Do laxatives help expel calories before they are absorbed?

I read that laxatives work in the colon, and do not help your body not to absorb calories, because it is too late. Is this true?

Laxative induce bowel movements. They do not prevent the food from being processed, digested, absorbed, etc. They can help you lose weight because you will basically get diarrhea. This is not healthy for you. There is a new product on the market called Alli. Alli helps prevent fat from being digested. It aids you to learn how to eat healthier. The reason you learn to eat healthier is because then undigested fat is expelled through your digestive track. In other words, if you eat a high fat diet then you will have oily bowel movements. So to prevent that, you start to eat low fat/calorie foods. Not only do you gradually lose weight (within 1-2 weeks you will notive you drop 3-5 pounds) but you will feel better, too. You can get this at most drug stores. It is kind of expensive. But it does work. If stopping your body from absorbing fat is your goal, try this instead of laxitives…

Why do people become dependant on laxatives?

I've know that some people take laxitives like ExLax to lose weight. I understand the concept, however I've read that once you start taking them all the time you become dependant on them and almost need to take them regularly. Why? It's not like you can go through withdrawl from laxatives.

A very close friend of mine got hooked on it. She would suprisingly lose 2-3 pounds a week by doing an "every day" process. However once her wedding came, her body naturally had a hard time adjusting to the change in her bowel movements from every day (even many times) to 2-3 days. She was very uncomfortable and gained weight back. Her doctor basically viewed this way as a temporary way to shed a few pounds… because you're not carrying around those extra 2-3 pounds of waste when you make it exit your body rapidly. It would be just like having painless diarrhea for weeks. And yes, it can be a huge eating disorder, because abusers will typically resume using laxatives because they are no longer seeing results after quitting. This is just not a healthy or reasonable way to lose weight.

Are You Getting Your Colon Cleansed Regularly?

In America, more than anywhere else in the world, people are increasingly getting affected by colon-rectal cancer. There are studies that show if any American in the present day survives till the age of 40 he is almost certain to have diverticulosis, popularly known as herniated bowel pockets. Such facts are startling and makes us more concerned about our colon health which very often tends to get neglected.

Therapists who advocate colon cleansing argue that the colon is the place where all the wastes in our body get accumulated. If these waste matters are not removed properly, then they tend to stay there, being impacted on the walls of the colon and produce toxins. These toxins get absorbed by the bloodstream near the colon and are circulated all over the body. As toxins are necessarily bad they cause all sort of problems from headache to constipation. The therapists advise that regularly cleaning the colon by forcibly eliminating the waste matter inside one can ensure that these toxins do not get around.

Colon cleansing is not something new and its roots can be traced back to as far as the Egyptian civilization when colon was thought to be the cause of all ailments. The idea was pretty much in vogue even during Restoration England. There has been a renewed interest in colon cleansing in the recent years. Colon cleansing is performed to keep the colon completely free of any toxic substances. It is also ensured that the colon retains its proper shape and size and can function at its optimal levels.

More often than not you would not require colon cleansing. Your colon is equipped to take care of itself and unless and until the situation gets really out of hand your colon will keep on performing its work and there would be not too many risks in that.

The best way to keep your colon clean is to follow a regular balanced diet with enough of fiber in it, preferably insoluble fiber. The fiber in your food acts as roughage and helps you in having regular bowel movements. An adult human being would require 25-30 grams of fiber during a single meal.

If however you think that there is a serious problem with your colon you have to go for a colon cleansing. There are several methods available to us these days which can ensure that our colon is cleansed properly. These are:

-Colon hydrotherapy
-Colon cleansing herbs
-Oxygen-based colon cleansing laxatives
-Regular laxatives practiced in conventional medicine

So take regular care of your colon and get it cleansed whenever you deem it necessary.

Barney Garcia
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/are-you-getting-your-colon-cleansed-regularly-76999.html

What are the bad affects to taking laxatives regularly to “loose weight”?

I have heard that when people want to loose weight sometimes they will take laxatives very often so they won’t get much of the calories in the food and they can still eat “normal” I have also heard that after a while a lot of bad things can happen besides the whole starvation mode, organs shutting down thing. Can they eventually loose control of their sphincter muscle or the muscle that one clenches until they can get to a restroom?

I’ve heard yay and nay. What are the bad affects of taking laxatives regularly? I’m not doing this, only interested.

Everything you’ve heard is true. They also get the great side effects of anorexia and bulimia like yellow and flaky skin, hair loss, goiters, thin layer of hair growing all over the body, confusion, mental retardation, etc..

