Weight loss diuretics: is the game worth the candle?

Weight loss pills - especially diuretics - are probably one of the most tempting ways to say goodbye to being overweight. How great it would be to swallow a pill in which someone smart has packed the active ingredients, and calmly watch as the needle of the scale crawls down and the sides acquired in the winter melt! . . It's a pity, but in reality everything is far from being so delightful.

The principle of action of diuretic diet pills

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

However, from time to time there is a breakdown in metabolic processes and in the human body there is too much water, we get bloating, high blood pressure and interruptions in the heart, which receives an increased load in such periods. In this case, diuretic diuretics have been invented. They are:

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

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

And now for the unpleasant.Taking diuretics in no way affects the body's fat reserves, does not burn them, breaks them down and does not remove them.No matter how impressive the plumb line you fix, remember that it's just water that will recover quickly if you stop taking the pill.

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

1. They have a cleansing effect, removing decay products from the body. And this has a beneficial effect on both health and appearance.Here it is important not to overdo it, because by clearing unnecessary substances, diuretics with the same heat will absorb the necessary and leave you without salts and minerals (especially calcium).
2. A diuretic can provide powerful psychological support to a person who is losing weight: sometimes it is very useful to see how the extra pounds melt before your eyes.

But all this will work only if the drug is due to medical indications - swelling, pressure - or is prescribed by a doctor for preventive purposes. Support him with a simple diet and jogging in the park and the problem of being overweight will come out of the ground in a few days. But doctors strongly discourage the use of diuretics just to fight overweight. In this case, the harm from the unauthorized use of the drug far outweighs the benefits.

Diuretics should not be taken as diet pills. These are primarily drugs designed to help people with problems of 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 the Gengle loop located in the kidney. They relax vascular smooth muscle, speed up renal blood flow, increase filtration, reduce interstitial fluid volume, and remove magnesium, potassium, chlorine, and sodium salts from the body. Cyclic drugs work quickly, effectively, are used in peak situations - for example, in hypertensive crisis or pulmonary edema - and. . have the widest list of side effects.

Careful! These are the diuretics with the strongest action. Prescribing a loop diuretic without consulting a doctor means putting your health at stake.

Second group- tazidnye drugs - has a less pronounced effect. Their "attention" is directed 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 potassium-sparing effect, has the most gentle effect on the body and a minimum of contraindications. They reduce blood pressure, fight edema, but at the same time prevent potassium loss.

Despite the softness of action, potassium-storing drugs will cause you a lot of problems if you decide to take them at random.

natural diuretic

Self-administration of certain drugs is always fraught with side effects. But natural diuretics are not so dangerous. Of course, compared to the tablets, they act very gently, but still have the desired effect, provoking the kidneys to remove fluid from the body in an enhanced mode. What are these products?

Fruits, vegetables and berries

1. It's no secret why you should not eat watermelon at night - there will be no end to going to the toilet. And all this because of its juicy porridge, which in our case is ideal for the role of a natural diuretic!It is true that it is also fraught with danger, as it contains a lot of glucose, so you should not get carried away and eat fragrant fruits.Everything should be in moderation.
2. But with cranberries you can be bolder. Its acidic juice not only has a diuretic effect, 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 in a glass of drinking water, which stimulates the secretion of fluids, 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 gives alert to the kidneys. And the second - contains sulfur and silicon, which contribute to the removal of uric acid from the body.

5. Juicy celery, steamed with cucumber, supplies fluid to the cells of our body and starts water metabolism. Add it often to vitamin shakes or crunching on fresh stems 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 further strengthen the heart and do a service to the stomach.
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; closet with nicotinic acid, which helps burn fat - five. . . You can count for a long time, but it is better to just include carrot dishes in your menu and enjoy a delicious weight loss.

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

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

Herbs and spices

1. From time immemorial, green tea has served people as a source of youth and health, as well as a quality remedy for edema. Make sure that the packaging of this valuable drink will definitely find a place for itself on the shelf of your kitchen cabinet. It is recommended to drink 1 to 3 cups of green tea a day.
2. Ginger removes excess fluid and toxins. Use it as follows: 1 tablespoon grated ginger root is poured 1 liter of boiling water, leave to boil in a thermos for 2-3 hours and drink the resulting infusion with the addition of honey, and sometimesmilk, like ordinary tea. However, the hot root irritates the mucous membrane, so use it very, very sparingly - no more than 1 tablespoon of ginger shavings per day. The duration of the course depends on how you feel, but it is desirable not to 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 fills the body with antioxidants. It also whitens teeth a bit and freshens the breath, so feel free to add it to dishes while cooking. Or do this: 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to simmer until cool, strain and drink the broth during the day - 3/4 cup 20 minutes before eating. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
4. Dill in folk medicine has a reputation as a strong gas and diuretic. Boil it in the same way as parsley or do this: 1 tsp fennel seeds pour 1 cup boiling water, cool and drink the resulting infusion, 2 tbsp. l. before each meal. The full course is 2 weeks.
5. Nettle, like ginger, cleanses the body not only of excess fluid but also of harmful substances. It works best when taken in equal parts with oregano and birch leaves. 3 art. l. collection, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and drink 4-5 times a day. The course of treatment is from one week to 1-1, 5 months.

An invigorating morning drink, coffee, literally dehydrates the body, removing fluid from it. If you are afraid of your pressure, try the usual. . . oatmeal. Oddly enough, it is also able to act as a mild diuretic. But salt, sugar and plenty of protein foods, on the other hand, will do everything possible to protect you from losing a drop of moisture. Limit your intake of these foods.

Nutritional supplements serve as a compromise between pharmacy and natural remedies. Being a creation of the pharmaceutical industry, they contain extracts of plant components, which is why they are considered less dangerous than other diuretics. Which does not save you from reading the instructions in detail!

Contraindications and side effects

Diuretics have a number of contraindications that you should keep in mind before going to the pharmacy for shopping:

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

No one should take diuretics without consulting a doctor. But people with diabetes, tuberculosis, gout, kidney and liver disease should be especially careful with them. A separate category are pregnant women. Expectant mothers have the right to deal with diuretics strictly according to the doctor's prescription.

How to take diuretics at home to lose weight?

1. First and foremost rule: consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to anticipate all the pitfalls of your decision and prevent possible complications.And don't forget to tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines - this will determine their compatibility with diuretics.
2. Drink clean water in an amount of 6-8 glasses a day. Otherwise, you risk gaining dehydration.
3. Eat as little salt and sugar as possible, which will retain fluids in your body. But do not give up natural diuretics: fruits, vegetables and spices.
4. Watch for weight fluctuations by climbing the scales every day - in the morning, at the same time as you go to the toilet.
5. If you feel unwell, stop losing weight immediately with diuretics and transfer your efforts to an exercise diet.

User review

"I will be honest: several times, when on the eve of the holiday I had to put on a tight dress and squeeze excess water from the body, I resorted to the help of a diuretic with a contour. But I knew it was a one-time action, and I had no intention of taking these pills all the time. In general, dear girls, for weight loss, diuretics is better either not to use at all, or to use very, very rarely!