
It is important to note that laxatives are not meant to be used for weight loss. They are medicines for constipation, and your doctor will only recommend them if you have problems passing stool. Using laxatives for weight loss is dangerous and can make you sick. They can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, constipation, diarrhea, damage to your intestines, and even colon cancer. While some people believe that taking laxatives after a binge will help them lose weight or prevent weight gain, this is not true. Laxatives do not stop your body from absorbing calories or gaining weight. In fact, most calories and fat are absorbed before they reach the large intestine, which is where laxatives act. Therefore, if you use laxatives and lose weight, you are just losing water, which will be regained as soon as you drink something.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Laxatives' effect on calories | Laxatives do not stop the body from absorbing calories or gaining weight. |
How laxatives work | Laxatives make things happen faster in the colon, which has a domino effect on the small intestine, where most digestion takes place. |
Types of laxatives | Bulk-forming, stool softeners, lubricant, stimulant, and osmotic. |
Side effects of laxatives | Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal damage, colon cancer, interference with prescription medications, eating disorders, rectal bleeding, and no bowel movements. |
What You'll Learn
Laxatives don't prevent weight/calorie gain
Laxatives are sometimes misused by people who want to lose weight or prevent weight gain after a binge. However, this is not only unsafe but also ineffective. While laxatives can help treat constipation by softening the stool or stimulating bowel movements, they do not prevent weight or calorie gain.
Laxatives do not stop the body from absorbing calories or gaining weight. Food goes through many processes before it reaches the large intestine, where laxatives have an effect. By the time food reaches the large intestine, the body has already absorbed calories, fat, and most nutrients. What remains is waste that the body doesn't need, mostly full of water and some minerals. Therefore, using laxatives will only result in the loss of water weight, which will be regained as soon as you drink something.
The idea that laxatives can prevent weight gain is based on the assumption that passing more stools will lead to weight loss. While it is true that laxatives can increase the frequency of bowel movements, this does not translate to long-lasting weight loss. In fact, the weight loss that people may experience from taking laxatives is temporary and due to water loss, not fat loss.
Additionally, taking laxatives when they are not needed can lead to serious side effects, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, intestinal damage, and an increased risk of colon cancer. Instead of relying on laxatives, it is important to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious, balanced diet, increasing physical activity, and practising self-care to improve body image.
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Laxative abuse risks
Laxatives are commonly used to treat constipation and are available over the counter without a prescription. They are meant to be taken orally and can be taken in pill or liquid form. Despite their intended use, people have misused laxatives to achieve their ideal body weight.
Laxative abuse occurs when someone repeatedly uses laxatives to lose weight or "feel thin". This is based on the incorrect belief that laxatives will help rush out food and calories before they can be absorbed by the body. However, this is a myth, as by the time laxatives act on the large intestine, most foods and calories have already been absorbed by the small intestine. The weight loss caused by a laxative-induced bowel movement is mainly due to the loss of water, which returns as soon as the individual rehydrates.
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances: Laxatives can cause a loss of water and electrolytes from the body, leading to dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Dehydration puts stress on the organs and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to weakness, irregular heartbeats, and sudden death.
- Mineral deficiencies: Laxative abuse can result in the loss of important minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These minerals are necessary for the proper functioning of nerves and muscles, including those in the colon and heart.
- Digestive system damage: The overuse of laxatives can cause long-term and potentially permanent damage to the digestive system, including the nerves and muscles of the colon. This can lead to chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Internal organ damage: Laxative abuse can lead to a stretched or "lazy" colon, colon infection, and rarely, liver damage.
- Psychological and physical dependence: Prolonged use of laxatives can lead to both psychological and physical dependence, with individuals requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effect.
- Constipation: Paradoxically, laxative abuse can worsen constipation. Over time, the colon may stop reacting to usual doses, and the muscles in the colon can weaken, interfering with normal bowel movements.
- Combination of constipation, diarrhea, and gas: Laxative use can trap gas in the intestines, leading to a vicious cycle of increased laxative use. Diarrhea can also interfere with daily activities due to the frequent need to use the bathroom.
- Infections: Laxative abuse can strip away the protective mucus layer and beneficial bacteria in the intestines, leaving them vulnerable to infection and irritation.
- Rectal prolapse: Chronic severe diarrhea caused by laxative abuse can cause the inside of the intestines to protrude through the anal opening, requiring surgical treatment.
- Depression: Constipation due to laxative abuse can lead to physical discomfort, embarrassment, and social isolation, contributing to feelings of depression.
Laxative abuse is a serious issue that can lead to a variety of health complications and life-threatening conditions. It is important to seek professional help if struggling with laxative abuse or an eating disorder.
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Laxative side effects
Laxatives are a type of medicine used to treat constipation. They are available over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as by prescription from a doctor. They are not a safe or effective way to control weight gain from eating.
There are four to five primary types of laxatives:
- Osmotic laxatives draw water from the rest of the body into the bowel to soften poo and make it easier to pass.
- Bulk-forming laxatives increase the "bulk" or weight of poo, stimulating the bowel.
- Poo-softener laxatives let water into poo to make it easier to pass.
- Stimulant laxatives encourage bowel movements by triggering rhythmic contractions of the intestinal muscles.
- Rectal suppositories are inserted rectally and trigger contractions of the intestinal muscles.
Laxatives can have several side effects, including:
- Dehydration, which can lead to lightheadedness, headaches, and darker urine.