Constipation & Coconut Oil

Are you suffering from constipation? If you are, you have probably tried numerous ways to find constipation relief. Constipation can be caused by numerous reasons including not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough liquids, a lack of exercise, certain medications, changes in lifestyle or routine, ignoring the urge to move your bowels, abusing laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, traveling and other various reasons.

There are many products on the market which people purchase to try to find constipation relief. These include laxatives, stool softeners, Epsom salts, herbs and enemas. Many people are very disappointed in these products. Many of them only offer temporary relief of constipation. The good news is that there is a natural product that can prevent and alleviate constipation. It is coconut oil.

The latest news is that the coconut oil that is probably sitting in your kitchen cabinet can prevent and alleviate constipation. Since the studies have been released touting the many benefits of coconut oil people are testing it out and getting incredible results. Not only are they finding constipation relief, but many of them are losing weight, getting healthier and acquiring more energy.

The unique thing about coconut oil is that it is safe. It does not turn into fat like other oils. In fact, it can lower your cholesterol. People who use coconut oil not only reap the benefits of constipation relief, but they are also benefiting from the many other healthy benefits that are a byproduct of adding coconut oil to their diets.

Coconut oil stands next to mother’s milk as being one of nature’s highest sources of medium fatty acids. It raises the metabolism which can lead to weight loss. In addition, the fatty acids in coconut oil enhance the immune system and it helps to fight infections, bad bacteria, yeast invasion and diseases. To put it plainly, coconut oil acts as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and an anti-fungal.

Coconuts have been held in high esteem in diverse cultures around the globe for thousands of years. It served not only as a source of food, but also as a medicine. Modern medicine has finally discovered what natives in other cultures have known for years – that Coconut and coconut oil can be used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following:

• Constipation
• Bronchitis
• Bruises
• Coughs
• Earaches
• Influenza
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Scabies
• Toothaches
• Dropsy
• Menstruation problems
• Swelling and Inflammation
• Ulcers
• Urinary tract infections
• Pneumonia
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes
• Hepatitis C
• Thrush
• Diaper rash
• Ringworm
• Athlete’s foot
• Candidacies
• Lice
• Tapeworms and other parasites
• Diabetes
• Pancreatitis
• Osteoporosis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Hemorrhoids

If you are suffering from constipation you should supplement your daily diet with coconut oil. It is touted as being the “healthiest dietary oil on earth.” Coconut oil is great for baking and cooking and it can easily be added to salads and dressing. If you want to get your internal machinery running again, oil it up! Coconut oil tastes great and it smells good. It is sure to be the easiest constipation cure that you have ever tried. Just think, it was sitting in the grocery store the entire time. Who would have ever suspected?

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/constipation-coconut-oil-89916.html

Constipation and Doctors

It’s hard to believe, that in this day and age where people are trying to eat healthier and live a generally more active lifestyle, that over 4 million Americans still suffer from constipation. Constipation is often looked at as a hindrance, a bump in the road as it were. The vast majority of those afflicted choose to treat their constipation with over the counter remedies. The fact that over 725 million dollars each year are spent on laxatives certainly supports that theory.

The problem is, is how can you tell when your constipation is severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor’s office? It’s difficult to say as each case is different from the next. Severe constipation is diagnosed when the patient has less than one bowel movement per week. If constipation is accompanied by abdominal cramps and nausea, rectal bleeding, involuntary vomiting and sudden weight loss, then a doctor’s visit is vital and should happen as soon as possible.

Your doctor will no doubt look at your family’s medical history and if there are no colon problems in the family tree, he may initially try to treat the constipation with some laxatives or creams. He may choose to do a physical exam that includes a rectal exam to check the strength of your anal sphincter. Also, he may choose to do some blood tests.

If you get no relief from the laxatives or creams, or if the problem goes away only to quickly return, then your doctor will begin a series of tests to try and single out the real cause. Of course, the severity of the constipation is taken into consideration. A person who has a bowel movement twice a week is handled differently than someone who hasn’t had a bowel movement in the same time frame.

Severe constipation can be extremely detrimental to your body and can even cause death if left untreated long enough. The longer the hardened stools stay trapped in your body, toxins are continuing to build up and eventually they get re-absorbed into the blood. In essence, you’re poisoning yourself. The toxins can build to a level where your blood becomes toxic and eventually, if nothing is done about it, you can die from the complications.

