8 Surprising Causes of Edema: Uncover the Truth!

Summary

The video discusses various causes of edema in lower legs and feet, highlighting the impact of diet, particularly sugar and sodium intake, on fluid retention. It emphasizes the importance of potassium to counteract sodium and suggests a low-carb, ketogenic diet as a solution. Other causes like hormonal imbalances, liver or kidney damage, heart problems, and medication side effects are also covered. The video advocates for addressing the root cause of edema and provides natural remedies and lifestyle changes for management.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ A high sugar and carb diet can lead to water retention due to the body storing excess glucose as glycogen, which binds with water and potassium.
• 🥦 Consuming too much sodium without enough potassium can cause fluid retention; potassium helps balance sodium levels and reduce water retention.
• 🥒 A low-carb, ketogenic diet can help alleviate edema by reducing the storage of glycogen and consequently water in the body.
• 🍲 Increasing vegetable intake or taking potassium supplements can provide the necessary potassium to counteract sodium and reduce swelling.
• 🚫 MSG (monosodium glutamate) can cause insulin spikes similar to sugar, leading to water retention and puffiness, especially in the lower extremities.
• 💊 Diuretics, while helping to remove excess fluid, can also deplete potassium levels, potentially worsening fluid retention issues.
• 🥩 Low protein levels in the blood, often due to liver or kidney damage, can cause fluid to leak out of the bloodstream and lead to edema.
• 🫀 Heart problems, including congestive heart failure, can result in fluid congestion in the vascular system and subsequent lower leg edema.
• 🌿 Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause a condition called mixed edema, which is related to metabolic waste product accumulation and fluid retention.
• 💔 Lipedema, associated with hormonal imbalances, causes abnormal fat accumulation, and a low-carb, higher fat diet may help in managing this condition.
• 💊 Certain medications, such as NSAIDs, calcium channel blockers, diabetic medications, and steroids, can cause edema as a side effect and may require medical adjustment.

Q & A

What is pitting edema and how does it manifest?

Pitting edema is a condition where fluid accumulates in the body tissues, leading to swelling that leaves an indentation when pressed, or 'pits,' before bouncing back. It commonly affects the lower legs and feet.

What is the relationship between sugar consumption and edema?

Consuming excess sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to water retention due to the body's process of storing sugar as glycogen, which requires the use of potassium and water. This can result in a deficiency of potassium, leading to an imbalance with sodium and causing fluid retention.

How does a high carb diet contribute to edema?

A high carb diet can cause a spike in insulin, which is associated with the consumption of glucose. This spike in insulin can lead to additional retention of sodium, contributing to fluid retention and edema.

What is the role of potassium in preventing edema?

Potassium acts as an antidote to sodium in terms of fluid retention. When the body has sufficient potassium, it can buffer the effects of sodium and prevent the retention of fluid that leads to edema.

How can a ketogenic diet help with edema?

A ketogenic diet, which is low in carbohydrates, can help with edema by reducing the body's need to store glycogen and the associated water retention. This type of diet can lead to a quick loss of water weight, alleviating symptoms of edema.

What is the connection between MSG and edema?

MSG (monosodium glutamate) can cause edema as it spikes insulin, similar to the consumption of sugar. This leads to water retention and can cause puffiness and swelling, especially in the lower extremities.

How can liver and kidney damage lead to edema?

Liver and kidney damage can lead to edema because these organs play crucial roles in protein synthesis and filtration. Damage to these organs can result in low protein levels in the blood, which attracts and retains water, causing fluid to accumulate in tissues and lead to edema.

What are some common medications that can cause edema as a side effect?

Common medications that can cause edema include NSAIDs (used for pain and inflammation), calcium channel blockers, diabetic medications, and steroids.

How can one manage edema caused by medication?

Managing medication-induced edema involves discussing with a healthcare provider about possible adjustments to the medication regimen. It may include exploring alternatives with fewer side effects or using natural remedies like milk thistle to protect the liver and mitigate side effects.

What is lymphedema and how is it different from other types of edema?

Lymphedema is a condition where there is a backup of lymphatic fluid, often due to issues with the lymphatic system's ability to drain properly. Unlike other types of edema, which involve fluid accumulation in tissues, lymphedema is specifically related to the lymph system and often requires specialized treatments such as manual lymphatic drainage and compression garments.

