Water Retention and Weight Gain

Weight gains are most often a combination of fat storage and water retention. In the composition of a human body, fluids make up the most. The retention of fluids in the body is a regular part of everyday living. It is mostly water and contains a mixture of waste products, minerals, and a wide variety of chemicals that the body needs to operate its daily metabolism.

We get fluids into our body through the foods we eat and the liquids we drink. Water leaves the system through the kidneys, bowel, lungs, and skin. So, there is a constant intake and expulsion of water from our systems. It is not at all unusual for your body weight to vary as much as 3-5 lbs in a day.

Most average healthy adults experience some water retention and the accompanying weight gain that occurs. The day to day body weight fluctuations are commonly caused by the loss and gain in body fluid. Your body can retain up to five pounds of water which can easily form a part of the natural fluid that surrounds cells called the extra-cellular fluid.

The causes for water retention are many including certain medications, intravenous fluid infusion, kidney or heart failure. But the most important factor is the sodium in our food.

Fluid normally flows in the body through the membranes of tiny blood capillaries into the tissue cells as a result of osmotic pressure. This osmotic pressure is controlled by electrolytes such as sodium that gets trapped in the tiny spaces between cells. If the sodium content in your body is high, it will attract more fluid from the blood into the cells thus leading to water retention in the body.

There are many causes for fluid retention in the body including allergic reactions to foods, heart and kidney problems and prescription drugs such as hormones. In women, hormonal changes often cause bloating during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause as higher levels of estrogen and progesterone produced in the body cause the body to retain salt (sodium) resulting in water retention.

Usually, fluid retention is uncomfortable but not health-threatening. If water retention is a concern for you, record your weight first thing in the morning and at bedtime for a week or two and talk to your doctor for advice. The amount of fluids retained can vary with different conditions that affect the circulation system.

Some common ones include hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity), high and low blood pressure, heart and kidney disorders, and diseases of the arteries and veins. Excess retention is much more common in women than men because of the effect of female hormones on the body's metabolism and circulation. People who retain fluid because of heart or kidney problems, or who are taking diuretics need to be under a physician’s care for their problems.