How to avoid fluid retention: 7 natural remedies

The fluid retention it is a very frequent problem. On certain days of the month or certain times of the year we eliminate little liquid and, consequently, it remains retained in the legs, ankles, hands, breasts or abdomen.

The usual cause is hormonal change that precedes menstruation but the heat and certain venous weakness They are also grounds for retention.

Some dietary changes will improve your swollen legs

Sometimes the problem is minor and we simply notice that that ring that was fitting now does not fit our finger or that the annoying bags under our eyes have increased.

But if the retention it lasts a few days or is accompanied by other discomforts, it is advisable to consult your doctor because it may be a symptom of heart, kidney or liver disease.

1. Avoid excess salt

There is a false belief that the fluid retention It is given by urinating less, and although metabolically this is true, it is difficult for the person to notice. In general, the urine is of poorer quality and retains minerals (more than water) and that is the fundamental cause of fluid retention.

He excess salts, especially sodium, is the one that attracts the liquid inwards and prevents its elimination. The first thing we should watch out for, then, is eliminate salt from the dieteven momentarily, is ultimately responsible for fluid retention.

Replace it with spices or aromatic plants.Remember that processed foods often contain salt.Avoid sweets and refined flours. When insulin production is stimulated, plasma sodium often increases, causing fluid retention. Eliminate especially sugar and white flour.

2. Take magnesium

Perhaps you have a deficiency of this mineral. The supplementation 200 mg/day of Mg can help you in the days before your period.

you can eat too banana, avocado, tomato, cocoa, nuts, chard and spinach: They are rich in magnesium and potassium.

Fluid retention is among the symptoms known as “Premenstrual syndrome”. It has to do with the hormonal changes that occur in the days before the period and is located in the legs, breasts and abdomen, above all.

3. In weight reduction diets

It is a type of retention that annoys because on certain days you gain weight! It’s not about fat gain, but metabolism has these things.

diets rich in protein (many weight loss diets are) promote fluid elimination, and if the protein is reduced, some edema can occur in predisposed people. However, an excess of protein is not convenient either.

4. Plants that stimulate the elimination of liquids

Nettle (hives): It is considered a good cleanser because it stimulates elimination through the kidneys and through the skin. Some people consume it as a vegetable, for example in salad or soup.Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): It can be taken as an infusion (bitter) and also in a salad if the young leaves of the plant are collected, which is very common on the edges of the roads.Cherry Stems: It is a grandmother’s remedy but enormously effective. They can be combined in infusion with horsetail, grass, birch leaves and star anise in equal parts.Horse tail(Equisetum arvense): It is diuretic due to its richness in potassium salts. It is one of the most effective to urinate and eliminate minerals. In decoction, 10-20 g per liter of water. Boil 30 minutes over low heat. You should drink 3 cups a day.

5. Lymphatic drainage

Liquid retention begins to be relatively important when it already causes swelling in the legs. It’s easy to see: if your socks leave a lot of marks when you take them off or if when you press your thumb on the tibia (the bone), just above the ankle, your finger sinks in and leaves a mark, it’s because have edema in the legs.

Any massage helps, but especially the lymphatic drainage.

Put on compression stockings: They compress the soft tissue to direct the liquid to the great vessels. They are useful in heat edema (venous insufficiency), but not so much in premenstrual or pregnancy.

6. put your feet up

when you’re sitting put your feet on a bean bag. In bed you can raise the lower legs about 2 cm.

7. In pregnancy

The fetus takes up space and compresses the outlet of the leg veins. There is no need to self-medicate, not even with medicinal plants. This is a normal problem that is not a disease.

If the retention is exaggerated, consult your doctor since during pregnancy any medication must be double supervised. Don’t take diuretics!