Using a Laxative to Lose Weight

Laxatives are drugs that are used to assist with bowel movements. Many people use laxatives to aid in weight loss, believing that they will help calories pass through their system unabsorbed. Using laxatives for weight control is called laxative abuse and is a very bad idea, for many reasons.

Laxatives Don't Stop Calorie Absorption

• All of the calories and nutrients we consume are absorbed by the small intestine, and the waste then moves to the large intestine. Laxatives only work on the large intestine. So, by the time the laxatives start working, the calories have already been absorbed.

Laxative-Induced Weight Loss Is Temporary

• Laxatives cause temporary weight loss in the form of water, minerals and indigestible fiber. The loss of all this water weight causes dehydration, and the weight will return the moment the body rehydrates.

Laxative Abuse Damages the Heart

• Continually robbing the body or water and minerals disrupts the electrolyte balance in the body. The body uses electrolytes for muscle contraction. Disrupting this balance adversely affects all muscle function, including the heart.

Laxative Abuse Causes Laxative Dependency

• Laxatives override the colon's natural contractions. If disrupted long enough, the colon becomes "lazy" and no longer contracts on its own. Not only that, but over time the body stops responding to the laxatives and needs more and more to produce a bowel movement.

Laxative Abuse Damages the Colon

• In addition to a "lazy" colon, prolonged laxative abuse may also cause irritable bowel syndrome and colon infection. Laxative abuse is also thought to contribute to colon cancer.

Healthy Weight Loss

• There are several healthy ways to lose weight, including increased fiber intake. Fiber adds bulk, which creates a natural feeling of fullness, so less food is consumed. Additionally, fiber contributes to the health of the digestive tract by stimulating the bowel's natural contractions.