What Are Osmotic Laxatives & How Do They Work
Osmotic laxatives are a specific type of laxative, different from stimulant laxatives, stool softeners like mineral oil, and bulk-forming laxatives like fiber supplements. They work through a process called “osmosis,” which means they draw water into the intestinal lumen and colon.
Think of your intestines as a tube. The lumen is the space inside. When you experience occasional constipation, the lumen is blocked with fecal matter. Similar to a less-invasive enema, the extra water brought in by osmotic laxatives loosens the fecal matter, allowing you to expel it in a loose bowel movement. However, because they draw water into the colon, they can also cause dehydration.
Types of Osmotic Laxatives
There are several chemical compounds categorized as osmotic laxatives, available under various brand names and forms, including liquids, powders, and chewable tablets.
Saline Laxatives
Saline laxatives may contain ingredients like magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium citrate, sodium phosphate, and sodium sulfate. Some are available over the counter, while others may be prescribed by your doctor before surgery.
Poorly Absorbed Sugars
Certain sugars, such as lactulose, sorbitol, mannitol, lactose, and sugar alcohols, are fermented by your gut microbiota instead of being digested. This fermentation produces fatty acids that draw water into the colon. However, it also produces gas, which can cause bloating and cramping.
Polyethylene Glycol AKA PEG 33500
Polyethylene glycol, also known as macrogol, is a polymer that isn’t absorbed in the digestive tract. It’s often used to prepare a person for surgery by emptying the intestinal tract.
Milk of Magnesia Hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide, commonly known as milk of magnesia, is a popular osmotic laxative. While the formula may contain harsh chemicals like sodium hypochlorite (bleach), magnesium itself can be an effective laxative when used in an oxygen-based colon cleanser.
Are Osmotic Laxatives Healthy For Your Digestive System?
Osmotic laxatives are widely available over the counter and commonly used. However, they do have side effects and may not be the best option for everyone. They can be uncomfortable and dehydrating, and they may cause gut imbalances.
Let’s explore the side effects of osmotic laxatives and why they might not be the best solution for constipation relief.
Long Wait Time
Osmotic laxatives can be slow-acting. While some people find relief within hours, it’s not uncommon for them to take days to work. During this waiting period, many people experience uncomfortable gas, bloating, and cramping.
Usually Harsh & Uncomfortable
Most users don’t find osmotic laxatives to be a comfortable experience. Painful gas and bloating are common, and many people also report feelings of weakness and lethargy.
Imbalances the Body
Osmotic laxatives draw water into the colon, which can lead to dehydration in other parts of the body. Common side effects include electrolyte and fluid imbalances, dry skin, fatigue, increased heart rate, and stress on the kidneys. Long-term use can also harm your gut microbiota.
Laxative Dependency
Frequent or long-term use of osmotic laxatives can lead to dependency, where you need laxatives to have any bowel movement. Even when recommended by a healthcare professional, their use is typically limited to short-term. Frequent use can lead to a “cathartic colon,” a change in the structure and function of the colon due to laxative use.
What Is the Best Remedy for Occasional Constipation?
Dealing with occasional constipation involves two main issues: finding immediate relief and preventing future occurrences. I recommend Oxy-Powder, which uses ozonated magnesium oxides to release oxygen into the colon. This gently but thoroughly flushes and cleanses the entire digestive tract, providing relief from occasional constipation. Oxy-Powder works overnight, so you wake up able to empty your bowel without waiting for days.
In my experience, oxygen-based intestinal cleansers are a smart approach to relieve occasional constipation. They’re gentle, fast, affordable, and natural.
Maintaining Long-Term Regularity
Occasional constipation happens, but if it becomes frequent, it’s time to reassess and take preventive measures. Here are some suggestions:
Stay Hydrated
Water is essential for life, health, and wellness. Without adequate water, regular bowel movements are impossible. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to stay hydrated.
Follow a Healthy Diet
Base your diet on raw, organic fruits, vegetables, gluten-free whole grains, and legumes. These foods are nutritious, pure, and a good source of natural fiber and enzymes. Fiber acts like a scrub brush inside your intestines and helps feed the good microbes in your gut. Aim for 50 grams of fiber daily to keep your digestive system healthy.
Take Care of Your Liver
Bile, produced by the liver, is crucial for digestive health and regularity. If your liver is congested with toxins, bile production slows down. Minimize alcohol and unhealthy fats, and include cholagogues — foods that stimulate bile flow — in your diet, such as turmeric, celery, and beets. Perform a liver cleanse a few times a year to maintain liver health.
Live a Healthy Life
Stay hydrated, eat healthily, and get enough sleep. Exercise daily, even if it’s just stretching or walking. High-intensity physical activity is even better. Your external health reflects your internal health, so make daily activity a regular part of your life.
Cleanse Your Gut
Regularly cleansing your colon and intestinal tract promotes digestive and overall health. Environmental toxins in the air, food, and water can affect your digestive system, liver, kidneys, and more. Cleansing helps balance your gut flora, which influences every aspect of your health, especially digestion. Include fermented foods in your diet and take a high-quality probiotic supplement with multiple strains and 75 billion CFUs.
If you’re ready to reset your health and improve digestion, try a 30-day gut health cleanse. Our Gut Health Kit provides everything you need to reset and balance your gut.
Points to Remember
Osmotic laxatives draw water into the colon to produce a bowel movement, helping to dislodge compacted waste. While commonly used, they can cause uncomfortable side effects like nausea, gas, bloating, and cramping. Avoiding the need for laxatives is ideal. Follow a healthy diet, stay hydrated, exercise daily, take care of your gut, and cleanse your colon and liver regularly.
If occasional constipation becomes frequent, consult your healthcare provider. There may be other contributing factors that require a different approach.
