Diuretics for weight loss: Is the game worth it?

Weight loss pills - especially diuretics - are perhaps one of the most appealing ways to say goodbye to excess weight. How wonderful it is to swallow a pill in which a smart person packs the active ingredients, and calmly watch how the scales slide down and the sides get through the winter melt! . . It's a pity, but in reality, things are far from interesting.

Working principle of diuretic diet pills

As an old joke says, we are all like cucumbers because we are 90% water. Laughter is laughter, and this is partially true: if not 90, but 65-70 percent of our bodies are actually liquid. And it's not just blood, sweat and obvious saliva! Every cell of the body contains water, without water, it will not be able to survive, divide and develop normally.

However, over time, the metabolism fails and there is too much water in the human body, and we suffer from swelling, high blood pressure and disruption of the heart, which is subjected to an increased load. increase during those times. In this case, diuretics-diuretics were invented. They are:

• removes excess fluid from tissues, contributes to its transformation into urine;
• block those renal systems responsible for the reabsorption (reabsorption) of urine.

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 discomfort.Taking diuretics does not affect the body's fat stores, and does not burn, break down or get rid of them.No matter how impressive a plumb line you fix, remember this is just water, a quick recovery if you stop taking the pill.

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 this has a beneficial effect on both a person's health and appearance.It's important not to overdo it here, because, having cleared up unnecessary substances, the diuretic will absorb the essentials and leave you without salts and minerals (especially salts and minerals). calcium).
2. Diuretics can be a powerful psychological aid to a person losing weight: sometimes it helps to see how the extra pounds melt before your eyes.

But all this will work only if the drug is due to a medical indication - edema, pressure - or is prescribed by a doctor for preventive purposes. Support it with a simple diet and a jog in the park, and the problem of excess weight will be gone in the next few days. But doctors do not recommend using diuretics solely for the purpose of combating excess weight. In this case, the harm of illegal use of the drug many times outweigh its benefits.

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

Diuretics

There are two ways to remove excess fluid from the body: using synthetic drugs or using "natural" diuretics. The first option is more efficient, the second is more secure.

Medicine

Diuretics can be divided into 3 main groups.

First and strongestare cyclic drugs, so named because of their ability to act on the loop of Gengle, located in the kidney. They relax vascular smooth muscle, accelerate blood flow to the kidneys, increase filtration, reduce interstitial fluid volume, and remove magnesium, potassium, chlorine, and sodium salts from the body. Rapid, effective repeat-acting drugs, used in peak situations - for example, during a hypertensive crisis or pulmonary edema - and . . . has the widest list of side effects.

Careful! These are diuretics of the strongest action. Self-prescribing a loop diuretic without consulting your doctor puts your health at risk.

Second group- The drug taazidnye - has a less pronounced effect. Their "attention" shifts to the renal tubules, so salt and fluid are also removed from the body, but with less force. The drug Tazidnye is prescribed for cases of edema, pressure, glaucoma.

The diuretic tazide is sometimes used in combination with a loop diuretic.

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

Although mild, potassium-sparing drugs will cause you a lot of problems if you decide to take them randomly.

natural diuretic

Self-administration of certain drugs always has the potential for undesirable consequences. But natural diuretics do not pose such dangers. Of course, compared to tablets, they work very gently, but still give the desired effect, stimulating 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 shouldn't eat watermelon in the evening - going to the bathroom won't work. And all because of its juicy pulp, which in our case is perfect for the role of a natural diuretic!Yes, it is also dangerous, because it contains a lot of glucose, so you should not eat fruit with aroma.Everything should be in moderation.
2. But with cranberries, you can act bolder. Its sour 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 works in a similar way. Squeezing half a fruit into a glass of water to drink has the effect of stimulating fluid excretion, reducing blood pressure and protecting the urinary tract from infection.
4. We talked about cucumbers at the beginning of the article. It - the first one - is filled with 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 celery steamed with cucumber provides fluid to the cells of our body and starts water metabolism. Regularly add it to smoothies or shakes on fresh stalks as a snack.
6. You must have heard about the laxative effect of beetroot salad. But few people know that it is also a good diuretic and a host of antioxidants. Equip yourself with an overlock machine!
7. Cabbage retains its diuretic properties even when added to soups. But it is better to eat it raw: in this case, you will strengthen the heart and serve the stomach.
8. No less useful and raw carrots. Diuretic effect - times; in favor of vision - two; restore intestinal microflora - three; the ability to regulate carbohydrate metabolism - four; pantry contains nicotinic acid, which helps burn fat - five . . . You can list for a long time, but you're better off just including carrot dishes on your menu and enjoy the delicious weight loss.

