Fluid retention
I have suffered from fluid retention - particularly in my legs - ever since my teens. I have been prescribed diuretics from time to time but these seem to have a limited effect. I am overweight for my height but find it difficult to lose weight and keep it off because of the fluid retention. Any suggestions?
Oedema, or dropsy as it was once known, can occur in any part of the body but is most common in the feet and ankles. The bloating and swelling that is a result of fluid retention can also cause muscular aches and pains.
A common feature of pregnancy, persistent oedema can be a sign of kidney, bladder, or liver problems - and so for a longer-term solution, I would find a practitioner who is experiences in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) who will be able to redress any underlying imbalance in these organs. In the meantime, the nutrient that will help reduce water retention is vitamin B6 or pyridoxine. You need to take the equivalent of 50mg, three times a day but since all the B vitamins work best when taken together, take a good B complex as well. I use Solgar's high potency B complex, which costs £6.79 for 50 tablets. To find stockists, call 01442-890355. Vitamin C is also crucial for fluid regulation in the body. Take 1g a day.
Once you do manage to bring your weight back to optimum levels, you will find you can help maintain it by taking a supplement of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). This is not designed for weight loss but for weight maintenance and is excellent in this role. CLA, which occurs naturally in red meats and dairy, helps reduce fat and build more lean muscle in the body by acting on the enzymes that regulate fat metabolism. There is an enormous body of solid scientific evidence, dating back now 25 years, proving its efficacy - but for the full benefits, you need to ingest the equivalent of 3g a day, which is three times more than we get in the average diet.
*Biocare has launched CLA-based products in the UK. LipoTone intensive costs £44.95 for 28 one-day sachets; and LipoTone Maintenance is a two-a-day capsule which can be used alone or as a follow-up to LipoTone. It costs £9.25 for 60 capsules. BioCare mail order is on 0121-433 3727.