The Dangers of Losing Weight With Laxatives

Teas marketed as herbal supplements are now widely available in the market and considered as weight loss products. There are many brands touted to be slimming teas or dieting teas, and when you drink them, it might seem initially that they work. The truth is, however, they could put your health at risk.

Such teas cause you to have more frequent bowel movements, which certainly make people believe that their bodies are undergoing a serious cleansing. While you are indeed getting rid of toxins from your body, that's not the only thing that the slimming tea is doing to your body. Such teas contain herbs that have laxative properties, such as senna, rhubarb root, cascara, senna, buckthorn, and aloe. They are derived from plants and have been in use for centuries because they are powerful in curing constipation.

Castor oil, senna, and cascara are also available over the counter in pharmacies and regulated as drugs. It has also been shown that the diarrhea brought about by the use of these laxatives don't absorb large amount of calories in the body. This is because laxatives don't work with the small intestines, where most calories are being absorbed by the body. Such laxatives act on large intestines instead, and when taken in significant amounts for a long period of time, the body's ability to absorb fat is affected, thus leading to oily bowel moments and weight loss. People who suffer from eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa also abuse laxatives to hasten their weight loss.

While you can indeed lose weight by taking large quantities of laxatives, this is not a good idea because you could be inflicting damage on your gastrointestinal tract as well as weaken the bones, known osteomalacia. Those who like drinking slimming teas tend to use them because they are quite affordable and they taste good compared to other laxatives. Those with eating disorders, on the other hand, prefer these teas because they are fast-acting.

Women in particularly might be adversely affected by slimming teas. While these teas might not have an effect on women's menstrual cycle and fertility, they should take care to see if the teas causes rapid weight loss. Pregnant women must also refrain from taking laxatives.

These findings should definitely put you on your guard especially because of the availability of slimming teas and their misleading labels. By being labeled as being natural or having cleansing properties, without mentioning the word "laxative." These teas are also touted as low-calorie, which is definitely attractive to dieters. However, they don't contain any nutrients as well, particularly if they are sweetened.

Laxatives can be used in small amounts, but there are negative effects that could take place if you take them for a long period of time and in large amounts. Such products can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, and rectal bleeding. Excessive use of these laxatives can also cause long periods of pain, especially when the colon has lost its ability to function and would require removal. This is definitely not worth risking your health over, no matter how much you want to lose weight through laxatives.