Vitamins With Diuretic Effects

Vitamins are natural substances found in the foods you eat that help the body to perform functions like building bones or healing wounds. Although getting the vitamins you need from food is ideal, your diet may be lacking in several vitamins. Vitamin deficiencies cause a multitude of problems, from dry skin to scurvy. Yet, you should consult with a doctor before taking vitamin supplements, as they can cause side effects, including a diuretic effect.

Fat-soluble Vitamins

A fat soluble vitamin can be stored in any fatty area of the body. This is helpful because it can stay around until your body needs it for a specific purpose. Vitamins A, E, D and K are all fat-soluble. The down side is that since these vitamins can be kept in the body for days, weeks or even months, they are toxic in large doses. You can overdo taking fat-soluble vitamin supplements.

Water-soluble Vitamins

Vitamins for the Menstrual Cycle

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The vitamins that are water soluble are vitamin C and all the B vitamins, such as B-1, which is thiamine, and B-6, which is pyridoxine. You cannot store these vitamins, so if your body does not need them exactly when they are digested, they will be eliminated through urination.

Vitamin Supplements

Vitamin supplements are not regulated by the Federal Drug Administration, so they may not be subject to the same quality control as foods or beverages. Supplements have added ingredients, including binders and fillers. These added ingredients could cause side effects.

Vitamin C

Supplements That May Interfere With Birth Control

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According to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s website, vitamin C supplements can have a diuretic effect. This means that your rate of urination or the total amount you eliminate is increased. This site recommends that you increase your water intake when supplementing with vitamin C.

Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B-6 may help people who have water retention issues, according to Mother Nature’s website.On that site, Marilynn Pratt, M.D., who specializes in women's health, states that hormones may be involved in fluid retention, especially around the menstrual cycle. A course of four doses of 200 mg of vitamin B-6 at least five days in advance of a woman’s menstruation might relieve the bloating. In general, supplementing with 500 mg of vitamin B-6 could decrease water retention.