Furosemide is a powerful diuretic, one of the most powerful diuretics. In fact, the drug is not a doping drug, but is widely used in unofficial sports medicine and is included in the list of drugs prohibited for use by athletes. Nevertheless, furosemide remains one of the most popular drugs in sports.

Reading the pharmacological action of furosemide will be interesting and understandable only to professionals, so let’s get acquainted in general terms. After oral administration, the tablet comes into effect quite quickly - the effect occurs in about 15-30 minutes. There is a strong urge to urinate. The sensations (based on the author’s personal experience) are approximately the following: every five minutes you want to go to the toilet, as if you haven’t been able to do it all day. The volumes of fluid coming out are commensurate with the sensations. The effect lasts for 3-4 hours. At the same time, calcium, magnesium and potassium are washed out of the body.

In sports, the drug solves two problems. Firstly: furosemide removes traces of prohibited substances from the body. But, as stated above, it itself is a prohibited drug, so its detection in tests threatens disqualification. Secondly: it is used for weight loss and removal of excess fluid (“drying”). From the point of view of sports use, this is where all the advantages end and a huge list of side effects begins.

Every medicine has side effects, but this drug really has a lot of them. Experts recommend using the drug only in extreme cases, in which the use of other medications is impossible, but, of course, not in sports. Furosemide is indispensable when it is necessary to urgently remove fluid (for example, cerebral edema), but otherwise its use is extremely doubtful and is possible only as prescribed by a doctor.

In addition to diarrhea, urticaria, itching, vomiting, tremor, headache, weakness, visual and hearing impairment, taking furosemide may be accompanied by the following unpleasant effects:

Hypokalemia or potassium deficiency. The lack of this element entails a number of bad consequences. It is involved in many processes in the body; water and electrolyte balance and the functioning of the nervous system depend on it. The heart is especially critical to potassium deficiency - dystrophic changes develop;

Furosemide will reduce circulating blood volumes. The number of leukocytes and platelets in the blood decreases. Collapse, a life-threatening condition, may occur.

Taking the drug may cause muscle cramps, incl. and heart muscle. Many experts are inclined to believe that the death of bodybuilder M. Benaziza in 1992 is connected precisely with this.

This is not all, but it is quite enough to evaluate the drug. Of course, you can stipulate that the sport should be clean, etc., but everyone decides for themselves. Every athlete is able to evaluate the degree of positive effect against the background of side effects. Everyone is able to assess what price he is willing to pay to achieve his goal. By the way, Benaziza died a few hours after winning the competition.
I suggest you read my other articles, for example.

Athletes who pay a lot of attention to their muscles use diuretics in bodybuilding to remove fluid from tissues as quickly as possible. This allows you to perform high-quality muscle drying and get a beautiful body with a clear and sculpted muscle frame. Herbal diuretic tablets do not affect athletic performance and do not reduce the physical endurance required in sports. With moderate use of diuretics, you can achieve good cutting results without using doping. Abuse of diuretics can have the opposite effect and lead to health problems.

Why do athletes who are cutting need a diuretic?

Taking diuretics in sports is due to the need to quickly remove excess weight caused by excess fluid in the subcutaneous tissue. Taking diuretic pills is easier than buying expensive sports nutrition, using doping and sweating in the gym. Many athletes achieve rapid muscle drying by administering diuretics intravenously before a competition, but a safer method is to take them in tablet form 2 days before the competition. The use of this method allows you to tighten the body, make it visually elastic and prominent, beautifully highlight the muscles and protruding veins. In combination with intense muscle loads in sports, artificially induced fluid loss does not have a negative impact on the level of physical endurance.

Bodybuilders and diuretics

Among professional bodybuilding athletes, the most popular are “soft” and “hard” diuretics. Soft ones do not cause any significant harm to health and give little effect, so bodybuilders who need quick and noticeable drying use doping and hard diuretics. In a short period of time, they outline the relief muscles, but lead to metabolic disorders, dehydration, disruption of the central nervous system and dizziness.

When taking diuretics in sports, it is necessary to replenish potassium, calcium and electrolytes in the body, since they are washed out in the urine.

Special sports diuretics

Modern bodybuilders prefer to drink loop diuretics, which have a “harsh” effect. These include Lasix, Furosemide, Chlorthalidone, Torsemide, Triamterene and Acetazolamide. Many manufacturers offer athletes special sports nutrition, which includes herbs with diuretic properties. They effectively eliminate excess fluid in tissues, improve muscle definition without reducing the physical endurance of muscles and do not lead to hypokalemia.

