- Types
- Weight Loss Illusion
- Side Effects
- Is it OK to Take?
- Food
- Drinks and Herbs
A single use of a laxative provokes complete and speedy evacuation of the intestines. After this procedure, your weight reduces by a couple of kilograms. Does this mean that laxatives promote weight loss? After another meal, the kilograms come back.
Many people trying to lose weight believe that laxatives are safe for losing weight. Supposedly they can help lose weight without practicing physical exercises or limiting nutrition. Let’s find out how true this information is.
Types
Different laxatives have different mechanisms to induce evacuation of the intestines. The mechanism of action divides the laxatives into four main groups.
Group 1. Cellulose-based
Substances with cellulose provoke evacuation of the intestines by increasing the volume of the feces. Powdered bran is used at home. The bran swells in the stomach and intestines stimulating not only accelerated elimination of the waste but a feeling of fulfillment and “full stomach.” As a result, you feel full faster and eat less.
Names of cellulose laxatives that can be bought in pharmacies:
- Phytomucil;
- Normase;
- Eucarbon;
- chia seeds;
- Lizalak;
- Triphala;
- pumpkin fiber;
- Bionorm;
- Neomuzil;
- Dinolak.
Mild laxatives normalize the intestinal microflora, eliminate constipation, and other digestion issues.
Group 2. Mineral
These are strong laxatives that provoke elimination of the feces by increasing the pressure of the intestinal contents. The waste products are literally “squeezed” out of the intestines. These include:
- Milk of Magnesia;
- Maalox;
- Maalox;
- Almol;
- Lactamil;
- Gastracid.
Such quick-acting laxatives are usually taken as single pills. For example, the patient takes it before surgery when emergency evacuation of the intestines is necessary. Prolonged use of these drugs provokes chronic digestive disorders. Even a single use of a mineral laxative requires restoration of microflora with probiotics.
Group 3. Oil
Any vegetable oil helps to evacuate the intestines easily. The oil is not absorbed in the tissues of internal organs. It easily leaves the body, softens the waste products, and drags them along. The following are suitable:
- olive oil;
- petroleum jelly;
- paraffin oil;
- flax seed oil;
- almond oil; and others.
Never take any essential oil orally!
Group 4. Peristaltic stimulants
These drugs induce defecation by irritating the intestinal walls, stimulating its contractions.
- Bisacodyl;
- Dibrolax;
- Senadexin;
- Evacuol;
- Elimin.
The list goes on. Such drugs are dangerous because they are addictive. If you use such a stimulant regularly, after some time, the body will not be able to defecate independently.
Weight Loss Illusion
After taking a laxative, you go to the toilet and leave it feeling light. The scales show a couple of kilograms less than before visiting the toilet. In the mirror, you see that your waist has become smaller. However, it is too early to be happy. Your body will return to its previous state after the next meals.
Weight loss with laxatives may seem effective due to a reduction in swelling. Body volume decreases, which can be mistaken for actual weight loss. In reality, fat deposits remain untouched. While taking it (even if prescribed by a doctor), be sure to drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.
Do not assume that you can eat as much as you want and then defecate and expect the calories not to be absorbed. On the contrary, the body assimilates carbohydrates and fats instantly because the action of most laxatives is aimed at accelerating metabolism. The drug helps eliminate the remainders of food that failed to digest. As a result, the feeling of fullness disappears instantly, and you want to eat again.
Side Effects
Even the best laxatives have side effects. Weigh the pros and cons to decide if a couple of lost kilograms is worth the risk.
- Nausea, abdominal pain, and cramps
Prolonged use of the drug depletes the body’s water supply, leading to increased gas production, cramps, abdominal and esophageal pain.
- Addictiveness
Constant external stimulation causes the organs to literally “forget” how to function independently. You will not be able to use the toilet without first drinking laxative tea or taking a pill. Doctors believe that people who regularly use these drugs to lose weight develop dependence even at the psychological level.
- Deficiency of useful elements
Accelerated metabolism reduces the levels of calcium, chlorine, potassium, sodium, and magnesium in the body. This is fraught with fainting, muscle weakness, cramps, heart rhythm disorders, osteoporosis.
- Protein deficiency
This leads to reduced protective functions and impaired recovery processes in tissues.
- Vitamin deficiency
Vitamin deficiency causes hair loss, acne, brittle nails, and tooth decay.
- Inflammation of the rectum
Constant irritation of the intestinal walls causes unpleasant sensations in the rectum: itching, burning, and hemorrhoids.
Even if a good laxative helps you lose a few kilos after overeating, you will regain the lost weight once you stop taking the drug.
Is it OK to Take?
Constipation pills are indeed effective. However, they are not for weight loss. They are prescribed by a doctor in case the stool does not return to normal after a couple of days on a prescribed diet. Only a doctor will determine which drug will help you with defecation problems.
Some patients are contraindicated to use such drugs. With underdeveloped intestinal flora, the doctor first prescribes measures to normalize it. If you are prone to inflammation of the intestines, you should never try to lose weight with laxatives. Heart and kidney diseases are also often reasons to look for a different way to stimulate bowel movements. You need to discuss everything with your doctor.
Food
Instead of fiber pharmaceuticals, it is better and more pleasant to eat foods containing these insoluble food fibers. Among the foods rich in fiber and magnesium are the following:
- pears;
- apricots;
- peaches;
- prunes;
- figs;
- apples;
- walnuts;
- olives;
- raspberries;
- avocado;
- grapes;
- flax seeds;
- chicory;
- dill;
- parsley;
- whole wheat bread;
