| Gain a few pounds here and take a
few laxatives there is another form of yo-yo dieting. Using laxatives
and weight loss sound like a laudable way to shed pounds. On the
contrary, laxatives may prevent the absorption of certain nutrients
that may lead to a nutritional deficit. Since laxative pills are
not for the management of weight loss, they should not be used
to control weight. Abusing laxatives
is detrimental. It may lead to permanent damage of the bowels
coupled with various severe medical conditions or even death.
Anorexic and bulimics commonly abuse laxatives to ‘purge’ themselves
of food intake. Consequently, frequent and unnecessary use can
prove to be dangerous. It may disrupt the mechanisms of the
digestive system. The end-result can produce a dependency.
In essence, laxatives have very little to no
effect on weight loss. Once a stimulant laxative gets to work
(Correctol or Ex-Lax), the calories have been absorbed into
the body. On the other side of the spectrum, laxatives create
a false sense of weight loss because of the fluid loss. Within
two to three days, the body will start to retain water. Then
the laxative user feels bloated. The cycle of using it begins.
Many adverse effects are associated with laxative
abuse. They include bloody diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte
imbalances. After prolonged use many people are unable to move
their bowels without using laxatives. Not to mention, severe
abdominal pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting are the effects
of overuse.
The safest way to reduce weight entails a moderately
reduced-calorie diet coalesced with a regular fitness program.
Important note: Losing more than two pounds per week represents
losing metabolism-boosting muscle opposed to shedding fat.
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