Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Water retention.....the devil in your life?

Water retention can be a major hindrance in your efforts at weight loss. I have seen plenty of my clients struggling with the syndrome to understand how difficiult and trying water retention can be.


CAUSE
Imbalance of salts cause circulating water to be pulled into the intracellular fluid of body cells, retaining water in the body.

SYMPTOMS
This results in bloating of specific body parts (like the legs/face) or in more severe cases the entire body.

BE CAREFUL
Water retention in itself is not a disease, it is probably a symptom of a body condition yet to be discovered. If water retention persists for more than a week, visit your physician.

CHECK FOR WATER RETENTION

When your thumb impression leaves a mark in your skin (inner arm/hands/legs/feet) that lasts for more than 5-10 seconds, you have water retention. The degree will ofcourse vary depending on the severity of the condition.

MYTH
Most people think water is the culprit which is so not true, so dont stop drinking water....salt is, so now you know what to cut down on.



THE STRUGGLE WITH WEIGHT LOSS
Water retention masks your efforts as well as your results at fat reduction. The scales just dont dip and your metabolism just does'nt rise. The excess weight makes you sluggish and the scales just aren't inspiring!!!



WHAT YOU CAN DO

 - Cut down on excess cooking salt AND never use table salt. Restrict/eliminate
    - salted foods like cheese
    - canned foods, packed or processed foods, cured meats like sausages, salami,etc.
    - Also limit the use of sauces like soya sauce, MSG, other ready sauces 
      and dips.

 - Have lots of water, atleast 2.5-4 litres a day. There needs to be enough intake to keep water
   circulating in the body. Water intake can rid you of water retention.

 - Have foods that have a high pottasium ratio as compared to sodium, like  
   bananas,oranges,potatoes,carrot, apples and tender coconut water. It will help balance out the
   excess build up of sodium in the blood.

 - Popular salt substitutes are also available like potassium chloride and bicarbonate but excess of
   these could cause side effects like nausea, vomitting, diaorrhea, etc, so its best to substitute
   potassium & magnesium with fruits and veggies. Keep your calcium levels also optimum to
   balance out the effects of sodium with milk and milk products in the diet.

 - Swimming is one of the best exercises one can use to help deal with water tetention. To beat the  
   enemy, befriend him!!

AGAIN DESPITE ALL YOUR EFFORTS IF WATER RETENTION DOES NOT SUBSIDE, VISIT A DOCTOR/PHYSICIAN ASAP.