Diarrhea-induced weight loss only reduces water weight. Weight loss drugs should be used with caution by obese children and are contraindicated during menstruation and breastfeeding.

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Why does diarrhea-induced weight loss only reduce water weight?

The so-called weight loss, as the name suggests, aims to reduce excess body fat, or in other words, excess calories. However, many diet pills, diet teas, and diet candies do not actually target fat loss. Their claims of losing a certain number of kilograms in just a few days certainly excite obese individuals, because it seems like an easy way to lose weight without dieting or exercise-simply by eating candy and drinking tea. But ultimately, how many people actually manage to lose the fat? Probably not a single one.

So what methods and principles do these ineffective weight loss methods use? Actually, it's quite simple: they use medications for treating constipation and cleansing the intestines, that is, laxatives, to induce diarrhea or mild diarrhea in the dieter, in order to achieve the so-called weight loss effect.

Common bulk-forming laxatives include paulownia gum, rich in plant fiber, and methylcellulose synthesized from plantain seeds, which absorb water in the intestines, facilitating bowel movements. Other options include paraffin oil and castor oil, which primarily stimulate the intestinal wall to promote easy bowel movements. Osmotic laxatives, such as magnesium sulfur and magnesium oxide, also stimulate the intestinal wall, causing diarrhea. Rhubarb and croton are also commonly used traditional Chinese herbs in weight-loss drugs.

Regardless of the type of laxative used or the method employed, diarrhea-induced weight loss only reduces the body's water, fluids, and electrolytes. Mild cases may cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, while severe cases can lead to electrolyte imbalances, deficiencies in electrolytes and vitamins, and malnutrition.

The biggest problem with this weight loss method is that the weight will quickly increase after you stop taking the laxatives.

Why should weight-loss drugs be used with caution in obese children?

With the increasing number of obese children, it seems impossible for them to lose weight through dieting and exercise like adults. Therefore, the simplest and most feasible way is to use diet pills.

However, children are in a period of growth and development, and the indications and side effects of various weight-loss drugs differ. It is unscientific to use weight-loss drugs blindly without understanding their mechanisms of action. Therefore, we propose that weight-loss drugs should be used with caution in obese children. Caution does not mean complete prohibition, nor does it mean using any medication indiscriminately; rather, it should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

For example, among commonly used weight-loss Western medicines, thyroxine tablets can induce hyperthyroidism in children, causing symptoms such as tachycardia, hypokalemia, and congestive heart failure. Obese children should absolutely not use them.

For example, although amphetamine and its derivatives have a good effect on suppressing appetite, long-term use also has significant side effects, such as insomnia, dizziness, headache, palpitations, dry mouth, pupil dilation, and high blood pressure. Moreover, it is easy to produce euphoria, addictive, and cause serious consequences such as psychological dependence. Therefore, obese children should not take it.

Although some weight-loss drugs, such as growth hormone and domperidone, do not affect children's growth and development, they all have certain side effects. Obese children must take them under the guidance of a doctor.

Why should women avoid taking diet pills during menstruation and breastfeeding?

Among those trying to lose weight, women are undoubtedly the main force compared to men. However, women have their own unique physiological periods, such as menstruation and breastfeeding. While breastfeeding occurs only a few times in a lifetime, menstruation happens monthly. For women during their menstrual period, the simplest solution is to temporarily stop taking diet pills.

Because women are in a low period both psychologically and physiologically during menstruation, their overall immunity is reduced and their blood clotting function becomes abnormal. If weight-loss drugs have targeted side effects, they can disrupt a woman's menstrual cycle, making it difficult to get through her period smoothly.

As for breastfeeding women using diet pills, the harm is even greater. Because a woman's weight and body shape change after childbirth, many women resort to diet pills to lose weight. However, all medications have some degree of toxicity, and many diet pills have significant side effects.

If a breastfeeding woman takes diet pills, there will be a small amount of the drug in her breast milk. When the baby drinks this breast milk containing diet pills, it will inevitably harm the baby's young body.

In addition, obesity is a normal physiological phenomenon for breastfeeding women. Once this period is over, their weight will tend to return to normal, and there is no need to take diet pills.