Category: laxatives

WEIGHT LOSS PILL TYPE: Guar gum is a complex carbohydrate that is derived from the seed pods of the guar tree, which is native to India and grown in the southwest United States. It is used as a laxative.

SOLD AS: Capsules and dietary fiber.

BACKGROUND/RESEARCH: Guar gum is an authorized emulsifier and a typical component to foods, such as low-fat cheeses and other low-fat dairy food. It was found in diet products until 1992, when the FDA prohibited its use in nonprescription diet products mainly because a number of individuals encountered an obstruction of their esophagus and gastrointestinal tract after while using product inappropriately. Researchers afterwards discovered that the people who had these blockages had not consumed enough liquids when taking the guar gum. With the passage of the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, nevertheless, guar gum is now generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

The scientific tests that have investigated guar gum happen to be small but have demostrated good success. Three were done in the 1980s and involved a total of thirty-seven subjects. At a dose of 20 grams per day, nine subjects lost an average of 9.4 pounds over 2 months, 21 lost 15.6 pounds over 2 1/2 months, and 7 lost 61.9 pounds over 1 year. A fourth study reported in ‘1994 showed an average loss of 5.5 pounds over 2 months while taking 15 grams per day.

WHAT IS IT SUPPOSED TO DO: When guar gum get in touch with liquids, it forms huge, viscous mass, making people feel full. Additionally, it slows down fat absorption from your intestines.

DOSAGE INFORMATION: Manufacturers always recommend taking guar-gum supplements with a full 8 ounces of water. A typical dosage for capsules is up to four 500 mg daily. The usual dosage for the powder is 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of liquid 1 to 3 times
daily.

SIDE EFFECTS: No side effects when taken as directed. See Precautions.

PRECAUTIONS: If you take guar-gum supplements with an insufficient amount of liquid, the gum may swell in your throat and cause a blockage. Always take the supplement with at least 8 ounces of water.

Weight Loss Products containing Guar gum

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SOLD AS: Capsules.

WEIGHT LOSS PILL TYPE: Laxative, Appetite suppressant. Glucomannan is extracted from the konnyaku root, which is in the yam family. It is a high-fiber, calorie-free substance that is also a good source of beta-carotene, thiamin, and minerals.. Glucomannan is also known as devil’s tongue and voodoo lily.

BACKGROUND/RESEARCH: Couple of research studies on glucomannan for weight reduction are already done; every one of them have included fifty subjects or less and have not been double-blind. In 1984, twenty obese patients got glucomannan before each meal for 8 weeks and did not modify their ingesting or exercise habits. After 8 weeks the mean fat loss was 5.5 pounds, and cholesterol levels had decreased substantially. Subjects in a 1989 study had more desirable results: after 8 weeks they lost typically 8.14 pounds. Severely obese patients in Italy who taken part in a 3-month study in 1992 documented that glucomannan was efficient and well tolerated. In one more Italian study, a team of obese children had positive weight-loss and a drop in their blood choleseterol levels also.

Glucomannan may also combat certain cancers in addition to keep heart attack and stroke in those who have diabetes. Some researchers declare glucomannan has these advantages since it puts a stop to the formation of plaque in the blood.

WHAT IS IT SUPPOSED TO DO: The Japanese have long thought that glucomannan gets rid of poisons from the body over the intestinal tract. For hundreds of years; Asian women have reported that glucomannan has helped them stay slimmer. Glucomannan reportedly swells up to 50 times its volume when taken with a large (at least 8 ounces) glass of water, however some producers claim a 200-times increase in volume. The glucomannan then forms an insoluble gum in the stomach, which results in a feeling of fullness. Glucomartnan reduces fat content in the blood and alleviates constipation.

HOW TO TAKE IT: A typical dosage is 2 to 3 capsules with 8 ounces of water about 20 minutes before meals. Capsules typically are between 450 and 665 mg.

SIDE EFFECTS: Glucomannan reduces the body’s ability to absorb vitamin E and several other nutrients.

PRECAUTIONS: While taking glucomannan, ask your doctor to monitor your nutritional status because glucomannan binds with some nutrients and reduces their absorption. Experts recommend taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement while taking glucomannan.

Weight Loss Products containing Glucomannan

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SOLD AS: Dried bulk tea, capsules, tincture.

