Throughout history, laxatives have been used by people trying to lose weight. Those wishing to become thin count on the fact that the consumed fats and carbohydrates will be immediately removed from their bodies and will not manage to be deposited. In reality, everything is not so simple. The kilograms do not disappear, but instead, problems with the stomach and stool appear.
To avoid this, it is necessary to know what substances to use in such cases and to be careful about the dosage and the duration of the course. For example, Senade is often recommended for weight loss, motivating this by its mild effect on the bowels and minimal side effects. Are these recommendations worth following?
Brief description
Commercial name: Senade. Latin name: Senade.
ATC code: A06AB06 — laxatives based on senna glycosides, which affect the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism.
Active ingredient: sennosides A and B.
Chemical formula — C42H28O20.
Structural formula:
Form of release: brown or dark-brown tablets with chaotic dark inclusions, round, flat, with beveled edges. On one side there is an imprint „CIPLA“. On the other side there is a dividing line. One tablet contains 13.5 mg of active ingredient.
Packaging:
- cardboard box with 2 blisters of 20 tablets each (40 pcs.);
- cardboard box with 3 blisters of 20 tablets each (60 pcs.);
- cardboard box with 25 blisters of 20 tablets each (500 pcs.)
Manufacturer: Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla Ltd. (Cipla Ltd).
Main purpose: laxative.
Method of administration: oral.
It is absorbed through the intestinal mucosa in small quantities (only 5%). In the large intestine, under the action of the enzymes of gastric juice, sennosides are hydrolyzed to free anthraquinones. The main part of them is excreted with the feces, and a smaller part is excreted by the kidneys into the urine.
The action time is approximately 8 hours, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. Maximum — 10.
Composition
The main active ingredient is calcium salts of sennosides A and B, obtained from the extract of Alexandrian senna (cassia africana, cassia acutifolia, Egyptian senna) leaves. Quantitative content — 13.5 mg.
The composition also includes auxiliary substances:
- starch — 43.56 mg;
- MCC — 15 mg;
- lactose — 23.07 mg;
- methylparaben (preservative E218) — 0.04 mg;
- magnesium stearate (as a binder and structuring agent) — 0.93 mg;
- carboxymethylcellulose (thickener E468) — 2 mg;
- talc — 11.13 mg;
- sodium lauryl sulfate (surfactant) — 0.93 mg.
Auxiliary substances in the minimum quantity do not have a significant effect on the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.
Action
The laxative effect of Senade is simple (diagram):
Sennosides enter the large intestine → They begin to actively affect the sensitive mechanoreceptors located in the mucous membrane → Peristalsis increases (strength, amplitude and duration of intestinal wall contractions) → Fecal masses begin to move → The intestine tries to remove them faster as a result of increasingly intense contractions of the muscular structure → A person has an irresistible urge to defecate → Defecation
The consistency of the fecal masses does not change. They come out normally formed, as usual feces. The digestion process is not affected. The absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and their absorption into the blood occur without hindrance. That is, they are not excreted from the body. Therefore, the drug is considered to be gentle.
Increased peristalsis removes not only feces, but also everything that accumulates on the intestinal walls. So the drug also has a cleansing effect.
Knowing how Senade works, its laxative properties can be used for weight loss.
Myth busting. Do not flatter yourself that Senade also has diuretic properties. It is exclusively a laxative — nothing more. It does not affect the water-salt balance, excess fluid is not removed from the tissues, and edema will not go away after taking it.
Indications
Deciding to lose weight in such an unusual way, you should figure out what the drug helps with and in what situations it is prescribed.
Official indications for the use of Senade, according to the instructions:
- disorders of bowel function, in particular, constipation;
- weakening of the peristalsis and atony of the large intestine;
- a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
- hemorrhoids;
- proctitis (inflammation of the rectum or sigmoid colon), paraproctitis (chronic form);
- anal fissures of various origins;
- preparation for ultrasound, X-ray or endoscopic examination of the abdominal organs, which requires emptying the intestines.
The drug is not effective for all cases of constipation. It is prescribed only when stool problems are caused by the following factors (in addition to weak peristalsis):
- sedentary work;
- low physical activity (or its complete absence);
- stressful situations;
- lack of fluid;
- climate change;
- unbalanced diet (the menu is dominated by products that cause constipation: pastries, rice, pasta, potatoes);
- overweight.
Knowing the purpose of the drug, it becomes easier to make a decision about its appropriateness in your case.
Benefits for weight loss
The drug is often used for weight loss. How justified is it? The only indication for its use in relation to excess weight is constipation caused by a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. In the absence of such a problem, the drug is not recommended for the purpose of losing weight.
Nevertheless, Senade has a certain effect as a means for losing weight due to:
- removal of accumulated fecal matter from the large intestine;
- cleansing the body of other waste products present there.
Here is what you should not count on when taking Senade for weight loss:
- the drug does not accelerate or improve digestion;
- does not prevent the absorption of food (all consumed carbohydrates and fats will be digested according to the general scheme, enter the blood, increase blood sugar and be deposited on the sides), and will not be excreted immediately in an unprocessed form;
- does not trigger lipolysis, does not accelerate fat burning;
- does not remove excess fluid, does not save from swelling.
How to get the maximum benefit from the pills for weight loss:
- take to cleanse the intestines 1-2 days before the diet;
- further — drink no more than 2 times a week;
- take after unforeseen overeating (after a party, a holiday);
- limit daily calorie intake, exercise.
When losing weight, it should be understood that Senade can not be taken regularly,
