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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: WATER RETENTION / EDEMA
Description: Bloating occurs when fluid that normally flows through the body in blood vessels, lymph ducts and tissues gets trapped in tissues, in the tiny channels between cells. The fluid flows through the membranes of tiny blood capillaries into the tissue cells because of osmotic pressure (cell wall pressure), which is controlled by electrolytes such as sodium. A high sodium level attracts more fluid from the blood into the cells, where the fluid gets trapped and the cells become overhydrated.
Symptoms: Bloating and swelling of the face, fingers, hands and legs.
Incidence:
Causes: Many things can cause water retention, including allergic reactions to foods, heart failure, liver, bladder or kidney problems, and prescription drugs such as hormones. In women, hormonal changes often cause bloating prior to menstruation, when high levels of estrogen and progesterone cause the body to retain salt (sodium). Replacement hormones, especially estrogen, can also cause substantial bloating and weight gain. The rise in estrogen in the body during pregnancy increases the tendency to retain fluids, causing some swelling of the hands and feet.
Treatments: Proper diet and nutritional therapy can reduce fluid retention. If you retain fluid because of heart, liver or kidney problems, or are taking diuretics (water pills), you need to be under a doctor’s care.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Free form amino acid complex |
As directed on label. |
Sometimes edema is caused by inadequate protein assimilation. Protein deficiency has been linked to water retention. |
|
Vitamin B complex plus extra Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) |
50 – 100 mg. twice daily, with meals. 50 mg. twice daily. |
B vitamins work best when taken together. Reduces water retention. |
|
Calcium And Magnesium |
1500 mg. daily. 1000 mg. daily. |
To replace minerals lost with correction of edema. |
|
Potassium |
3500 mg. |
Very important if taking diuretics. |
|
Alfalfa |
|
See under Herbs, below. |
Herbs:
 | Alfalfa is a good source of important minerals. It also contains chlorophyll, a potent detoxifier. Take 2000 to 3000 mg. daily, in divided doses. |
| Dandelion leaf is an effective diuretic herb and is also a rich source of potassium. Take one teaspoonful of the tincture three times a day, or an infusion of the fresh leaves three to five times a day. |
| Parsley tea has a mildly diuretic effect. Brew two teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes. Drink up to three cups a day. |
Recommendations:
| A high fiber diet is important. The diet should include whole grains and plenty of watery vegetables such as cucumbers, apples, potatoes (whole or in soups), grapes, beets, onions, cabbage and citrus. |
| For protein, eat eggs, broiled fish and broiled skinless chicken or turkey. |
| Avoid the following foods that tend to worsen edema: caffeine, alcohol, salt, fried foods, cow’s milk products, animal protein, white flour, sugar, chocolate, olives, pickles, and soy sauce. |
| Drink more water. If your fluid retention is caused by excess salt intake, cut back immediately, and drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day, to help flush out the salt. |
| MSG (monosodium glutamate) also contains sodium. In addition to Chinese food, MSG is also found in processed foods. Read labels for "MSG" or "hydrolyzed vegetable protein" and avoid these foods. |
| Exercise daily and take hot baths or saunas twice a week. |
| Avoid stress. |
| If you wake up in the morning congested, with puffy eyes and a headache, suspect a food allergy. Food allergy testing is recommended. |
| If pressing with the fingers on your feet and ankles results in the formation of small "pits," consult your physician. This can be a sign of a serious health problem. |
Considerations:
| Overweight women have more estrogen in their systems because fat tissue produces estrogen. This puts them at a higher risk for retaining fluid in their tissues and for adding to their overall weight. Overweight women need lots of water and should drastically reduce salt intake. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
NS6ONS |
Amino Acid-free form 600 mg. capsules |
As directed on label. |
$17.95/100 |
|
891-15 |
B complex 50 mg. tabs. |
1 tablet 2 times daily with meals |
$6.95/100 |
|
836-15 |
Vitamin B6 50 mg. tabs. |
1 tablet 2 times daily with meals |
$3.35/100 |
|
112-17 |
Calcium oyscal 500 mg. with D tablets |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/120 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium 200 mg. caps. |
1 capsule 3 times daily |
$4.95/100 |
|
248-15 |
Potassium gluconate 595 mg. tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
889-15 |
Alfalfa 500 mg. tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$2.25/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
Alternative Medicine, The Definitive GuideCompiled by the Burton Goldberg Group
