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 being overweight. How nice it would be to swallow a pill in which someone clever has packed the active ingredients and calmly watch as the balance tip creeps down and the sides acquired over the winter melt! . . It's a shame, but in reality everything is far from being that delicious.

The principle of action of diuretic diet pills

As the old joke goes, we're all a bit of a cucumber because we're 90% water. Laughter is laughter, and this is partly true: if not 90, but 65-70 percent 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 normally exist, divide and develop.

However, from time to time a failure of metabolic processes occurs and there is too much water in the human body, and we get swelling, hypertension and disruptions in the work of the heart, which receives an increased load during such periods. In this case, diuretic-diuretic drugs were invented. They are:

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

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

And now about the unpleasant.Taking diuretics in no way affects the body's fat reserves, does not burn, break down or remove them.No matter how impressive the plumb bob you fix, remember this is just water, which will quickly recover 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 purifying effect, removing decay 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, after cleaning out unnecessary substances, diuretics with the same heat will take on the necessary ones and leave you without salts and minerals (especially calcium).
2. A diuretic can provide powerful psychological support to a slimming person - sometimes it is very helpful to see how the extra pounds melt in front of 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 him with a simple diet and jogging in the park, and the excess weight problem will be resolved in a matter of days. But doctors categorically advise against the use of a diuretic solely for the purpose of combating excess weight. In this case, the harm from unauthorized use of the drug many times outweighs its benefits.

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

Types of diuretics

There are two ways to remove excess fluid from the body: by taking an artificially synthesized drug or by 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 the most powerfulthey are ring drugs, so called because of their ability to act on the ring of Genle, located in the kidney. They relax vascular smooth muscles, accelerate renal blood flow, increase filtration, reduce the volume of interstitial fluid and remove salts of magnesium, potassium, chlorine and sodium from the body. Loop drugs act quickly, effectively, are used in peak situations - for example, in a hypertensive crisis or pulmonary edema - and. . . have the largest list of side effects.

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

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, 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 delicacy of the action, potassium-sparing 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 undesirable consequences. But natural diuretics do not carry such a danger. Of course, compared to tablets, they act very gently, but still have the desired effect, causing the kidneys to remove fluids from the body in an enhanced mode. 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!True, it is also fraught with dangers, as it contains a lot of glucose, so you shouldn't even get carried away by eating fragrant fruits.Everything should be in moderation.
2. But with blueberries, you can act bolder. Its acid 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 infection.
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 - it contains sulfur and silicon, which contribute to the removal of uric acid from the body.

5. Juicy steamed celery with cucumber supplies the cells of our body with fluids and starts the metabolism of water. Add it often to vitamin smoothies or munch it on fresh stems as a snack.
6. You've probably heard of the laxative effect of beet salads. But few 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 best to eat it raw - in this case, you will further strengthen the heart and do the stomach a service.
8. No less useful and raw carrots. Diuretic effect - times; benefit for sight - two; restoration of intestinal microflora - three; the ability to regulate carbohydrate metabolism - four; dispenses with nicotinic acid, which helps burn fat - five. . . You can list for a long time, but it's best to just include carrot dishes on 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, onion and garlic have a slight diuretic effect.

Another advantage of fruits and vegetables over pills is that, while eliminating some of the beneficial substances from the body due to the diuretic effect, they largely 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 precious drink is sure to find a place for itself on the shelf of your kitchen cabinet. It is recommended to drink 1 to 3 cups of green tea per day.
2. Ginger removes excess fluids and toxins. Use it as follows: 1 tbsp. L. 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 ordinary tea. However, the burning root irritates the mucous membrane, so use it very, very moderately - no more than 1 tbsp. L. ginger flakes 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 your teeth a little and freshens your breath, so feel free to add it to dishes while cooking. Or do this: 1-2 tbsp. L. chopped parsley, pour 500 ml of boiling water, let it brew until completely cooled, drain 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 has a reputation for being a strong carminative and diuretic. Prepare it 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. L. before each meal. The full course is 2 weeks.
5. Nettle, like ginger, cleanses the body not only of excess fluids, 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 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 removing its fluids. If you're afraid of your pressure, try the usual one. . . oatmeal. Oddly enough, it is also capable of acting as a mild diuretic. But salt, sugar, and an abundance of protein foods, on the other hand, will do everything they can 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, therefore 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 a number of contraindications that should be considered before going to the pharmacy for grocery shopping:

• dehydration;
• jumps in blood pressure;
• decreased vision and hearing;
• dizziness and headache, ringing in the ears;
• weakness and, in some cases, loss of consciousness;
• malfunctions of the vestibular apparatus responsible for the sense of balance;
• disturbances in heart activity 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 drugs 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. Expectant mothers can treat diuretics strictly according to the doctor's prescription.

How to take diuretics at home to lose weight?

1. First and first rule: consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to foresee all the pitfalls of your decision and prevent possible complications.And don't forget to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications - this will determine their compatibility with diuretics.
2. Drink 6-8 glasses of clean water per day. Otherwise, you risk gaining dehydration.
3. Consume as little salt and sugar as possible, which will retain fluids in your body. But don't deny yourself natural diuretics - fruits, vegetables, and condiments.
4. Watch for weight fluctuations 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 to a diet 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 my body, I resorted to the help of a loop diuretic. But I was aware that it was. a one-time action and I would not take these pills on an ongoing basis. In general, dear girls, to lose weight it is best not to use diuretics or use them very, very rarely!