WEIGHT LOSS PILL TYPE: Chickweed is a diuretic, laxative, and Appetite suppressant. The plant is widely regarded as a bothersome weed and can be found growing around the world. It is also known as Adder’s mouth, satin flower, and starwort.

BACKGROUND/RESEARCH: Merely anecdotal proof is accessible to back up claims that chickweed will work for weight loss, yet it is widely used in dietary products. It is also high in vitamin C, and it can be eaten raw or cooked, as you would spinach. Elements in chickweed called saponin glycosides give this herb relaxing characteristics for both internal use and topical use for skin problems.

WHAT IS IT SUPPOSED TO DO: Chickweed is rich in lecithin, an organic compound found in the cell membranes. Lecithin is a fat emulsifier, meaning it melts fats in watery fluids such as blood serum. It is believed that this enables the entire body to process and transfer body fat and thus help in weight loss, even though medical proof of this method is inadequate.

HOW TO TAKE IT: To make an infusion, professionals suggest pouring 16 ounces of boiling water over 1 ounce of dried chickweed and steeping for 15 minutes. The proposed dose is 3 or more cups daily. For the tincture, the advised dose is up to 60 drops in water daily. Chickweed can also be eaten raw in salads or cooked, like spinach. It is a rich source of vitamin C.

SIDE EFFECTS: No side effects are anticipated if you use this herb.

PRECAUTIONS: No precautions are associated with this herb.

Weight Loss Products containing Chickweed

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There are various weight loss teas on the market designated for dieters. These products typically contain one or more of the following natural laxatives: cascara, buckthorn, aloe, senna, rhubarb root, and castor oil. Two of these herbs-senna and buckthorn-are especially potent and should be used with caution.

The Food and Drug Administration has received numerous reports of adverse effects associated with the use of various dieter’s teas, including four deaths that have been attributed to their use. Therefore, the FDA urges consumers to follow package directions carefully when using dieter’s teas. Such teas should not be steeped longer than recommended, as stronger teas can cause side effects.

Sometimes the presence of these natural laxatives is not evident from the ingredient list because alternate names are given. Senna, for example, is also known as locust root. If you see the name of an herb or ingredient you do not recognize, look it up.

Herbal laxatives are often used as weight-loss aids because many’ consumers believe they prevent calories from being absorbed and they are eliminated in the stool. Studies by the FDA’s Food Advisory Committee, however, show that diarrhea induced by laxatives has very little effect on weight loss or the absorption of calories. That’s because laxatives do their work in the colon and not in the small intestine, where calories are absorbed.

Adverse effects associated with incorrect use of dieter’s teas are as follows:
• Short-term: People who use dieter’s teas for the first time are the ones most likely to experience these effects, which include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that last several days.
• Chronic: People who use dieter’s teas for months or years can experience chronic diarrhea, pain, and constipation caused by a dependency on laxatives.
• Severe: Adverse effects such as fainting, irregular heartbeat, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even death may occur in individuals who use these teas along with a drastic weight-loss program, such as very-law-calorie diets, or are anorectic or bulimic. The four deaths reported to the FDA were in this category, and all the women involved had a history of such medical problems.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT HERBAL EXTRACTS

Several of the entries contain the term “standardized” extracts and places where herbal extracts are given in. ratios. Here is what these terms mean.  Standardized extracts are the concentrated dried residue of the fluid derived (extracted) from an herb. Standardized extracts are preferred over regular extracts because they are more potent and they provide a “standard” herbal product that maintains its quality from batch to batch, which means you are guaranteed the same potency time after time.

• More is not always better. An impressive list of ingredients in a proprietary blend can mean little or nothing because you have no way of knowing exactly what you are getting and how much.
• Make sure any reportedly effective ingredients are present at adequate levels to promote weight loss. For example, the reported beneficial dose of chromium picolinate is 200 to 400 meg per day for women. If the product you are considering contains 10 meg chromium picolinare along with a proprietary blend of eight or ten substances in undisclosed amounts, that product may not be helpful to you.
• Consider safety. Does the product contain ingredients that are unsafe? Are you taking any medications or using other substances (e.g., alcohol, caffeine) that are dangerous to use with this product? Are you anergic to any of the ingredients, including fillers?

