Laxative Weight Loss Dangers

Some people will do anything to lose weight. Unfortunately, for those who turn to laxatives to shed unwanted pounds, this desperate measure is a recipe for disaster.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), the belief that laxatives are effective for weight control is a myth. Laxative abuse occurs when a person attempts to lose weight through the repeated, frequent misuse of laxatives.

Many individuals (including those battling anorexia, bulimia or bingeing) mistakenly believe that laxatives will cause food and calories to move quickly through the digestive system before they can be absorbed. The reality is that by the time the laxative acts on the large intestine, most of the nutrients have been absorbed by the small intestine. As a result, any weight loss comes from loss of fluids. This can cause severe health complications.

Laxative abuse can upset electrolyte and mineral balances necessary for proper functioning of the nerves and muscles, including those of the colon and heart. Severe dehydration can also occur causing tremors, weakness, blurry vision, fainting, kidney damage, and, in extreme cases, death. 

NEDA warns that laxative dependency can occur when the colon stops reacting to usual doses of laxatives so that larger and larger amounts of laxatives are needed to produce bowel movements. This may result in internal organ damage and increase the risk of colon cancer.

In other words, this drastic approach isn’t effective for weight loss and isn’t worth the scary health risks that may result.