Use of Diuretics in the Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

To the Editor:— In an article entitled A New Concept in the Treatment of Obesity ( JAMA 185 :50 [Oct 5] 1963) by Gordon and co-workers, the following statement is made: ... obese human subjects have a diminished glomerular filtration rate, an elevated titer in blood, of posterior pituitary antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and a markedly reduced renal clearance of water. In addition, they manifest a defect in renal clearance of sodium.... Accordingly, the authors advocate the use of diuretics and mild restriction of salt in the treatment of obesity. The curve of weight loss in the vast majority of obese individuals in negative caloric balance is not linear, but is a series of ups and downs with frequent periods of no apparent weight change. As has been demonstrated, these irregularities are intimately associated with the storage and release of relatively large quantities of water. The fact that both retention and release of