In addition to these products, melon, pumpkin, pear, strawberry, honeysuckle, blackberry, moringa, lingonberry, lettuce, asparagus, eggplant, zucchini, spinach, onion and garlic have a diuretic effect. light.

Another advantage of fruits and vegetables over pills is that while they remove some beneficial substances from the body due to their diuretic effect, they make up for the losses due to their high vitamin and mineral content.

Herbs and spices

1. Since ancient times, green tea has served people as a source of youth and health, as well as a very good remedy for edema. This valuable beverage package is sure to find a place on your kitchen counter. Drink 1 to 3 cups of green tea per day.
2. Ginger removes excess fluid and toxins. Use it as follows: 1 tbsp. l. Crushed ginger root pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave in a thermos for 2-3 hours and drink the result with honey, and sometimes milk, like regular tea. However, the burning part of the root irritates the mucous membranes, so use it in moderation - no more than 1 tbsp. l. grated ginger every day. The duration of the course depends on how you feel, but not more than 2 weeks. And if you have problems with the digestive system, it is better to completely refuse the use of spices.
3. Parsley stimulates urination, improves digestion, and provides the body with antioxidants. It also whitens teeth a bit and freshens breath, so feel free to add it to dishes while cooking. Or do this: 1-2 tbsp. l. Finely chopped parsley, pour 500 ml of boiling water, incubate until completely cooled, filter for the day's broth - 3/4 cup 20 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.
4. Cumin in folk medicine is known as a strong antiseptic and diuretic. Brew it in the same way as parsley, or do the following: 1 tsp. dill seeds pour 1 cup of boiling water, cool and drink the resulting infusion, 2 tbsp. l. before each meal. The whole course is 2 weeks.
5. Stinging nettle, like ginger, not only cleanses the body of excess fluid, but also harmful substances. It works best when taken in equal parts with oregano and birch leaves. 3 arts. l. decoction take 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour and drink during the day, divided 4-5 times. The course of treatment is from one week to 1-1. 5 months.

An invigorating morning drink, coffee, actually dehydrates the body, flushing fluids out of the body. If you're afraid of your pressure, try . . . regular oatmeal. Oddly enough, she can also act as a mild diuretic. But conversely, salt, sugar, and protein-rich foods will do everything they can so you don't lose a single drop of moisture. Limit your intake of these foods.

Functional foods act as a kind of compromise between medicine and natural remedies. In fact, the creation of the pharmaceutical industry, they contain extracts of plant ingredients, so they are considered less dangerous than other diuretics. That doesn't save you from having to read detailed instructions!

Contraindications and side effects

Diuretics have a number of contraindications that should be considered before going to the pharmacy for purchase:

• dehydration;
• hypertension;
• reduced vision and hearing;
• dizziness and headache, ringing in the ears;
• weakness, and in some cases loss of consciousness;
• malfunction of the vestibular apparatus responsible for the feeling of balance;
• disturbances in the functioning of the heart due to loss of electrolytes;
• skin rash and increased sensitivity to sunlight;
• excrete vitamins and minerals from the body;
• nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite;
• gout due to increased uric acid.

No one should take a diuretic without first consulting a doctor. But people with diabetes, tuberculosis, gout, kidney and liver disease should be especially careful with them. A separate group is pregnant women. Expectant mothers are allowed to use 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 can foresee all the pitfalls in your decision and prevent possible complications.And don't forget to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines - this will determine their compatibility with diuretics.
2. Drink clean water in the amount of 6-8 glasses per day. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated.
3. Consuming as little salt and sugar as possible, they will retain fluid in your body. But do not deny yourself natural diuretics: fruits, vegetables and spices.
4. Monitor your weight fluctuations by gaining weight every day - in the morning, at the same time, after going to the bathroom.
5. If you feel unwell, immediately stop losing weight with diuretics and switch to a diet with exercise.

User rating

"I'll be honest: a couple of times, on the eve of a holiday, when I had to put on a tight dress and drain the excess water from my body, I resorted to loop diuretics. But I did. know that this is a one time act and I am not going to take these pills continuously. In general, dear girls, for weight loss, diuretics are better not to use them at all, eitherVery rarely used!