Question about dandelion root and water intake?

[Ceebs]

If one is temporarily taking dandelion root to help drop water, which would yield the greatest water loss - drinking more water, or restricting their water intake?

Thanks and big fat shiny karma in advance.

 

[Puddles]

I don't know about the dandelion root...I'm curious too. I thought I read somewhere that the more water you drink, the more willing your body will be to eliminate it and you will tend to retain less.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

I have used dandelion root with varying degrees of success. The more water I drink with it -- and while using it the more I do shed. If I limit fluid or water intake, it does absolutely nothing.

 

[SteelWeaver]

I'm just guessing here, but I would have thought that one would load first, then start the dandelion and cut back on water at the same time. But I'm sure there are many answers to this question.

 

[BeeUnique]

I am curious to see if dandelion root works too. I heard that while taking creatine you should take a water pill as well?? I thought water pills weren't good to take long term?

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Water pills rob your body of much needed potassium/electrolytes...however from what I understand (and not sure if this is accurate), dandelion root does not disturb your potassium/electrolyte levels the way chemical water pills do.

 

[naturally anabolic]

drink more water while using dandelion root, your body has the ability to regulate its water storage and if you are keeping yourself thruoughly hydrated while using the dandelion root to cut down the amount stored then u will keep off any added water storage from the amount lost from the dandelion root....

 

[MS]

A properly hydrated and mineraled body should not really retain much excess fluid, so in general I would say ditch the dandelion, get plenty of electrolytes and drink up. But if you want to get intentionally dehydrated (like for a competition or photo shoot), you should prolly do what Steel advised by loading up on water first, then cutting back on the water while taking the dandelion to prevent rebound fluid retention and assist with elimination of that last little bit of sub Q fluid. I also find ALA to be very effective for drying me out.

 

[spatts]

MS..if you're still around...I'm about to hit the road to STL, and I'm SO dehydrated that I have a headache and my kidneys hurt. I have had nothing to eat or drink since about 9pm yesterday evening, and have gone from 192 to 184 in that time. If I'm THIS dehydrated and only 184, is there any chance the other 2 pounds will come off, or should I give up, order a pizza, and compete in the 198s? I don't weigh in until tomorrow morning (about 12-14 hours).

Sorry to intrude on the thread, Ceebs....I feel like crap, and I'm not sure it's worth it.

 

[MS]

I dunno Spatts. It sounds miserable and possibly dangerous. Certainly not good for your strength.....if you have access to a sauna it might help. The other possibility is that the scales you've benn using might weigh heavier than the official weigh-in scales. But as you are well aware, if you DON'T make weight, you'll be one of the lightest and crudiest feeling 180's instead of one of the heaviest (and crudiest feeling) under 180's!

 

[spatts]

..and I was so good at fasting, back when I was Catholic.

Thanks, MS.

I stuck a sucker under my tongue, and spit out all the juice...made my headache go away, and gave me something to do.

 

[DBCooper]

Spatts, get to your hotel take some Ibuprofen(sp) and a long hot shower like as hot and long as you can stand it, then go to bed and weigh in ,over night you 'll actually loose some more weight, if you can weigh in early or at the hotel scale to see how close you are, if you have to take a half or quarter bottle of that citrate a couple houre before weigh in. You'll make it I was way over (like 7 lbs) and lost it in a day. No need to eat know you have already suffered to get this low, just drink a bottle of that pedialyte and eat all day and you'll be fine by the next day for the meet, just hang in and you'll make it.

 

[spatts]

OK...hitting the road. Thanks for your help, DBC and MS. I think at my next comp, in two weeks, I will just lift more...that's more fun than weighing less.

Again, Ceebs, thanks for putting up with the intrusion.

Back to dandelion...

(which I get better results from while drinking)

 

[Ceebs]

A properly hydrated and mineraled body should not really retain much excess fluid, so in general I would say ditch the dandelion, get plenty of electrolytes and drink up.

Agreed, and point taken. I've never been concerned about electrolyte balance - I'm "pound of broccoli per day" girl, remember. I have an event on Monday that I need to be a knockout for, and picked up a bottle of dandelion root in case my period shows up. Been drinking at least a gallon and a half of water a day since yesterday, and the plan is to cut it down as of Sunday noon.

Spatts, intrude all you want. I'll burn good PL/weigh-in juju for you tomorrow.

 

[Realgains]

Increase water intake and take dandelion root ...both act as mild diuretics.....BUT you shouldn't really use any kind of diuretic at all UNLESS you are on roids. Roids will generally cause some water retention, even if you choose one that does not convert ot estrgen.

RG

 

[JJFigure]

RealGains - don't forget as women, we've got monthly water weight gain issues to deal with. It's a real pain in the ass dealing with swollen extremeties every month - your feet swell, ankles, hands, everything! When my clothes stop fitting, I'll use a little uva ursi to help drop some of the water - and I continue to drink 1 gallon+ day of water. If I don't drink water, the uva ursi doesn't seem to work at all.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

JJ pardon my ignorance here...what is uva ursi?

 

[JJFigure]

Uva ursi is another herbal diuretic. The formula I have actually combines uva ursi, dandelion root, ginger root, cleavers leaf, marshmallow root, and parsley root. It's called uva ursi diurite by Planetary Formulas, and I get it from iherb.com.

 

[MS]

Agreed JJ. There are MANY things that can cause fluid retention, including excess heat or cold, high altitude, dehydration, excess estrogen or progesterone, 'stress', insulin resistance/high carb intakes, alcohol, mineral imbalances, obesity, etc.....to suggest that only people on AAS have issues with fluid retention is silly.

That herbal concoction you use is VERY similar to the one I use precompetition. Works well, but I take 6 times the recommended dose!

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Thanks JJ....and MS....I hold water just thinking about holding water..but especially when I am tired -- and lately I am more tired than tired!