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There's A Major Shortage Of Laxatives In The US Right Now
IFL Science ^ | 12th September 2023 | Tom Hale

Posted on 09/12/2023 10:07:42 AM PDT by Cronos

So many people in the US are using and abusing laxatives that it’s caused a national shortage. Just like many health-related problems of today's world, the dwindling stockpiles of pooping pills can be explained by a mixture of terrible diets, questionable internet trends, the nation’s aging population, and strains on mental health.

The US is currently experiencing a scarcity of polyethylene glycol 3350, the prime compound found in many big brand laxative products like MiraLAX and Glycolax

Some pharmaceutical companies have even reportedly started building new factories, in part, to boost the production of the sought-after compound.

Polyethylene glycol eases constipation by drawing water into your stool, making it easier to pass through your digestive system.

As per the WSJ report, many people are abusing this drug as a “budget Ozempic” in an attempt to lose weight. This extremely risky idea, they say, has been driven by TikTok influencers who promote the supposed benefits of laxatives for good gut health and weight loss.

A clinical psychologist told the WSJ that “at least three of the five or so new teens” they see each week have reported using laxatives for weight loss.

Abusing laxatives like this can prove incredibly dangerous and can be an indication of an eating disorder. By flushing the body, the improper of laxatives can cause a loss of water, minerals, electrolytes, indigestible fiber, and other good things that are essential for your health.

Another factor in the laxative shortage is the aging population of the US. The prevalence of constipation increases with age and, as such, many are advised to take laxatives to help ease things along. Quite simply, more old people means a higher demand for many drugs, including polyethylene glycol.

However, demand is also increasing among younger adults more widely. This can likely be explained by the deeply ingrained foibles of post-industrial lifestyles: ultra-processed foods lacking in fiber, minimal physical activity, and declining mental well-being.

The rising demand for laxatives was especially noticeable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. People ate poorer diets, exercised less, and many experienced more anxiety during the quarantines, all of which are factors that can contribute to bowel dysfunction. As a result, many turned to laxatives in lockdowns and remained reliant on the product even after life had returned to some degree of normality.

“It’s crazy to think that our collective bowel dysfunction problems have gotten so bad that we’re literally running out of stool softeners,” George Pavlou, President of the Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey, told the WSJ.

there is a more obvious culprit: the food we eat. Many of us eat a lot of crap because that is what tends to be convenient, cheap, and tasty. Ultra-processed food (UPFs) make up 73% of the USAs food supply. and provide the average adult with more than 60% of their daily calories.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: crappydiet; glycol3350; laxatives; miramax; polyethylene; polyethyleneglycol; propyleneglycol; stoolsofteners; tiktok; ultraprocessedfood; upf; ups; weightloss
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To: T.B. Yoits

White castle is the worst.


21 posted on 09/12/2023 10:16:22 AM PDT by rdl6989 ( )
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To: lefty-lie-spy

I use aspirin instead of anything else. It works for a variety of aches and pains.


22 posted on 09/12/2023 10:16:44 AM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: BigFreakinToad

To me it proves just about everybody I encounter or see on the news is full of s%#@. True for a long time now.


23 posted on 09/12/2023 10:17:02 AM PDT by frank ballenger (You have summoned up a thundercloud. You're gonna hear from me. Anthem by Leonard Cohen)
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To: RideForever

Cooked carrots work wonders. And apples. An apple a day really does work wonders in the body. Apparently, good gut health drives good health in most body systems.


24 posted on 09/12/2023 10:17:52 AM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing)
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To: Cronos

One could always go the Blazing Saddles route. Baked Beans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPIP9KXdmO0


25 posted on 09/12/2023 10:18:14 AM PDT by EvilCapitalist (81 million votes my ass.)
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To: EvilCapitalist

What’s for Tea?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRAEhYGuI6Y


26 posted on 09/12/2023 10:20:23 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Cronos

More likely related to increased drug/narcotics usage. And modern marijuana is near narcotic status.


27 posted on 09/12/2023 10:20:56 AM PDT by kaktuskid
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To: Cronos

It isn’t surprising that no one gives a crap.


28 posted on 09/12/2023 10:25:17 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (You Indict, we Unite!)
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To: Cronos

Brandon doesn’t need laxatives, just ask the Pope.


29 posted on 09/12/2023 10:26:00 AM PDT by unclebankster ( Globalism is the last refuge scoundrel)
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To: Cronos
I wonder if they are considering that this might be caused by opiate abuse? Constipation is a well known side effect.
30 posted on 09/12/2023 10:28:06 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Keep America Beautiful by keeping Canadian Trash Out. Deport Jennifer Granholm!)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

I’ve known people who had horrible problems after major surgery.


31 posted on 09/12/2023 10:33:37 AM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Cronos

Well, that explains a lot of things.


32 posted on 09/12/2023 10:33:39 AM PDT by Noumenon (You're not voting your way out of this. KTF)
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To: EvilCapitalist
For breakfast eat two or three servings of yummy black bean salsa,
and top it off with a few cups of good strong coffee.

Will fix you right - in about an hour - tops.


33 posted on 09/12/2023 10:37:50 AM PDT by GaltAdonis
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To: MomwithHope

Kimchi, peaches and jalapeno peppers. You’ll get more powerful launches than Space X!


34 posted on 09/12/2023 10:39:45 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack
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To: MomwithHope

Sauer kraft with a bit of flax seed

Colon Blow


35 posted on 09/12/2023 10:41:28 AM PDT by digger48
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To: Cronos
"As per the WSJ report, many people are abusing this drug as a “budget Ozempic” in an attempt to lose weight."

Probably more effective and safer:


36 posted on 09/12/2023 10:44:16 AM PDT by Boogieman
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

Yeah, but they can just buy the dope that is cut with baby laxatives and it will all even out :P


37 posted on 09/12/2023 10:45:21 AM PDT by Boogieman
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To: kaktuskid

BINGO!

I’ll bet if you could find data on it you would find that laxatives get shop lifted a lot.


38 posted on 09/12/2023 10:46:18 AM PDT by chickenlips (Neuter your politicians)
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To: Cronos

Lots of plums and apricots out there....


39 posted on 09/12/2023 10:47:57 AM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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To: Jamestown1630
The perfect formula:

Major surgery --> Opioid pain medications + Inactivity --> Constipation

40 posted on 09/12/2023 10:48:21 AM PDT by NautiNurse (9-11 Biden was shipped off to The Island of Misfit Toys near the North Pole)
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