What dietary recommendations are given for addressing edema?

The script suggests that a low carb, higher fat diet can be beneficial for addressing edema. This approach can help reduce water weight and alleviate symptoms associated with edema, particularly when combined with an increase in potassium-rich foods or supplements.

Outlines

00:00

🍽️ Diet and Edema: The Role of Sugar and Sodium

This paragraph discusses the impact of diet on the occurrence of edema, particularly in the lower legs and feet. It highlights the role of sugar and high carb diets in causing fluid retention due to the body's need to store excess sugar as glycogen, which绑带钾 and water. The speaker shares their personal experience with pitting edema and explains how a low carb, ketogenic diet can help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, the importance of maintaining a balance between sodium and potassium is emphasized, as potassium acts as an antidote to sodium's fluid-retaining effects. The paragraph also touches on the depletion of B1 caused by refined sugars, which can contribute to edema.

05:02

🥗 Food Choices and Sodium Intake: Impact on Edema

The focus of this paragraph is on how food choices, specifically the consumption of sodium-rich foods without a potassium buffer, can exacerbate edema. It discusses the common practice of consuming fast foods high in MSG, which can lead to insulin spikes similar to sugar consumption, resulting in fluid retention. The paragraph also addresses the use of diuretics, which while effective in removing fluid, can also deplete potassium levels, potentially worsening the condition. The speaker suggests natural diuretic methods, such as consuming foods high in potassium, to mitigate edema. Additionally, it explores the connection between liver and kidney damage, heart problems, and thyroid issues with the development of edema, emphasizing the need to address underlying health issues to effectively manage fluid retention.

10:04

💊 Medications and Medical Conditions: Further Causes of Edema

This paragraph delves into additional causes of edema, including hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, and the side effects of certain medications. It discusses lipedema, a condition related to abnormal fat accumulation in the lower body, which is associated with hormonal and genetic factors. The speaker also touches on thyroid-related edema, known as mixed edema, which is distinct from typical fluid retention. The paragraph further addresses the impact of medications on edema, advising viewers to consult with their doctors to adjust prescriptions and explore safer alternatives. Lastly, it introduces lymphedema, a complex condition affecting the lymphatic system, and suggests various therapies and lifestyle changes that can help manage symptoms.

Keywords

💡Pitting edema

Pitting edema is a medical condition characterized by swelling in the lower legs and feet, where the skin indents and does not immediately bounce back after pressure is applied. In the video, the speaker shares personal experience with this condition and discusses various causes and solutions, making it central to the video's theme of understanding and addressing edema.

💡High carb diet

A high carb diet refers to a dietary pattern where a significant portion of daily calorie intake comes from carbohydrates, particularly refined and sugary forms. In the context of the video, it is identified as a primary cause of edema due to its impact on insulin levels and glycogen storage, which in turn leads to water retention and potassium deficiency.

💡Glycogen

Glycogen is a form of glucose storage in animals, composed of multiple glucose molecules linked together. In the video, the speaker discusses how the consumption of sugar leads to the formation of glycogen, which ties up potassium and water, contributing to edema.

💡Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including fluid balance and muscle function. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of potassium in counteracting the water-retaining effects of sodium and its depletion due to high sugar and carb intake.

💡Sodium

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in the body. However, excessive sodium intake without a corresponding balance of potassium can lead to fluid retention and edema. The video discusses the relationship between sodium and potassium and the importance of maintaining a proper balance.

💡MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate, is a common food additive used to enhance flavor in many processed foods. In the video, the speaker identifies MSG as a hidden source of sodium that can contribute to edema, particularly when consumed in large amounts through fast foods.

💡Diuretics

Diuretics are medications that increase the production and excretion of urine, thereby helping to remove excess fluid from the body. However, the video points out that while diuretics can alleviate edema, they can also lead to hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, which can exacerbate fluid retention issues.

💡Liver damage

Liver damage refers to the impairment of liver function due to various factors such as disease, toxins, or injury. In the context of the video, liver damage can lead to a decrease in blood protein production, resulting in low protein levels that cause fluid to leak out of the bloodstream and accumulate in tissues, leading to edema.

