Laxatives do not help you lose weight, as the function of this medicine is to stimulate the intestine to encourage the exit of feces, and is mainly indicated to relieve constipation.
What happens is that people with constipation tend to have abdominal distension and use laxatives to empty their intestines, which causes the abdomen to become flatter and less swollen, giving a false impression that weight loss has occurred.
The use of laxatives such as Dulcolax and Lactopurga, for example, must be done under medical supervision, as they can cause some unwanted side effects, such as interfering with the absorption of some nutrients, especially when used long-term.
Side effects of using laxatives
The most common side effects related to the use of laxatives are diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas and bloating. However, frequent and prolonged use of this type of medication can cause other more serious side effects, the main ones being:
- Delay intestinal transitas the intestine can become “addicted”, that is, it can only function after using the medication, making it difficult to defecate naturally;
- Cause dehydrationas laxatives can cause diarrhea and loss of water, potassium and other salts, causing an electrolyte imbalance in the body, which can increase the risk of heart changes, excessive tiredness and muscle weakness;
- Cause vitamin and mineral deficiencyas diarrhea interferes with the absorption of nutrients at the intestinal level;
- Increase the risk of heart problems and kidney complicationslong-term.
Furthermore, the alteration of the intestinal microbiota caused by the frequent use of laxatives can have consequences, as the person may have frequent alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation. Therefore, the use of laxatives should only be done under medical advice.
How to loosen your bowels naturally
The best option for those who suffer from constipation and a swollen belly is to invest in foods rich in fiber, and should progressively increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables with skins, as well as whole grains. Check out a list of foods rich in fiber.
Fibers act as a natural laxative, as they promote the proper functioning of the intestine, as they are not digested by the body, they help to make stools softer and increase the volume of the fecal cake, making them eliminated more easily and frequently. . Furthermore, fiber increases the feeling of satiety, causing the person to reduce the amount of food they consume, favoring weight loss.
It is important that the fiber-rich diet is accompanied by adequate water consumption, which is around 2.5 liters per day. See the video below for more tips on what to do to combat constipation without having to use laxatives:
How to lose weight and lose belly without medicine
To lose weight and lose belly fat in a healthy way, it is important to reduce the amount of calories consumed, and it is recommended to have a varied and balanced diet in which fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins and good fats are part of it. It is also important to avoid consuming foods rich in fats and sugars, as well as alcoholic beverages.
It is also important to practice physical activity regularly, especially cardiovascular exercises such as walking, running, swimming and/or dancing, for example.
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