Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 next last
To: Does so
National Marijuana law should allow use by pilots, crewmen, of the Air Force and the US Navy.

Let's do that as a pilot program limited to ground and flight crews of AF-1.

61 posted on 09/12/2023 11:37:18 AM PDT by null and void (I always love a good argument, even when you’re wrong };^P>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: usconservative

For me, it’s the aptly-named In-N-Out burger. Never tried White Castle, because I’ve never lived anywhere that had them.


62 posted on 09/12/2023 11:37:34 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Jamestown1630

I’m not crazy about Taco Bell, but I’ve never had any problems from their food either.


63 posted on 09/12/2023 11:39:26 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

It is related to the relaxation of the toilet paper shortage ;-)


64 posted on 09/12/2023 11:41:22 AM PDT by glorgau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Take lots of Vit C...works as a laxative


65 posted on 09/12/2023 11:44:19 AM PDT by goodnesswins ( We pretend to vote and they pretend to count the votes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Just keep reading what Bidet is doing to this country.


66 posted on 09/12/2023 11:53:06 AM PDT by SkyDancer (If At First You Don't Suceed, Well So Much For Skydiving ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Haribo sugar free gummy bears


67 posted on 09/12/2023 11:53:07 AM PDT by JZelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goodnesswins

It does. Buy the powdered kind and take a little in water every 20 minutes or so until ‘eruption’. That was suggested to me by a naturapath to help with ‘flu, and I think it helped a lot.


68 posted on 09/12/2023 11:53:10 AM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: BigFreakinToad

Don’t take one of mine!


69 posted on 09/12/2023 11:56:58 AM PDT by MortMan (Lawfare puts the label on the banana republic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Robert DeLong

70 posted on 09/12/2023 11:57:36 AM PDT by GreenLanternCorps (Hi! I'm the Dread Pirate Roberts! (TM) Ask about franchise opportunities in your area.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: lefty-lie-spy

I used it for a colonoscopy prep because the premade stuff from the pharmacy contains artificial sweeteners which I am allergic to.


71 posted on 09/12/2023 11:59:06 AM PDT by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Cronos
Gotta love crab. In the nick of time too. I couldn't take much more of those coconuts. Coconut milk is a natural laxative. That's something Gilligan never told us.


72 posted on 09/12/2023 11:59:46 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: piasa

Also, broccoli, cauliflower, apples and pears..


73 posted on 09/12/2023 12:01:16 PM PDT by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: lefty-lie-spy

Very important to take laxative, it is used to purge all the bull sh.. the democrats force feed us daily.


74 posted on 09/12/2023 12:01:30 PM PDT by Ronald77
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: GreenLanternCorps

Not to be taken just before battle though. 🤣


75 posted on 09/12/2023 12:06:23 PM PDT by Robert DeLong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: Publius

And also colon problems, like a redundant colon, that can cause issues. You’re right, reasons to take laxatives as per a doctor’s instructions. Water, walking, prune juice, and fiber-rich foods help, too.


76 posted on 09/12/2023 12:14:54 PM PDT by AmericanMermaid
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Too bad. We have a lot of people who are full of crap.


77 posted on 09/12/2023 1:02:53 PM PDT by The Antiyuppie (When small men cast long shadows, then it is very late in the day.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

That would work.


78 posted on 09/12/2023 1:04:31 PM PDT by EvilCapitalist (81 million votes my ass.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: rdl6989
White castle is the worst.

It certainly shouldn't be combined with Taco Bell. That's like begging the lightning to strike.

79 posted on 09/12/2023 1:21:34 PM PDT by Charles Martel (Progressives are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: T.B. Yoits

Yep, half a dozen sliders and a vanilla milkshake will give you the sprays for hours.


80 posted on 09/12/2023 1:24:46 PM PDT by technically right
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson