Laxative Abuse
By Dietitian, Juliette Kellow BSc RD
Q: My friend has told me that if I want to lose weight quickly I should take laxatives as well as following a diet. But isn’t this bad for your digestive system?
A: This is definitely not something I would recommend. Laxative pills are not designed to help with weight loss and consequently shouldn’t be used for this. Unfortunately, laxatives are frequently abused by people with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia in an effort to ‘purge’ themselves. However, using them unnecessarily and frequently can be dangerous and may upset the mechanism of the digestive system so that you become dependent them. Laxatives may also prevent the absorption of some nutrients, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies.
The only way to lose weight safely and sensibly is to follow a moderately reduced-calorie diet combined with taking more exercise. You should never try and lose more than 2lb a week – if you regularly shift more than this, you’ll be losing metabolism-boosting muscle rather than fat. And while 2lb a week might not sound a lot, it adds up to almost four stone in six months! My advice: don’t touch laxatives – and tell your friend the same.
At Your Fingertips
Thousands of people have lost weight using the tools, information and advice in WLR, you can try it Free for 24 hours
Dee, 26 lost
8½ Stone with
Dee was 18st 10lb, now 11st 4lb
It's a very strange adjustment when you first look in a mirror… and think "wow, I actually look good!"
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Yes… You need to lose weight
Your weight is substantially above your healthy weight range
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
You should lose to be within the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would also be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“(Weight Loss Resources) has truly been the best weight loss assistance I have ever had.”
Rachel (RunningRach) lost 7 stone with Weight Loss Resources
Yes… You need to lose weight
Your weight is significantly above your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
You should lose to be within the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would also be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“(Weight Loss Resources) has truly been the best weight loss assistance I have ever had.”
Rachel (RunningRach) lost 7 stone with Weight Loss Resources
Yes… You need to lose weight
Your weight is above your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
You should lose to be within the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would also be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“(Weight Loss Resources) was just the resource I wanted!
I signed up for a free trial and bought a 6 month subscription the same day.”
Matt (BeerMatt) has lost 4st 10lb with Weight Loss Resources
Yes… You should lose weight
Your weight is above your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 20-25 is considered healthy.
Losing would put you in the middle of the healthy weight range for your height. Losing would be beneficial to your health and could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“The free trial tempted me to try and I've hardly gone a day since without visiting the site!”
Simon (SpyBey) has lost 3 stone with Weight Loss Resources
Maybe… Just a little
Your weight is within your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 18.5-25 is categorised as healthy.
However, you could lose up to and remain within your healthy weight range. Losing could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“I took the free trial and that was me, it was fantastic just what I had been looking for.”
Emma (Emsy1981) lost 1st 5lb with Weight Loss Resources
Maybe… maybe not!
Your weight is within your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 18.5-25 is categorised as healthy.
However, you could lose up to and remain within your healthy weight range. Losing could make you look and feel better.
You could lose in weeks with Weight Loss Resources.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could well be the breakthrough you've been waiting for!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“Once I'd lost my first few pounds I felt fantastic, and my clothes started to fit with a little more ease.”
Emma (Emsy1981) lost 1st 5lb with Weight Loss Resources
No… You don't need to lose weight
Your weight is within your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of 18.5-25 is categorised as healthy.
You should aim to maintain your current weight by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
You can see how healthy your diet is with Weight Loss Resources
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could be a real eye-opener!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“Fill in the food diary and analyse what you are putting into your mouth. You can learn a lot about healthy eating this way.”
Maria (EinsteinMC), Weight Loss Resources' member
No… You need to gain weight
Your weight is below your healthy weight range.
You have a BMI of - a BMI of less than 18.5 is categorized underweight.
You should not try to lose any weight, and putting on a few pounds may benefit your health.
You could use Weight Loss Resources to help you gain weight.
Our free trial will show you how…
It takes just 2 minutes to input your details and could be a real eye-opener!
Start Your Free Trial Today »“Blimey, this site has helped put my life back on track… I looked at the weight range for my height and settled on the lowest that was healthy… put the goal as maintaining that weight and off I went!”
Suzi (Whiskas) gained 2½ stone with Weight Loss Resources
The tools and information on the Weight Loss Resources site are intended as an
aid to weight loss and weight maintenance, and do not offer medical
advice. If you suffer from, or think you may suffer from, a medical
condition you should consult your doctor before starting a weight
loss and/or exercise regime. If you decide to start exercising after a
period of relative inactivity you should start very slowly and consult
your doctor if you experience any discomfort, distress or any other
symptoms. If you feel any discomfort or pain when you exercise, do not
continue. The tools and information on the Weight Loss Resources site are
not intended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, or for any
person under the age of 18.
Copyright © 2000-2012 Weight Loss Resources Ltd. All
product names, trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks or
registered service marks, mentioned throughout any part of the Weight Loss
Resources web site belong to their respective owners.
