Pharmacology does not stand still. Pharmaceutical companies release new drugs based on the latest discoveries, casting old ones into oblivion. Not so long ago Soviet women who urgently needed to lose weight knew that there was Glaubers (sodium sulphate), which could be purchased at any pharmacy for a song.
Today a pharmacist will smile in response to such a request. After all, the only place where this remedy can be bought now is a veterinary clinic. And all because a more successful analogue replaced it from the market – magnesium sulphate. However, there is a difference between these laxatives.
Brief description
Full chemical name: sodium sulphate decahydrate.
Other names:
- Sal glauberi;
- Siberian salt;
- Mirabilite;
- Sodium sulphate;
- Gujra.
Chemical formula: Na2SO4 · 10H2O.
Release form: coarse crystalline powder of white colour.
Description:
- large transparent crystals;
- geometrical shape of crystals – prisms;
- taste – salty-bitter;
- odour – absent;
- melts quickly in the mouth, instantly dissolves in water;
- does not burn;
- effloresces upon prolonged exposure to air and heat, losing weight;
- after complete efflorescence it becomes simple sodium sulphate.
Main purpose: laxative.
Method of administration: oral, after dissolving in water.
Pharmacokinetics: not absorbed in the gut.
Sources:
- it is a mineral that is mined in Canada, Georgia, Turkmenistan and West Siberia;
- seawater;
- mineral waters of the Karlovy Vary and Marienbad resorts (Czech Republic);
- sediments and crusts on rock salt and gypsum deposits.
A bit of history: discovered for the first time in the winter of 1626 by German alchemist, chemist, pharmacist and physician Johann Rudolf Glauber as a part of mineral waters.
Origin of the name. Glauber named the substance he discovered mirabilite because in Latin translation “mirabile” means “amazing”. After all, this salt saved him from typhus when he was in a gravely serious condition.
The main problem
In medicine and veterinary medicine, Glaubers is used as an effective laxative with a rapid action. It is no wonder that it became so popular for weight loss. The problem is that not so long ago it was removed from the register of medicines for humans remaining only as a means of treating animals.
Therefore, many who want to get rid of extra weight with the help of mirabilite are concerned about the main question: are humans allowed to drink a solution of the powder sold in veterinary pharmacies and clinics?
Many sources claim that Glaubers, which in Soviet times doctors prescribed to their patients as a laxative, is no different from that used in veterinary medicine today. On the one hand, it is true because both preparations are available in the form of pure powder, without any impurities. On the other hand, it should be borne in mind that the requirements for medicines intended for treating humans and animals are different.
No doctor will officially prescribe this drug to his patients today. Although there are a huge number of positive reviews about losing weight with its help. Therefore, opting for such a way of losing weight, it should be borne in mind that all responsibility for the consequences will have to be taken upon oneself. Are you ready to drink a drug which has the following notes on its packaging: “For veterinary use”, “For animals”, “Veterinary use”?.
In order to lose weight, you may as well use some other laxatives that are functional analogues, but approved by official medicine – the same magnesium sulphate. Yes, mirabilite works faster, but at the same time, it irritates the intestinal walls and has much more side effects.
Moreover, you should not order bright jars with the inscriptions: “ Glaubers for humans ”or “ Glaubers for weight loss ”etc. on dubious Internet resources. That is fraud.
Effects
Health Benefits:
- helps with constipation;
- improves digestion;
- normalizes metabolism;
- stimulates bile production;
- relieves symptoms in case of poisoning;
- blocks toxic substances that have entered the gastrointestinal tract along with food, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
The main indications for the use of Glaubers in Soviet medicine were constipation and severe forms of poisoning.
Effects when losing weight:
- activates intestinal peristalsis, having a laxative effect;
- thus, the gastrointestinal tract is cleansed of stagnant faeces;
- binds to toxic substances in the stomach and removes them from the body;
- improves lymph flow;
- removes excess fluid, having diuretic properties (though weaker than laxative ones);
- cleanses the body.
Mirabilite contributes to weight loss by removing faecal matter, toxins, slags and other decay products, as well as excess fluid. However, fat deposits do not disappear anywhere.
It is interesting. Paustovsky’s story “Kara-Buggaz” is about the production of Glaubers in Turkmenistan. After the publication, colleagues began to call the writer “the mirabilite of our literature”.
Possible harm
Usually, before you start losing weight with any medication, it is recommended to be examined by a doctor and consult with a physician and dietitian. However, such advice is absolutely useless with Glaubers: no professional physician will ever prescribe a veterinary product to a human being. Therefore, opting for such an extreme weight loss method, you will have to rely solely on yourself. At the very least, it is worth learning about contraindications and side effects.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- hypovitaminosis;
- anaemia;
- dehydration;
- any serious gastrointestinal diseases, any intestinal upset (especially diarrhoea);
- cholecystitis;
- exacerbation of any chronic diseases;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- childhood and old age.
Side effects:
- dehydration;
- deficiency of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that are not absorbed by the body and are actively excreted from it through mirabilite immediately after entering the gastrointestinal tract;
- prolonged uncontrolled diarrhoea;
- vomiting (a rare occurrence, but still possible);
- poor health;
- extreme pallor of the skin;
- bags and bruises under the eyes;
- weakness, lethargy, drowsiness;
- sudden mood swings, irritability;
- allergic reaction.
Given the considerable list of side effects, it is not surprising that Glaubers was replaced by magnesium sulphate. It is not as harsh on the gastric mucosa.
Application
Self-use of Glaubers as a laxative to lose weight is problematic, as the drug instructions are written for animals. You will find dosages for horses, cattle, deer, sheep, etc. in the instructions
