Water retention is the excessive build up of water in the blood, body tissue and cavities. It can cause weight gain, puffiness, swollen knee, bloatedness and discomfort.
What cause water retention?
1) Dehydration
As the body metabolic processes occur in the presence of water, not drinking enough water cause the body to retain water in order to allow all the metabolic processes to happen.
2) Sodium level
Sodium and chlorine are the major ions in the fluid surrounding body tissues and cells. High amount of salt cause the kidney to send signal to the brain, which trigger thirst. That is why when we have too much salt, we become thirsty and cause us to drink water.
3) Hormone and medicines
Hormones such as insulin, cortisone, estrogen, progesterone and Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs ( NSAID) affect the level of sodium in the body. Medications such as painkiller, contraceptive pills in turn affect these hormones, thus causing water retention.
4) Waste and toxins in the body
Overload of metabolic wastes that cannot be easily released and get stored in fat cells. The body attempt to dilute the toxins overload by diluting the toxins with water in the body tissues. This creates water retention.
5) Underlying diseases
- Kidney problem – kidney loses the function of excreting salt and water out of the body
- Liver cirrhosis – scaring of liver cells obstruct blood flow from the intestine causing a back up and leakage into the body tissues
- Heart disease – weaken heart cannot pump enough volume of blood to the circulatory system causing back up of blood flow into the heart and leakage into the tissues.
6) Nutrition deficiency
A diet deficient in vitamin B and protein can cause water retention. Vitamin B aids in the distribution of fluids around the body.
- Vitamin B5 – helps the body to excrete excess fluid
- Vitamin B6 – helps to control the level of homocysteine, which is important in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
How you can prevent water retention?
1) Drink water
It is a common misconception to restrict water when you have water retention. Actually, it is dehydration that cause water retention. Dehydration increase the concentration of sodium in the blood and signal to the body to retain water instead of releasing it.
Drink enough water to prevent dehydration. How much water is enough? Take about 30 ml of plain water for every kilogram of body weight. However, too much water when doing endurance exercise is not good either. Too much water in the blood dilutes the sodium present and this affects the muscle during exercise.
2) Exercise
Exercises force the body to excrete salt and water through sweat. Exercise also helps the circulation of the lymphatic system, which is also important for drainage of excess fluid.
3) Diet
Taking diuretic drugs may help but it is better to get it from foods that are natural diuretic; Cauliflower, broccoli, grapefruit, strawberry and eggs are rich in Vitamin B5 that can help to drain off the excess fluid
Reducing calories too quickly to lose weight forces the body to use up stores of carbohydrates and breakdown protein in the muscle. This can cause up to 75% of water loss the in the cells.
Cut out the processed foods, as they are high in salt and empty in calories and nutrients. Potassium ion intake can help eliminate fluid retention. Banana is a good source of potassium naturally.
4) Detox
Reduce the toxin load in the body by regular detox of the digestive system, kidney and liver. Natural herbal remedies are readily available to achieve that.
Water retention can be rather uncomfortable. Try out these methods to eliminate the causes. If there are underlying disease, you should seek medical treatment.
What are you doing to eliminate water retention? Share with me in the comment box below.
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I am using Dr Sandra Cabot’s water elimination tablets at the moment. Have had a diagnosis of arthero stenosis ( 73% IN AORTIC VALVE) Collapsed on 05/04. Hospitalised.
Have increased weight from 04/04 82kgs to 25/04 87 kgs.
Do not know what to drink or how much, but very scared. Feel bloated around stomach, breathless, coughing a bit, no energy.
Not referred as yet to cardiologist.
( Doctor on holidays)Obviously tablets ( one before each meal) are not doing much.
Hi Gaylecmrn,
You are right! Taking the water elimination tablet alone is not going to help with your general health, which is bad. You have artherosclerosis, ( due to high cholesterol) and are overweight. You need to take charge by changing your diet to lose weight and improve your cholesterol profile. Cut all refined carbohydrates from potato, pasta, white bread and replace with 5-7 portions of fruits and vegetables. Eat more plant protein such as soy and lean meat such as fish. Exercise by simply walking at least 30mins every day. If you need further help, feel free to contact me for consultancy.
Please make sure you watch the movie ‘Eating’ by Mike Anderson
i like
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
drinking green tea help a treat….=0)
Hi there,
You are right! Drinking green tea provides lots of antioxidatns. Check out my page on green tea benefits https://lookgoodfeelgreatalways.com/home/benefits-green-tea/. This is about the only drink I would approve that is not water that we should more of.
Regards, Su Lee
I have a swollen left foot for over 5 weeks now, my Dr. just told me to leave and see how I go!! He said keep mobile, which is what I do every day seeing as I have a dog to walk morning and night (walk at least 2 miles a day) . I am eating raw celery and beetroot every day and drinking plenty of hot water and cold…….any suggestions?? Karen
Hi Karen,
What you have been doing sounds good. Drink plenty of water. You can also consider to take Omega-3 as it is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Add aloe vera into your beet root juice. Aloe vera is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.
Soak your feet in warm water with Epsom salt. You can get Epsom salt with tea tree oil, or do what the Asians do. Fill a baison with hot water seep green tea bags in them wait till the water is manageable and soak your feet in it. Then massage good lotion on them.
Hi there!
That’s a very good suggestion. Thanks to your contribution!
All the best!
Hi there!
Thanks for your contributions! That sounds like a good way to eliminate water retention.
Best regards, Su Lee
My both feet are swollen and it’s like they are hot. What do I need to do. Is there any thing I can do to eliminate the swelling before I visit a doctor.
Hi Fernandez,
You can try drinking plenty of water. Take Omega-3, aloe vera or any antioxidants ( vitamin C, green tea extract, pine bark extract, red wine extract etc ) you can get to reduce the inflammation. Swelling and hot is a sign of inflammation triggered by some form of allergens in the body.
I am on pednislon for my arthritis that’s why gain my I want to salution
Hi there!
Sorry, I don’t quite understand your question. I am guessing you are asking for help on how to manage the pain in arthritis.
Please check out my post on Take The Pain Of Arthritis Away! https://lookgoodfeelgreatalways.com/home/pain-arthritis/
Hope this answers your question. If not, please let me know what you need.
Thanks and best regards, Su Lee
Thanks for the tips it helps me a lot.