Losing Weight With Laxatives – Why You Shouldn’t Do It

Here’s the deal, losing weight with laxatives is a super bad idea and we explain why in this article.

Laxatives are medications that help to relieve constipation by increasing the movement of stool through the intestines. They work by either stimulating the muscles in the intestines or by increasing the amount of water in the stool.

Do you believe that laxatives can be used to lose weight by causing the body to lose water weight? You are not alone. However, this is a misconception. Laxatives do not actually cause the body to lose fat. In fact, they can actually lead to weight gain in the long term.

In this article we are going to dive into the dangers of losing weight with laxatives and give you healthier alternatives.

Let’s dive in

Laxatives Can Cause Dehydration

Laxatives can cause dehydration by increasing the amount of water that you lose through the stool. This can lead to symptoms such as thirst, fatigue, dizziness, and headache.

You may think you are losing weight from laxatives but all you are really doing is losing water. Laxatives work by increasing the amount of water in the stool. This can happen in a few different ways. Some laxatives work by stimulating the intestines to contract more forcefully, which pushes water into the stool. Other laxatives work by drawing water into the stool from the surrounding tissues.

When more water is in the stool, it becomes softer and easier to pass. However, it also means that you will lose more water from the body. This can lead to dehydration, which is a condition in which the body does not have enough water.

Dehydration can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Thirst: This is the body’s way of telling you that it needs more water.
• Fatigue: When you are dehydrated, your body has to work harder to function, which can lead to fatigue.
• Dizziness: This is because the brain is not getting enough blood.
• Headache: You may also get headaches caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain.

In severe cases, dehydration can lead to more serious complications, such as kidney failure or even death.

Losing Weight With Laxatives Can Cause Electrolyte imbalance

Laxatives can also cause electrolyte imbalance, which is a condition in which the levels of important minerals in the blood become too low. This can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, and confusion.

Electrolytes are minerals that play a vital role in many bodily functions, including:

• Heart function: Electrolytes help to regulate the heartbeat.
• Muscle function: Electrolytes help to keep muscles working properly.
• Nervous system function: Electrolytes help to transmit nerve signals.
• Fluid balance: Electrolytes help to balance the amount of fluid in the body.

When you use laxatives, your body can lose electrolytes through the stool. This can lead to electrolyte imbalance, which can have a variety of symptoms, including:

• Muscle cramps: This is because the muscles are not getting enough electrolytes.
• Weakness: This is because the muscles are not able to function properly.
• Confusion: This is because the brain is not getting enough electrolytes.
• Heart arrhythmias: This is because the electrolytes are not able to regulate the heartbeat properly.
• Kidney stones: When you try losing weight with laxatives you may get kidney stones because the electrolytes are not able to be properly absorbed by the kidneys.

In severe cases, losing weight with laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalance which can be life-threatening.

You May Get Constipation In The Long Term

When you use laxatives for weight loss over a long time, they can actually make constipation worse. Laxatives work by stimulating the intestines to contract more forcefully, which pushes stool out of the body. However, when you try losing weight with laxatives over a long time, the intestines can become dependent on them to function properly. This is called laxative dependence.When the intestines are dependent on laxatives, they do not work as well on their own. This can lead to constipation, even if you stop taking laxatives.

Losing Weight With Laxatives Can Cause Intestinal damage

Laxatives can also damage the lining of the intestines. This can lead to bleeding, ulcers, and other serious health problems.

Laxatives work by stimulating the intestines to contract more forcefully, which pushes stool out of the body. However, when you use laxatives over a long time, they can damage the lining of the intestines. This is because the laxatives can irritate the tissues in the intestines.

The damage to the lining of the intestines due to losing weight with laxatives can lead to bleeding, ulcers, and other serious health problems. In severe cases, it can even lead to bowel perforation, which is a hole in the wall of the intestines.

Here are some of the specific ways that laxatives can damage the lining of the intestines:

• Irritation: Laxatives can irritate the tissues in the intestines, which can lead to inflammation and bleeding.
• Dehydration: Laxatives can cause dehydration, which can make the tissues in the intestines more fragile and susceptible to damage.
• Overuse: You should only use laxatives for short-term relief of constipation. If your goal is losing weight with laxatives, they can damage the lining of the intestines.
• Type of laxative: Some types of laxatives are more likely to cause damage to the lining of the intestines than others. Stimulant laxatives, are more likely to cause damage than stool softeners.

How Laxatives Can Trigger Or Worsen Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that involve unhealthy eating habits and an intense fear of gaining weight. There are many different types of eating disorders, but two of the most common are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, even though the person is underweight. People with anorexia nervosa often restrict their food intake and may also engage in other unhealthy behaviors, such as excessive exercise or laxative abuse.

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating, which is eating a large amount of food in a short period of time, followed by purging, which is getting rid of the food, usually through vomiting or laxative abuse.

Losing weight with laxatives by abusing them  is a common symptom of both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. If you have these disorders you may use laxatives to try to lose weight or to get rid of the calories you have eaten. However, laxative abuse is not an effective way to lose weight and can have serious health consequences.

