Gain a few pounds here and take a few laxatives there is another form of yo-yo dieting. Using laxatives and weight loss sound like a laudable way to shed pounds. On the contrary, laxatives may prevent the absorption of certain nutrients that may lead to a nutritional deficit. Since laxative pills are not for the management of weight loss, they should not be used to control weight.

Abusing laxatives is detrimental. It may lead to permanent damage of the bowels coupled with various severe medical conditions or even death. Anorexic and bulimics commonly abuse laxatives to ‘purge’ themselves of food intake. Consequently, frequent and unnecessary use can prove to be dangerous. It may disrupt the mechanisms of the digestive system. The end-result can produce a dependency.

In essence, laxatives have very little to no effect on weight loss. Once a stimulant laxative gets to work (Correctol or Ex-Lax), the calories have been absorbed into the body. On the other side of the spectrum, laxatives create a false sense of weight loss because of the fluid loss. Within two to three days, the body will start to retain water. Then the laxative user feels bloated. The cycle of using it begins.

Many adverse effects are associated with laxative abuse. They include bloody diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. After prolonged use many people are unable to move their bowels without using laxatives. Not to mention, severe abdominal pain, constipation, nausea and vomiting are the effects of overuse.

The safest way to reduce weight entails a moderately reduced-calorie diet coalesced with a regular fitness program. Important note: Losing more than two pounds per week represents losing metabolism-boosting muscle opposed to shedding fat.