Diuretics for weight loss: is the game worth it?

Diet pills - in particular, diuretics - are perhaps one of the most tempting ways to say goodbye to excess weight. How nice it would be to swallow a pill in which someone intelligently packed the active substances and calmly watched as the needle of the scale descends and the sides acquired during winter melt! . . It's a shame, but in reality everything is far from being so charming.

The principle of action of diuretic diet pills

As the old joke goes, we are all a bit of a cucumber because we are 90% water. Laughter is laughter, and that's partially true: if not 90, but 65-70 percent of our body is actually liquid. And it's not just the obvious blood, sweat and saliva! Every cell in the body contains water, without which it could not normally exist, divide and develop.

However, every now and then there is a failure of the metabolic processes and there is a lot of water in the human body, and we have swelling, high blood pressure and interruptions in the work of the heart, which receives a greater load during these periods. In this case, diuretics-diuretics were invented. They are:

• remove excess fluid from tissues, contributing to its transformation into urine;
• block the renal systems that are responsible for the reabsorption (reabsorption) of urinary water.

As a result, there is a marked "outflow" of fluid from the body, which affects the balance readings. And sometimes very impressive!

And now about the nasty.Taking diuretics does not in any way affect the body's fat stores, it does not burn, break down or remove them.No matter how impressive the plumb line you fix, remember that this is just water, which will recover quickly if you stop taking pills.

However, we are not going to completely deny the benefits of diuretics in fighting excess weight.

1. They have a cleansing effect, removing decomposition products from the body. And this has a beneficial effect on both a person's health and appearance.It is important not to overdo it here, because, having eliminated unnecessary substances, diuretics with the same heat will take over the necessary ones and leave you without salts and minerals (in particular, calcium).
2. A diuretic can provide powerful psychological support to a person who is losing weight: sometimes it is very helpful to see the extra pounds melt away before your eyes.

But all this will only work if the medication is medically prescribed - edema, pressure - or is prescribed by a doctor for preventive purposes. Support it with a simple diet and running in the park, and the overweight problem will be off the ground in a matter of days. But doctors categorically do not recommend using a diuretic just to fight excess weight. In this case, the harm of unauthorized use of the drug often outweighs its benefits.

Diuretics should not be taken like diet pills. These are primarily drugs intended to help people with problems with the genitourinary, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. And weight loss is just an original side effect.

types of diuretics

There are two ways to remove excess fluid from the body: taking an artificially synthesized drug or using a "natural" diuretic. The first option is more efficient, the second is safer.

Medicines

Pharmacy diuretics can be divided into 3 main groups.

The first and most powerfulare loop drugs, so called because of their ability to act on the loop of Gengle, located in the kidney. They relax vascular smooth muscles, accelerate renal blood flow, increase filtration, reduce interstitial fluid volume, and remove magnesium, potassium, chlorine, and sodium salts from the body. Loop medications are fast acting, effective, used in peak situations - for example, in a hypertensive crisis or pulmonary edema - e. g. . . have the widest list of side effects.

Carefully! These are diuretics of the strongest action. Prescribing yourself a loop diuretic without consulting a doctor is putting your health at risk.

second group- tazidnye drugs - has a less pronounced effect. Their "attention" goes to the kidney tubules, as a result of which salts and fluids are also removed from the body, but with less force. Tazidnye drugs are prescribed for edema, pressure, glaucoma.

Tazide diuretics are sometimes taken in combination with loop diuretics.

third group, diuretic drugs with a potassium-sparing effect, have the most gentle effect on the body and a minimum of contraindications. They reduce pressure, fight swelling, but at the same time prevent potassium loss.

Despite the mildness of action, potassium-sparing drugs will cause a lot of problems if you decide to take them randomly.

natural diuretic

Self-administration of certain drugs is always fraught with undesirable consequences. But natural diuretics are not so dangerous. Of course, compared to pills, they act very mildly, but nevertheless, they have the desired effect, triggering the kidneys to remove fluid from the body in an improved manner. What are these products?

Fruits, vegetables and berries

1. It's no secret why you shouldn't eat watermelon at night - there will be no end to going to the bathroom. And all because of its juicy pulp, which in our case is perfect for the role of a natural diuretic!It is true that it is also dangerous as it contains a lot of glucose, so you should not get carried away with eating fragrant fruits either.Everything must be in moderation.
2. But with cranberries, you can behave more daringly. Its sour juice not only acts as a diuretic but also has an antibacterial effect, retains potassium in the body and heals the organs of the urinary system.
3. Lemon behaves in a similar way. Squeeze half a fruit into a glass of water for a drink that stimulates fluid excretion, lowers blood pressure and protects the urinary tract from infections.
4. We already talked about cucumber at the beginning of the article. It - the first one - is full of water, so it puts the kidneys on alert. And the second - it contains sulfur and silicon, which contribute to the removal of uric acid from the body.