Risks of using diuretics in sports

Drying with the use of diuretics in sports is today prohibited by many sports federations - up to the use of herbal teas with a diuretic effect. This is due to their harmful effects on health with constant use and the use of diuretics as a “screen” when taking prohibited stimulants (doping).

Diuretics are increasingly included in sports practice. In medicine, they are used to correct the acid-base balance of the body (diuretics remove both excess acids and excess alkalis from the body), to treat poisoning, for some injuries (especially the head), etc.

Diuretics are increasingly included in sports practice. In medicine, they are used to correct the acid-base balance of the body (diuretics remove both excess acids and excess alkalis from the body), to treat poisoning, for some injuries (especially the head), etc. Athletes use them for purposes far from medicine. Not everyone, however, understands the mechanism of action of diuretics (diuretics) and the side effects that they can cause. If used incorrectly, diuretics can cause:

• Dehydration. It is dangerous because it reduces circulating blood volume (CBV). This leads to a drop in blood pressure and insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. The result can be loss of consciousness and, in very rare cases, as an extreme expression of dehydration, death.
• Salt imbalance. Disturbance of salt balance and, in particular, loss of potassium, is dangerous because the functioning of the potassium-sodium pump, which ensures the processes of excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system, heart muscle, etc., is disrupted. As a result, confusion, heart rhythm disturbances and many other unpleasant consequences (weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, etc.) may occur.
• Violation of hormonal status. The point of action of some diuretics is the adrenal cortex, namely that part of it that produces mineralocorticoid hormones. In case of an overdose, tissue pastiness, depression of consciousness, electrolyte imbalance, etc. may occur.

Let's try to figure out what diuretics are and how to use them correctly. Diuretics or diuretics are substances that cause an increase in the excretion of urine from the body, a decrease in fluid content in tissues and a change in the salt balance of the body. Previously, diuretics in medicine were used only for diseases accompanied by fluid retention in the body. Now they are widely used for a wide variety of diseases, including the treatment of inflammatory syndromes. The effect of diuretics is not always due to increased diuresis, however, the diuretic effect is their main pharmacological feature. The increased urination caused by most diuretics is due to their specific effect on the kidneys. There are diuretics with a different mechanism of action. Modern diuretics are divided into 5 main groups:

• Saluretics.
• Potassium-sparing diuretics.
• Osmotic diuretics.
• Acid-forming diuretics.
• Herbal diuretics.

I. Saluretics

The main mechanism of action of saluretics is to enhance the excretion of sodium and potassium ions from the body. Due to this, a rapid dehydration effect is achieved. The disadvantage of this group of diuretics is the large loss of salts caused by the strong diuretic effect. All saluretics are divided into 3 groups: thiazide diuretics, loop thiuretics and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

1. Thiazide diuretics

Hydrochlorothiazide (b-chloro-7-sulfanoyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide. Synonyms: hypothiazide, dichlotaazide, dihydrochiorchiazid, nefrchks, dichlotride, piho-dran, pihydrochiorchiazid, disalunii, esidrex, esidrix, etc.) The diuretic effect of hydrochlorothiazide is mainly due to the excretion of sodium and chlorine salts, and to a lesser extent, potassium and bicarbonates. Sodium and chlorine are excreted from the body in equivalent quantities. The advantage of the drug is that even with prolonged use, the body does not become addicted and the effect is not weakened. The drug is available in tablets of 25 and 100 mg. When taken orally, hydrochlorothiazide is rapidly absorbed. The diuretic effect develops 1-2 hours after administration and lasts after a single dose for at least 10-12 hours, and sometimes even more. Daily doses of the drug range from 25 to 100 mg per day. Exceeding the maximum daily dose is not recommended. Despite the fact that the drug is well tolerated, with prolonged use, hypokalemia (deficiency of potassium salts) and alkalosis (shift in blood pH to the alkaline side) may develop due to a deficiency of chlorine ions. Therefore, the drug is prescribed for no more than 5-7 days in a row, and then take a break for 3-4 days. To prevent hypokalemia, a diet rich in potassium salts is recommended. The largest amount of potassium is found in peach and apricot dried apricots, dried bananas, prunes, dried fruits, and baked potatoes. There is a special dietary product "Sanasol", which consists of a mixture of several different potassium salts (potassium chloride, aspartate, etc.). Sanasol does not contain sodium and at the same time has a salty taste. This drug was created specifically as a substitute for table salt.

