6/11/07
Are Laxatives Beneficial To Weight Loss?
Author: Lee Dobbins
Unfortunately the answer to the above question is no. Laxatives and weight loss is not good as usually due to fluid loss and the health dangers when using laxatives can be significant.
Unfortunately laxative abuse is a common form of weight control especially with people who suffer from eating disorders. The real purpose for a person to take a laxative is to stimulate the large bowel to empty and will only occur after food and calories have been absorbed into the body via the small intestines. So people who use laxatives to control their weight are actually causing harm to their body because they will lose fluid and this will then be followed by periods when water will be retained (bloating occurs). Then this causes the individual to use more laxatives in order to lose more weight.
The reason as to why some people seem to lose weight whilst taking laxatives is because they are usually reducing the amount of calories they have and how much food they eat as well as some of them are constantly exercising.
So in conclusion taking laxatives as a method of controlling your weight or for losing weight is neither good for losing fat or for your health. In fact prolonged use of laxatives will lead to cramps, bloating, water retention and then the added problem of withdrawal symptoms when a person ceases to use them.
For those people who abuse laxatives will often find themselves in a no win situation as they use laxatives as they "feel thin" which provides them with an immediate and positive result. Unfortunately an what actually happens is the opposite? These people find themselves "feeling fat" because of excessive water retention even though it is delayed.
Below are some steps which will help those to stop abusing laxatives.
Step 1
The most important step is to stop taking laxatives immediately. Do not take any more unless your doctor says so. It is important to remember that stimulant type laxatives are especially harmful to the human body.
Step 2
It is important that you drink at least 6-10 cups of water or decaffeinated drinks a day. By restricting your fluid intake you will only dehydrate your body which will worsen the effects associated with constipation.
Step 3
Include some form of physical activity in to your daily routine as this can help to regulate bowel functions although it is wise to talk to your doctor about the intensity and type of activity you take up. Unfortunately too much or vigorous exercise can make your constipation worse because of your metabolism and fluid being unbalanced.
Step 4
Ensure that you eat regularly. It is important that you spread the amount of food recommended to your on your diet plan across at least 3 meals each day and make sure that you eat them at regular intervals.
Step 5
Eat foods which promote normal bowel movements. By eating more whole grain breads, cereals, crackers, wheat bran or foods that have wheat bran added to them is the healthier way to promote normal bowel functions. You should carry out this approach whilst drinking more fluids. Also eating more fresh fruit and vegetables will help your bowel function normally. Unfortunately do not eat prunes or drink prune juice as they are actually an irritant laxative and long term use of these can leave you with the same problems as using laxatives long term.
Step 6
Keep a record of the frequency of your bowel movements and if you are constipated for more than 3 days then talk to your doctor, dietitian or psychotherapist.
So as you can see laxatives and weight loss does not work and therefore it is important that you change your diet and your lifestyle if you really want to lose weight.
About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for Low Carb and Weight Loss Resource where you can learn more about losing weight without sacraficing your health.
¶ 6:39 PM
Author: Lee Dobbins
Unfortunately the answer to the above question is no. Laxatives and weight loss is not good as usually due to fluid loss and the health dangers when using laxatives can be significant.
Unfortunately laxative abuse is a common form of weight control especially with people who suffer from eating disorders. The real purpose for a person to take a laxative is to stimulate the large bowel to empty and will only occur after food and calories have been absorbed into the body via the small intestines. So people who use laxatives to control their weight are actually causing harm to their body because they will lose fluid and this will then be followed by periods when water will be retained (bloating occurs). Then this causes the individual to use more laxatives in order to lose more weight.
The reason as to why some people seem to lose weight whilst taking laxatives is because they are usually reducing the amount of calories they have and how much food they eat as well as some of them are constantly exercising.
So in conclusion taking laxatives as a method of controlling your weight or for losing weight is neither good for losing fat or for your health. In fact prolonged use of laxatives will lead to cramps, bloating, water retention and then the added problem of withdrawal symptoms when a person ceases to use them.
For those people who abuse laxatives will often find themselves in a no win situation as they use laxatives as they "feel thin" which provides them with an immediate and positive result. Unfortunately an what actually happens is the opposite? These people find themselves "feeling fat" because of excessive water retention even though it is delayed.
Below are some steps which will help those to stop abusing laxatives.
Step 1
The most important step is to stop taking laxatives immediately. Do not take any more unless your doctor says so. It is important to remember that stimulant type laxatives are especially harmful to the human body.
Step 2
It is important that you drink at least 6-10 cups of water or decaffeinated drinks a day. By restricting your fluid intake you will only dehydrate your body which will worsen the effects associated with constipation.
Step 3
Include some form of physical activity in to your daily routine as this can help to regulate bowel functions although it is wise to talk to your doctor about the intensity and type of activity you take up. Unfortunately too much or vigorous exercise can make your constipation worse because of your metabolism and fluid being unbalanced.
Step 4
Ensure that you eat regularly. It is important that you spread the amount of food recommended to your on your diet plan across at least 3 meals each day and make sure that you eat them at regular intervals.
Step 5
Eat foods which promote normal bowel movements. By eating more whole grain breads, cereals, crackers, wheat bran or foods that have wheat bran added to them is the healthier way to promote normal bowel functions. You should carry out this approach whilst drinking more fluids. Also eating more fresh fruit and vegetables will help your bowel function normally. Unfortunately do not eat prunes or drink prune juice as they are actually an irritant laxative and long term use of these can leave you with the same problems as using laxatives long term.
Step 6
Keep a record of the frequency of your bowel movements and if you are constipated for more than 3 days then talk to your doctor, dietitian or psychotherapist.
So as you can see laxatives and weight loss does not work and therefore it is important that you change your diet and your lifestyle if you really want to lose weight.
About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for Low Carb and Weight Loss Resource where you can learn more about losing weight without sacraficing your health.
¶ 6:39 PM
