Miralax For Weight Loss

Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by

Many people have tried a weight loss program or had friends who have. There are also many people who do not want to lose weight, for health reasons and others. What about people in the middle? People who just want to lose a few extra pounds but are not willing to give up all the things they like to eat or take diet pills or make drastic changes.

Miralax is a simple but effective laxative used to treat constipation. It’s widely available and can be purchased without a prescription in the United States. Miralax (and other bulk-forming agents) are often called “the secret to weight loss.” While this claim may hold some water, it’s important to keep in mind that the primary purpose of Miralax is to prevent constipation. This is why it’s so commonly recommended as a laxative for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. You can learn more about how Miralax For Weight Loss and How Often Should You Take Laxatives To Lose Weight by visiting my site at https://foodkeg.com/

Miralax For Weight Loss

Miralax Weight Loss: The Harmful, Dangerous Effects

Laxatives of many kinds are available on the shelves of drug stores, grocery stores, and convenience stores. They are an easy to obtain item that people turn to for a wide variety of reasons. Some people need the assistance of a laxative product to alleviate occasional constipation due to medical treatments, age-related functional change, or as a side effect of pain-relieving medication. Although laxatives are beneficial when used appropriately, not all who turn to laxative products do so for medically necessary reasons. A growing number of people who struggle with symptoms related to disordered eating reach for laxative products like Miralax as a way to maintain control over food intake, calories, and weight. Laxatives are also used frequently by individuals who are required to maintain a specific weight, such as athletes or models. When used in a way that is inconsistent with labeling, the use of laxative products can lead to harmful, even dangerous effects, including addiction. 

WHAT IS MIRALAX?

Miralax is a brand-name laxative available over the counter. It is classified as an osmotic laxative which means the laxative works in your colon to attract water and keep it there. This allows stool to become more hydrated and softer, unblocking your system without unpleasant gastrointestinal effects such as cramping. Miralax is often suggested for short-term use to treat constipation; however, it is sometimes recommended to treat chronic constipation conditions as well. 

Various studies have shown that Miralax is effective in treating constipation and helping those struggling with infrequent bowel movements achieve regularity. One study showed Miralax helped people who regularly had fewer than two bowel movements per week increase frequency to 4.5 per week (compared to 2.7 with placebo). Another similar study found chronic constipation cases were reduced by 52% in those using Miralax as a laxative. 

Miralax is approved as an over-the-counter laxative for adults and adolescents over the age of seventeen. It is also effective for treating constipation in younger children, including babies younger than two years of age. However, in babies and children under seventeen, it should not be used unless directed by a pediatrician or medical provider. 

THE DANGERS OF USING MIRALAX FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Miralax is recommended for various medical uses, including constipation, colonoscopy preparation diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is not recommended for weight loss, and taking a Miralax (or any laxative) for the purpose of losing weight can be dangerous. 

Some people, including those who struggle with an undiagnosed or untreated eating disorder, turn to laxatives in the hope of losing (or maintaining) weight. However, Miralax and other laxatives are not effective for weight loss and may lead to harmful side effects when used inappropriately.

There is a misguided belief that laxatives help food move through your system faster, leading to fewer calories being absorbed food progresses through the body. This is a dangerous misconception. No matter how many laxatives one consumes, they will do little to limit calorie absorption. The small intestine absorbs most calories from food and beverages. Laxatives like Miralax only affect the large intestine, and therefore calorie absorption is largely complete before it arrives in the large intestine. Although one’s weight may go down shortly after taking a laxative, this is generally due to water loss, and as soon as you eat or drink something, the weight will return. 

The effects and dangers of Miralax abuse can be short and long-term. When someone uses Miralax consistently, it leads to reduced levels of essential minerals in the body. These minerals, including potassium, phosphates, magnesium, and sodium, are vital to allow the muscles and systems in the body to work correctly. Without adequate amounts of these and other essential minerals, our body systems may not work correctly. Long-term laxative abuse can also lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and damage to the colon (bowel) and the digestive system. Other potentially dangerous effects of laxative abuse include vomiting, dehydration, fainting, blurry vision, depression, heart attack, muscle spasms, diarrhea, intestinal paralysis, bloody stools, electrolyte abnormalities, and increased occurrence of urinary tract infections. 

In addition to the above, someone who uses Miralax regularly to lose weight or other (unprescribed) reasons is at increased risk for colon cancer, kidney failure, liver damage, damage to the bowel nerve, and damage to the gastrointestinal system. When someone experiences damage to the bowel nerve, it can result in poor function of the intestinal tract. Under these circumstances, the bowels may not operate properly, making someone feel as though they require laxatives to have proper bowel movements despite chronic and inappropriate laxative use being the cause of their ineffective bowel.

