What can I do about fluid retention?

Question

I am peri-menopausal. Haven't had a period since November. I still get all the symptoms, just no bleeding. The fluid never seems to go away...I'm taking a Natural Water Pill by Sundown. Other than lemon water and DRINKING water, what other tricks do you have for loosing some of this fluid?...I thump like a ripe watermelon!

Answer 1

increase your intake of potassium rich foods. potassium is the best natural diuretic. Cantelope, raisins, kiwi and banana are some of the best sources.

Answer 2

stay away from salt! Drink lots of fluids. I would suggest 14-16 glasses of water each day. Exercise will also mobilize fluids in the body. As you increase your exercise...increase your fluid intake.

Answer 3

There are many ways in which our body actively gets rid of water. Urination is of course a primary way, but so is perspiration and even water vapor loss through our breath when we breathe out. When large amounts of water leave our body through urination, it is often because our body is trying to get rid of excessive amounts of some chemical that's water-soluble and is most easily eliminated through urination. For example, large, unneeded amounts of water-soluble vitamins will often cause us to lose water when our kidneys work to get rid of these vitamins. Consumption of alcohol is another good example of a food and beverage component that causes water loss. When alcohol enters our bloodstream, it can block synthesis of a hormone called vasopressin in our pituitary gland. Since vasopressin is a hormone that helps prevent water loss through our kidneys (it's called an anti-diuretic hormone), when alcohol interferes with vasopressin synthesis it also makes us urinate more and lose water in that way. Caffeine is another food substance (found not only in coffee but also in chocolate and black teas) that has traditionally been regarded as a chemical that causes diuresis (loss of water through the kidneys).
It would be problematic for your health if you tried to increase your body's water loss through consumption of alcohol, excessive vitamin supplements, or caffeine.

Your body is designed to control its own water balance, and the best way to support that process is for you to eat a diet based on whole, natural, minimally processed foods, and drink plenty of clean, fresh, filtered water.
some particular foods - like celery, or watermelon, or asparagus, or parsley does have mild diuretic effects.