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| - Last Updated on October 16, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A video on social media shows a laxative claiming it has ethylene glycol, which is poisonous when ingested. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
An Instagram video talks about a laxative called MiraLAX, claiming it has a toxic antifreeze compound named PEG3350 which is ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is poisonous for humans when ingested.
Fact Check
What are laxatives?
Laxatives are drugs or medicines that stimulate bowel movement. They are prescribed to treat constipation when lifestyle changes do not work.
Does the laxative MiraLAX contain ethylene glycol, a chemical commonly used in antifreeze that can be poisonous if ingested?
Not enough evidence. We researched further and found that MiraLax contains antifreeze ingredients which is a highly controversial topic.
There is no mention of antifreeze in the laxative on the MiraLAX website. However, a website has shown that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested eight batches of MiraLAX and found ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) in them. These antifreeze were impurities added during the manufacturing process.
MiraLAX is a brand for laxatives described on the company page as ‘a laxative that provides effective, gentle relief from occasional constipation by working naturally with the water in your body to hydrate, soften and ease, unblocking your system’.
We also found that MiraLAX contains PEG3350, which is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol 3350. As per the National Library of Medicine, PEG3350 is an osmotive laxative and is used to treat occasional constipation. This compound is safe for human consumption and helps soften the stool by retaining the water to increase the number of bowel movements.
As consumers seek alternatives like nutraceuticals for health improvement, understanding the safety of common medications is equally important. Concerns about ingredients in laxatives highlight the need for vigilance about what we put into our bodies, including natural supplements.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website informs that ethylene glycol is present in antifreeze which keeps a car safe from overheating or freezing in the winter. Ethylene glycol can be poisonous for humans, if ingested.
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