Re: Re: aloe latex -- was Hello, and a question about laxatives

[Guest guest]

There are a number of side-effects when using stimulant laxatives, and one of the most critical issues is that taking a stimulant laxative over the long-term is that the intestinal muscles get lazy and won't work unless you continue the cycle. Stimulant laxatives are not recommended for more than short-term use, perhaps a day or two.

Or so everything I've read in the medical literature has stated -- and my gastroenterologist has given me a lecture on the subject, to warn me of the dangers. I have poor digestive motility due to having both Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and an ongoing neurological deterioration that appears to be affecting neurotransmitters and muscle control, so I was tempted to resort to a stimulant laxative a few times back when I had just been diagnosed and hadn't yet discovered SCD. I was lectured severely, believe me!

I'm not sure what your options are since you've been taking aloe latex long-term. You might need to switch over to using a motility med. like Amitiza for a while, or boost your serotonin levels. I'd talk over the options with your doctor.

Aloe latex is one of the stimulant laxatives. It's chemical composition includes anthraquinone and anthrone. There is some discussion in the articles I looked at that it is usually mixed with psyllium (not permitted on SCD) or other ingredients that will irritate the intestines or provide food for the "bad" bacteria in the lower gut. I'd check your particular brand of aloe latex and see what the inactive ingredients are; might be some other items that are off-limits too.

There were also a few articles that stated that quite often the product labels don't indicate whether it is 100% aloe latex, or it has aloe gel or aloe juice mixed in. Aloe gel is a polysaccharide, and definitely damages the gut; I suspect aloe latex will also be a polysaccharide, as most leaves are, but couldn't confirm it. Most in the medical community have come out against using aloe vera in the gel form internally; too much damage from long-term use.

Here's why aloe latex is not recommended, whether you're on SCD or not (in my opinion):

from Univ. of Md.: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/aloe-000221.htm

...."Aloe juice or aloe latex, a yellow, bitter liquid derived from the skin of the aloe leaf, is a powerful laxative. However, it can cause painful cramping and is not recommended. Other gentler, herbal laxatives from the same plant family as aloe (such as cascara and senna) are generally recommended first.

"Taking aloe latex orally may cause severe intestinal cramps or diarrhea and is not recommended. Pregnant women should never take aloe latex because it may cause uterine contractions and trigger miscarriage. "

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthraquinone

...."Anthraquinone is used as a laxative. Prolonged use and abuse leads to melanosis coli.["

from: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/aloe.html

...."The anthroquinones and anthrones in the aloe latex probably produce their laxative effect by increasing colonic peristalsis and increasing the intestinal water content by opening chloride channels of the colonic membrane to cause a net reduction of liquid absorption by the colon [4]. The anthroquinone glycosides reach the colon mostly undigested, although some are metabolized by enzymes produced by intestinal bacteria. The result includes more frequent stools with softer consistency. In most of the studies on the laxative effects of aloe, the aloe was not used alone but in combination with other laxatives, such as celandin or psyllium. Aloe's side effects can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and electrolyte imbalances, especially at higher doses."

There is plenty of other information on aloe latex available; I just included a few. Just Google and you'll find plenty of hits.

Kim M.

SCD 5+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>

If you (or anyone else) knows *why* Aloe latex is illegal, please share! Many thanks-Lilian