Water Pills for Weight Loss

Water pills are used by many for quick, but temporary weight loss. Use of water pills for weight loss is however, not regarded as a healthy approach. Know more about water pills, and how they can reduce weight, by reading this article.

Water pills or diuretics are medications that are primarily used for expelling excess fluid from the body. Diuretics increase urination to remove extra fluid from the body. Water pills are basically used for the treatment of certain diseases such as, water or fluid retention, high blood pressure, heart failure, some kidney diseases and liver cirrhosis. But, water pills or diuretics are more popular among a section of the population, as a weight loss aid. It is true that water pills can help to lose a few kilos, but the result is usually temporary. Let's find out more about water pills for weight loss, their effectiveness and side effects.

Water Pills for Weight Loss

Water pills are medications that stimulate the kidneys to eliminate sodium from the body, which in turn promotes the expulsion of excess water from the body. By removing excess water and sodium from the body, water pills help to reduce the swelling caused by edema or water retention. Increased elimination of water from the body reduces the volume of blood, which lowers blood pressure. This is the reason why, water pills are mainly used for treating water retention and high blood pressure.

Water pills can be of three types, which are known as loop diuretics, potassium sparing diuretics and thiazides. Loop diuretics can prevent the re-absorption of sodium and thus increase urine output. Potassium sparing diuretics are water pills that help to expel sodium and excess water from the body while helping the body to retain potassium. Thiazides on the other hand, increase water retention in urine. As far as the effectiveness of water pills for weight loss is concerned, they can help to lose some weight by removing excess water from the body.

Water can account for up to 60% of our body weight. Therefore, removal of water from the body, due to the intake of water pills can help to reduce weight. But, water pills can do nothing to increase the fat burning process. So, naturally the weight loss effect of water pills is temporary. Once the use of water pills is discontinued, one is likely to regain the lost weight. So, water pills can produce quick, but temporary weight loss. Moreover, prolonged use of water pills for weight loss can cause some dangerous side effects, which are explained below.

Side Effects of Water Pills

Injudicious use of prescription and over the counter water pills, such as their use for weight loss can cause some serious side effects. Along with water, diuretics or water pills can remove some really important nutrients from the body. Over use of diuretics can result in electrolyte imbalance. A high dosage of diuretics can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, which can prove dangerous. A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness and fainting. Women using excessive water pills can experience irregularities in their menstrual cycle. Apart from these, frequent urination, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, headaches, restlessness, dehydration, blurred vision, weakness, confusion and abnormal heart rhythm are some other common diuretics side effects.

To sum up, taking water pills or diuretics for weight loss is not a healthy approach. So, those wondering about the best water pills for weight loss, as well as how to take water pills for weight loss should think again, and reconsider their decision about using these medications for losing weight. Prolonged use of diuretics can cause a number of side effects. To avoid these side effects, water pills should be taken with caution and only under the supervision of a health care provider. As far as using water pills for losing weight is concerned, this is considered as quite an unsafe practice by experts. Therefore, it is always better to opt for healthy measures that can give permanent results for weight loss.