5. Juicy steamed celery with cucumber provides fluid to our body's cells and starts water metabolism. Frequently add it to smoothies or crushed into fresh stalks as a snack.
6. You've probably heard about the laxative effect of beet salads. But few people know that it is also a good diuretic and a lot of antioxidants. Arm yourself with a grater!
7. Cabbage retains its diuretic properties even when added to soup. But it is better to eat it raw: in this case, you will also strengthen the heart and do the stomach a service.
8. No less useful and raw carrots. Diuretic effect - times; benefit for eyesight - two; restoration of intestinal microflora - three; the ability to regulate carbohydrate metabolism - four; pantry of nicotinic acid, which helps to burn fat - five . . . You can list for a long time, but it is better to include only carrot dishes in your menu and enjoy delicious weight loss.

In addition to these products, melon, pumpkin, pear, strawberry, viburnum, blackberry, currant, blueberry, lettuce, asparagus, eggplant, zucchini, spinach, onion and garlic have a mild diuretic effect.

Another advantage of fruits and vegetables over pills is that while they eliminate some of the beneficial substances from the body due to the diuretic effect, they more than compensate for the losses due to the high content of vitamins and minerals.

herbs and spices

1. Since time immemorial, green tea has served people as a fountain of youth and health, as well as a quality remedy for edema. Make sure that the package with this valuable drink will definitely find a place for itself on the shelf of the kitchen cupboard. It is recommended to drink 1 to 3 cups of green tea a day.
2. Ginger removes excess fluids and toxins. Use it as follows: 1 tbsp. I. grated ginger root pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave to ferment in a thermos for 2-3 hours and drink the resulting infusion with the addition of honey and sometimes milk, like ordinary tea. However, burning root irritates the mucous membrane, so use it very, very sparingly - no more than 1 tbsp. I. ginger shavings a day. The duration of the course depends on how you feel, but it is desirable that it does not exceed 2 weeks. And if you have problems with the digestive system, then it is better to completely refuse the use of spices.
3. Parsley stimulates urination, improves digestion, and floods the body with antioxidants. It also whitens your teeth a bit and freshens your breath, so feel free to add it to dishes as you cook. Or do this: 1-2 tbsp. I. chopped parsley, pour 500 ml of boiling water, let it brew until completely cool, strain and drink the broth during the day - 3/4 cup 20 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
4. Dill in folk medicine is reputed to be a strong carminative and diuretic. Prepare it in the same way as parsley, or do this: 1 tsp. dill seeds pour 1 cup of boiling water, cool and drink the resulting infusion, 2 tbsp. I. before each meal. The complete course is 2 weeks.
5. Nettle, like ginger, cleanses the body not only from excess fluid, but also from harmful substances. It works best when taken in equal parts with oregano and birch leaves. 3 art. I. collection, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and drink during the day in 4-5 doses. The course of treatment is from one week to 1-1. 5 months.

An invigorating morning drink, coffee literally dehydrates the body by removing fluid from it. If you're scared of your blood pressure, try the usual. . . oat. Interestingly, it is also capable of acting as a mild diuretic. But salt, sugar and plenty of protein foods, on the contrary, will do everything possible to keep you from losing a single drop of moisture. Limit your intake of these foods.

Food supplements serve as a kind of compromise between pharmacy and natural remedies. Being, in fact, the creation of the pharmaceutical industry, they contain extracts of plant components, so they are considered less dangerous than other diuretics. Which doesn't save you from having to read the instructions in detail!

Contraindications and side effects

Diuretic drugs have several contraindications that should be considered before going to the pharmacy to shop:

• dehydration;
• jumps in blood pressure;
• decreased vision and hearing;
• dizziness and headache, ringing in the ears;
• weakness and, in some cases, loss of consciousness;
• dysfunctions of the vestibular apparatus responsible for the sense of balance;
• disturbances in the activity of the heart caused by loss of electrolytes;
• skin rashes and increased sensitivity to sunlight;
• excretion of vitamins and minerals from the body;
• nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite;
• gout due to increased uric acid levels.

Diuretic medications should not be taken by anyone without consulting a doctor. But people with diabetes, tuberculosis, gout, kidney and liver diseases should be especially careful with them. A separate category is pregnant women. Pregnant women can handle diuretics strictly as per the doctor's prescription.

How to take diuretics at home to lose weight?

1. First and most important rule: see a doctor. Only an expert will be able to foresee all the pitfalls of your decision and prevent possible complications.And don't forget to let your doctor know if you're taking any other medications - this will determine your compatibility with diuretics.
2. Drink clean water in the amount of 6-8 glasses a day. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated.
3. Consume as little salt and sugar as possible, which will retain the fluid in your body. But do not deny yourself natural diuretics: fruits, vegetables and spices.
4. Watch out for fluctuations in weight by stepping on the scale every day - in the morning, at the same time, after going to the bathroom.
5. If you feel unwell, immediately stop weight loss with diuretics and switch your efforts to an exercise diet.

User review

"I'll be honest: sometimes, when on the eve of the holiday I had to put on a tight dress and drain excess water from my body, I resorted to the help of a loop diuretic. But I was aware that this was a one-time action and not would take these pills continuously. In general, dear girls, for weight loss it is better not to use diuretics or to use very, very rarely!