Caution: Are you taking laxative/ lubricant since long time for your Constipation?

I have seen many patients who have chronic constipation and they

are habituated of taking laxative every day. I have also

seen patients who don’t have regular constipation but still

they take laxative daily just to keep

their stomach empty. It is obvious that

when you don’t get a smooth bowel movement

in the morning, it feels very frustrating. But be cautious if

you are taking laxative for very long time, it will

interfere in  the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like

Vitamin-A, Vitamin-D, Vitamin-E and Vitamin K.

Let’s understand what does it mean for you?

Why should you be concerned?

1)Your vitamin A deficiency can lead to:

• Dryness of eye-it is the hallmark feature of clinical vitamin A deficiency and

is characterized by abnormalities of conjunctiva and cornea of your eye.

• Night blindness-individual suffering from night

blindness cannot see in dim light or around dusk.

• Black spot on your sclera (bitot’s spot)- it is dry triangular spot on conjunctiva

2)Vitamin D deficiency will make your bone week:

It can cause osteomalacia– it is softening and demineralization of

your bones leading to deformities of legs, spine, thorax and pelvis.

As bones are softened, your weight may cause bowing of legs. It can also cause rheumatic

pain in bones of your legs and back leading to general

weakness with difficulty in walking.

Thus, your soft & fragile bone may get fractured easily.

3)If you are deficient in vitamin K, you

will be having a delayed blood clotting:

this means, in case of an injury, you

may lose more blood and in case of haemorrhage, it

will lead to more damage because of difficulty in controlling the bleeding.

4)Vitamin E deficiency can lead to multiple problem like:

• Memory loss
• Muscle cramps
• Hair fall

Even if you take enough of these vitamins, your body won’t be

able to absorb it due to the laxatives/lubricants you are

taking for your constipation!

IS THERE ANY SOLUTION?

YES…. Your food can be your medicine for constipation:

Just click here to watch a short (2 minutes 34 seconds) video to

learn what can do and which food might help!

Dietitians don’t only help you to reduce your weight. We

also help you in treatment of various diseases-it is

called therapeutic diet. Consult your dietitian for

‘Natural cure’ of your ‘constipation’.

That’s all for today…

See you next Tuesday

With another Tuesday tip

Till then……

Take care……

Providing simple solutions for the complexities of life-

Dr. Bhumita Makwana

Your dietitian & cosmetic clinician.