Weight Loss And Laxatives: What Is Actually Lost When Laxatives Are Used?

Any weight lost with the help of laxative medicines is actually attributed to the loss of water only. Contrary to popular belief, by the time the laxative drug is acting on the large intestine, most calories in the food ingested will have already been absorbed by the small intestine. Laxatives stimulate the large intestine to empty quicker than it normally would, so all that is happening is loss of water, minerals, electrolytes and food that is indigestible anyway.

Use Laxatives, Risk Serious Side Effects

Not only are laxatives not the way to achieve weight loss, they can also cause many unpleasant side effects. Arguably, one of the most severe of these is a water-electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are essential in order for the human body to function normally as they play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. This includes heart and neurological function, delivery of oxygen to vital organs and muscles, fluid balance and more. Any abnormalities in the levels of vital minerals such as potassium, sodium and calcium will cause serious water-electrolyte imbalance, which in turn messes with heart and neurological functions.

Laxatives Are Associated With Long-Term Health Damage

Aside from removing important nutrients and calories, reducing natural fat absorption and upsetting electrolyte levels, the use of laxatives also causes stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Irreversible damage to the intestinal tract by using laxatives as a method for dieting can lead to the body becoming dependent on the drugs. If the body suddenly stops ingesting laxatives, the intestines can slow down and lose their ability to perform their normal function of removing waste from the body altogether. In addition, chronic laxative use over a prolonged period of time can damage the nerve endings in the large intestine. This means that they no longer respond to stimulation and so a downward spiral is created where higher and higher doses of the drug is needed to create any bowl movement at all.

READ Fat Chance: Being Slightly Overweight Is Actually Good For Your Health?

The bottom line is that health is paramount. There are many ways of achieving and sustaining a healthy body weight. Every dietitian knows very well that quick fixes, many of which are heavily marketed, hardly ever work. A healthy diet together with an active lifestyle are always the best ways to lose weight and maintain it, not abusing medication.