It seems that laxatives, pills designed to ease constipation, and weight loss are going to be forever linked. For a person determined to lose weight, the idea of being able to eat whatever they desire but not absorb much of the fat content is extremely tempting. Yet the use of laxatives is an extremely risky choice to make just to achieve weight loss, and an very odd choice considered the far more suitable methods of weight loss available.
Laxatives have traditionally been used by those with severe eating disorders - such as anorexia or bulimia - to 'purge' their system and achieve unhealthily quick levels of weight loss. However, they have become more mainstream as society pursues the quest for the body beautiful. Pressure is seemingly exerted from all sources, demanding perfection, and laxatives seem like a quick and easy method to achieve that.
Well, they might be quick, but is isn't easy. The most important point to remember is that laxatives do indeed purge the system, but they take everything good away from the body as well. Laxatives cause the loss of essential nutrients and prolonged usage can even lead to nutrient deficiency; a problem that is not easily fixed. Laxatives can also be addictive for both mind and body, and some long term users discover they cannot actually go to the toilet without laxative help.
Laxatives are thus best left for those with a genuine need for them, generally for medical disorders. To lose weight safely, follow a lot fat diets and take plenty of exercise; laxatives are not, and never will be, the answer.
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