Diuretics for weight loss: is the game worth the candle?

Diet pills - especially 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 cleverly packed the active substances and calmly watch how the needle of the scales descends and the sides acquired during the winter melt! . . It's a shame, but in reality everything is far from being so delicious.

The principle of action of diuretic diet pills

As the old joke goes, we're all kind of cucumbers because we're 90% water. Laughter is laughter, and that's partly true: if not 90, then 65-70% of our body is really liquid. And it's not just the obvious blood, sweat and saliva! Every cell in the body contains water, without which it could not exist normally, divide and develop.

However, from time to time there is a failure of metabolic processes and there is too much water in the human body, and we have swelling, high blood pressure and interruptions in the work of the heart, which receives an increased loadduring these periods. In this case, diuretics-diuretics were invented. They are:

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

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

And now about the unpleasant.Taking diuretics in no way affects the fat stores of the body, does not burn, break down or eliminate them.No matter how awesome you fix a plumb line, remember that it's just water, which will recover quickly if you stop drinking pills.

However, we will not completely deny the benefits of diuretics in the fight against excess weight.

1. They have a cleansing effect, removing decay products from the body. And it has a beneficial effect on the health and appearance of a person.It is important not to overdo it here, because, having eliminated unnecessary substances, diuretics with the same heat will take the necessary ones and leave you without salts and minerals (especially calcium).
2. A diuretic can provide powerful psychological support to a person losing weight: it is sometimes very useful to see how the superfluous kilos melt away before your eyes.

But all this will work only if the drug is due to medical indications - edema, pressure - or is prescribed by a doctor for preventive purposes. Support it with a simple diet and jogging in the park, and the problem of excess weight will disappear in a few days. But doctors categorically do not recommend using a diuretic only for the purpose of combating excess weight. In this case, the harm caused by the unauthorized use of the drug often outweighs its benefits.

Diuretics should not be taken like diet pills. These are mainly drugs designed to help people with problems in 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: take an artificially synthesized drug or use a "natural" diuretic. The first option is more effective, the second is safer.

Medications

Pharmacy diuretics can be divided into 3 main groups.

The first and most powerfulare loop drugs, so named because of their ability to act on Gengle's loop, 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 drugs act quickly, effectively, are used in peak situations - for example, during a hypertensive crisis or pulmonary edema - and . . . have the longest list of side effects.

Carefully! These are the diuretics of the strongest action. Prescribing 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 renal 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, has the mildest effect on the body and a minimum of contraindications. They reduce pressure, fight swelling, but at the same time prevent the loss of potassium.

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

natural diuretic

Self-administration of certain drugs is always fraught with undesirable consequences. But natural diuretics do not carry such a danger. Of course, compared to tablets, they act very gently, but nevertheless they have the desired effect, causing the kidneys to eliminate fluids 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 toilet. And all because of its juicy pulp, which in our case is perfect for the role of natural diuretic!True, it is also dangerous, because it contains a lot of glucose, so you should not get carried away with eating fragrant fruits either.Everything should be moderate.
2. But with cranberries, you can behave bolder. 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 the same 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 - is full of water, so it puts the kidneys on alert. And the second - 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 cells and starts water metabolism. Add it often to vitamin shakes or crunch on fresh stalks as a snack.
6. You've probably heard of the laxative effect of beet salads. But few people know that it is also a good diuretic and a bunch 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 favor.
8. No less useful and raw carrots. Diuretic effect - times; vision benefit - two; restoration of intestinal microflora - three; the ability to regulate carbohydrate metabolism - four; pantry of nicotinic acid, which helps 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, gooseberry, cranberry, lettuce, asparagus, eggplant, zucchini, spinach, lonion and garlic have a mild diuretic effect.

Another advantage of fruits and vegetables over pills is that, while removing 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 been a source of youth and health, as well as a quality remedy for edema. Be sure that the packaging with this precious drink will certainly find its place on the shelf of your kitchen cabinet. It is recommended to drink 1-3 cups of green tea per day.
2. Ginger removes excess fluid and toxins. Use it as follows: 1 tbsp. I. grated ginger root pour 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew in a thermos for 2-3 hours and drink the resulting infusion with the addition of honey, and sometimes milk, like regular tea. However, the burning root irritates the mucous membrane, so use it very, very moderately - no more than 1 tbsp. I. ginger shavings per 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, it is better to completely refuse to use spices.
3. Parsley stimulates urination, improves digestion and floods the body with antioxidants. It also whitens teeth a bit and freshens breath, so be sure to add it to dishes while cooking. Or do this: 1-2 tbsp. I. chopped parsley, pour 500 ml of boiling water, infuse until completely cooled, strain and drink the broth during the day - 3/4 cup 20 minutes before meals. The duration of treatment is 2 weeks.
4. Dill in folk medicine has a reputation as a powerful carminative and diuretic. Infuse it the same way as parsley, or do this: 1 tbsp. dill seeds pour 1 cup boiling water, cool and drink the resulting infusion, 2 tbsp. I. before each meal. The full 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. sample, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to stand for 1 hour and drink during the day in 4-5 doses. The course of treatment is from a week to 1-1. 5 months.

An invigorating morning drink, coffee, literally dehydrates the body by flushing out fluids. If you are afraid of your pressure, try the usual. . . oatmeal. Curiously, it is also able to act as a mild diuretic. But salt, sugar and an abundance of protein foods, on the contrary, will do everything possible to prevent you from losing a single drop of moisture. Limit your intake of these foods.

Dietary 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, therefore they are considered less dangerous than other diuretics. This does not prevent you from having to read the instructions in detail!

Contraindications and side effects

Diuretic drugs have a number of contraindications that should be taken into account before going to the pharmacy to do your shopping:

• dehydration;
• blood pressure jumps;
• 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 cardiac activity caused by losses of electrolytes;
• skin rashes and increased sensitivity to the sun;
• excretion of vitamins and minerals from the body;
• nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite;
• gout due to increased uric acid levels.

Diuretic drugs should not be taken by anyone without consulting a doctor. But people with diabetes, tuberculosis, gout, kidney and liver disease should be especially careful with them. A separate category is pregnant women. Pregnant women are allowed to treat diuretics strictly according to the doctor's prescription.

How to take diuretics at home for weight loss?

1. First rule: consult a doctor. Only a specialist can foresee all the pitfalls of your decision and prevent possible complications.And do not forget to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications - this will determine their compatibility with diuretics.
2. Drink clean water 6-8 glasses a day. Otherwise, you risk becoming dehydrated.
3. Consume as little salt and sugar as possible, which will retain fluids in your body. But do not deprive yourself of natural diuretics: fruits, vegetables and seasonings.
4. Monitor weight fluctuations by stepping on the scale every day - in the morning, at the same time, after going to the bathroom.
5. If you don't feel well, immediately stop weight loss with diuretics and switch your efforts to dieting with exercise.

User review

"I'll be honest: a couple of times, when on the eve of the holidays I had to put on a tight dress and drain excess water from the body, I resorted to the help of a diuretic fromthe cove. But I knew it was a one-time action and I was not going to take these pills continuously. In general, dear girls, for weight loss it is better not to use diuretics at all, or to use them only very, very rarely!