Feeling Bloated? Try These 5 Suggestions

1 min

Many of us are familiar with the swollen fingers and ankles that accompany water retention. Whether you retain fluid due to hormonal changes or after eating too much salty food, don’t reach for prescription or even over-the-counter diuretics, both of which can put a strain on the kidneys, electrolyte levels and have unpleasant side effects. Instead, try the following:

1. Eat sensibly and watch your salt intake. Most sodium in the American diet comes from breads and processed foods, so aim for the whole, natural versions of food and lots of produce.
2. Get regular exercise. Things that challenge the muscles will be best to move blood back to the heart. Try wall slides or air squats to work the bigger leg muscles and calf raises where you press up off of your heels to get an additional blood flow pump.
3. Drink organic black tea, which is a safe, natural diuretic. This can be either hot or cold. Be cautious drinking this in the evening hours, as the caffeine may affect sleep.
4. Try an herbal diuretic such as corn-silk tea or freeze-dried dandelion leaf. Both are mild and nontoxic. You can get corn-silk tea in health-food stores or make it yourself if you have access to fresh corn by steeping the silks in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink one cup two to four times a day. The dose for freeze-dried dandelion is one or two capsules, two to four times a day.
5. Invest in quality compression socks or hose. Have them fitted to you by a medical supply store and enjoy the constant movement of blood flow back toward your heart. You can also spend some time at the end of the day elevating your legs above the level of your heart to let gravity help your circulation after a day on your feet.

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