Do Laxatives Help You Lose Weight? The Truth Revealed!
You’ve probably heard of the many different weight loss programs and tips, especially with the online world having a LOT of people debating on what’s right and wrong in terms of shedding the pounds. One thing many patients have asked about (and even tried) is: “Do laxatives help you lose weight?”
But before you try this over-the-counter medication for weight loss, you have to be aware of its side effects and actual impact in terms of weight. Read on to find out if this is an actual and safe method to help lose weight.
What Are Laxatives?
Laxatives are medicines that assist in stimulating bowel movements, loosening up the stool to help make it easier to pass. These are used to treat constipation and similar conditions, which are caused by difficult, infrequent, and/or painful bowel movements.
There are different kinds of laxatives available, each working in different ways:
· Stimulant laxatives work by speeding up the digestive tract’s movement
· Osmotic-type laxatives cause your colon to retain water, increasing the frequency of bowel movements
· Bulk-forming laxatives move through your intestines undigested, which absorbs water while adding bulk to your stool
· Saline laxatives would draw water to the small intestine, promoting bowel movements
· Lubricant laxatives coat the stool’s surface and intestine lining, easing bowel movements
· Stool softeners allow the stool to absorb water, which makes it softer to easily pass through
But laxatives have now become a popular way to aid in weight loss. A lot of people claim that using this medication would increase your frequency of bowel movements, which would have you lose weight quickly and effortlessly.
But is it really effective? Most importantly, is it really safe to use?
Do Laxatives Help You Lose Weight?
Technically, laxatives do have you lose weight, which is why many people report its effectiveness. There have been some studies that estimate about 4% of the general population have abused laxatives for various reasons, such as weight loss. A small study even shows that those with eating disorders have used laxatives to prevent gaining weight.
Laxatives to not help you burn excess fat. They may temporarily make numbers on the scale go down!
This is because you lose water (and stool) weight with laxatives, as it works by pulling water from the body and into your intestines. The stool will absorb even water to make it easier to pass, which is why you feel less bloated and lighter. However, your body will regain the water lost from taking the laxative and passing stool in a few hours or overnight, which makes laxatives an ineffective weight loss aid.
Meaning, using laxatives only gives you temporary “weight loss”, meaning - numbers will go down very short term, but won't help you in the long-term.
Studies show that laxatives are not effective in weight control or maintenance, and it may lead to serious side effects such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even laxative dependence! This is very dangerous and may lead to long-term conditions that may affect your bowel movements and overall health.
Besides the mentioned side effects, there are also other possible side effects, which include:
· Rhabdomyolysis
· Gastrointestinal damage
· Kidney failure
· Liver damage
Wrapping It Up
Laxatives are NOT a way to lose weight, short or long-term. They will just make numbers go little down on scale creating an illusion of weight loss. That’s why it’s better to find healthier ways to lose weight, with a proper weight loss program which includes healthy eating and exercise along with medical treatment. By doing so, you still lose weight while staying fit and healthy.
When looking up weight loss tips and programs, be sure to take information with a grain of salt and consult your medical professional before following anything you read online. Make sure you find an obesity medicine specialist who is Board Certified and trained in the field..
