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What Is the Connection between Water Pills and Weight Loss?

Marlene de Wilde
Marlene de Wilde

Water pills, or diuretics, are used in the treatment of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease and congestive heart failure but are not prescribed or advised for weight loss. The connection between water pills and weight loss is a temporary one. The weight loss effect after taking a water pill is due to water loss and not fat loss and it is only the latter which results in long term weight loss. Using diuretics can cause dehydration, muscle cramps, nausea, loss of appetite and decreased potassium levels, and their use for a reason other than that prescribed by a doctor is considered dangerous.

Rapid weight loss is the result of taking water pills, but the weight is completely water based. Once the pill intake is stopped, the body regains the water lost. Therefore, this type of weight loss is only effective for the short-term. Long-term use of water pills is not advised as this would cause many adverse conditions such as low blood pressure or an electrolyte imbalance that may result in chronic health problems.

Water pills might show a difference on the scale, but it is only water that is lost, not fat.
Water pills might show a difference on the scale, but it is only water that is lost, not fat.

Water pills are taken in order to help the kidneys remove excess water from the bloodstream and tissues, which is then excreted via the urine. They affect the way the kidneys filter the blood as well as filter salt from the urine. When there is no pre-existing medical condition, the result of taking water pills for weight loss may be the creation of sodium and potassium deficiencies, depending on the diuretic used.

Long term use of water pills can cause low blood pressure.
Long term use of water pills can cause low blood pressure.

Sodium and potassium are electrolytes and are vital for the heart, kidney and liver to function properly. Any imbalance could lead to heart failure and sudden death. Dehydration from the loss of vital fluids can cause kidney damage. Add to this the fact that within a few days of taking diuretics, the body reacts to the water loss by retaining more water.

If weight is not lost in a healthy and normal manner, it will generally be gained right back after normal activities resume.
If weight is not lost in a healthy and normal manner, it will generally be gained right back after normal activities resume.

The connection between water pills and weight loss is a tenuous one at best. After taking a pill, there is some weight loss that is instant but temporary. The human body is made of about 60% water. The brain, blood, muscles and every cell in the body needs water to function efficiently. Any decrease sends out alarm bells, and the body does all it can to restore the levels it needs.

Discussion Comments

RocketLanch8

I've always been concerned about use water pills for weight loss, mostly because I already have problems staying properly hydrated. If my potassium or magnesium levels fall, I will get the worst leg cramps ever. I'll use other weight loss supplements, like green tea extract and chromium, but I won't touch water pills.

I've had other friends tell me that they'll use water pills at the very end of a diet plan just to lose those last few inches and maybe a pound or so.

mrwormy

I have only taken water pills for weight loss one time, and that was back in my college theater days. My costume for one play was custom fitted, and three days before the performance I tried it on. It didn't quite fit, and it was too late to have it altered. I only needed to lose enough weight to get the pants around my waist.

I told my director about my costume problem and she recommended I try water pills for fast weight loss. She said a lot women use them when they gain a little "water weight" during their time of the month. I started taking the water pills and I noticed I had to pee a lot, and my urine was blue. I did manage to get the pants on, though.

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    • Water pills might show a difference on the scale, but it is only water that is lost, not fat.
      By: Elenathewise
      Water pills might show a difference on the scale, but it is only water that is lost, not fat.
    • Long term use of water pills can cause low blood pressure.
      By: niyazz
      Long term use of water pills can cause low blood pressure.
    • If weight is not lost in a healthy and normal manner, it will generally be gained right back after normal activities resume.
      By: Lsantilli
      If weight is not lost in a healthy and normal manner, it will generally be gained right back after normal activities resume.
    • Water pills are typically used to treat kidney disease.
      By: joshya
      Water pills are typically used to treat kidney disease.
    • Water pills act as a temporary solution to weight issues.
      By: HaywireMedia
      Water pills act as a temporary solution to weight issues.
    • Diuretics may cause people to urinate frequently.
      By: aerogondo
      Diuretics may cause people to urinate frequently.