ABCVitaminsLife recommends natural remedies for Fluid Retention

On a regular basis, fluid pours out into tissues from the blood. The Lymphatic system is a complex system of pipes throughout the body; it transports liquid (lymph) from the tissues and drains the liquid (lymph) back into the main blood flow. Water Retention (also called Fluid Retention or Edema) takes place when the fluid is not drained from the tissues back into the blood.

There are two types of Fluid retention. The first type is Generalized Edema, when swelling takes place throughout the body. The second type is localized Edema, when certain parts or organs of the body are involved. There are multiple causes of Water Retention. This includes, but does not limit, the body’s response to warm weather, high contents of salt in a diet, and certain hormone fluctuations during a menstrual cycle. There are a number of serious medical conditions which may cause Fluid retention; therefore it is always advised to consult a physician to make sure that Edema is not a symptom of a kidney, heart, liver or another disease.

Hesperidin belongs to the group of “citrus bioflavonoid”. The hesperidin is the main flavonoid in oranges, lemons and grapefruits. The skin of these fruits has the maximum concentration of hesperidin. Thus, juice with pulp, is richer in hesperidin than juice with no pulp. In Europe, hesperidin combined with a flavone diosmin is used to treat hemorrhoids and venous insufficiency. Hesperidin and other flavonoids may also decrease capillary permeability and reduce inflammation.

Another bioflavonoid is called Rutin. Rutin contains quercetin and rutinose. Various fruits, vegetables, and plants have a fairly high content of Rutin. Buckwheat has the highest content of Rutin. Throughout digestion, a large amount of Rutin is broken down to quercetin. Rutin is a strong antioxidant and may help optimize the action of vitamin C. When Rutin is taken jointly with vitamin C the activity of vitamin C will be increased. Rutin also makes capillaries stronger; which helps someone with a tendency to bleed or bruise easily. Studies have confirmed that Rutin may help decrease edema, secondary to venous insufficiency. Water Retention may be secondary to a vitamin C deficiency. Therefore supplementing vitamin C may relive symptoms of Fluid Retention.

Studies have demonstrated that Horse chestnut is helpful in recognizing signs of chronic venous insufficiency. In fact, it may be as effective as compression stockings in relieving the symptoms of leg Edema.  Horse chestnut strengthens the tone of veins. It is used to assist the body in battling hemorrhoids as well as varicose veins in legs.

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"Comparison of Pycnogenol and Daflon in treating chronic venous insufficiency: a prospective, controlled study," Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, et al, Clin Appl Thromb Hemost, 2006; 12(2): 205-12. (Address: Irvine2 Vascular Lab and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, G D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara University, San Valentino Vascular Screening Project, Faculty of Motory Sciences, L'Aquila University, Italy).

"Leg Oedema Protection From a Buckwheat Herb Tea in Patients With Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A Single-Centre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial," Ihme, N., et al, European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1996;50:443-447.

"Indicators of Poor Nutritional Status in Older Americans", Ham, Richard J., M.D., American Family Physician, January 1992;219:229.