Oxodoline (1-0xo-3-(3-sulfanoyl-4-chlorophenyl)-3-hydroxyisoindoline. Synonyms: hygrotane, urandyl, chlorphtalidoione, chlortalidone, edemdal, etc.)

In terms of the effect it produces, oxodoline is similar to hydrochlorothiazide. However, it differs from the latter in the longer duration of the diuretic effect. The diuretic effect begins 2-4 hours after administration and lasts more than a day (sometimes up to 3 days). The drug is effective in cases where hydrochlorothiazide is ineffective. Release form: 50 mg tablets. Average daily doses are from 25 to 100 mg. To a slightly lesser extent than hydrochlorothiazide, it causes the loss of salts and potassium, but you still need to be careful and with long-term use it is necessary to adjust potassium metabolism.

2. "Loop diuretics"

"Loop diuretics" have a more powerful diuretic effect than thiazide derivatives. The main mechanism of their action is the release of sodium and chlorine ions, and to a lesser extent the release of potassium ions. Their effect occurs more quickly and sharply than when prescribing thiazides, so they are very effective as an “ambulance” remedy. However, a stronger effect is accompanied by a greater risk of complications (salt imbalance, cardiac arrhythmias, drop in blood pressure, etc.).

Furosemide (4-chloro-N-(2-furylmethyl)-5-sulfamoylanthranilic acid. Synonyms: lasix, diusemide, novo-imide, gpasec, tasimaid, urix, fruzins, furant-ril, furosemix, furon, furorese, furosemide, aisatal edefrusex, erraton, frany^fiydeit, frusemide, frusolon, furanthni, furantral, futfan, furomex, furosemide, etc.)

Furosemide is one of the most popular diuretics. Has significant potency. Effective both when administered orally and by injection. The diuretic effect is most pronounced during the first 2 days of using the drug. The drug acts especially quickly when administered intravenously. In this case, the diuretic effect begins within a few minutes, after oral administration - within the first hour. The duration of action after a single intravenous administration is 1.5-3 hours, after oral administration - 4 hours or more. The rapid effect when administered intravenously makes it possible to use furosemide in emergency cases. The diuretic effect of furosemide is mainly associated with the release of sodium and chlorine. To a lesser extent, potassium excretion increases. However, when using furosemide, the same correction of potassium metabolism is necessary as when using other diuretics. Sometimes furosemide is effective in cases where other drugs are not effective. There were no cases of ineffectiveness of furosemide. With uncorrected salt (and, primarily, potassium) metabolism, dizziness, depression, muscle weakness, and thirst may occur when furosemide is administered. Furosemide itself can cause side effects such as diarrhea, redness of the skin, itching, hearing loss (reversible), and kidney inflammation. Release form of the drug: tablets of 40 mg, 1% solution in ampoules of 2 ml (20 mg). Orally, usually take 1 tablet (40 mg) once a day in the morning. Very rarely, the daily dose for internal use is increased to 3 tablets (120 mg). The drug is administered intramuscularly or intravenously only if it is impossible to take it orally (loss of consciousness, difficulty in absorption in the intestine). For intramuscular and intravenous administration, 20-60 mg per day is sufficient. After the desired effect occurs, at the first opportunity they switch to taking the drug orally. This group also includes the drugs bufenox, clopamide and indapamide.

Ethacrynic acid (2,3-dichloro-4-(2-methylene-1-oxo6util)-phenoxyacetic acid Synonyms: uregit, dining ecrinex, edectii, edeciin, efacrymc acid, hydromedin, otacrii, uregif.)

It is one of the best diuretics. The strength of its action is close to furosemide, but does not increase the release of bicarbonates and does not significantly affect the level of potassium in the blood, which is a very valuable quality. Does not increase sodium excretion in urine as much as other diuretics. The use of ethacrynic acid is preferred over other loop and thiazide diuretics. Side effects develop much less frequently. When taken orally, the drug begins to act quickly. Diuresis begins after 30-40 minutes, reaches a maximum after 2 hours, continues after a single dose for 6-9 hours. Release form: 50 mg tablets. It is usually prescribed orally at 50 mg (1 tablet) once a day in the morning. If necessary, the daily dose can be increased to 200 mg (4 tablets) without significant side effects. When using the drug, side effects such as weakness, diarrhea, dizziness (drop in blood pressure) are possible.

