Dandelion Root

[Gina]

Should I avoid weight loss supplements that contain dandelion root? What kind of effects does this ingredient have anyway? Is it true that it is a diuretic?

[tobetinytina]

From what I've heard it is a diuretic. So that means you'll expel more water form your body. In other words, you'll pee more. Some people really like it, but I've heard that if you're not careful when you take something like dandelion root, you could risk dehydration. You need to be careful with diuretics.

[speeddemon]

To be on the safe side just avoid it. You don't need to be taking diuretics unless they are prescribed to you by your doctor. Substances like Dandelion root can really mess up your body.

[treehuggertodd]

I would recommend avoiding them. You don't need diuretics unless they are prescribed to you by your doctor to help treat a specific health condition. There are safer and healthier ways to not retain water, such as by eating less salt, not over-eating and eating in around the same time every day.

[Ron]

Dandelion root is a diuretic? Is this just a fancy name for a herb or does Dandelion root actually come from dandelions? If so, wouldn't other herbs in the dandelion family also cause water reduction?

[bigbobby]

Dandelion root is a diuretic? Is this just a fancy name for a herb or does Dandelion root actually come from dandelions? If so, wouldn't other herbs in the dandelion family also cause water reduction?

Yes, it's a natural diuretic and it is actually the roots of a dandelion. Dandelion, believe it or not, is an edible weed. In fact, if I'm not mistaken (thought don't quote me on this) I think the entire plant is actually safe to ingest. That said, I wouldn't recommended heading out to your backyard, plucking one of these weeds and eating it haha. Typically, its roots and leaves are used most for herbal remedies. I don't know if there are any other flowers in the dandelion family.

[Gina]

Wow, I didn't know all that. Thanks for sharing everyone. I think I might just stay away from dandelion root, if only because I can't feel that I can trust that a manufacturer would provide me with a safe amount. It seems to be more of a health-herb than one meant for weight loss.

[madscientist]

Dandelion root is a diuretic, but it's actually quite healthy for you. It's not something you should necessarily avoid, you should simply not take high quantities of it. A small amount of it can be good for you and won't have enough power as a diuretic to actually cause any major side effects.