Laxative products can really cause black intestines!

This substance is dangerous

  In modern life, due to problems such as irregular work and rest, unhealthy diet, many people have various health problems such as poor sleep, dark complexion, hair loss, obesity, anxiety, and indigestion.

Some people are keen on "detoxification" and think that all of the above problems can be solved by "detoxification".

There are a lot of "detoxification" products on the market. Among them, "intestinal cleansing" and "clearing stools" products are especially popular among middle-aged and elderly people. Some products are effective, and the problem of constipation is solved at once.

But is such a laxative method really good for the body?

  Long-term oral laxatives

  Is the main cause of melanosis of the large intestine

  Recently the media reported such a case.

56-year-old Ms. Huang, who is often constipated, was introduced to buy "Intestinal Cleansing Tea" by herself. After a while, she went to the hospital for colonoscopy and found that her intestines were all black.

The doctor's words made her worry even more, because "melanosis of the large intestine" would increase the risk of bowel cancer.

What is going on here?

Is "Intestinal Cleansing Tea" poisonous?

  In fact, the phenomenon of melanosis of the large intestine was discovered by scientists as early as 1835.

In 1928, scientists first proposed that "anthraquinone drugs" were related to it.

At present, long-term oral laxatives are recognized as the main cause of melanosis of the large intestine, and more than 70% of melanosis of the large intestine is related to the abuse of anthraquinone laxatives.

Anthraquinones are commonly found in rhubarb, aloe, senna, cassia seed, and Chinese patent medicines such as Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, Sanhuang Tablets, and Maren Pills.

  Taking anthraquinone laxatives

  The colon will become black in as little as 1 month

  Anthraquinones have a strong stimulus to the intestines, so the "laxative" effect is really good, and they are cheap and easy to buy. Who doesn't like it?

But this substance is also very irritating to the large intestine. What kind of problems will it cause?

  The epithelial cells of the intestinal wall cannot withstand the toss and a large number of "dead", macrophages rush over to "collect the corpses", they engulf and digest the dead cells, and finally produce "lipofuscin" and other pigments.

  These pigments first form mottling on the intestinal wall. If there are enough mottlings, the intestinal wall will be black.

This is the basic principle of melanosis of the large intestine.

According to the results of scientific research, taking anthraquinone laxatives can cause melanosis of the large intestine as soon as one month.

The incidence of melanosis of the large intestine is about 10% for people who take medicine intermittently.

The incidence of melanosis of the large intestine can reach about 80% in people who take the medicine continuously.

The melanosis of the large intestine caused by anthraquinone is reversible

  In addition, clinical studies have shown that melanosis of the large intestine can significantly increase the risk of intestinal polyps and intestinal cancer.

Of course, you don’t have to worry too much. The melanosis of the large intestine caused by anthraquinone is reversible. After stopping the laxative, it will gradually recover.

Its practical laxatives to relieve or treat constipation can only be a stopgap measure.

The intestinal tract will gradually adapt to the stimulation of anthraquinones, and become dependent. The dosage needs to be continuously increased, forming a vicious circle.

The correct approach is:

  1. Reasonable diet, especially rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, potatoes, miscellaneous beans and other foods rich in dietary fiber.

People who are dieting to lose weight are prone to constipation.

  2. Drink plenty of water, especially those who sweat a lot during heavy physical activities, and those who work hard and sedentary and drink less water.

  3. Strengthening exercise can enhance digestion and metabolism and promote intestinal activity.

  Text/Zhong Kai (Director of Kexin Food and Nutrition Information Exchange Center)