Water retention is a big problem when trying to lose weight, but did you know drinking water to help loss weight can and does work very well, and will definitely help with water retention.

Beating the Bloat With Water To Lose Weight

Forget that “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” stuff. Water to water is more like it. Our aquatic ancestors brought the sea with them when they crawled on land, and human beings remain mostly fluid. We’re 56 percent fluid, to be exact – but sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the degree of bloat.

A lot of my clients ask me can water help to loss weight. The short answer is yes. The longer answer involves understanding how water interacts with our bodies. So here comes the science bit:

People who retain fluid know just how easy it is to swell up like a sponge. “Weight fluctuations of as much as four to five pounds in a single day are not uncommon in women with fluid retention problems, but drinking water can help to loss weight and overcome water retention” says Marilynn Pratt, M.D., a physician in private practice in Playa del Rey, California, who specializes in women’s health.

Bloating occurs when fluid that normally flows through the body in blood vessels, lymph ducts and tissues gets trapped in tissues in the interstitial spaces, the tiny channels between cells. The fluid flows through the membranes of tiny blood capillaries into the tissue cells because of osmotic pressure (cell wall pressure), which is controlled by electrolytes such as sodium.

A high sodium level attracts more fluid from the blood into the cells, where the fluid gets trapped and the cells become overhydrated. This occurs more readily in women, because their tissues are designed to fluctuate or expand for pregnancy. To combat it you need to reduce salt intake and drink more water to help loss weight caused by water retention.

Lots of things can cause waterlogged tissues: allergic reactions to foods, heart and kidney problems and prescription drugs such as hormones. In women, hormonal changes often cause bloating beginning seven to ten days prior to menstruation, as higher levels of estrogen and progesterone during that part of the cycle cause the body to retain salt (sodium) and therefore to retain fluid in tissues- “Replacement hormones (especially estrogen alone) can also cause substantial bloating and weight gain. Drinking more water will help loss weight in this case as it helps flush the sodium from the body” says Dr. Pratt.

Usually, fluid retention is uncomfortable but not health-threatening. People who retain fluid because of heart or kidney problems, however, or who are taking diuretics (water pills) need to be under a doctor’s care for their problems, says Dr. Pratt.

Nutritional changes for fluid retention are meant to counteract hormonal changes, balance the minerals that influence body fluid and eliminate foods that trigger bloating in some people.

Best way to lose weight is always top secret