You may see “St. John’S wort (standardized 0.3 percent hypericin),” which means the product is guaranteed to contain the active ingredient hypericin at 0.3 percent, which happens to be the acceptable percentage for St. John’s wort.

An extract may be presented as a ratio-say, 40:1-which means the concentrated extract is 40 times stronger than the whole herb. Therefore, if a capsule contains 150 mg of ginseng, for example, and the ratio given is 40:1, that is equivalent to taking 6,000 mg of the whole herb. You get the benefit of 6,000 mg of whole herb in only 150 mg of standardized extract.

Dieter’s Tea Laxatives:

Tea contains antioxidants which help us improve our health. It is usually derived from herbs or trees which are known to cure some common diseases. But recently, another type of tea which performs a quite different function from the original ones was developed. This is known as Dieter’s Tea, Slim Tea etc. This type of tea is actually used to lose weight. Different brands have been available in the market, and they seem to attract a number of consumers. One should be aware, however, about such products in detail before they even think of using them, as they might affect the health in an adverse way.

How Does Dieter’s Tea Works?

Dieter’s Tea helps reduce weight by increasing the bowel movement and working as stool softeners. It is made up of herbs, and those herbs have laxatives in them as the active ingredients. These active ingredients include aloe, senna, rhubarb root, cascara, buckthorn and castor oil. Before, these laxatives are only used to clear out people’s bowel tract and to overcome the problem of constipation but now, they are used mainly for weight loss. The problem with laxatives performing weight loss function is that they do not just flush toxins out of the body but they also remove necessary food nutrients through the bowels. The consumer then fails to manage the extra calories, vitamins and minerals one needs to intake every day.

What Do Laxatives Do?

Our digestive system works by digesting starch in the mouth and digesting other food contents in the stomach. Much of the food nutrients then go to the small intestine, and much of the water contents go to the large intestine. But with the consumption of laxatives, most of the food and water contents that should be absorbed by the large intestine turn into excretory products. This is due to the increase in bowel movement. Moreover, if the laxatives are taken in large amounts for a greater period of time, they affect the absorption of fats in the body.  This leads to greasy diarrhea, and this in turn results in weight loss.

Side Effects of Laxatives

By altering the food and water contents pathway, laxatives can be used as effective weight loss agents. However, one should not be concerned with its effectiveness only; one should also watch out for its safety. Unfortunately, laxatives present a number of potential health risks and damage. It can permanently damage of the GI Tract. It can cause weakening and softening of the bones, and this disease is known as osteomalacia. It can also cause eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa. A lot of people use laxatives because it helps achieve weight loss rapidly, it tastes good, and it is less expensive than the rest of the medicines available in the market. But despite these, it presents greater disadvantages that consumers must be aware of.

How Can The Laxatives Affect Women?

The number of women taking laxatives as weight loss agents is far greater than the number of men. And since women are more prone to using these products, they are the ones who are affected the most with the effects of these products. There are no scientific studies yet proving that these products directly interfere with women’s menstrual cycle or fertility, but consumers must still take certain measures. It is strongly discouraged for pregnant women to take any laxatives at all. Also, it is strongly advised for other consumers to observe whether or not they are having any increased menstrual cramps because of the product. Lastly, herbalists discourage the use of senna and other laxatives in women who are trying to be pregnant.

Misleading Terms by Marketers

As we all know, advertisements tend to exaggerate the effects and results of using a certain product. There are some marketers who wanted to attract consumers by saying that the laxatives they sell are low in calories. The consumers must be aware, however, that these products are low in nutrients as well. The only nutrient they could have is only when they would be sweetened. Also, some marketers sell their products by saying that they are bowel-cleaning products, which of course, should be true because they are laxatives.

Misuse of Laxatives

Some people, to achieve their desired weight in no time, use laxatives more than the recommended dose. This misuse of laxatives is highly discouraged for they cause adverse effects. These include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, rectal bleeding, electrolyte disorder and dehydration, and these can lead to injury and death of the individual as well. It is also noted that the excessive use of laxatives causes severe constipation and pain for increased periods of time, which can result ultimately in surgery and removal of the large colon.

Summary:

People who want to lose extra pounds should focus on methods where they will be able to reduce weight the natural way through diet and exercise, as well as the use of weight loss products with the recommendation of a physician. They should not fall for hyped products, which are going to cause them great harm and would result to serious health issues.