As this additional water passes out with the stool, a person may weigh less after using laxatives. However, this effect is only temporary.
Are laxatives safe for weight loss?
Laxatives are a type of medication that people use to relieve constipation. Sometimes, people without constipation take laxatives in the belief that these drugs will help them lose weight.
Using laxatives for weight loss is not safe or effective. There are other, more healthful ways to lose weight and maintain a desired body weight.
In this article, we look at whether laxatives aid weight loss. We also discuss the safety of using laxatives for weight loss, alternative weight loss strategies, and when to see a doctor.
Share on Pinterest Taking laxatives for weight loss is an unsafe and ineffective strategy.
Doctors do not recommend laxatives as a way to lose weight. Research suggests that while some people mistakenly believe that taking laxatives will prevent their body from absorbing calories, it is an unsafe and ineffective strategy.
Laxatives treat constipation by softening the stool or stimulating bowel movements. People may assume that passing more stools will lead to weight loss.
However, although people may feel “lighter” temporarily, there is no evidence to support the use of laxatives as a safe or effective weight loss method.
The temporary weight loss that people may experience from taking laxatives is actually due to water loss. Losing water is not the same as losing body fat.
Many laxatives work by helping the gut absorb more water from the body or keeping water in the gut around the stool. This water softens the stool, making it easier to pass. It may also cause diarrhea, which is very watery stool.
As this additional water passes out with the stool, a person may weigh less after using laxatives. However, this effect is only temporary.
Laxatives do not reduce body fat or promote long-term weight loss. Even at high doses, stimulant laxatives, which encourage the movement of stool through the digestive tract, have only a “ modest effect ” on calorie absorption.
Many laxatives are available over the counter for the treatment of constipation. Misusing laxatives for weight loss may cause the following side effects:
Diarrhea
People usually use laxatives to relieve constipation. If a person takes laxatives when they are not constipated or uses them too frequently, these drugs may cause diarrhea.
Some people who often use laxatives may experience alternating diarrhea and constipation.
Dehydration
Share on Pinterest Dehydration from taking laxatives may cause headaches, thirst, and a dry mouth.
Osmotic laxatives draw water from the body into the gut to soften stool. Taking too many osmotic laxatives or taking them too frequently may cause dehydration.
Other forms of laxatives may also cause frequent diarrhea that leads to dehydration.
Common symptoms of dehydration include:
- thirst
- dizziness
- weakness
- headaches
- decreased urination
- dry mouth
Electrolyte imbalance
Taking laxatives can result in an electrolyte imbalance. Certain types of laxative may cause the body to absorb high amounts of electrolytes such as sodium and phosphorus from the gut. Some laxatives can also lead to low blood levels of potassium, magnesium, or calcium.
An electrolyte imbalance may cause weakness and an abnormal heart rhythm. In severe cases, having an electrolyte imbalance can be life threatening.
Impaired intestinal function
Some laxatives can stimulate muscles in the gut, helping them promote the movement of stool through it. Taking any stimulant laxatives too frequently may cause dependency.
More research is necessary on this effect, but some experts believe that the gut may become increasingly dependent on stimulation. As a result, it may eventually stop moving food along the digestive tract of its own accord.
Using laxatives frequently may also irritate the gut lining, potentially putting a person at risk of having bloody stools.
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce risk factors for major health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, it is vital to lose weight in a safe and sustainable way.
Sometimes, trying to lose weight can adversely affect a person’s physical and mental well-being. Trying to address a negative self-image through weight loss without any mental health strategies can make things worse.
For some people, unsuitable weight loss strategies can progress into an eating disorder. Signs and symptoms that can indicate an eating disorder include:
- being preoccupied with weight loss
- being focused solely on calories, fat content, or carbohydrate content
- refusing certain food types
- developing rituals around food
- skipping meals or reducing portion sizes excessively
- withdrawing from social activities
- being overly concerned with body size or shape
- having mood swings
- looking in the mirror frequently in a critical way
- losing or gaining weight rapidly
- having frequent gastrointestinal problems
- having trouble concentrating
- feeling cold all the time
- having trouble sleeping
- developing dry or thin skin or hair
- fainting or feeling dizzy
It is possible to have a couple of these symptoms without having an eating disorder. However, anyone concerned that they or someone they know may have an eating disorder should speak to a doctor.
Share on Pinterest Exercise is a much safer strategy for losing weight.
Taking laxatives for weight loss is not a safe strategy. For most people, drastic and restrictive dieting does not work in the long term.
Making sustainable lifestyle changes is the most effective way to reach a healthy weight. These include:
- eating a nutritious, balanced diet that consists mostly of whole foods
- increasing physical activity each day
- doing regular exercise
- practicing self-care to improve body image
Self-care activities can include:
- journaling
- yoga
- meditation
- mindfulness
- talk therapy
- cognitive behavioral therapy
Anyone who thinks that they may need to lose weight can find out from a doctor whether this is necessary for their health. The doctor can advise a person on what the best weight range is for them. This range will depend on their height and body type, among other factors.
Using laxatives for weight loss is not safe or effective. If a person weighs less after taking laxatives, this is likely to be due to water loss.
Water loss from laxative use is temporary and is not the same as losing body fat. Laxatives do not reduce body weight in the long term.
Laxatives have several potential side effects, including diarrhea and dehydration.
Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly may help a person reach their desired weight. However, they should speak to a doctor about whether weight loss is necessary for their health before starting a new diet or exercise regimen.
Weight loss is only beneficial for a person’s well-being when it is necessary, and they do it safely. Anyone experiencing issues with their body image should seek support from a doctor, who can help them access the right support.
Last medically reviewed on July 30, 2019
- GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
- Nutrition / Diet
- Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Laxative abuse. (n.d.).
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/laxative-abuse - Laxative use: What to know [Fact sheet]. (n.d.).
https://health.cornell.edu/sites/health/files/pdf-library/LaxativeUse.pdf - Overview: Laxatives. (2019).
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laxatives/# - Portalatin, M., & Winstead, N. (2012). Medical management of constipation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3348737/ - Roerig, J. L., et al. (2010). Laxative abuse: Epidemiology, diagnosis and management [Abstract].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20687617 - Warning signs and symptoms. (n.d.).
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms
Laxatives for Weight Loss: Do They Work and Are They Safe?
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.
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 ( 1 ):
- Stimulant laxatives: These work by speeding up the movement of the digestive tract.
- Osmotic-type laxatives: This type causes the colon to retain more water, which increases bowel movement frequency.
- Bulk-forming laxatives: These move through the intestines undigested, absorbing water and adding bulk to stool.
- Saline laxatives: With these, water is drawn into the small intestine, which helps promote a bowel movement.
- Lubricant laxatives: This type of laxative coats the surface of the stool as well as the lining of the intestines to ease bowel movements.
- Stool softeners: These allow stool to absorb more water, making it softer for easier passage.
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.
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 ( 2 ).
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 ( 1 ).
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 ( 3 ).
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 ( 4 ).
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.
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 ( 1 ).
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.
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