If you’re experiencing severe constipation, your doctor will probably begin a series of tests to find out what’s causing the problem. The main concern in severely constipated patients is always colon cancer, so a few tests will be performed to try to rule the cancer out. Some of the tests may include:

• Anorectal function tests
• Colonoscopy
• Barium enema x-ray
• Colorectal transit study

In both serious and routine constipation cases, your doctor will advise you to drink more water and eat more fiber in your diet. Water is the body’s lubrication and fiber acts as a softener plus bulking agent in your stool. Adjusting your intake of both can drastically improve your bowel movements. Adding a proper exercise regimen is also necessary for a strong digestive system. Another option your doctor may discuss with you is a colon cleanse.

A colon cleanse is when you take a supplement that is designed to lift and remove all of the deep seated fecal matter that lines your colon. In the bends of your colon, fecal matter attaches to the walls of the interior and sits there building up day after day, year after year. It’s been shown that most people have about 5 to 25 pounds of fecal matter lining their colon that isn’t going anywhere!

It takes a powerful product like Oxy-Powder to clean all the sludge, mucous and grime out from every crevice in your colon. With its incredible formula of oxygenated magnesium, germanium and citric acid, Oxy-Powder softens the impacted stool and allows the body to gently rid itself of the toxic build up. It even begins creating a healthy digestive environment after the cleansing.

A colon cleanse is one of the most important things you can do to immediately improve your overall health. Since 70% of the body’s immune system works out of the colon, imagine how much more effectively your body can fight off disease and illnesses if your colon isn’t clogged. Colon cleanses have been proven to increase energy and vitality and it even increases metabolism, making weight loss easier than ever.

Taking a maintenance dosage of Oxy-Powder after the initial cleanse can ensure that your colon is as clean and healthy as it can be.

Oxy-Powder’s colon cleansing power should not be taken with the understanding that it will cure the problem that’s causing your constipation. If you have an underlying reason for your constipation, such as a medical condition like diabetes, Oxy-Powder’s colon cleansing can improve your health’s situation, but not cure it. Of course, with a healthier colon, you may be able to significantly reduce many negative aspects of certain diseases. Also remember that a product like Oxy-Powder should be taken accordingly and should always accompany a proper diet and exercise program for the optimum results.

—–

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/constipation-and-doctors-89926.html

Chinese Diet Teas Can Stimulate Certain Disorders

For many years Chinese teas have been known to be one of the worlds amazing diet remedies. Various companies have been promoting these products as such. Chinese diet teas are low on calories and the caffeine contained in most teas helps in the burning of calories. Furthermore, polyphenols, a substance found in teas assists in fat digestion. Tea touches people in a good way, that is a fact!

Even though they come in many names, like fasting tea or weight loss tea, all promote a common saying, “Swallow this tea and you will slim down”. With that said, a lot of experts noted that what you are in fact absorbing from these products is a plant based laxative that can cause some upsets like diarrhea or fainting, and perhaps even death when ingested in excessive amounts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once declared that the laxative teas and dietary supplements of most concern are those containing 1 or more substances, such as rhubarb root, castor oil, and cascara. These products are derived from plants and have been used many years for their ability to help constipation and boost bowel movements. They are highly effective for such designs with occasional use.

When the labeled “Chinese diet teas” are over used grounded on the misconception that steady bowel movements prohibit the absorption of calories, problems may appear. Numerous studies have shown that laxative induced diarrhea does not significantly cut back absorption of calories as laxatives don’t work in the small intestine where the calories are absorbed. It rather works on the colon, which is the lower end of the bowel.

It is true in fact, that when the Chinese diet teas are by steeping the tea longer than product labeling recommends, or when intaking more than the recommended amount, the tea effects may lead to short as well as long term unfavorable conditions. This could lead to stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea which are the typical disorders to occur. This condition can last for several days.

When these laxatives are used constantly, laxative dependency will tend to develop with rounds of chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain as well as constipation. In the most extreme cases, these laxatives can cause fainting, dehydration and serious electrolyte disorders. As observed, these after-effects of excessive use are most likely to develop in people who are nutritionally compromised because of rigorous weight-loss dieting.

Due to these concerns, the FDA is now thinking of requiring the manufacturers of labeled “Chinese diet teas” to place warning labels on all their product stimulant laxatives. It is also important that those who are drinking Chinese diet teas for any purpose have to read and follow the recommended directions carefully and learn about tea effects. The words indicated on the label under “warning” should then be given attention.

