Laxative Weight Loss Is Ineffective and Dangerous

It may not be discussed in polite conversation, but it is common knowledge that people who suffer from eating disorders often use a laxative to assist them with weight loss. Not only is laxative weight loss ineffective in helping a person lose weight, but laxative weight loss is also dangerous in several ways.

Laxatives work by stimulating nerves the large intestine, or colon, to expel waste. In doing so, laxatives also take a lot of water from the large intestine. Individuals with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders falsely believe that laxative weight loss is successful because it speeds the digestion process and prevents the absorption of calories in the small intestine. This is simply untrue.

Laxative weight loss is futile for at least two reasons. First, any weight loss caused by a laxative is the result of water being removed from the body. A person may lose water weight from a laxative, but this weight will be quickly regained upon rehydration. Second, laxatives have no effect whatsoever upon the small intestine nor the absorption of calories.

On top of being ineffective, laxative weight loss can also be dangerous. Using a laxative regularly for weight loss can lead to imbalances of electrolytes, sodium, and potassium—substances essential to heart function. Laxative weight loss methods may also result in laxative dependence, dehydration, bowel infection, and other painful digestive problems.