Dulcolax / laxatives

hmg90
hmg90 Posts: 314 Member
edited February 11 in Food and Nutrition
Do these things help the body get rid of water as well or just help digestion?

I feel like I'm retaining water (due to too much sodium for some time and not enough fiber I think). I took one last night and it helped a little and today I'm one 1 lbs lighter than yesterday morning.

Anyone used it?

Replies

  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810 Member
    They do neither.

    With ongoing use they actually impair intestinal functioning.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Unless you're severely constipated, stay far away. JMO of course, but I have seen the damage and seen the recovery from overuse and it is far, far from pretty.
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    Instead of using laxatives, why not just consume more fiber?
    It'd be far more beneficial in the long run plus safer.
  • kellehbeans
    kellehbeans Posts: 838 Member
    Dulcolax should only be taken when severely constipated. It works overnight, and I find it gives me a bad gut. As an answer to your question - yes, you lose water - but you need to drink that water back or you can become dehydrated. So just stay away and eat more fibre.
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    Just, no.

    If you're worried about water retention, up the amount of water you are drinking each day.
  • hmg90
    hmg90 Posts: 314 Member
    Just, no.

    If you're worried about water retention, up the amount of water you are drinking each day.

    I do, I drink like ten glasses of water a day now. However even though I try to get fiber through vegetables, I find my digestion is a bit weird since going low carb.
  • hmg90
    hmg90 Posts: 314 Member
    Unless you're severely constipated, stay far away. JMO of course, but I have seen the damage and seen the recovery from overuse and it is far, far from pretty.

    Really? Could you be more specific?
  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    Edited to get rid of my comment because it just doesn't matter...
  • explosivedonut
    explosivedonut Posts: 419 Member
    Just, no.

    If you're worried about water retention, up the amount of water you are drinking each day.

    I do, I drink like ten glasses of water a day now. However even though I try to get fiber through vegetables, I find my digestion is a bit weird since going low carb.

    Maybe don't go low carb? If that's your problem, just do something like IIFYM.
  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    If you are low carb and truely drinking that much water, then you are NOT eating enough vegetables and you need to up your fat and vegetable intake.

    Too much protein and not enough vegetables and fat is what causes constipation.

    What does a typical day of eating look like for you?
  • danimalkeys
    danimalkeys Posts: 982 Member
    I've read where its recommended to increase your fiber intake on low carb. High fiber veggies like cauliflower are very low carb friendly. You could also take a fiber supplement like Benefiber. I wouldn't use laxatives unless it was really necessary.
  • hmg90
    hmg90 Posts: 314 Member
    If you are low carb and truely drinking that much water, then you are NOT eating enough vegetables and you need to up your fat and vegetable intake.

    Too much protein and not enough vegetables and fat is what causes constipation.

    What does a typical day of eating look like for you?

    I usually have a small salad with my eggs for breakfast/lunch, like tomatoes and some red onion. Other than that I eat asparagus or brussel sprouts with dinner. Have been eating some cauliflower too, but now I'm out..
  • KateK8LoseW8
    KateK8LoseW8 Posts: 824 Member
    If you are low carb and truely drinking that much water, then you are NOT eating enough vegetables and you need to up your fat and vegetable intake.

    Too much protein and not enough vegetables and fat is what causes constipation.

    What does a typical day of eating look like for you?

    I usually have a small salad with my eggs for breakfast/lunch, like tomatoes and some red onion. Other than that I eat asparagus or brussel sprouts with dinner. Have been eating some cauliflower too, but now I'm out..

    Yeah, probably not enough vegetables. Try to get AT LEAST 4-5 servings, if not more. You're probably managing two, three on a good day.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Unless you're severely constipated, stay far away. JMO of course, but I have seen the damage and seen the recovery from overuse and it is far, far from pretty.

    Really? Could you be more specific?

    I'll let the Mayo Clinic tell you,they put it in much gentler wording:
    Oral laxatives may interfere with your body's absorption of some medications and food nutrients. Rectal laxatives do not have this effect. Also, some oral and rectal laxatives can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, especially after prolonged use. Electrolytes, which include calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sodium, regulate muscle contraction, heart rhythm, nerve function, fluid balance and other body functions. An electrolyte imbalance can cause abnormal heart rhythms, weakness, confusion and seizures.
    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/in-depth/laxatives/art-20045906

    If you need more google "over use of laxatives"
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