Ron King
http://www.articlesbase.com/tea-articles/chinese-diet-teas-can-stimulate-certain-disorders-379641.html

Various Options for Crohn’s Disease

There are various treatment options for Crohn’s disease that include drugs, surgery, nutrition supplements or even a combination of these three options. Treatment for Crohn’s disease concentrates on controlling inflammation; relieve abdominal pain, rectal breeding and diarrhea and correcting nutritional deficiencies. The choice for treatment of Crohn’s disease depends on the location and severity of the disease, its complications and the patient’s response to previous medical treatments.By treating Crohn’s disease, it is possible to reduce and eliminate the inflammation associated with the disease. Aminosalicylates are effective in reducing the inflammation of the digestive tract lining. The active component of this drug is 5-aminosalicylic acid and is a common treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. It can be taken orally or rectally as an enema or suppository.

If 5-ASA is found to be ineffective, then corticosteroids are used to control the inflammation of Crohn’s disease. It is taken orally, intravenously or as an enema or suppository. However its continuous use leads to side effects like high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis. There may also be some fluid retention that leads to a swollen appearance of the face. However a new formulation of steroids, budesonide, has fewer side effects as there is less of blood absorption.The antibodies that are created by Crohn’s disease that attack the intestinal lining to cause inflammation in the intestinal lining, is suppressed using immunosuppressants. These drugs are taken orally, where results will not be seen for some weeks and months. This medicine creates side effects like nausea, diarrhea, infections and vomiting.Antidiarrheals are used to relieve chronic diarrhea while laxatives are used when there is a partial intestinal obstruction that leads to constipation.

However laxatives are not effective in completely treating intestinal obstruction. Though acetaminophen can be used to relieve pain due to Crohn’s disease, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are not advised as only they tend to intensify symptoms.

Anemia that arises from Crohn’s disease is treated using iron supplements and vitamin B-12 injections. Sometimes antibiotics are use to treat infections from fistulas or surgery in the intestine. Surgery may be resorted to when there is an intestinal obstruction or when medications don’t prove successful in controlling Crohn’s disease. In fact, 70 percent of sufferers from Crohn’s disease need surgery at a point in their lives as the inflammations and ulcers that arise from Crohn’s disease go deep into the intestinal tissue.Surgery options for patients of Crohn’s disease include strictureplasty where narrowed areas of the digestive tract are widened. With bowel resection the diseased part of the intestine is removed. This may include a partial colectomy or ostomy to permit the passing of stools from the body. Infectious material is removed by draining abscesses.

With surgery, the symptoms of Crohn’s disease may disappear for some years. However there is a chance of the recurrence of symptoms which may lead to the patient undergoing another and subsequent operations. The recurrence of the symptoms is more common in patients with severe Crohn’s disease and in those where its symptoms occur outside the colon. However, using medications after the surgery may lead to a reduction in the recurrence of the symptoms.

Sharon Price
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/various-options-for-crohns-disease-139100.html

Overcoming Constipation Naturally

Constipation may be defined as infrequent or incomplete bowel movements often characterized by stools that are hard, dry and difficult to pass due to slow transit time through the gastrointestinal tract. Transit time is the amount of time that elapses between the ingestion of food and when it is excreted in the form of stool.

In conventional medical circles, it is considered “normal” to have a bowel movement as infrequently as three times each week, but many holistic practitioners would consider the normal range of bowel movements to be between two and three every day. The thinking here is that three movements would be ideal because we generally eat three meals daily. Ideally, when food enters the stomach, a nerve impulse is sent to the colon, prompting it to contract and release its contents. This gastrocolic reflex, when functioning properly, would cause us to empty our colons after each meal.

With constipation, a wide range of symptoms may be experienced. These can include abdominal discomfort, rectal discomfort, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, headache, lower back pain, and a general feeling of malaise. When bowel transit time is slow, waste is not promptly eliminated from the body. It will consequently decay or ferment, producing poisonous chemicals. This reabsorption of toxins into the body can increase the risk of developing colon disease and other serious digestive health problems.

As an alternative to conventional laxatives, optional nutritional approaches may help prevent and provide relief for occasional constipation. A high-fiber diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds may help ease elimination and promote two to three healthy bowel movements each day. These foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which work together to soak up toxins in the digestive tract and sweep the colon free of debris by removing toxins from the intestinal wall. Herbal supplements may also help to cleanse and detoxify the body, and a gentle, natural colon cleanse formula can hydrate and strengthen the colon.

Lifestyle changes may also help reduce the risk of becoming constipated. Try waking up a little earlier each morning and allowing yourself time to go to the bathroom, and set aside time during the day to do the same. Make sure when you are on the toilet that your feet are elevated and you assume a squatting position. This will ensure that the colon is in the proper position for elimination.

