sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer) (11/08/84)
Ordinary laxatives such as ExLax or Milk of Magnesia, which increase the
motility of the bowel, either directly or through drawing water into the
lumen, are extremely dangerous for weight control, as well as being
ultimately ineffective. This can cause severe chemical imbalances,
leading to hospitalization, as well as the more mundane side-effect of
malnutrition or laxative dependence.
Now, I haven't see the Metamucil ad which you refer to, but I must add that
bulk-forming laxatives such as Metamucil are not truly "laxatives" in the
sense used above. They act as an extra form of roughage, and do not interfere
with each individual's rhythms. They are NOT dangerous when taken habitually.
I suspect that the ad for Metamucil was promoting its ability to create an
artificial feeling of "fullness" in the stomach. There isn't any hard evidence
that this has much of a beneficial effect in weight control, so the ad is
still a little suspect. However, I did want to dispel the conception that
there was anything outright dangerous suggested by the ad.
--
/Steve Dyer
{decvax,linus,ima,ihnp4}!bbncca!sdyer
sdyer@bbncca.ARPA