Some herbs and dietary supplements have diuretic properties and may help with sodium and water retention. Examples include dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper.

But proceed with caution before taking any products that have a diuretic effect. Because fluid retention can be caused by a number of medical conditions and some medications, it's important to talk with your health care provider about possible causes before you try to treat it yourself. Also, some herbs and supplements can worsen medical problems or interact with medications.

Learn more about the effects of natural diuretics from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist.

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DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Why does my doctor want to know what supplements I’m taking, even if I don’t have any health problems and don’t take more than the recommended amounts?

ANSWER: It’s important to tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you take. Although you don’t need a prescription for most supplements, that doesn’t mean they can’t significantly affect your health. Dietary supplements are useful in some situations — for example, calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and iron for iron-deficiency anemia. But they also can be harmful, especially if taken in certain combinations, with certain prescription medications, or before surgery or other medical procedures. By knowing the supplements you take, your health care provider can ensure that they are a good fit for you.

There are two general categories of dietary supplements: nutritional and herbal. Nutritional supplements are designed to provide vitamins and minerals your body needs that you may not get enough of in your diet. Calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and fiber are common nutritional supplements many people take. Herbal supplements, sometime called botanicals, are supplements derived from plants that are touted as having health benefits. Popular herbal supplements include echinacea, ginkgo and flaxseed.

People take dietary supplements to improve their health or prevent illness. One concern about supplements, though, is lack of oversight in their production and claims manufacturers make about their benefits. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA doesn’t regulate or oversee supplement content or claims to the same degree as it does for medications. So just because a supplement is approved for sale doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe or effective.

Although supplements aren’t regulated in the same way medications are, they have active ingredients that can affect your body and your health. And keep in mind that anything strong enough to produce a positive effect, such as lowering cholesterol or improving mood, also is strong enough to carry potential health risks. That’s one of the key reasons it’s important to talk with your health care provider about your supplements. He or she can review the potential benefits and side effects, and evaluate if the supplement is safe for you.

When you take your supplements can be a factor you need to discuss with your health care provider, as well. For example, the absorption of some supplements can be influenced by whether you take them with food or on an empty stomach. Some supplements also can prevent the absorption or action of medications, so it may be important to take them separately.

It is particularly important for you to review your supplements with your health care provider if you take more than one supplement, or if you take any prescription or nonprescription medication. In some cases, taking a combination of supplements or using supplements while taking certain medications could lead to harmful or life-threatening results.

You mention that you don’t take more than the recommended amount of your supplement, and that is wise. Taking more than the recommended daily values can increase the risk of side effects. But be aware that vitamins and minerals are being added to a growing number of foods, including breakfast cereals and beverages. If you’re also taking supplements, you may be getting more of some nutrients than you realize. Your health care provider can help you evaluate your diet and decide if you need the supplements that you’re taking.

The bottom line is that although nutritional and herbal supplements may be useful, they aren’t risk-free. By talking with your health care provider about the supplements you take, and discussing their potential benefits and risks, you’ll gain a better understanding of the value those supplements have for your health overall. — Dr. Rozalina McCoy, Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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Related Articles

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Are supplements safe for cancer patients? published 12/16/19
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Omega-3 supplements for children — what does the research show? published 8/27/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Do heart supplements work? published 8/6/19
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Dietary supplements don’t reduce dementia risk, but 3 tips do published 6/11/19

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Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"There's really no supplement that can prevent heart disease at the present time," says Dr. Murad.

He and the research team analyzed 277 studies and found that supplements such as multivitamins, as well as vitamins E, D and B don't improve heart health. 

"Several of the interventions that we used to do in terms of diet and nutritional supplements actually do not have evidence to support them," says Dr. Murad.

They did find that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in some fish and walnuts may reduce the risk of heart attack, but healthy lifestyle choices are the main preventive strategies.

"Out of all the things that we studied, salt reduction was the one that found to be most effective in reducing the risk of heart disease among these dietary interventions. It reduced the risk in people who had normal blood pressure and people who had high blood pressure."

Dr. Murad says regular exercise; not smoking; limiting alcohol; and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and lean meats can reduce your risk of heart disease.

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Supplements: Nutrition in a pill?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that your nutritional needs should be met primarily through your diet. But the guidelines go on to say that, for some people, supplements may be a useful way to get nutrients they might otherwise lack. Learn more about dietary supplements and whether they might be right for you.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Are there any treatments for demyelinating disease?
A demyelinating disease is any condition that results in damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers in your brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. When the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve impulses slow or even stop, causing neurological problems. No cures exist for demyelinating diseases, and their progression and symptoms are different for everyone. Getting treatment early is important. Learn more from Dr. Jerry Swanson, a Mayo Clinic neurologist.

Can the Flat Belly Diet help me lose weight?
The Flat Belly Diet is a weight-loss diet from the editors of Prevention magazine. The diet promises quick weight loss, especially around the middle, in about a month. Sound too good to be true? Learn more from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian.

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HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Dandruff: Say goodbye to flakes
Is dandruff the only thing standing between you and a closet full of basic black? Follow these tips to keep dandruff under control:

1. Shampoo regularly. Use a medicated shampoo, if necessary.
2. Learn to manage stress. It can trigger dandruff.
3. Get a little sun. It may reduce your risk of developing dandruff, but be sure to wear sunscreen.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

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Vitamin D is found in many foods, including fish, eggs, fortified milk and cod liver oil. The sun also adds to the body’s daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to help prevent deficiency. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which forms and maintains strong bones. On the Mayo Clinic Radio program, preventive medicine specialist Dr. Donald Hensrud covers the latest vitamin D recommendations and discusses the second edition of The Mayo Clinic Diet. Also on the program, Dr. Rekha Mankad, director of Mayo Clinic's Cardio-Rheumatology Clinic, discusses women and heart disease as part of American Heart Month. And cardiologist Dr. Iftikhar Kullo explains a new genetic test being used to detect a cardiovascular condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia.

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Listen to the program on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 9:05 a.m. CST.

Miss the show?  Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

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Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Access archived shows.

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Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.

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Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters.

The post Housecall: Getting healthy in the kitchen appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

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A warmup and cooldown may add a few minutes to your exercise routine, but they also might reduce stress on your heart and other muscles. Give these tips a try.

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Medication is a proven way to treat and prevent migraines, but medicines are only part of the story. Healthy habits sometimes can stop migraine pain before it starts. For example:

1. Establish regular sleep hours. Take time to unwind at the end of the day. If you can't fall asleep, read or do another quiet activity until you become drowsy.
2. Eat at about the same time every day. Avoid foods that seem to trigger migraines.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Keep stress under control.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover even more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.

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Obsessing over things you can't change can take a toll on your emotional and physical health. Discover how to break the habit of worrying.

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