I have had a few ladies raise the issue of water retention and ways to combat it….So have done some looking….
Water retention problems arise when fluid is not removed by the lymph system properly, it is retained in the body tissues where it causes swelling (edema). Water retention in the body is most common in the feet and legs, but it can occur in the hands, arms, abdominal cavity (ascites) and around the lungs
One of the main causes of weight-related water retention can be attributed to sodium intake, particularly from processed foods. In addition, since sodium is present in all foods, a higher intake of food in general also contributes to weight gain from fat stores and subsequent water retention.
People dieting may experience frustrations in weight fluctuations related to water retention. Many people turn to diuretics or water pills, which create a false sense of weight loss. Reducing calories too quickly also forces the body to use up stores of carbohydrates and breakdown protein in the muscles, which also leads to water weight stored in those cells- sometimes with up to 75% of weight loss related to water weight. However, after calorie ingestion is resumed to a normal level, the water weight is restored as well
If you feel like the Goodyear blimp around “that time” of the month, join the millions of other women who feel likewise. Water retention is part of the premenstrual syndrome package. During this time, hormonal fluctuations can cause havoc in a woman’s body. In some women the monthly rise in estrogen turns on the faucet for the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone, in turn, causes the kidneys to retain fluids and the woman to suddenly gain a few water-filled pounds.
Tips for Preventing and Treating Water Retention
- Water retention remedies such as eating a well balanced diet and reducing your intake of salt will make a marked difference.
- Drink plenty of water so that the body is well hydrated.
- Exercise regularly, especially by walking, to help pump fluids back into the circulatory system.
- Limit your intake of dehydrating drinks such as coffee, tea and alcohol.
- Increase your intake of vitamin B supplements which are known to be beneficial for water retention. If you are overweight or suffer with obesity, try to take the appropriate steps to lose weight and slim down to a healthier weight in a safe and natural manner.
- Avoid salt
- Eat Bananas!! Go ape !. Slice ‘em on your cereal, make a smoothie, or just peel and eat them plain. Bananas contain high amounts of potassium, which helps eliminate fluid retention. Not a banana fan? Gobble down a handful of raisins instead.
In some instances, and a loss of progesterone can attribute to water retention in menopausal women. Unless the weight gain is excessive, it should not be a cause of concern and can be self-managed.
I have looked into the effectiveness of water tablets and It seems studies do show that natural remedies can really work well….
Researchers at the University of Reading (UK) took a group of women suffering from fluid retention and gave them 320 mg of natural anthocyanidins each day for 16 weeks. The women kept symptoms diaries and also went to the university clinic for regular assessment. Many of the women in this study experienced gradual relief of their symptoms, particularly after 8 weeks of taking the tablets. Women on a placebo (dummy pill) saw very little change in their symptoms.
HRI Water Balance tablets do very well in reviews and to me look good in the indredients stakes….
However, there is a lot to be said for green tea, dandelion tea, cabbage, garlic and other food sources that might just so the same job, the overall consensus seems to be that you actually need to drink more in order to combat ‘the bloat’…..
Any experience or comments here gratefully recieved!!
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No he didn't try tablets yet but is cutting down on salt which is good anyway.
No he didn't try tablets yet but is cutting down on salt which is good anyway.
So did he try the water tablets yet- and do you think that they worked?
A very interesting subject. My husband was advised that cutting down on salt or taking a duretic tablet because water retention may be causing pressure in his middle ear,which causes dizziness. He does little excercise but is an active person on the whole. I wish I could encourage him to exert himself just that little bit more as I'm sure it would be beneficial! He is 65 so not a youngster!