Exercise also helps stimulate the body’s digestive process. Incorporating at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise into your daily routine may help stimulate peristalsis (the wave-like movement of food through your intestines) and promote healthy elimination.

Brenda Watson
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/overcoming-constipation-naturally-135346.html

How Long-term Use of Laxatives Cause Constipation

Constipation is a problem for a large percentage of the population. Many people who deal with constipation will turn to laxatives and stool softeners seeking relief. While these products may offer temporary relief, they are not good, long-term solutions. The fact is—laxatives and stool softeners do not cure constipation. Most people don’t realize however, if they use these products too much, they could aggravate the constipation and cause other bowel problems as well.

The Truth About Laxatives and Stool Softeners

Over the counter laxatives and stool softeners are easily abused. Continual use of laxatives can be one of the leading causes of constipation. With prolonged use, the colon can become dependent upon the laxative for evacuation. When the colon has been exposed to laxatives and stool softeners for a long time and then it does not get an expected dose, constipation can occur. In other words, your body may forget how to release waste on its own. This causes more constipation, which in turn causes you to start using laxatives and stool softeners even more. Makes you wonder if that’s the real intention of the manufacturers—to keep you addicted and buying more. Sound like any other harmful products you know?

Overall, having to rely on laxatives and stool softeners to obtain movement in the bowels is not good for the intestines. It can make them “lazy” when they are not getting the workout they need to stay healthy. Many people start out with a mild case of constipation and make it worse by using laxatives. It can turn into a vicious and perpetual cycle due to the reciprocal relationship between constipation and laxatives.

Effects of Laxatives

Stimulant laxatives have irritating substances in them. For instance, cascara and senna work on the large intestines. They cause the walls of the large intestines to contract so fecal matter can move and eventually leave the body. This is the cramping you feel when you have taken a stimulant laxative. Not only can most laxatives lead to a weakened bowel, but stimulant laxatives can cause abnormal changes to occur in the intestinal lining.

Melanosis coli is associated with prolonged laxative use. It is a condition causing dark pigment to be deposited on the large intestine, resulting in discoloration of the large intestine’s lining that causes it to turn dark brown or black. Sometimes this condition is called pseudomelanosis coli or it could be referred to as “wear and tear” pigment. The discoloration may be minimal or very pronounced. The good news is that it can possibly be reversed if the laxative use is discontinued.

It is important to understand just because laxatives and stool softeners are available over the counter does not mean there is no risk involved in their use. People who take laxatives as a means of treating constipation may have an underlying condition, of which they remain unaware, such as a bowel obstruction.

When you suffer from constipation and laxatives seems like a quick fix, which it can be temporarily, you may not realize a better solution exists. Many people simply need to have their colon cleansed. Cleaning and detoxifying the body can rid it of years of accumulated sludge and fecal matter. It helps to rid the body of bad bacteria while making it a welcoming environment for good bacteria. Detoxifying and cleansing the intestines can improve the way you look and feel dramatically. Many people do not realize constipation and built up toxins in the body can cause acne, bad breath, fatigue and weight gain. Once your body is flushed free of the toxins and sludge, it can return to a healthy internal balance. Your skin will not be stressed by trying to get rid of toxins, your breath will smell fresher because you will not have foul gases emitting from your stomach, and your energy levels can increase as your digestive tract loses the sludge and buildup it has been holding for all those years.

One of the best products you can use to cleanse and detoxify your body is Oxy-Powder®. Oxy-Powder is an all-natural product for oxidizing the toxins, sludge, mucous, and fecal matter that have collected in your system. When you start the colon cleansing process, you should expect to have bowel movements that are liquid in composition as well as extra gas. However, it should not be confused with diarrhea, which is caused by viral infection. You also won’t experience the intense cramping like with stimulant laxatives. The liquid matter you will be passing is simply the old solid matter that has been oxidized naturally so it can be easily flushed out.

What is truly unique about Oxy-Powder is that once your body has been thoroughly cleansed you can continue regular maintenance doses without any fear of addiction or harmful side effects. Many people use this powerful oxygen-based cleanser and are thrilled with the results. They are able to say goodbye to those harmful stimulant laxatives, along with that awful constipation!

If you suffer from constipation, take heart. There is hope. You do not have to live with being constipated. You do not have to keep a stockpile of laxatives and stool softeners in your home, either. Constipation and laxatives for relief just is not a good combination. Do yourself (and your body) a favor and start cleansing your body today. You will begin to notice the difference right away!

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/how-longterm-use-of-laxatives-cause-constipation-89930.html