💡Kidney damage

Kidney damage involves the loss of kidney function due to conditions such as disease or injury. In the video, it is mentioned that kidney damage can lead to edema because the kidneys' ability to filter blood and recycle proteins is compromised, leading to protein loss in the urine and subsequent fluid retention.

💡Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and other body tissues. In the video, heart problems, including congestive heart failure, are identified as potential causes of edema in the lower extremities due to the heart's reduced ability to circulate fluid properly.

💡Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a condition characterized by swelling, most often in the arms or legs, due to a problem with the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for carrying waste and protein-rich fluid away from tissues back toward the heart. In the video, lymphedema is described as a challenging condition to address, distinct from general edema, and requiring specialized therapies like manual lymphatic drainage and compression garments.

Highlights

Pitting edema in lower legs can be resolved by addressing the underlying causes rather than just treating the symptom.

A high carb diet and sugar consumption can lead to water retention due to the body storing sugar as glycogen, which binds with water and potassium.

Consuming excess sugar not only leads to fluid retention but also causes a potassium deficiency, which exacerbates fluid retention due to an imbalance with sodium.

A low carb, ketogenic diet can help alleviate edema by reducing the consumption of sugars and refined carbs that contribute to fluid retention.

The balance between potassium and sodium is crucial; potassium acts as a buffer against the water-retaining effects of sodium.

MSG, a common additive in fast foods, can cause insulin spikes similar to sugar, leading to fluid retention and puffiness.

Diuretics, often prescribed for fluid retention, can have the side effect of causing low potassium (hypokalemia), which can worsen fluid retention.

Low protein levels in the blood, often due to liver or kidney damage, can lead to edema as the blood's ability to attract and retain water is diminished.

Heart problems, such as congestive heart failure, can result in fluid congestion in the lower extremities due to poor pumping of the heart or high blood pressure.

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause a condition called mixed edema, which is a buildup of a waste product from metabolism rather than actual fluid retention.

Lipedema, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation, is associated with hormonal imbalances and can be triggered by changes in estrogen levels.

Certain medications can cause edema as a side effect, and it's important to discuss alternatives or adjustments with a healthcare provider.

Lymphedema is a complex condition involving the lymphatic system, which lacks a pump and can lead to backup and congestion.

Manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments, low-level laser therapy, and regular exercise can help manage lymphedema by aiding the flow of lymph fluid.

Addressing the root cause of edema is essential for effective treatment, whether it involves dietary changes, supplements, or addressing underlying health conditions.

Potassium electrolyte supplements can be beneficial for those who struggle to consume enough potassium-rich foods to counteract sodium's water-retaining effects.

For those on medications that affect the liver, natural remedies like milk thistle can help mitigate potential side effects and protect the liver.

