Prune Juice Used As An Alternative Laxative Treatment

The market for OTC laxative medications remains amongst one of the biggest due to the prevalence of the condition and lack of comprehensive, definitive treatment. Some of the medications contain active chemical ingredients that have been declared by the FDA to be in need of further study. The FDA’s request came as a result of effects seen in laboratory tests by government labs on rats that had taken the chemicals.

In particular, the animal studies that ultimately led to this directive were conducted on rats by a government lab. High doses of a compound known as phenolphthalein was fed to these rodents which caused a number of tumors. The caveat is that these rats received doses that are far above what humans. Even so it is worrying that a chemical we regularly ingest for treating gastrointestinal problems can be implicated in cancer.

A total of forty-one laxatives sold over the counter were made up of one or more of the following ingredients included in the warning: phenolphthalein, bisacodyl, senna, aloe and cascara sagrada. From these studies, aloe and cascara sagrada become off limits to manufacturers seeking to advertise their products as laxative products.

Because of these safety concerns many people have turned to natural laxatives. Prune juice is a popular example of a constipation treatment that involves no chemicals. Rather prune juice contains a high concentration of both fiber which is good for adding bulk and aiding digestive motions and sorbitol which is good for absorbing water into stool. Prunes constitute many of the homemade laxative recipes.

For patients seeking other natural remedies, a number of non-prescription strategies and a number of medicated methods are available. A first tactic that even doctors may put forth is the increase of dietary fiber. It consists of eating a lot of every day foods that are high in fiber or consuming nutritional supplements containing fiber.

Some are unhappy that the attention required in to find natural fiber-rich foods is excessive. A possible way out to this issue is to try out supplements with psyllium. These are powders that are liquified with water to give rise to on-the-go drinks. As is true with food-based therapies, it can require about half a month until the sufferer and his or her physician are in a position to judge efficacy.

This and related topics on remedies for constipation are accessible to all. You can find more information on prune juice for constipation.