CAN YOU OVERDOSE ON MIRALAX?

While you are unlikely to experience fatal overdose symptoms directly related to Miralax use, taking too much Miralax or misusing it can increase your risk of severe side effects. These side effects, depending on their severity, can lead to dangerous consequences. Symptoms of Miralax overdose can include severe stomach pain, nausea, bloating, excessive diarrhea, dehydration, thirst, and electrolyte imbalance.  

OVERCOMING MIRALAX ABUSE 

Without treatment that addresses the root causes behind laxative addiction at Meadowglade, ongoing laxative abuse can be difficult to overcome. Someone who abuses laxatives often does so to lose weight or feel thin. Although laxatives will produce the desired result in the short term, before long, the opposite occurs. Ongoing laxative use eventually leads to water retention and bloating. If you or a loved one are using Miralax in unsafe ways, there are things you can do to overcome your reliance on their use. 

The first of these includes important lifestyle changes focused on reducing or stopping laxative use. Unless medically necessary, stop using laxatives immediately and do not use them again unless prescribed and carefully monitored by your physician. If a laxative is required to help manage symptoms related to a medical condition, talk with your provider about your struggle with laxatives and ways you might be able to manage symptoms without laxative use. Also, look for natural ways to decrease dehydration. Dehydration worsens constipation leading to a greater reliance on laxative products to produce regular bowel movements. 

You can reduce dehydration by ensuring you drink at least six eight-ounce beverages each day. It is important to consume sufficient decaffeinated beverages because caffeine often acts as a diuretic; therefore, it increases dehydration and promotes constipation. Finally, a healthy diet and regular exercise are important lifestyle changes you can make to help naturally alleviate constipation. Add healthy foods that promote regular bowel function into your diet. Common examples include grains, vegetables, and fruits. Of course, increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods should be accompanied by an increase in water. If you are sedentary, start by incorporating thirty minutes of low-impact exercise into your daily routine. Of course, It is essential to discuss the frequency, type, and intensity of exercise with your primary care provider. 

In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be enough to help you naturally overcome an addiction to Miralax. In these situations, comprehensive addiction treatment at Meadowglade is the best answer to helping you put your dependence on Miralax in the past and move forward without using laxative products in unsafe and unhealthy ways.  When Miralax abuse is part of an eating disorder, it is vital to seek treatment from an experienced team of medical and mental health professionals. Medical care, mental health care, and nutritional support and guidance will all be crucial parts of your recovery plan. Depending on the nature and severity of your struggle with Miralax, you may need to seek medical assistance before beginning the therapeutic portion of your treatment.

In some cases, it is necessary to seek medical intervention to ensure you are adequately hydrated, and the mineral and electrolyte levels in your body are stable. Using laxatives for weight loss is often part of a larger mental health struggle associated with disordered eating. After you are medically healthy, you can begin a treatment program that addresses the psychological component of laxative dependence. It is common for someone who struggles with an addiction or dependency to struggle with urges and triggers to return to using after completing treatment. As part of your comprehensive treatment program at Meadowglade, you will work with your therapy provider and nutritional support team to develop safer, healthier coping skills to use when you struggle with physical or psychological triggers that could lead to relapse. As you progress through treatment and begin to utilize healthy eating patterns, dieticians at Meadowglade can help you create healthy eating plans that prevent constipation and eliminate the perceived need to use laxatives to maintain or lose weight. 

If you struggle with laxative abuse or turn to Miralax to lose weight, the potential physical and psychological effects of these behaviors can be dangerous; even fatal. For many, seeking comprehensive therapy at a treatment center like Meadowglade offers the best chances for success in overcoming the psychological challenges that lead to Miralax misuse.

How Often Should You Take Laxatives To Lose Weight

Many people turn to laxatives when they’re looking to lose weight fast.

However, there are serious concerns over the safety and effectiveness of using laxatives for weight loss.

This article will look at the safety of laxatives and whether they can really help you lose weight.

What Are Laxatives?

Laxatives are medications people use to help stimulate bowel movements or loosen up stool to ease its passage.

They are often used to treat constipation, a condition caused by infrequent, painful or difficult bowel movements.

They have also become a popular method for weight loss. Many people believe that using laxatives can help increase the frequency of bowel movements and allow for quick, easy and effortless weight loss.

However, the truth of their safety and effectiveness is another story, as you’ll see later in this article.

There are a few different classes of laxatives that work in different ways. The main types are (1Trusted Source):

SUMMARY:Laxatives help stimulate bowel movements. They’re a remedy for constipation as well as a popular tool for weight loss. Different types of laxatives help induce bowel movements in different ways.

Laxatives Could Help You Lose Water Weight

Laxative use has become incredibly common among those looking to shed a few pounds quickly. In fact, some studies estimate that more than 4% of the general population engages in laxative abuse (2Trusted Source).

It is true that laxatives may help increase weight loss, but the results are only temporary.

Several types of laxatives work by pulling water from your body into the intestines, allowing stool to absorb more water for an easier passage. With this method, the only weight you’ll lose is from the water you excrete through stool (1Trusted Source).

One small study measured the daily food intake and eating habits of 30 patients with bulimia nervosa, a type of eating disorder that involves eating large amounts of food and then using methods such as self-induced vomiting or laxatives to prevent weight gain.

Compared to other methods used by these patients, researchers found that laxative use was an ineffective method for controlling body weight (3Trusted Source).

Another study also concluded that laxatives were not effective at controlling weight, noting that laxative use was more prevalent among overweight and obese teenagers than those of a normal weight.

To date, there have been no studies supporting the idea that laxative use can lead to lasting weight loss.

Instead, it can lead to dangerous side effects like dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and possibly even dependence.

SUMMARY:Laxative use can result in a temporary loss of water weight. However, studies suggest this is not an effective method for long-term weight loss.

Using Laxatives Can Lead to Dehydration

One of the most common side effects of laxative use is dehydration.

This is because many laxatives work by drawing water into the intestines from other tissues, resulting in a loss of water through the stool (1Trusted Source).

If you’re not careful to replenish the water that is lost, it can lead to dehydration.

Common symptoms of dehydration include headaches, reduced urine output, increased thirst, fatigue, dry skin and dizziness.

Dehydration may also be linked to more serious side effects, mentioned later in this article.

SUMMARY:Some types of laxatives work by pulling water into the intestines and stool, resulting in a loss of water and potentially dangerous dehydration.

Laxatives May Cause an Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes are substances dissolved in your bodily fluids that are important for helping your cells and tissues function normally (5Trusted Source).

Some common electrolytes include chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphate.

If the balance of these essential electrolytes is thrown off, it can cause dangerous side effects including seizures, confusion and coma.

Laxatives may lead to the loss of important electrolytes. This could create an electrolyte imbalance, one of the most dangerous side effects of laxative abuse (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

One small study of 24 patients showed that laxative use resulted in significant alterations in participants’ levels of sodium and potassium (8Trusted Source).

Another study in 2,270 people showed that the laxatives commonly used to prepare for colonoscopies increased the risk of electrolyte disturbances (9Trusted Source).

Common symptoms of electrolyte imbalance can include thirst, headaches, heart palpitations, fatigue, weakness and muscle aches.

SUMMARY:Laxative use can alter the balance of electrolytes in the body and can cause many adverse side effects, such as fatigue, muscle aches and heart palpitations.

Some Worry That Overuse Could Cause Dependency

Although laxatives are generally safe for short-term use, some people worry they may lead to dependency with long-term use.

This may be especially true for stimulant laxatives, which work by speeding up the movement of the intestinal tract to induce a bowel movement.

However, most reports of laxative dependency are anecdotal.

Despite some reports of individuals developing a tolerance to or becoming dependent on stimulant laxatives, there is little evidence showing these effects actually happen (10Trusted Source).

In fact, some researchers have noted that tolerance to stimulant laxatives is uncommon and that there is minimal chance of dependency (11Trusted Source).

More research is needed to evaluate the effects of long-term laxative use and the risk of dependency.

SUMMARY:There are some anecdotal reports of laxative dependency with long-term use. However, more studies are needed on the potential side effects of long-term laxative use.

Other Possible Side Effects of Laxatives

In addition to causing dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and possible dependence, laxative use has been associated with a number of other dangerous side effects, including:

However, more research is needed on the potential long-term effects and safety of laxative use.

SUMMARY:A few studies have linked laxative use to serious conditions including rhabdomyolysis, gastrointestinal damage, liver damage and kidney failure, though more research is needed.

Better Ways to Lose Weight

If you are using unhealthy weight loss methods like laxatives, purging or severe food restriction, stop and seek professional help to prevent long-term consequences to your health.

There are many better, safer and more effective ways to lose weight without putting your health on the line.

Here are some simple, proven ways to shed extra pounds:

If you want even more ideas, check out this article, which lists 30 easy, science-backed ways to lose weight.

SUMMARY:Safer and more effective methods to lose weight include eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising more, reducing portion sizes, eating a high-protein breakfast and decreasing your intake of added sugar.

Laxatives can be an effective remedy for increasing bowel movements and preventing constipation. However, laxative use is unlikely to lead to long-lasting weight loss.

Furthermore, laxative abuse can come with many dangerous health effects, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and dangerous health conditions.

If you’re looking to lose weight, make small changes to your diet and engage in regular physical activity. These solutions are safer, more effective and more sustainable in the long run.

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