As American shelves go barren of stool softeners like Miralax and Glycolax, experts and suppliers are pointing to a combination of diminished health habits and an aging population as the primary culprits.

The Wall Street Journal reports that gastroenterologists and suppliers are grappling with surging demand for polyethylene glycol 3350, the generic name for Miralax and Glycolax.

Pattern, an analytics company, revealed to the Wall Street Journal that Amazon searches for laxatives have tripled in the past year, indicating a trend that is not merely anecdotal but supported by hard data.

Medical experts attribute this shortage to multiple factors. Foremost among them is the aging of America’s population. Let’s not forget that we are a nation growing older, and with that age comes an increased need for certain medications.

Additionally, our fiber consumption has dropped significantly. Anyone familiar with old-school wisdom knows that a proper diet rich in fiber is crucial for regularity. It seems modern Americans could take a lesson from the generations before them.

Moreover, experts highlight the psychological and physical toll of the Coronavirus restrictions as contributory factors. According to these specialists, the pandemic led people to neglect their health by consuming less nutritious food and engaging in less physical activity.

Dr. George Pavlou, president of Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey, put it bluntly: “It’s crazy to think that our collective bowel dysfunction problems have gotten so bad that we’re literally running out of stool softeners.”

Surprisingly, younger Americans are now among the top buyers of these products. Jissan Cherian, who oversees marketing for Benefiber, noted that people aged 18 to 42 are buying their fiber supplement at an unprecedented rate. Cherian suggests that this change is partially due to an increased focus on wellness and an understanding of the relationship between gut bacteria and mental health.

Yet, Mayo Clinic gastroenterology professor Dr. Brian Lacy warns that many Americans are operating under a misconception. Dr. Lacy states that many believe they need at least one bowel movement a day, a belief that he calls “misleading.” According to Dr. Lacy, a healthy range of bowel movements is between three a day and three a week.

28-year-old Carly Goldberg Black echoed this sentiment, stating that she’s had to switch brands due to the shortages. “I’m a brand loyalist, but I’ve found myself reaching for the Wal-lax or CVS-lax, because they’re selling out,” said Black.

A reliance on laxatives at the end of the day is unhealthy, and perhaps this shortage will ultimately cause more people to adopt healthier habits.