There are a few reasons that water retention happens in our bodies:-

• If we consume too much salt (sodium) either by pouring too much salt onto our food, or eating food with a high salt content, or even drinking pop which has a high sodium content, our bodies will retain water to compensate.  Our bodies will automatically ‘hold on’ to the excess water causing weight gain which is not FAT but the weight of the water retained.
• Too much salt in our bodies will also cause high blood pressure, and the resulting water retention is also dangerous for one’s heart, especially in the obese, as water retention can lead to swollen ankles and kidney problems.
• In the Western diet most adults in the UK and the USA are carrying as much as 5 pounds of extra water, as their diet is so high in salt.
• When we decide to go on a diet, the opposite happens, and because the dieter changes his or her eating habits, less sodium is consumed, and the kidneys can finally function properly and flush out the extra water.  This often leads us to believe that the quick weight loss that we are experiencing is FAT LOSS but what it actually is, is just the extra water.
• Standing too long without moving around can cause a ‘pool’ of water to collect in the ankles and feet, causing swelling and water retention.
• Pre – Menstrual Syndrome also causes water retention and gives women the feeling of being ‘bloated’.  Before menstruation the blood breaks down progesterone causing the kidneys to retain water.  The same happens in pregnancy.
• Oedema and bloating also occurs in menopausal women because of hormonal changes and fluctuations.
• Side effects of some medications, especially cortisone related drugs cause water retention.
• There are also many illnesses which can cause the body to retain water, some of which are:

• Thyroid disease
• Arthritis (swelling joints)
• Liver Disease
• Varicose Veins
• Kidney disease

The GOOD NEWS is that there are many ways that one can combat fluid retention:-

• It is a good idea to have blood tests to determine if your body is deficient in  certain vitamins such as Potassium which regulates how the flow of fluids in one’s body works.
• Some diuretics do help, one of them being Uva Ursi Ext   (ask your pharmacist).  Be careful, and check ingredients of over the counter diuretics.
• Extract of dandelion helps with oedema, and does not cause a Potassium loss as some diuretics do.
• One mild diuretic is Buchu extract (found at health food stores)
• Horse Chestnut helps overall health and can prevent the retention of fluids.
• Do not consume too much alcohol, this will cause you to be dehydrated and then when consuming too much fluid your body will retain it.
• Remember 8 to 10 glasses of water is the correct amount. Consuming too much water is dangerous and it can dilute the electrolytes in our blood.
• Do not abuse laxative (by taking too many) as your body will swing between being dehydrated and oedema.
• The puffiness of oedema with people with eating disorders, makes them think that it is from weight gain, when it is merely water retention.
• Move your ankles and feet all the time, and elevate your legs if you have to stand all day.
• Skip the junk food from this day forward!
• Check your Vitamin B6 levels, as a lack of this vital vitamin can cause oedema
• A daily dose of a calcium tablet can prevent pre menstrual water retention.

So in general – keep aware of your water levels in your body, check for swollen ankles or puffy fingers.   Follow the tips above and you will not retain water and think you have gained weight!   The best thing for your body is to keep a healthy weight and follow a healthy diet which contains all the nutrients and minerals you need.

Congratulations on taking the first few steps on losing some weight and getting rid of that excess fat and water.  You should take a look at the top recommended diet, which will help you not only end water retention, but you will lose weight AND fat.  We have reviewed the diet here, or you could click here for more info.

Related posts:

1. Easy Weight Loss Diet: FatLoss4Idiots It’s hard these days to find an easy weight...
2. Weight Loss: The New Diet You Have To Know About At some point in all of our lives, (except for...
3. Weight Loss Recipes: Simple FatLoss4Idiot Recipes For Free Losing weight these days can become tedious, and at times...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

There are a few tips  to avoid getting swine flu, and also some checks to see if your symptoms include those of the NHS Virus.  This post is just a guideline to keep users aware.  If you have any symptoms or worries, your professional health provider or emergency room should be contacted immediately.

Swine Flu Checker

• Make sure the person you are with responds to you while awake, or reacts to gentle shaking when sleeping.  If not, dial your local emergency corespondants and ask for an ambulance immediately.
• Have you been in contact to a person or place that has had swine flu or has many cases of swine flu in that area?  If you answer yes, it raises the chances that you might have the disease.
• If you have cold symptoms relating to other health problems you have, you must be extremely cautious and call the emergency room.  Such symptoms include shortness of breath, where you can’t finish sentences, pain in or across the center of your chest, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat etc.

If you have flu like symptoms such as high temperature, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose, joint pain etc AND you have answered yes to living or been in contact with someone with the swine flu, you should contact your GP immediately!!  Don’t sit around to see if your symptoms get worse.  Remember the swine flu will seem similar to other flus, so again, if you suspect you may have been in contact with the NHS virus, seek help immediately.

Tips to avoid contracting Swine and other Flus

• The oldest in the book: wash your hands eherever and whenever you can.  The flu is most often caught by peoples hands coming in contact with their mouth/nose/eyes/ears.
• If you have children, clean their toys.  Children like to put things in their mouths and a dirty toy that their friends hands have touched are no exception.
• To help stop spread a virus, make sure you have proper couch techniques, coughing into your shoulder, or inside of your elbow are two of the main ways as it prevents germs spread to your hands.
• Use your own water bottle at work, school or in sports. Sharing bottles or fountains can spread germs or infections.
• Make sure your immune system is functioning properly. Make sure you are eating well, if you are not, your immune system will not be able to fight off even the smallest infection.  Looking for a plan?  Check out this great plan that keeps your immune and metabolism system working at 100%.

Check out our review of the popular Fat Loss 4 Idiots Diet.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.