Laxatives to Lose Weight

Laxatives are well-known for their ability to help lose weight. In fact, they are also commonly believed to be better, faster and safer than dieting and other weight loss programs. The general notion about these laxatives are that they help lose weight. Laxative, in the form of Dieter's tea, is a popular weight loss product in the market. It comprises various herb ingredients such as senna, cascara, castor oil, aloe, rhubarb root and buckthorn, which possess laxative characteristics. Usually, people with constipation issues take the aid of laxatives to overcome the problem. Figure conscious people take laxative pills after meals in order to lose weight. However, the question is does the use of laxatives actually help in losing weight? Is it safe? The answer to this is a 'no'. Today, people will do anything to lose weight, even if it means ignorantly sabotaging their health. They will not stop to think twice, before relying on laxatives to look slimmer. Little do they realize that these laxatives are deleterious. For all those using laxatives to lose weight, ignorance is not bliss, and it's high time to wake up from one's slumber.

How to lose weight with laxatives?
Before heading into the pernicious effects of taking laxatives to lose weight, one needs to understand the basics of how laxatives actually work. The prime role of a laxative is to increase bowel activity. Food ingested is mostly absorbed in the large intestine. What laxatives do is they target the large intestine and prevent it from absorbing the ingested food. Since no food absorption takes place in the small intestine, the food just passes through it. Intake of laxatives on a regular basis affects fat absorption in the body, thereby leading to diarrhea. Dieter's tea consists of various herbs which cause the bowels to become irritable and pass stool frequently, resulting in diarrhea.

Diarrhea means loss of great amounts of body water, which is why people feel they have lost weight; not realizing all they have lost is water weight of the body. The water lost will be made up by the body within the next 48 hours, thus nullifying the body weight effect. However, frequent intake of laxatives can result in dehydration, due to which the body is unable to absorb the required amount of water. People who think that calories exit the body along with the water, they are highly mistaken. This is because, by the time the food reaches the colon (part of the large intestine), the body has already absorbed all the calories present in the food. Moreover, what is exiting the body is minerals, unwanted food and water. Thus, laxatives aren't helping the body lose right weight.

Side effects of taking laxatives to lose weight
People with eating disorders believe that as long as they feel like they've lost weight, the purpose has been achieved. They care less about whether the right weight is being lost. However, the hitch here is these laxatives are harmful, and are accompanied by various unpleasant side effects. The different side effects are:

• Stomach cramps
• Chronic diarrhea
• Gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Weakening and softening of bones (osteomalacia)
• Rectal bleeding
• Electrolyte disorder

The low potassium and electrolyte content caused as a side effect to intake of laxatives to lose weight can lead to heart attacks as well. Frequent intake of laxatives for a long time permanently alters the way the digestive system works. It has also been observed that constant laxative use causes severe chronic constipation and pain for long periods of time. This can lead to removal of the colon by surgery. Overdose of laxatives leads to gastro-intestinal tract damage, which is difficult to repair. This damage results in loss of essential minerals and fat from the body leading to weak bones. Moreover, consistent intake of laxatives for a long period of time causes the body to become accustomed to them. The body systems rely on laxatives to function properly, and people frequently taking laxatives to lose weight should stop the intake gradually, and not abruptly.

Thus, people who take laxatives to lose weight should come out of their bubble and comprehend the fact that laxatives are not safe. Marketers are extremely cheeky and sell these laxatives under the name of bowel cleaning products. There won't be even a mention of the word laxative, thus one should be on guard. Stay alert and do not fall prey to such scheming marketers. Weight watchers should lose the right weight in the right manner, by maintaining a proper diet plan and exercise.