| Gain a few
pounds here and take a few laxatives there is another form of
yo-yo dieting. Using laxatives and weight loss sound like a laudable
way to shed pounds. On the contrary, laxatives may prevent the
absorption of certain nutrients that may lead to a nutritional
deficit. Since laxative pills are not for the management of weight
loss, they should not be used to control weight.
Abusing laxatives is detrimental. It may lead
to permanent damage of the bowels coupled with various severe
medical conditions or even death. Anorexic and bulimics commonly
abuse laxatives to ‘purge’ themselves of food intake. Consequently,
frequent and unnecessary use can prove to be dangerous. It may
disrupt the mechanisms of the digestive system. The end-result
can produce a dependency.
In essence, laxatives have very little to no effect on weight
loss. Once a stimulant laxative gets to work (Correctol or Ex-Lax),
the calories have been absorbed into the body. On the other
side of the spectrum, laxatives create a false sense of weight
loss because of the fluid loss. Within two to three days, the
body will start to retain water. Then the laxative user feels
bloated. The cycle of using it begins.
Many adverse effects are associated with laxative
abuse. They include bloody diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte
imbalances. After prolonged use many people are unable to move
their bowels without using laxatives. Not to mention, severe
abdominal pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting are the effects
of overuse.
The safest way to reduce weight entails a moderately
reduced-calorie diet coalesced with a regular fitness program.
Important note: Losing more than two pounds per week represents
losing metabolism-boosting muscle opposed to shedding fat.
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