Today one of my clients asked me what they could eat to get rid of fluid retention.
It isn’t an easy question to answer because there are many causes of fluid retention that will not be healed by eating foods that make you pee.
Some foods can make you retain fluid by slowing down your kidneys, while others can help your kidneys work better.
Anemia, protein deficiency, and an abnormally high need for one or more vitamins or minerals can cause fluid retention as well.
Keep in mind that fluid retention is NOT simple to treat.
Maybe you aren’t even aware that those difficult to lose pounds are actually fluid rather than fat!
You don’t lose fluid weight the same way you lose weight from fat!
You can burn fat, but you don’t “burn” water you release it!
This subject can be a bit overwhelming, so don’t let yourself get complacent!
Fluid retention drains your health!
Cover the simple stuff first:
- sip water all day even when you feel bloated (unless your doctor advises you not to because of kidney failure)
- have your hormones checked
- treat all low oxygen levels with supplemental oxygen
The most common cause of fluid retention is dehydration! So sip all day and if you are on fluid restriction, it’s a good idea to stick to water with fresh lemon.
Hormones are another issue that could be causing your fluid retention and your doctor can evaluate if this is a problem for you.
Low oxygen levels are potentially fatal, so you want to look for them when you are active and distressed as well as when you are sleeping!
Discovering what foods help get rid of fluid retention is only slightly helpful early on in your disease process.
Is this the information you were looking for?
Foods that cause you to release fluid:
- celery
- onion
- parsley
- garlic
- peppermint
- eggplant
- cabbage
- cranberries
- asparagus
- corn
- cucumber
- grapes
- watermelon
Some sources say to reduce intake of parsley and celery to avoid water retention. They are both high in chlorophyll so it’s no wonder they are hugely helpful in addressing the issues that may contribute to fluid retention. A list of foods high in magnesium will help as well. Magnesium is the “relax mineral” so it helps fluid retention in several ways.
Herbs that help you to release fluid:
- uva ursi
- buchu
- horse chestnut (also used to promote leg vein circulation in Europe for many years)
- dandelion root or tincture (good for kidneys, adrenal glands, and liver)
- Dong Quai (also soothing to intestines and bladder)
Be careful with herbs, like drugs, they are potentially harmful!
Fluid Retention can be very uncomfortable.
The discomfort of fluid retention can be eased with the use of essential oils.
Essential oils, used in baths, gargles, mouthwashes, vaporizers, inhalants, as well as compresses and massages can be helpful:
- cypress
- geranium
- juniper
- lavender
- rosemary
Fluid BALANCE is the goal, and many foods can be helpful in righting your fluid balance.
Helpful foods, vitamins, and minerals:
- brazil nuts
- fish
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- magnesium (would a list of food sources help?)
- selenium
Give your attention to a few other concerns that effect fluid retention!
Avoid constipation, eat foods high in dietary fiber:
- grains
- beans
- fruits
AVOID the following:
- table salt (for severe fluid retention use only potassium chloride)
- sugary foods and drinks
- too much protein OR not enough protein
- unhealthy fats
- being still for long periods of time
- crossing your legs
- tight clothing
- alcohol
- smoke
- coffee
- black tea
- processed foods
- fast foods
- white flour foods
There is no quick fix for fluid retention but it is likely to cause oxygen and nutrition problems because it interferes with absorption.
Better safe than sorry!
Get your oxygen levels checked and nourish yourself with a quality nutritional supplement.
Heart Failure Solutions recommends Vemma products because of their safe track record.
Click on the link below and learn more about what nutrition can do for you!
Many blessings,
Carrie Tucker, RCP
The Life Breath Coach
Heart Failure Solutions
PS– Remember everyday:
- Relax and Release tension
- Exhale Slowly
- Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life
Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter
Pingback: What Foods Will Help You Lose Water Retention? | Heart Failure Solutions
The ideal is to prioritize a menu balanced with fruits and vegetables, without exaggeration salt and sugar. And of course, getting regular exercise, because the sedentary lifestyle is another aggravating factor
Hi Joao,
Thanks for coming by. That’s a good place to start. Giving attention to your breathing is the way to prevent self sabotage. Why don’t you do what’s good for you? Because your habits are bad. The goal is better habits and breath awareness helps you shift your focus to what you want!
Join us every Monday on the Life Breath Club’s weekly meeting and get busy creating better habits. It’s a lot easier with the support of friends!
Be well!
Carrie
Pingback: What Is The Best Weight Loss Plan For Those Suffering From Low Oxygen Levels? : Heart Failure Solutions
Thank you for posting this site. I am a pregnant mother of 5 and for 6 yrs I have had trouble with my breathing. I have been hospitalized for it and seen numerous dr.s that never seem to find out what this issue that I am having is. If I take cold meds, laxatives, drink or eat anything with caffeine it kicks into high gear Also around my period or during my pregancies. The headaches start I can’t get in a deep breath and my left hand and leg/foot stays swollen(esp upon waking). I also wake in the night chocking on fluid. I have had acid reflux surgery lost 70 lbs and still am having problems. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I have had stress tests, echos, etc….. any advice for me? Please tell me some reason for this and a way to cure it.
Dear Stephanie,
The principles you will learn in the free ebook offer from the Life Breath Coach here will help you understand how to get back to basics.