Transcripts

you know I actually had pitting edema in

my lower legs in my late twenties

so

I'm a lot older now and I don't have it

so I'm going to share with you some of

the things that I did as well as

um some other causes common causes rare

causes and what to do with each one so

specifically I want to talk about edema

in the lower legs and the feet so a lot

of people have it a lot of people take

medication but they don't actually at

the same time correct the underlying

cause so cause number one is

sugar and a high carb diet

and as that relates also to a spike in

insulin okay so it's kind of a

double-edged sword when you consume

excess amounts of sugar

what happens your body has to store the

sugar as glycogen okay what is glycogen

glycogen is a series of

glucose molecule stuck together

with potassium okay so they're going to

basically when you consume sugar you're

gonna it's gonna use up potassium to

store this glycogen and water so with

every glucose that you're going to store

okay you're going to store three water

molecules okay so you're going to store

a lot more water compared to glucose

when you consume glucose you know slash

sugar so this is all retained fluid this

is why when someone goes on a low carb

diet they just dump a lot of water like

real quick within the first week it

could be anywhere between seven to

thirteen pounds of water weight so

eating sugar and refined carbs

causes water retention from glycogen it

also causes a potassium deficiency when

you consume sugar too and when you lower

your potassium okay ratio to sodium we

have this retention of fluid so in other

words we all know that sodium retains

fluid well potassium is the antidote to

that so the less potassium I have

available because it's all locked up

within this glycogen then you're going

to actually cause retention of fluid

just because of the relative sodium in

your body in low potassium but also the

spike in insulin okay which is

associated with these the glucose

causes an additional factor of retention

of sodium from the spike in insulin this

is why diabetics are just like they have

this puffy fluid retention in the lower

legs and the feet because they have a

high glucose running through the

bloodstream all the time because

obviously they didn't discover

the low carb diet connection to solving

this mystery now on top of that when you

consume refined sugars you get a

depletion of B1 and a B1 deficiency can

also cause edema or swelling in your

legs in your feet so the solution can be

corrected by going in a low carb diet

it's called the ketogenic diet all right

number two

consuming a lot of sodium without the

buffer called potassium potassium

protects you against too much sodium in

fact it's not even a big concern if you

have a lot of salt in your diet as long

as you have the protective potassium

that comes along with it and you

definitely need at least twice as much

potassium than you do sodium so the

requirements for potassium are kind of

shocking to people once they find out

how much they need the rdas call for 4

700 milligrams that's how much potassium

we need so if you have that much

potassium you can buffer the bad effects

of sodium like fluid retention so

anything that increases the sodium

without the same time increasing

potassium can create a problem so let's

talk about

what can do that well number one

consuming a lot of salty foods without a

lot of potassium foods like I know this

might be shocking but some people don't

like vegetables right so they don't

consume much vegetable now why am I

saying that because the average person

in America at least consumes only one

and a half cups of vegetables per day

do you realize to get your potassium you

would have to consume at least seven to

ten cups of salad every single day so

that's a lot of greens but that will

provide the potassium to really help

buffer this sodium and get rid of a lot

of fluid now some other people what they

do is they do a combination they

increase their vegetables but they also

take a potassium electrolyte supplements

so they can actually get more potassium

to push out the fluid and that can

happen pretty quick in fact if you take

potassium and the next day when you wake

up you'll notice that wow my puffiness

in my legs are much less now another

hidden source of sodium is MSG mono

sodium glutamate which you would get in

a fast food restaurant right all these

you know delicious tasting addictive uh

junk Foods or fast foods are loaded with

MSG MSG dilates your taste buds to make

things taste better than it really is

you'll usually be hungry like an hour

and a half later MSG also spikes insulin

so it's kind of like eating sugar so

it's a double-edged sword because the

next day after consuming it's really

tasty food from a fast food restaurant

you'll notice the next day like you're

all swollen you can't pull your rings

off your your feet are all puffy listen

I used to do that I have firsthand

knowledge of that I used to live on fast

food for a few decades so just do an

experiment just cut out those Foods

start increasing potassium and watch how

the fluid goes away now another thing in

relationship to sodium so when people

have

high blood pressure or they have fluid

retention they're usually given a

diuretic diuretics get rid of fluid

because they cause an excess release of

sodium so it gets rid of sodium so it

gets rid of the fluid problem solved

right

well there's one minor complication it

has a side effect of something called

hypocalemia now what is hypokalemia that

means low potassium that's right those

diuretics decrease your potassium so

here you are trying to get rid of your

fluid getting rid of your sodium but

you're also getting rid of your

potassium guess what that's going to do

it's going to make things worse as a

natural diuretic you can just eat foods

high in potassium sometimes you can even

um take the Rind of watermelon just the

Rhine part or any melon and juice that

and drink that and you will wake up the

next day and you'll just like get rid of

a lot of fluid and the Rind of these

melons are loaded with potassium another

cause of fluid retention is low protein

in your blood but this most likely is

not stemming from you not consuming

enough protein

coming from either liver damage or

