The health supplement industry is currently one of the most profitable and highly competitive industries on the face of the earth, and when you consider just how far modern technology, research, and medicine has advanced, it’s easy to understand why. In the past, if you were looking for wellness supplements, you were severely limited and basically had the choice of either: a vitamin supplement, or perhaps a fish oil supplement. Nowadays however, there are supplements designed to help treat and cure a whole variety of different ailments, and benefit the body in a number of different ways. If you want to lose weight, there are fat burning supplements you can take. If you want to build muscle, there are products that help provide energy, stimulate muscle growth, and enhance post-workout recovery. One type of supplement however, that is vastly underused and underappreciated, is natural herbal diuretics. Here we’ll be taking a more direct look at diuretic supplements, before looking at what many believe to be the top 5 natural diuretic supplements on the market today.
What are diuretics and when are they needed?
Put simply, a diuretic is a compound that causes the body to lose more water than it is able to retain. For this reason, diuretics are used mainly when the body is holding onto and retaining far too much water and fluid, causing painful bloating, cramping, and just generally making life uncomfortable in the process. The older we get, the more likely we are to retain water, which is why the need for powerful and effective natural diuretics is now higher than ever before. People may require diuretics if they happen to be suffering from conditions including: IBS, Polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes, heart conditions, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney stones, swollen tissue such as in the legs and feet. As well as this, people who find themselves feeling bloated constantly may also require the use of a natural diuretic. Bodybuilders also benefit from the use of diuretics, due to the fact that, when they are stepping on stage, they not only need to have their body fat as low as possible, they also need to ensure they’re retaining as little water as possible, as water retention can take away from the muscle definition and vascularity.
What are some of the best natural diuretics on the market today?
Diuretics can be prescribed by doctors, though they tend to cause very unpleasant side effects, which is why herbal and natural supplements are proving so popular instead. Here’s a look at 5 of the best natural diuretic supplements on the market today.
Dandelion extract – When we see dandelions growing in our garden, we tend to pick them out and discard them, as we regard them as pesky weeds. In reality however, dandelions are packed full of natural goodness and are very beneficial to our health and well-being. Dandelion root is now a common supplement in health stores all over the world, due to the fact that it provides natural diuretic benefits to the human body. It is also a fantastic source of potassium, and actually contains more, pound for pound, than bananas. One of the main reasons why natural dandelion extract is so popular however, is the fact that it provides virtually no side effects whatsoever, making it one of the safest and most friendly supplements in the entire world.
Yarrow extract – If you’ve never heard of yarrow, or yarrow extract, then rest assured that you aren’t alone, as currently it is one of the least known herbal ingredients in the world. That however, is beginning to change as more and more health experts are realising this herbal ingredient’s true potential. Unlike most other herbal ingredients however, where it is commonly the root that is most beneficial, it is actually the yarrow flowers themselves that provide the most benefits, particularly when it comes to water retention. The flowers are dried, crushed, and powdered, and made into specialist supplements that work extremely well as diuretics. It is worth noting however, that yarrow is not suitable for people who suffer with allergies to ragweed. It can also interfere with other medications so consult your doctor before using it.
Green tea extract – Green tea extract is now a firm favourite in health stores all over the world, and it is renowned for its numerous healing abilities. Discovered thousands of years ago in ancient China during the Tang Dynasty, green tea quickly became, and still is in fact, a staple ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. As well as providing weight loss benefits, being rich in antioxidants, and promoting overall health and well-being, another great benefit of green tea, is that it works very well as a powerful diuretic. For people that are sensitive to caffeine, there are caffeine-free supplements available to choose from as well, so nobody has to miss out. Green tea extract helps draw out excess fluid and can quickly help relieve stomach bloating and cramping, making life far more comfortable in the process.
Parsley extract – When we think of parsley, generally we think of it as nothing more than a fancy herb that is used to make meals look a little more attractive and inviting. In reality however, parsley is a vastly underappreciated herb, in terms of not only taste, but also health benefits as well. Parsley is jam-packed full of powerful antioxidants, making it great for immunity and making it a very useful anti-cancer ingredient. On top of that, it is also rich in B vitamins, calcium, iron, and zinc as well. In terms of natural diuretic benefits however, parsley really comes into its own, so much so in fact, that for people suffering with conditions such as kidney stones, natural parsley extract is often prescribed as a form of medication.
Celery extract – As well as working great in salads, and as a side to buffalo chicken wings, celery has also been found to be a very potent diuretic, which is why celery extract could be ideal for people suffering from excess water retention. The main reason for this is the fact that is rich in natural compounds known as phthalides. Add to this the fact that celery possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s no wonder why celery extract is considered such a great natural diuretic.