3. Carbohydrase inhibitors

Carbonic anhydrase (carbonic anhydrase) is an enzyme involved in the process of hydration and dehydration of carbonic acid. A decrease in carbonic anhydrase activity causes a diuretic effect by increasing the kidneys' excretion of sodium bicarbonate and carbonic acid ions, as well as potassium ions. There is no increase in chloride release.

Diacarb (2-Acetylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-5-sulfamide.

Synonyms: fonurite, cayrazolamide, acefazolomium. axetamox, anilar, dehydratin, dilemax, dituran, diuramid, ederen, eumicfon, fonunt, glauconude, giauconox, giaupax, iediamox, natiioneXr nephramJd, rencmid, suifadiurine, etc.)

Diacarb is the only drug produced in Russia whose diuretic effect is based on the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase. The diuretic effect of diacarb is small. The effect of the drug develops easily, gradually, despite the fact that when taken orally, the drug is absorbed quite quickly and almost immediately begins to exert its effect, inhibiting carbonic anhydrase. Release form of the drug: tablets of 0.25 g. Take the drug once a day for 0.25 g or once every 3 days for 0.25-0.5 g. With frequent use, the diuretic effect of the drug decreases. Diacarb is low-toxic and rarely produces side effects, however, with long-term use, side effects such as drowsiness and sensory disturbances are possible. When the content of potassium and bicarbonates in the body is restored, these side effects quickly disappear.

II. Columy-sparing diuretics

POLITION-SAVING diuretics differ extremely favorably from saluretics in that they remove sodium ions from the body, completely preserving the potassium content in the body. In this regard, there are no numerous side effects associated with potassium loss, although side effects associated with hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels in the blood) are occasionally observed.

Triamterene (2,4,7-triamino-b-phenylpteridine. Synonyms: pterofen, amferen, diuren^um, dl"ufac, diuferen, dyren, pyrem"um, dyfac, fluxinar, jatropur, neruron, noridyl, pferofen, revifen, tafuni, teridin, triamferene, tn"arene, trispan, tnferen, tr^:rene, unocaudai, etc.)

Triamterene releases sodium ions without releasing potassium ions. The drug is rapidly absorbed when taken orally. The diuretic effect occurs within 20-30 minutes. Maximum effect after 2-3 hours. In total, the effect of the drug lasts about 12 hours. Release form of the drug: 50 mg capsules. Typically, triamterene is taken once a day in the morning, 50 mg. If necessary, the dose can be increased to 200 mg (4 capsules) and divided into several doses. Side effects during treatment with triamterene are rare. In some cases, nausea, headache, and low blood pressure are possible. Sometimes the level of urea in the blood increases. In this regard, it is recommended to use the drug not daily, but every other day, alternating with other diuretics. Under the name triampur compositum, tablets containing 25 mg of triamterene and 12.5 mg of dichlorothiazide are produced. The effectiveness of this drug is very high, and side effects are much less common than with other drugs. Triampur compositum is usually taken 1 tablet 1-2 times a day. A similar Russian drug is produced under the name "triamtezide". There are also less potent drugs such as amiloride.

Spironolactone. (gamma-lactone 3-(3-oxo-7alpha-thioacetyl-17beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-17alphayl) propionic acid. Synonyms: aladantone, vrospirone, practone, spirix, aldoctone A, practon, spirid, spironolactone, Vmspiron.)

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic of a special type of action. It differs from other diuretics in that the diuretic effect it provides is associated with the effect not on the kidneys, but on the adrenal glands. Spironolactone reduces the level of aldosterone in the body, a mineralocorticoid hormone of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid. It retains potassium and water in the body. In this regard, aldosterone is superior to all other adrenal mineralocorticoids, some of them even 300 times. As an aldosterone antagonist, Spironolactone increases the excretion of sodium, but reduces the excretion of potassium and urea. The diuretic effect of spironolactone is moderate and usually appears on days 2-5 of treatment. To speed up the onset of results, Spironolactone is usually combined with other types of diuretics in the first days. Spironolactone is especially often prescribed in cases where the release of potassium from the body is highly undesirable. Release form of the drug: tablets of 25 mg. Spironolactone is taken orally. The daily dose varies from 50 to 300 mg. The most common side effects when using spironolactone are hyponatremia (lack of sodium salts in the blood) and hyperkalemia (excess potassium salts in the blood). In some cases (however, very rare), side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, skin rash, and a reversible form of gynecomastia (enlarged mammary glands) may occur. Spironolactone is contraindicated in hyperkalemia, which occurs in renal failure. In all other respects it is a very good drug and side effects are extremely rare.