- Diarrhoea.
- Bowel blockage by large, dry poo (intestinal obstruction).
- Unbalanced salts and minerals in the body.
- Interaction with other medications, including heart medications, antibiotics, and bone medications.
- Worsening of constipation due to decreased colon contractions.
- Loss of intestinal muscle and nerve response, leading to laxative dependency.
- Electrolyte imbalance.
- Passing of ingredients into breast milk, which can cause diarrhoea or other problems in the baby.
In addition to these side effects, laxative abuse can result in:
- Nutrient deficiency.
- Pain and cramping.
- Damage to the oesophagus.
- Tooth damage from stomach acid.
- Risk of heart failure.
- Loss of important minerals and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, or magnesium, leading to improper functioning of muscles, nerves, and organs.
- Intestinal damage.
- Increased risk of colon cancer.
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Laxatives and prescription medications
Laxatives are not a safe way to control weight gain from eating. They can be extremely dangerous and lead to serious medical complications, and even death. They can also cause side effects such as muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, dehydration, and damage to the esophagus and teeth.
If you are experiencing constipation, it is important to try lifestyle changes first, such as getting more fiber in your diet, drinking more water, and being physically active. Over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives are meant for very short-term use only and should not be used for more than a week without talking to your healthcare provider. They can be addictive, and overusing them could make your constipation worse and lead to very serious medical problems.
If OTC laxatives are not providing relief, you may need to talk to your healthcare provider about a prescription laxative. Prescription laxatives are most often prescribed for treating chronic constipation that's idiopathic (not due to any known cause), constipation related to a condition (including irritable bowel syndrome), and opioid-induced constipation. They are not meant for rapid relief of occasional constipation but rather to keep you regular when constipation is an ongoing problem.
There are four classes of prescription laxatives on the market: osmotic laxatives, prokinetic agents, secretagogues, and opioid antagonists. Osmotic laxatives, available both OTC and by prescription, draw water into the bowel to help soften stool so it passes more easily. Prokinetic agents, of which there is only one drug currently available in the US, Motegrity (prucalopride), cause the gastrointestinal tract to contract and push materials through. Secretagogues, such as Amitiza (lubiprostone) and Linzess (linaclotide), pull water into the bowel to soften the stool, and Trulance (plecantide) helps the body make fluids in the intestines. Opioid antagonists, such as Relistor (methylnaltrexone), Movantik (naloxegol), and Symproic (naldemedine), are used to relieve constipation caused by opioid medications.
It is important to note that not all prescription laxatives are safe for everyone, and some medical conditions may make a drug unsuitable. It is always best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the safest and most effective treatment option for your situation.
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Laxatives and eating disorders
Laxatives are medications for treating constipation. Doctors typically recommend them if you have difficulty passing stool and only after you have made changes like eating more fiber, exercising regularly, and drinking more water. However, some people use laxatives to lose weight or control their weight. This is dangerous and can make you sick.
Laxatives come in five types: bulk-forming, stool softeners, lubricant, stimulant, and osmotic. They act on your intestines in different ways, but they all make things happen faster in your colon. This has a domino effect, causing things to happen faster in your small intestine as well. Your small intestine is where most digestion takes place, and if you rush this process, your body will not be able to absorb as many nutrients. However, to have a significant effect on the digestion of a meal, you would have to take a powerful laxative.
People with eating disorders may take laxatives after eating a large amount of food (including after binge eating) to try to get rid of the food before their body can absorb the calories. They believe this will help them lose weight or control their weight. However, this is not true. Laxatives do not stop your body from absorbing calories or gaining weight. By the time food reaches your large intestine, where laxatives act, your body has already absorbed most of the calories, fat, and nutrients. What's left is mostly waste that your body doesn't need, full of water and some minerals. So if you use laxatives and lose weight, you are just losing water. As soon as you drink something, you will gain the weight back.
Taking laxatives for weight loss or to control weight can cause several problems. Firstly, it can lead to dehydration because laxatives make you lose water. Dehydration can be serious and, in extreme cases, can cause heart problems, kidney failure, and even death. Secondly, it can cause an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are important minerals and salts that your body absorbs in the colon and are necessary for the proper functioning of your muscles and nerves in your heart and colon. Thirdly, using laxatives for longer than one week can cause loss of bowel muscle tone, leading to long-term constipation or diarrhea. Additionally, using laxatives too often and for too long can damage your intestines and increase your risk of colon cancer. Furthermore, taking laxatives can interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications, leading to serious health problems. Finally, people who use laxatives to lose weight are more likely to develop an eating disorder.
If you or someone you know is using laxatives to control weight or lose weight, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional.
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Frequently asked questions
You should not take laxatives after a binge. Laxatives are medicines for constipation and do not stop your body from absorbing calories or gaining weight. They can be dangerous and cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, constipation, and diarrhea.
Taking laxatives for weight loss can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal damage, and colon cancer. It can also interfere with prescription medications and increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.
There are five types of laxatives: bulk-forming, stool softeners, lubricant, stimulant, and osmotic. They work by adding fiber to the stool, mixing water with the stool, coating the stool, stimulating the intestines, or pulling water into the bowel.
Safe alternatives to laxatives for weight loss include regular exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, reducing sugary drinks, choosing healthier snacks, and reducing calorie intake.
If you think you have an eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help from a healthcare provider or counselor. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can have significant physical and psychological impacts.