Are Laxatives Safe for Weight Loss? Why It’s Best to Avoid Them
Key takeaways:
Laxatives are commonly used to treat constipation. They work by softening the stool or stimulating bowel movements. When taken as directed, laxatives are a safe and effective option for constipation management.
If you’re interested in weight loss, laxatives are not a safe or effective choice. They can’t help you lose body fat or stop your body from absorbing calories. Any weight loss from laxatives comes from the temporary loss of water — not fat cells. You’ll likely quickly gain the weight back after rehydrating.
Taking laxatives for weight loss can lead to a number of health risks, including dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
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Table of contents
For those looking for weight-loss solutions, Ozempic (semaglutide) might understandably be top of mind. The Type 2 diabetes medication has gained mass attention for its off-label use in chronic weight management. But Ozempic isn’t an option for everyone, and it can sometimes be difficult to access or reasonably afford. This has prompted some people to seek alternatives, sometimes from questionable sources.
Laxatives have recently been raised as a possible alternative as part of a worrisome weight-loss trend on social media, with some TikTok users calling it “budget Ozempic.” Though recommended to treat constipation and other digestive health conditions, those involved in the trend see laxatives as a more accessible and much cheaper way to lose weight fast. Some online influencers have gone so far as claiming that laxatives work just as well as semaglutide for weight loss.
But do laxatives really make you lose weight? And more importantly, are they safe for this purpose? Here, we’ll answer these and more common questions about taking laxatives for weight loss.
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What types of laxatives are available?
Laxatives work in slightly different ways to relieve constipation. They come in many formulations, including tablets, suppositories, and enemas.
There are four main types of laxatives available OTC:
Bulk-forming laxatives: Metamucil (psyllium) and other bulk-forming laxatives absorb water into the stool, making it larger and softer. This makes it easier to have a bowel movement.
Osmotic laxatives: These work in a similar way as bulk-forming laxatives. They pull water into the digestive tract to soften the stool. Examples of osmotic laxatives include Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) and Miralax (polyethylene glycol).
Stimulant laxatives: Stimulants cause intestinal muscles to contract, helping the stool move through the digestive tract more quickly. Dulcolax (bisacodyl) and Senekot (senna) are top examples of stimulant laxatives.
Stool softener laxatives: Colace (docusate sodium) and other stool softeners draw water and fat into the stool. This makes the stool softer and move through the gut more easily.
Can laxatives help you lose weight?
While you can lose weight from laxatives, it’s not in the way you might think.
Laxatives can’t help you shed fat cells or stop your body from absorbing calories. So, if you weigh less after taking a laxative, it’s likely from water loss and the emptying of your digestive tract. This weight loss is temporary and you’ll likely gain it back quickly.
Our bodies naturally resist rapid fat loss and there’s a limit to how much fat you can lose at a time. The healthiest and safest way to lose weight is slowly — no more than about 2 lbs a week. This approach will help ensure you’re losing fat and not water or muscle. You’ll be more likely to keep the intended weight off, too.
Maintaining a balanced diet and consistent exercise regimen is a mainstay of sustained weight loss. But if you find yourself struggling to achieve your target body weight, reach out to a healthcare professional for personalized advice. In some cases, FDA-approved weight-loss medications may be a good option to help you reach your health goals (if you qualify for them).
What are the risks of taking laxatives for weight loss?
Effectiveness concerns aside, taking laxatives for weight loss can be risky. This is especially true when they’re taken more often than recommended.
Most laxatives relieve occasional constipation by drawing water from the body into the intestines. This is a safe and effective way to treat occasional constipation, but it can be harmful if used for weight loss. If you’re not dealing with constipation, taking laxatives can actually increase your risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, such as low sodium and potassium.
Symptoms of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can vary. They’re barely noticeable in many situations, but they could be life-threatening in others. In mild cases, you may notice muscle weakness, headaches, and confusion. But if dehydration or electrolyte imbalances are severe, the potential consequences are more serious. Without enough water and minerals, the body has a hard time functioning normally. This can potentially lead to various issues, including seizures, heart problems, and kidney issues.
Are there any long-term risks of using laxatives to lose weight?
Yes, there are potential risks when it comes to taking laxatives long-term to lose weight.
Over time, you may have a hard time having a bowel movement on your own without using a laxative. Long-term use of stimulant laxatives specifically can also cause the natural folds of the intestine to flatten out. These folds are important to help stool move along the digestive tract and to effectively absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Without them, it becomes difficult to have bowel movements or to absorb enough nutrients for your body to stay healthy.
What other laxative side effects are possible?
If taken as directed, most laxative side effects are mild and manageable. Common laxative side effects include:
Diarrhea
Nausea
Bloating
Cramping
Stomach pain
To reduce the chance of experiencing laxative side effects, do your best to only take the amount that’s recommended on the product label. And be sure to contact your prescriber if you need to take a laxative for more than 1 week at a time. Drinking plenty of water can also help with bloating, especially when taking bulk-forming laxatives.
Are laxatives safe and effective for constipation?
Yes, laxatives are a safe and effective option for managing constipation when taken as directed.
Lifestyle changes, such as increasing water and fiber intake, are usually recommended for constipation management before medication is recommended. But laxatives, especially bulk-forming and osmotic laxatives, can come in handy, too. The best laxative for you will depend on the cause of your constipation and your specific health needs. For instance, if you’re taking a medication that causes constipation or if you have certain medical conditions, you may need a different type of laxative.
If your constipation doesn’t get better after a week, stop taking your laxative and speak to a healthcare professional about your symptoms. They’ll be able to provide more personalized recommendations and determine whether there is an underlying issue that’s causing your symptoms.
The bottom line
Laxatives are safe and effective for the treatment of occasional constipation. But they’re not a recommended option for weight loss. Taking laxatives might make you weigh less temporarily, but this is mostly from losing water weight. Taking laxatives chronically for weight loss can also cause health risks such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and heart or kidney issues. So, if you’re trying to lose weight, it’s better to skip the laxatives and talk to your healthcare professional about a safer and more effective way to reach your health goals.
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References
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