III. Osmotic diuretics.

The choleretic effect of osmotic diuretics is due to an increase in the osmotic pressure of blood plasma. Because of this, the body strives to excrete water. After all, in principle, it doesn’t really matter why the osmotic pressure is increased: due to an excess of sodium ions, bicarbonates, potassium, or some other substance.

Mannitol. (It is a hexahydric alcohol, belongs to the group of Sugars. Synonyms: mannitol, aerosmosel, diosmol, isofol, manitol, osmitrol, osmosal, rectisot, etc.) Hypertonic solutions of mannitol have a very strong diuretic effect. The effect is caused by an increase in plasma osmotic pressure. Diuresis is accompanied by a strong excretion of sodium without significant excretion of potassium. The higher the concentration of the drug, the higher the effect. In case of kidney diseases with impaired filtration capacity, the effect may be absent. Release form of the drug: powder of 30 g in bottles with a capacity of 500 ml, 15% solution in ampoules of 200 ml (30 g), 400 ml (60 g), 500 ml (75 g). For preventive purposes, mannitol is administered in a single dose at the rate of 0.5 g/kg, for therapeutic purposes - 1-1.5 g/kg. The daily dose should not exceed 140-180 g. Mannitol rarely causes side effects, because due to its structure, it is a non-toxic compound. Only with an overdose of the drug may signs of dehydration appear (diarrhea, hallucinations, drop in blood pressure). The drug is contraindicated only for those individuals who have impaired excretory function of the kidneys (renal failure) and severe circulatory failure.

Urea (Synonyms: carbamide, carbamid, carbamidum, urephil.)

In the human body, urea is not subject to metabolic processes, because is a chemically neutral compound. In large quantities, it is filtered by the kidneys, causing a diuretic effect. A decrease in blood pressure under the influence of urea occurs not only as a result of increased diuresis, but also as a result of its effect on the receptors of the hypothalamus (part of the midbrain). The release form of the drug is for intravenous administration in a dry, sterile form; urea is available in 30, 35, 60 and 90 g in hermetically sealed bottles with a capacity of 250 and 450 ml. Each bottle is supplied with a bottle containing the appropriate amount of 10% glucose solution (75, 115, 150, 225 ml) required to obtain a 30% urea solution. When administering urea, the total dose is 0.5-1.5 (on average 1 g of urea) per 1 kg of patient body weight. The effect usually occurs after 15-30 minutes, reaches a maximum after 1-1.5 hours from the start of the solution and lasts 5-6 hours or more (up to 14 hours). If necessary, the drug can be administered repeatedly (no more than 2-3 times) with an interval of 12-24 hours. Urea can also be administered orally in the form of a 50% or 30% solution in sugar syrup at a dose of 0.75-1.5 g /kg. If the necessary rules for administering urea are observed, no complications are observed. Only in some cases, with intravenous administration, an increase in blood pressure is observed. When taking the drug orally, nausea, vomiting and heartburn are sometimes observed. A contraindication for the administration of urea is severe cardiovascular insufficiency.

Potassium acetate (Synonym: kalium aceticum.)

Potassium acetate has a moderate diuretic effect. Potassium entering the body is quickly excreted by the kidneys. However, if the excretory function of the kidneys is impaired, potassium retention in the body may occur, which will cause disruption of the conductivity of the heart muscle. Excessive excess of potassium is just as harmful as its deficiency. Potassium acetate is sometimes even used as a source of potassium if there is hypokalemia caused, for example, by some other diuretics. Release form of the drug: mixture containing 30 g of potassium acetate dissolved in 200 ml of water. Take potassium acetate orally 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day.

IV Acid-forming diuretics.

The diuretic effect of acid-forming diuretics is due to the fact that they cause a shift in blood pH to the acidic side, and in an effort to compensate for acidosis (acidification of the blood), the body releases more sodium and water. The only acid-forming diuretic produced in our country is ammonium chloride.

Ammonium chloride. (Synonyms: ammonium chloride, ammonia, addamon, ammonium chlorotum, amochior.)

