Laxatives can help to relieve constipation or quickly flush your system of toxins. However, some people use laxatives as a means of losing weight. This is not only a dangerous process, it is also an uneducated decision to make. Laxative abuse can severely damage your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and cause long-term side effects. Regular laxative use can also lead to addiction.
Laxatives
FamilyDoctor.org lists multiple types of laxatives. Two of the most commonly used are "bulk-forming" and "stimulant laxatives."
Bulk-forming laxatives draw water into the stool to create large, soft stools. The larger stool gives the feeling of needing to "go." Stimulant laxatives are called the harshest type of laxatives by FamilyDoctor.org. These laxatives cause the most damage because of the way they cause the bowel to contract.
Weight Loss from Laxative Use
The weight loss caused by laxative use is generally just "water weight" or fluid loss. The weight is generally regained after drinking proper amounts of fluids. According to the Centre for Clinical Interventions, laxatives have a minimal effect on absorption of calories, thus hardly any effect on true weight loss. This is because laxatives target the bowels, whereas calorie absorption happens higher in the GI tract.
Lesser Side Effects
Laxatives, like medications, have side effects that vary in intensity, seriousness, and length. Short-term side effects can include abdominal cramping, gas, bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Most of these side effects are due to taking an excess of laxatives. Over-the-counter laxatives generally have side effects listed on the box.
Severe Side Effects
Long-term side effects can affect your bowels and electrolyte balance. The Centre for Clinical Interventions states that laxatives disrupt normal bowel function. This can cause symptoms like the above, as well as loss of intestinal muscle tone and appearance of mucus and blood in the stool. Many of these symptoms are reversible after stopping, but they can be permanent.
Electrolytes are ions within your body that regulate nerve impulses, which supports many body functions. Electrolytes are most commonly lost through exercise, but diarrhea can lead to a great imbalance. Potassium levels lower, as well. Low potassium can cause muscle weakness, seizures and an irregular heartbeat.
Natural Laxatives
Note that natural laxatives still provide the same function and are thereby just as dangerous. This is not a case where a natural alternative would make a situation better. Using a natural laxative, such as a warm tea of herbs, can at the very least cause discomfort and will not cause substantial weight loss. Waste is not equal to fat or muscle.
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