━━ Edema is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the body.
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As we grow older, various unpleasant problems appear, which may not be serious but can be troublesome. After fifty, people often experience swollen feet and hands. However, the cause starts with you, because you probably eat what you shouldn’t.
Swelling, known professionally in medicine as edema, is caused by fluid trapped in the body’s tissues. The part of the body in question thus becomes enlarged and makes normal daily activities uncomfortable. They occur mainly in older people aged 65 and over or in pregnant women. However, this does not mean that they cannot affect you earlier. If you experience them regularly after the age of 50, the cause may lie in the foods you eat.
Swollen limbs are not pleasant at all. They indicate that the body is retaining more water than it should. This especially happens when you consume foods full of salt. The problem becomes the intake of high levels of sodium, which makes up about 40% of salt. However, it can cause more serious problems than just swollen feet or hands.
Sodium is one of the minerals that perform many important functions in the body, such as maintaining fluid balance, transmitting nerve impulses and moving muscles. However, when it is in excess, it does more harm than good. Not only does it hold more water in the body, but it also increases blood volume and with it blood pressure, thus not benefiting heart health.
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If you are struggling with swelling and eating a high-salt diet, a change in eating habits is in order. Limiting your sodium intake should help your swollen limbs resolve.
These foods include, but are not limited to, cured meats, canned soups and vegetables, frozen foods that can be incredibly salty, spaghetti sauces or baked goods and cereals. Hard cheeses, such as Emmental or Parmesan, or mineral waters and sports drinks can also be a problem.
So, as a first step, it’s important to cut down on processed foods, replacing them with dishes made with fresh ingredients. Of course, add less salt, drink plenty of water and increase your potassium intake. When shopping, also try to look at product labels for the percentage of sodium they contain.
The body changes as we age. Hormonal changes come in, exercise is more demanding and the body has a harder time dealing with salt. Because of this, it has a harder time excreting excess sodium, which then causes swelling and other problems. Try to focus on what food you eat and you should see positive changes after changing your eating habits.