Ammonium chloride is easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is converted into urea in the liver. The diuretic effect is due to the release of sodium and the associated release of water. Release form: powder. The drug is used internally in powder form or a solution is prepared. Take ammonium chloride orally after meals in the form of a 2.5-5% aqueous solution or powder in capsules for 3-5 days with a break. The daily dose for adults is 8-12 g (in several doses). The diuretic effect of ammonium chloride with repeated use gradually decreases due to addiction. After 24-48 hours, sodium excretion begins to decrease due to compensatory reactions of the body, and after 5-7 days the diuretic effect stops. Therefore, it is necessary to take breaks to restore the body’s sensitivity to the drug. Side effects when using the drug may include stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting. To prevent these phenomena, the drug is taken after meals. The drug is strictly contraindicated for acute kidney damage.

Diuretics in sports

These drugs are used primarily in those sports where strict weight control is necessary (gymnastics, equestrianism). The use of diuretics has become a real epidemic. There have been repeated cases of serious illness as a result of the abuse of these drugs. In bodybuilding, diuretics are used to remove “excess” water from the body. In particular, Momo Benaziza died from them. In addition, with the help of diuretics, athletes try to mask the use of other prohibited drugs. The calculation here is simple: as urine volume increases, the concentration of metabolites decreases, and therefore they become more difficult to detect. However, modern analysis methods are so sensitive that this simple method does not work in most cases. They are used to eliminate edema after inadequate carbohydrate loading during the competitive period (1 g of carbohydrates retains 4 g of water in the body); for the fastest removal of excess sodium (with forced sodium unloading). The fifth group of diuretics - herbal diuretics - requires separate consideration, and we will talk about them in the next issue of the journal. It should be noted that the use of diuretins is prohibited by the IOC and various sports federations. They can be easily detected using modern analytical methods and will result in a 2 year disqualification. Therefore, this article is for general educational purposes only. We believe that in most cases, weight loss is possible without the use of potent drugs.

Any illegal copying of information from this resource is prohibited! Exclusive rights to materials are protected in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation and the CIS. When quoting the content of a site on the Internet (regardless of the type of materials), an active link to the Iron Factor portal is required!

Diuretics in bodybuilding are used to quickly reduce weight. They do not improve physical endurance and may not affect athletic performance. Due to the removal of fluid during intense muscle activity, physical endurance does not suffer. At the same time, abuse of diuretics can lead to a decrease in plasma levels, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system and, as a result, a decrease in muscle strength and definition.

Loop diuretics, which are characterized by an immediate effect (Furosemide, Torasemide), are popular among bodybuilding athletes. When using sports diuretics, it should be taken into account that the loss of fluid from the drug may be accompanied by dehydration loss due to physical activity and temperature. In addition, potassium loss through fluid should be taken into account.

Why take diuretics before competitions?

Athletes take diuretics before competitions in order to remove excess fluid from the subcutaneous tissue so that the body looks more prominent, elastic and attractive on stage. Intravenous administration of diuretics on the eve of competitions acts instantly and quickly removes water. But this method can lead to a decrease in muscle mass. Experienced athletes prefer to use diuretics in tablets 2 days before the competition.

It should be borne in mind that diuretics in sports, without following the principles of rational use, can lead to serious side effects, including cardiac arrest. To minimize all possible risks, drugs are combined (loop and potassium-sparing). In order to protect the athlete from intoxication that occurs against the background of rapid metabolism, it is recommended to take diuretics with plant extracts. They do not act as quickly, but unlike synthetic drugs, they do not upset the balance of electrolytes.

Sports nutrition has been developed for athletes, which contains diuretics of plant origin (Xpel, Hydrazide, Showtime). Herbal extracts, which form the basis of specialized preparations, help people involved in bodybuilding to get rid of fluid, improve their relief without reducing muscle strength, hypokalemia and other side effects of synthetic products. Special sports diuretics are not intended for long-term use.

Diuretics in sports

In some sports, such as weightlifting, boxing, wrestling and others, diuretics are used to quickly lose weight. Athletes pursue a very specific goal, quickly losing weight. In bodybuilding, diuretics are used to improve muscle definition. In addition, diuretics are often used to reduce the concentration of other illicit drugs in the urine. This procedure is aimed at concealing the presence of doping agents in the body and therefore, naturally, is prohibited.

Diuretics also have many side effects. One of the most dangerous consequences of taking diuretics is dehydration. We will talk about the dangers of the consequences of dehydration below, discussing the issues of fluid intake by athletes.

Insufficient fluid intake by athletes and taking large amounts of diuretics reduce the volume of circulating blood, cause cardiac arrhythmia, and can cause convulsions. Dehydration also causes disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus and kidney diseases. As evidenced by the sad statistics on the use of doping drugs, the uncontrolled use of diuretics has already caused the death of more than one athlete.