Masters level curriculum gets into intense education about what needs to change and the support to navigate your way through the change.
You can join the free club in the right hand side bar of the site. Masters Level membership can be found here -> Life Breath
Enter “lifebreath” without the quotes for 25% off the purchase price. (This price will be going up soon, so take action today!)
Many blessings,
Carrie
the Life Breath Coach
PS- The reason I am inviting you to explore this site for information and join the Masters Level if you are already applying the information that is available for free because you’ve got to apply what you know before you need to learn more. Just apply the basics and see how many of your issues resolve.
Hi Stephanie, I was also hospitalized several times for trouble breathing. I had a sleep Apnea test done and my oxygen was droping so low is was dangerous. I would also stop breathing durning the night. Then from there I had a right heart catherization done. I have Pulmonary Hypertention. Which is the cause of my fluid retention. I am now on oxygen 24/7 and use a C-PAP machine every night and naps and during the day when I feel heavy on my chest and tired. PH is terminal, but can be treated with oxygen and C-PAP or/and other medicines. Please, go to a pulmonary doctor and heart doctor to have them check you out and dont stop till you get answers. You can go to http://www.livingPHA.com and check it out and google it to find other information. It is not a common illness. Good luck and God bless.
Dear Fawn,
Cardiovascular issues are common and non of them is necessarily terminal.
There is no such thing as incurable. You won’t make yourself heal, but you can receive healing.
It’s important that you don’t own your death sentence. Many Life Breath Club members have overcome them. We refuse to accept defeat in the Life Breath Club. If you’d like support while you explore your Personal Sacred Breathing Program we are happy to have you join us every week on the Life Breath Club’s weekly meeting.
We are serious about feeling better! Join us!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Makes very interesting reading a lot I didnt know about heart failure & water retention. sO much on offer need to go through it all again to morrow, but a great web site, looking forward to getting started & hopefully feeling better.Thanks a lot Rodger
Welcome to The Life Breath Club, Rodger!
Glad to have you!
Let me know if you have any questions, or if you have any trouble with your free download.
Be well,
Carrie
The Life Breath Coach
Thanks for this wonderful write-up.
Am tweeting about this!
Also adding this wonderful blog of yours to my list of Comment Luv enabled blogs in the health niche`.
🙂
Keep inspiring us.
Thanks Ambika!
I appreciate the vote of confidence and I anticipate discovery ways to work together in the future!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Im taking all these suggestions and ive been dropping weight quickly. I couldnt be happier except im in the first year of recovery so I dont like to go out and about but it says I cant stay still to long. Any suggestions for what I can do to help me with this without having to leave my neighborhood? Im sure this is an unusual question to most but beliece staying away from my past keeps me sober.
Sure Alisa,
You can do any number of things for fun activity and even muscle strengthening right in your home.
If you get a standing desk, or make one you will have far fewer idle hours!
Be creative and good on ya! What ever it takes!
Many blessings,
Carrie
PS- Makes sure you check out the weekly Life Breath Club call for the inspiration to keep on working toward your goals!
Enter your contact information in the box to the right of this post to get your invite!
Does a dry sauna work for water retention?
Sixteen,
No it just makes you sweat.
You need to address the cause of water retention to truly treat it.
Be well,
Carrie
My question is in regards to castor oil therapy. From your link I went to Dr. Ali’s posts. I guess I still don’t understand the application. Can it be used as a full body rub while still healing backaches, stomach issues,etc? Or does it only get applied to certain areas? Do you take it orally also? Why heat it also? And apply every day? A lot of questions but both you and Dr. Ali have raised my interest. Thanks, Kim
Aloha Kim,
Yes! You can use it as a full body rub. You want to test your sensitivity with 1/4 tsp, but if you tolerate that just fine then you can use 2 Tbsp.
Apply castor oil over the area that is painful or troubled. (Works GREAT for female issues.)
NEVER take it orally!
Heating is to make the oil thinner so it will spread. It’s hard to spread around otherwise!
Apply as often as you’d like!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hi this is very helpfull information i have alot of water retention after my baby boy was born hes now 6 months old and havent been able to loose the extra and we want to try for another soon and i want to be back in shape so if u have any other tips would be greatly apreciated thank you!
Aloha Celina,
Read all the posts in the Healthy Eating category.
Stay tuned for more good info. If you get inspired and want to share, let me know I’d be happy to have you as a guest blogger!
Many blessing!
Take good care of that baby boy!
Be well, Carrie
i have a very busy lifestyle too, and i would always frequently eat on Fastfoods *,~
Aloha Pretty Lady,
I hear you! Life gets so hectic.
Though, the rewards for planning ahead and brown bagging it are far reaching and worth while.
I mean, you’re worth it aren’t you?
Many blessing,
Carrie
due to the busy schedules from work, most people would just prefer to eat on fastfoods **
Aloha Sandals,
This is very true, though most people don’t hold themselves responsible for their disease process either. Denial works til it jumps up and bites you!
Many blessings,
Carrie
Hello Peggikaye!
I am so glad you are here reading! I know you are very busy with finals coming up, so it thrills me to see you putting YOU and your health concerns before all else.
Now get busy and ROCK those exams so we can really get started building health. Great to meet a new friend, it’s my favorite pass time!
Many blessings,
Carrie