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Laxatives are any product designed to stimulate evacuation of the bowels. Diuretics remove water from the body. Laxative or diuretic abuse is when you take laxatives or diuretics frequently over a prolonged period of time or taking more than the recommended dose on any one occasion.
Laxative or diuretic abuse will not cause you to lose weight, it may look like it temporarily on the scales however this is due to waste and water loss. Laxatives will not reduce the amount of calories you absorb. Diuretic abuse does reduce the amount of water in the body. However water is vital for the appropriate functioning of all the body’s systems and diuretic abuse can lead to fatal complications. There are numerous and long-term medical side effects of laxative abuse that can lead to serious health problems and even fatalities.
So called ‘slimming drugs’ can also have serious side effects and should only ever be taken under medical supervision, and never to lose weight inappropriately.
Living Without Laxatives
A leaflet which gives helpful information about reducing your laxative intake and living without them
