Laxatives and Weight Loss: Reasons Why They Just Don't Work

There are plenty of different reasons why people go on laxatives to lose weight, but they all boil down to one thing: laxatives don’t work, and they can make you gain weight over time.

Laxatives And Weight Loss: Will It Help You Lose Weight?

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize this until it’s too late and their bodies are irrevocably damaged as a result of laxative abuse or dependence. Before you resort to laxatives to try to lose weight, read the following 10 reasons why laxatives won’t help you shed pounds and could make you fatter in the long run.

Laxatives are not calorie-free

The only way to lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than you use. Laxatives will not change this, but they might make you feel full for a short time. However, if you drink laxative tea to suppress your appetite, it will eventually lead to nutrient deficiencies which is dangerous.

Consuming too many laxatives can lead to a loss of electrolytes which can cause heart problems. If you are serious about losing weight, the best thing that you can do is consume fewer calories and exercise more.

Laxatives don’t reduce the absorption of calories

One of the most common misconceptions about weight loss is that eating less will lead to weight loss. In reality, it’s not how much you eat that leads to weight gain. It’s how many calories you take in, which are not just from food but also from drinks like soda.

If a person eats the same amount of food as before but takes a laxative to help them go to the bathroom more often, they’ll get rid of some extra calories. But when all those extra calories are gone, the body will start craving more food. Thus, while eating fewer calories can still be helpful for weight loss, laxatives cannot replace this as they do not reduce the absorption of these calories.

Laxatives stimulate bowel movements but don’t reduce appetite

There are two main reasons that laxatives will not work for weight loss. The first is that laxatives work by stimulating bowel movements and don’t reduce appetite, so the more you eat, the more you have to go.

Secondly, if you do happen to lose weight from using a laxative. There is a good chance it is from water weight loss because your body isn’t receiving all of the necessary nutrients. If anything, going on a low-fiber diet or taking a laxative can make it harder for your gut microbiome to return to normal because the bacteria in your intestines feed off of fiber.

Laxatives may cause dehydration

The most common side effect of using laxatives for weight loss is that they can cause dehydration. This occurs because laxatives work by speeding up your bowel movements so you pass more water, salt, and potassium into your stool. If you’re not drinking enough fluids to make up for the lost fluids, then you are at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Dehydration can lead to dizziness, headache, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, or vomiting. And if it progresses to severe dehydration can result in kidney failure. That’s why it’s always important to drink plenty of water before taking a laxative – so you don’t become dehydrated.
Another risk of using a laxative for weight loss is that it may not be good for your overall health.

Laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalances

Many people, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian, have turned to laxatives to lose weight. There are a few reasons why this is not a good idea. First of all, laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalances, which can lead to heart problems such as arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. Laxative abuse has also been linked with chronic constipation.

It’s important to note that most people who use laxatives do not have these serious side effects but they can happen especially when you mix laxatives with diuretics or fasting (which is another unhealthy way to lose weight). Finally, many doctors suggest that if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s best to eat more fruits and vegetables rather than relying on pills.

Laxatives can be addictive

Doctors are quick to point out that laxatives can cause people to lose weight. They don’t make people lose weight. Studies have found that when people use laxatives regularly, it can lead them to develop an addiction to them.

Laxatives can cause digestive problems

This is a tough question. Laxatives are not meant to be used as a weight loss tool. It will make you lose weight, but it’s not the kind of weight that you want to lose.

Consuming laxatives can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances which can lead to heart problems, kidney problems, and even death.

Laxatives can cause abdominal pain

The problem with laxatives is that when you’re on a restrictive diet, your bowel movements become very infrequent.

Laxatives can make you feel like you have to go because they make your intestine contract, but if it’s empty then there’s nothing coming out. The result is abdominal pain and cramping which can be excruciating.

Laxatives can interfere with nutrient absorption

A healthy diet with sufficient hydration is indeed the best way to stay regular, but there are other ways to achieve this without the use of laxatives. Studies have shown that laxatives can interfere with nutrient absorption in your body. So they will do more harm than good if you’re not getting enough nutrients from your diet or drinking enough water.

Plus, some people might be taking them daily which could lead to serious health consequences down the road. That’s why it’s important to check in with your doctor before starting any new supplement routine.

There are more effective ways to lose weight

Laxatives can help you feel better by preventing constipation, but they don’t make you lose weight. Constipation can lead to bloating, abdominal cramping, gas, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Laxatives are a gentle way to relieve these symptoms.

Final Words

It might seem like using laxatives to lose weight would be ideal, especially if you’re struggling with severe constipation or hard-to-pass stools. Unfortunately, laxatives are not a safe way to lose weight. They can cause health problems that make it even harder to lose weight in the long term. Above are 10 reasons why you should not use laxatives to lose weight.