Seek professional help if you suffer from an eating disorder, 

Losing Weight With Laxatives? You Will Gain It All Back! 

When you are losing weight with laxatives, the body often compensates by storing more water and fat. This can lead to weight regain, even after the laxatives are stopped.

When you use laxatives to lose weight, you are essentially tricking your body into thinking that it is not getting enough food. This can lead to a number of changes in the body’s metabolism, including:

• Decreased appetite: The body may produce less of the hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for stimulating appetite. Your appetite may go for a while and you may think you are successful at losing weight with laxatives but the appetite will come back with a vengeance and you will eat even more!
• Increased storage of water and fat: The body may store more water and fat in an attempt to conserve energy.

These changes can lead to weight loss in the short term. However, over time, the body will adapt to these changes and start to store more water and fat. This can lead to weight regain, even after the laxatives are stopped.

Nutrient deficiencies

Laxatives can also interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies, which can have a negative impact on health in a number of ways:

• Weakness: When the body does not have enough nutrients, it can lead to weakness and fatigue. What’s the point of losing weight with laxatives if you are not going to be able to enjoy your life because you are too weak?
• Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle. This can increase the risk of fractures.
• Immune system problems: A weak immune system can make it more difficult to fight off infections.
• Growth and development problems: Children and adolescents need a variety of nutrients for growth and development. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to growth problems and developmental delays.

Allergic Reactions Caused By Losing Weight With Laxatives

You may experience allergic reactions to laxatives. These reactions can range from mild to severe. These include:

• Hives: Hives are raised, itchy bumps that can appear on the skin. They are caused by an allergic reaction to a substance.
• Angioedema: Angioedema is a swelling of the skin and tissues that can occur under the skin, in the mouth, or in the throat. It is a serious allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
• Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It can cause a number of symptoms, including hives, angioedema, difficulty breathing, and low blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

If you experience any of these allergic reactions after taking laxatives, stop taking them immediately and seek medical attention.

Laxatives Can Be Addictive

Losing weight with laxatives can be addictive because it creates a cycle of dependence and abuse. Most dieters who use  laxatives for weight loss may believe that passing stool can  can prevent their body from absorbing calories but this is just a myth. By the time laxatives have an effect on the large intestine, most of the calories would have already been absorbed. You may think you are losing weight, but all you are losing is water,

If you are losing weight with laxatives and find you are becoming addicted, seek professional help immediately. Laxative addiction is a serious condition!

BONUS: 10 ways to lose weight in a healthy manner

Eat a healthy diet. 

This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage. Whole grains provide complex carbohydrates, which give you sustained energy.

Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.

 If you find yourself trying to lose weight with laxatives, you most likely often eat highly processed food. Processed foods are often high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Sugary drinks are a major source of added sugar in the diet. Unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems.

Exercise regularly instead of losing weight with laxatives. 

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you  get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week. This can be done in 30-minute sessions most days of the week.

Get enough sleep. 

When you’re sleep-deprived, your body produces more of the hormone ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry. Sleep is essential for good health and well-being. It is also important for weight loss. When you are sleep-deprived, your body produces more of the hormone ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry. Ghrelin also decreases the production of the hormone leptin, which makes you feel full. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends that you get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. However, many people do not get enough sleep. According to the NSF, about 30% of adults get less than 6 hours of sleep per night.

Managing stress is better than losing weight with laxatives

Stress can lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

Set realistic goals. 

Don’t try to lose too much weight too quickly. Aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Losing weight too quickly can be unhealthy and unsustainable. It can also lead to rebound weight gain. When you lose weight too quickly, your body goes into starvation mode and slows down your metabolism. This makes it harder to lose weight and more likely to regain the weight you lost.

Be patient.

 Losing weight takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Losing weight with laxatives may seem like a ‘quick fix’ but the side effects in the long run are totally not worth it. As the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race…

Find a support system to prevent you from losing weight with laxatives. 

Having friends or family members who are also trying to lose weight can help you stay motivated. There are many different ways to find a support system for weight loss. You can join a weight loss group, find a workout buddy, or connect with friends or family members who are also trying to lose weight.

Use a food journal. 

If you are worried about your eating patterns, use a weight loss journal to reassure yourself to keep yourself on track

Don’t give up. 

Losing weight is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, but if you stay committed, you will eventually reach your goals.

Celebrate your successes. 

When you reach a goal, take some time to celebrate your success. This will help you stay motivated and on track.

So, Is Losing Weight With Laxatives Okay?

Losing weight with laxatives is neither safe nor effective. They can cause a number of health problems, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and dependence. They can also make it harder to lose weight in the long term.

If you are struggling with weight loss, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight. There are many safe and effective ways to lose weight, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep..

Your Next Step To Lose Weight And Keep It Off!

Are you struggling to lose weight? Have you hit a weight loss plateau? Do you want to lose weight – and keep it off?

Then get our weight loss journal called BurnThatFoodJournal. This journal includes

• Tips and tricks to lose weight and keep it off
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Further resources for weight loss

• Trying to lose weight fast – what works and what doesn’t
• High protein foods that help you lose weight
• How to get weight loss motivation
• How to help someone with an eating disorder