Water Retention Causes
Causes for retention of water happens for a variety of reasons, It can affect both men and women. In women it usually occurs in the week or so before menstruation, good ole’ pms bloating is one sure way of retaining water. During this time, the surge in estrogen triggers the production of aldosterone. This hormone makes the kidneys retain water, which tends to collect in the breasts and abdomen.
A majority of women complain they can gain several pounds during this time with hormone fluctuations. The birth control pill or any oral contraceptives that include estrogen can lead to fluid retention in some women. Retaining water is also a common occurance among women past menopause who take estrogen replacement hormones. Try taking up to 250 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily helps reduce premenstrual water retention.
Foods That Cause You To Retain Water
One of the most common causes of water retention can be easily remedied. Too much salt in the diet, even just occasionally, may cause minor episodes of water retention. This can be addressed by lowering sodium content somewhat, but do not totally eliminate it. Reducing your salt intake is one sensible way to avoid retaining water.
Besides avoiding obviously the tasty salty fries, pizza, fast foods and convenience foods, cut down on foods containing that hidden salt. All these foods cause you to retain water. Other little items include fat free salad dressings, cereals and canned soups. Learn to read the labels. (Fat-free salad dressing have a high count of sodium and sugars, because when they remove the fat, they increase the sodium to make it taste half decent)… more on fats ………
Ham, bacon, hot dogs, sausages, pickles, soya sauce, pre-packaged foods such taco powders, fajita mixes, gravy, sauces etc… all are high in sodium. These foods are all causes for retention of water. Drink 64 fluid oz. of water daily to flush the toxins out, add a few twists of lemon and or lime for the added benefit.
Remedy for Water Retention
Rectifying the underlying causes of body water retention is the first step in help finding a natural herbal remedy for water retention. A low dose of diuretic (water pill) may be prescribed by a medical doctor to reduce swelling, but there are also great over the counter natural herbal supplements for those causes of water retention
Avoid alcohol, animal protein, caffeine, chocolate, dairy products, gravies, olives, pickles, salt, soy sauce, white flour and white sugar. Reduce salt and preservative intake, try following a low sodium diet. If natural diuretics or any other kind of diuretics are used, be sure to supplement the body’s supply of magnesium, calcium, zinc and potassium.
Beneficial Dietary Supplements
- Vitamin B Complex reduces water retention
- Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids improves adrenal function
- Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc Complex replaces minerals lost when fighting edema
- Kelp improves thyroid function and supplies needed minerals
- Bromelain aids digestion and metabolism
- Vitamin E aids circulation
- Potassium helps keep body fluids in the cell walls
- Gravelroot
- Cornsilk
- Dandelion Root
- Butcher’s Broom and Marshmallow Root
are beneficial in treating water retention-edema

