent of adolescents diagnosed with chronic constipation as they age will have the digestive disorder when they reach adulthood.

Maria Oliva-Hemker, lead author of the study, concluded that "the reality is that too many children are either not treated at all, start treatment too late or are treated inadequately, [which can] lead to persistent, severe and chronic constipation." She added that this health problem "needs to be treated early and aggressively."

Each year, approximately 4 million people in the United States suffer from frequent constipation, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 

The truth is: You can’t be healthy if your colon is sick. So getting your colon and excretory system back in working order should be your number one priority! There are many safe and effective all-natural solutions that will help you experience regular and painless bowel movements.

These nutrients include:

Cascara sagrada—this remarkable herb enhances the contractions in your colon and allows your bowels to move and empty on a regular basis.
Senna leaf—this ancient herb helps with your slow sluggish bowels, so you may never suffer from constipation again.
Black walnut bark—this herb helps restore healthy bowel function by eliminating parasites and their eggs—even attacks hard-to-kill tapeworms.
Peppermint leaf—this plant is known as the “tummy soother” since it can help relieve bloating, calm an agitated stomach and eliminate painful cramps.
Slippery elm bark—this nutrient can help reduce inflammation and anal swelling, plus heal irritated intestines and damaged tissues.
Vitamin C­—this essential vitamin can help support your immune system, promote a natural laxative effect and help prevent roundworm and other parasite infestations.

Once you incorporate these essential nutrients into your daily regimen, you can start to experience healthy, regular bowel movements and begin to eliminate dangerous parasites and build-up from your colon.

The latest study evaluated thermal pain sensitivity among patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS) and constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS) using a Medoc Thermal Sensory Analyzer with a 3 cm x 3 cm surface area.

It concluded that healthy controls were less sensitive than either C-IBS or D-IBS patients for heat pain threshold and heat pain tolerance.

In addition to that, the researchers found a strong relationship between heat pain measures and Functional Bowel Disease Severity Index (FBDSI) scores so that IBS patients with high FBDSI scores had the highest thermal pain sensitivity compared to those with low to moderate scores.

Whatever the outcome, those who face digestive problems such as constipation may turn to natural health resources for relief.

For example, HomeRemedies.org recommends an Ayurvedic preparation which consists of three herbs – Indian gooseberry, belleric myrobalan and chebulic myrobalan – which should be dissolved in water, left overnight and drunk first thing in the morning.

Scientists from Emory University in Atlanta have also been testing various compounds that may work with those receptors, paving a way for the development of new laxatives.

The research involved two groups of mice, the first of which had normal adenosine receptors and normal bowel movements. The second group lacked these receptors and showed signs of constipation.

The mice were made to drink a dye not absorbed by the body to see how it passed or did not pass. The researchers also used microscopic lasers to separate the nerve cells from the bowel to determine exactly where the receptors are located. Then they tested various chemicals that can activate or inhibit the nerve receptors.

"I find the study to be very compelling," says Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, the journal which published the article detailing the research.

"First, we can look forward to a solution to what is sometimes a serious problem, especially in infants and the elderly. Second, it’s the first definitive proof that the adenosine receptors control bowel function," he adds.

For those who suffer from constipation drinking prune juice or taking nutritional supplements containing fiber may also be an option.

Japanese scientists reviewed data on Japanese herbal medicines and concluded they were effective in reducing the symptoms of GI disorders such as dyspepsia, constipation and postoperative ileus.

They looked at a range of products, including those containing Rikkunshi-to and Dai-Kenchu-to. The former was effective in reducing discomfort caused by functional dyspepsia while the latter, a mixture of ginseng, ginger and zanthoxylum fruit, was beneficial for constipation in children and patients suffering a disruption of normal bowel movements following an operation.

Another herbal medicine, hangeshashin-to, reduced the severity and frequency of diarrhea caused by anti-cancer drugs.

The finding is important given that many traditional drugs are ineffective in GI motility disorders, may cause unwanted side effects and some have even been withdrawn from the market.

"Japanese herbal medicines have been used in East Asia for thousands of years," says lead researcher Hidekazu Suzuki, associate professor at the Keio University School of Medicine.

Given efficacy concerns surrounding some traditional treatments and drugs, people have turned to herbal medicine and herbal supplements as an attractive alternative.

IBS is an uncomfortable condition which affects up to 20 percent of American adults, with symptoms that include cramping abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea.

Now, researchers at the University of Sheffield say that nutritional supplements containing a multistrain probiotic known as LAB4 may offer some relief, UK newspaper the Sheffield Star reports.

Over eight weeks, they compared the results seen in a group of patients who consumed the probiotic with those who were given a placebo.

After only two weeks, the probiotic group reported significant improvements, which continued until the end of the trial, the scientists said.

Lead researcher Dr. Elizabeth Williams told the news provider that probiotics in the form of nutritional supplements may provide a welcome option for those who want to avoid dairy.

"This trial has tested a probiotic formula that can be delivered in a capsule and may therefore provide an alternative," she explained.

There has been no clear consensus about the cause of IBS, but scientists believe that certain types of "bad" bacteria in the gut may play a role.

Because of the ability to access newer drugs, traditional therapies like fiber and antispasmodics are used less often for IBS, but research published in the November 14 issue of the British Medical Journal reports that the older, less expensive treatments might be the best first-line of defense against symptoms.

Studying the effects of fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil on 2,500 IBS patients, researchers found that peppermint oil was the most effective of the therapies used with no serious side effects found in any of the treatments.

Insoluble fiber, such as bran, was found to be ineffective with only soluble fiber relieving any symptoms.

IBS causes abdominal pain, and patients with the disorder suffer from alternating constipation and diarrhea. IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel syndrome like Crohn’s disease or colitis.

The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders reports that between 10 percent and 15 percent of American adults suffer from IBS. It also states that 25 percent of the U.S. population suffers from impairment of their daily function because of gastrointestinal disorders.