Iron is an essential mineral needed to carry oxygen through your red blood cells to every organ and cell in your body. It also is involved in producing energy. Anemia is one of the most common side effects of iron deficiency that can lead to...
Laxatives are useful for combating occasional constipation. Different laxatives work in different ways. Some stimulate the muscles of the bowel to contract. Others contain fiber that absorbs water and gives stool more bulk. Some laxatives are...
Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, is an eating disorder that involves episodes of binging and purging (see Reference 1). This means you consume large amounts of food and then attempt to get rid of the food and calories you have consumed by inducing...
Potassium is essential for such bodily processes as fluid balance, heart function, muscle contraction and digestive health. While high potassium levels can be dangerous, low potassium, also known as hypokalemia, can pose risks to your health as...
Ex-lax is an over-the-counter laxative used to treat constipation. When taken for prolonged periods as a weight loss drug, laxatives like Ex-lax can cause serious health complications. Learning about the risks of using Ex-lax for weight loss...
Metamucil is a form of laxative intended to help people suffering from constipation. You can buy the product as a powder, pill, or wafer. It is not recommended for use longer than two weeks and not intended as a weight-loss supplement. In the...
In a desperate bid to lose weight, some people turn to habitual laxative use in the mistaken belief that it will allow them to eat whatever they want without absorbing the calories. Not only is this practice erroneous, it's potentially dangerous...
Bisacodyl is an over-the-counter drug that is part of several different brand name products. Bisacodyl is a laxative prescribed for a few different situations. Taking laxatives for reasons other than their prescribed reason may be dangerous and...
Epsom salt is a chemical compound consisting of the minerals magnesium and sulfur. It is used for many applications such as gardening with flowers, and fruits and vegetables, or even as a restoration tool to eliminate sulfate build up on...
The leaves and pods from the senna plant, or Cassia angustifolia, are found in senna tea and other senna products, including capsules and tinctures. The herb is a member of the legume family and has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to...
Constipation is a common condition in childhood that is sometimes treated with laxative medications. Overusing laxatives can create a condition of dependence, resulting in lazy bowel syndrome, which is when a child's bowels lose their ability to...
The World Health Organization explains that more than 1 billion adults are overweight and 300 million adults are obese. When people turn on the television or radio, they are often bombarded with exercise videos, weight loss supplements and diet...
Constipation, as defined by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, is having less than three bowel movements in a week. The Institute adds that some individuals may not have a bowel movement daily, but that does not...
Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder whose sufferers binge and purge; they eat a very large amount of food in a short amount of time, and then take laxatives, induce vomiting, or over-exercise to get rid of it. This behavior is...
Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by cycles of binging and purging. Sufferers of the disease eat---often exorbitant amounts---then attempt to compensate for ingested food by vomiting,...
Aloe vera is a succulent plant with a long history of medicinal use, mainly as a topical remedy for sunburn and other skin conditions. Aloe vera gel is one of the most common herbal remedies in the United States, according to the University of...
Losing weight can seem insurmountable for many individuals, often leading them to look for easy ways to lose weight. Some programs encourage dieters to consume certain foods and substances, often eliminating important food groups. Aloe juice is...
Sodium and potassium are two minerals known as electrolytes. Your body relies on their exchange to generate the energy for a number of chemical reactions and to regulate biological functions such as heartbeat and muscle movement. If your sodium...
Fad diets are notorious for destroying a person's self esteem, as well as their healthy well-being. Tea is nothing new on the market in terms of health and as a satisfying drink. Laxative teas can be found in just about every super market or...
Constipation has several causes, and it might be chronic or intermittent. Either way, if you suffer from it, you are likely looking for relief. Incorporating raisin bran into a well-balanced diet can ease constipation and help regulate your bowel...
Magnesium citrate treats constipation and empties the bowels when medically necessary. Although your body requires a certain amount of magnesium, an excess of magnesium citrate can cause health problems ranging from minor to life-threatening. For...
An increasing number of teenagers turn to unnatural and unhealthy methods of weight loss. As "Medical News Today" reports, more than 60 percent of teenage girls practice methods classified as unhealthy, while more than 20 percent practice "very...
A growing awareness of eating disorders has sparked an ongoing examination of the body image models present. Concerns about the body fat percentage of models and its impact on girls and young women erupted in controversy in 2006. Although the...
Green bell peppers contain water and the nutrients lutein, zeaxanthin, potassium, and vitamins A, C and K. Your method of preparation determines the amount of each nutrient the green bell peppers retain. Green bell peppers taste sweet to all but...
Laxative abuse often accompanies the binge eating and vomiting of bulimia. According to a 2010 article by James Roerig and others, as many as 10 to 60 percent of patients suffering from bulimia also abuse laxatives. Laxative abuse poses numerous...
Anorexia and bulimia are complex psychological disorders that pose an array of physical complications. People with the disorders may abuse laxatives in attempt to rid their bodies of calories, lose weight, or to improve digestive regularity....
Edema is a condition caused by an excess of fluid trapped in your body tissues resulting in swelling. Typical reasons for this to emerge is excess salt consumption, premenstruation, pregnancy or sitting in one position for a long period. If you're...
Laxatives are traditionally used to facilitate elimination, but are a popular weight-loss aid as well. However, their safety for use as a diet tool is circumspect. While encouraging bowel movements, particularly if you are constipated, can be...
Laxatives in small and infrequent amounts may help regulate your bowel movements and should not damage your kidneys or other organs, according to MayoClinic.com. If you use laxatives to lose weight, take them frequently or in high doses, you could...
Bulimia Nervosa can be a life threatening condition. Learn about Bulimia and what it is like to live with the condition in this video.
