There are three basic types of laxatives:
STIMULANTS: these induce intestinal peristalsis and are taken for weight control
BULKING AGENTS: mainly fiber, but also other polymers
SOFTENERS (emollient laxatives): they either add oily material, increase water retention in the intestine, or aid mixing of water and oil components in the fecal material.
Abuse of laxatives is a significant problem cited in the medical literature.
Problems include:
- laxative dependence (that is, stimulated peristalsis begins to replace natural peristalsis)
- potassium imbalance,
- potential damage to the intestinal tract after years of relying on them.
Laxative dependence may result, in part, from degeneration of the nerves in the intestines, dulling the natural responses that stimulate peristalsis; however, laxative dependence may simply be a psychological dependence. Potassium imbalance, from long-term use of laxatives, especially at excessive dosage, has been blamed for deaths of apparently otherwise healthy women. Laxatives are always mentioned in discussions of drug interactions because of the concern that they will worsen potassium losses that may be an otherwise minor side effect of drug therapies.
A colon specialist, Dr. Paul Rousseau, warns: Take too many chemical laxatives, “and your bowel gets used to them, and your constipation can get worse,” he says. When should you take laxatives from a bottle? “Almost never,” says Dr. Rousseau.
Are commercial laxatives the same as herbal remedies? Not at all. Regular laxatives don’t stimulate the colon, they irritate it. They are designed to give the body diarrhea. They are too harsh and harm the colon. Herbal remedies, especially carefully-formulated ones, rebuild the colon as they cleanse it.
