Beware of the Dangers of Using Laxitives To Lose a Fat Tummy

There appears to be an increase in the use of laxatives as popular weight loss supplements. These are available in the form of tea and appear in stores being marketed as slimming tea or dieter's tea. They are effective but be warned they can actually harm you and I would not recommend them if you are looking to lose a fat tummy or any other reason for weight loss.

One of the effects of drinking dieter's tea is frequent bowel movement which can give you the feeling of body cleansing. Now this may be successful in riding your body of toxins and result in weight loss but overdosing on laxatives can also cause permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract and the weakening and softening of the bones, a condition known as osteomalacia.

Cascara, castor oil and senna the main components of dieter’s tea are substances which are recognized as laxatives available over the counter and are also regulated as drugs. Scientific studies show that diarrhoea induced by laxatives does not absorb significant amounts of calories taken in the body.

Women may even be more susceptible to the effects of slimming teas. Although they are not known to interfere directly with the woman's menstrual cycle and fertility, they should watch out if drinking them causes them to rapidly shed off weight. It is also not safe for pregnant women to be taking in laxatives of any kind. Wise and responsible herbalists also discourage the use of senna and other herbal products with laxative properties for pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive.

Some of the more common side effects of taking these dieter’s teas include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, fainting, rectal bleeding, electrolyte disorder and dehydration as well as injury and worse, death. It was also reported that excess use of stimulant laxatives causes severe constipation and pain for long periods.

So the message is leave well alone there are too many dangers attached to this weight loss method.

Stick to the trusted, safe and healthy methods.