kidney damage you see your liver makes

certain proteins like albumin and when

the liver is damaged like in cirrhosis

or a fatty liver you can't make

sufficient amounts of that protein so

now we're going to have low protein in

the blood and what happens is like this

protein the blood attracts water so it

keeps the water in your blood when the

protein goes down you lose the water and

it goes out of the bloodstream and it

starts to accumulate in between the

cells causing edema and swelling this is

why with Advanced liver disease you

usually see pitting edema in the lower

legs you see people with a lot of

swelling usually the liver problem will

cause swelling on the right ankle and

leg before the left and the left ankle

or foot or lower leg is more heart

initially but then it kind of spreads

off into both also when you have kidney

damage

kidney is a filter so if you can't

filter

this Blood okay and help recycle these

proteins you end up losing a lot of

protein in the urine and this is one way

they diagnose kidney disease is by

having protein in the urine

so that means you're losing protein in

the blood and that means you're going to

retain fluid from that so both liver

damage and kidney damage can Create

Edema number four a heart problem so if

you have heart disease congestive heart

failure there's a lot of different types

of problems with the heart it's either

not going to pump the fluid that well

and then what's going to happen you're

going to get congestion in the vascular

system through the capillaries and that

can show up in the lower legs or it

could be partly because of the high

blood pressure that's pushing fluid and

you're ending up with edema from that

angle but of course the solution is to

fix the heart I have a lot of videos on

what to do for that natural things that

you can do for heart health but of

course a bad heart can definitely create

fluid retention in the lower extremities

now the next one has to do with the

thyroid now this can happen in both

hypothyroidism as well as hyper

thyroidism it's called mixed edema it

looks like it's a fluid retention such

situation but it's not and you see it

kind of like in the could be all over

the body it's kind of like this puffy

um like tissue in the lower extremities

like around your lower legs it could be

in the arms and again it's not edema

it's not even fat it's this kind of this

um

waste product from your metabolism and

the name of it is called a

mucopolysaccharide so it actually has

sugar connected to this protein and

because of that it does retain uh bind

to some fluid but it's very very

different than like edema that's in your

legs and apparently they don't know

exactly what causes this but it has

something to do with a spike in the

thyroid stimulating hormone and there

has been some results with this if you

catch it in time by giving the person

iodine or whatever the thyroid needs to

support the thyroid Health but again the

solution always has to be aligned with

the underlying cause so you have to

start working on why you have this hyper

or hypothyroid problem in the first

place and I have a lot of videos on that

I'll put a couple videos down below now

the next one is called lipedema and this

has to do with this abnormal fat

accumulation

in your tissues primarily in the lower

part of your body

they don't know a lot about it but it's

associated with the person having this

hormonal slash genetic problem with too

many estrogen receptors because estrogen

can cause fat in the lower part of the

body it can actually just make more fat

and a lot of times this condition is

triggered when someone is pregnant or

even in puberty when they have the spike

of estrogen even sometimes in menopause

when you have this it's a relative

higher amounts of estrogen compared to

Progesterone that's a completely

different situation

it's not fluid and it's very difficult

problem to solve but there's been some

studies and I'll put the link down below

of some pretty good dramatic benefits

from going on a low carb higher fat diet

so definitely you want to try that if

you have this condition number seven has

to do with the side effects of

medication if you start getting edema

from the side effect from a medication

you're gonna have to get with your

doctor and make some adjustments and I

would always recommend when you talk to

a doctor always you know

ask questions about like what's really

causing uh this problem why don't we get

to the root cause and also how long do I

have to be on this medication does it

actually ever correct this problem and

are there safer Alternatives in the

maybe herbal area that have lesser

amounts of side effects but if you can

pinpoint when you start getting swelling

in the lower legs and then what happened

just before that medications are a big

cause so you might want to get with your

doctor on that one and just as a side

note on that anytime you're on

medications the number one organ that

seems to be affected most is the liver

so milk thistle is a great kind of a

liver protective natural remedy to help

buffer some of these sound effects or

complications that might occur from just

taking the medication so milk thistle is

a good remedy but common medications

that can cause edema is NSAIDs usually

use for pain and inflammation calcium

channel blockers and diabetic

medications and also steroids last point

is lymphedema now this one is a very

difficult thing to work with because

you're having this problem in the lymph

system and the lymph system is

kind of connected to the arterial system

but it's doesn't have like a pump

so you have a lot of backup congestion

in the lymph system and so manual

lymphatic drainage is a great therapy

for this using compression garments is

another solution low-level laser therapy

has also been known to produce some good

benefits as well as regular or

consistent exercise can help to push

some of this lymph back into the place

where it needs to be in and out of your

lymphatic system all right so now that

you have a lot of potential reasons for

edema I think the next most important

video for you to watch would be the one

on what to really eat

for the majority of problems related to

this edema and for that information I

put this video up right here check it

out