The body, blood, skin, organs, bones, mucous, phlegm, water, etc. build up and break down, largely according to the food, nutrients provided. Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. It can occur anywhere in the body: head, arms, legs, etc and is generally caused by poor diet and or weak digestion. Edema is more common in women than in men.
The body digests, transforms food, nutrients into blood, into structure into function, into health or disease. There are only two kinds of nutrients: building and cleansing. Building nutrients (protein and fat) build and fuel all structure and function. Cleansing nutrients (water, minerals, sugar, etc.) reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten.
The correct amount of building and cleansing produced the correct amount of blood, structure and function, where the body mind can thrive. The incorrect weaken, sicken and pain via too much or too little.
Water in the body builds up and breaks down. It is derived largely from food and fluids. All foods are mostly water, some more than others. Fruits, vegetables and grains are more watery than meat, eggs, cheese, beans, etc. In excess, too many fruits, vegetables and juices, drinks, in excess, or at the beginning of the meal, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, acid and enzymes, decreasing digestion and absorption, while increasing waste. Whatever food, nutrients not digested, absorbed become waste.
Weak digestion burns, metabolizes less water, fat, sugar, etc. It also tends to cool the body, causing excess condensation (water, phlegm, mucous, etc.) to occur. Cold condenses, In nature, cold temperature cause condensation, rain to occur. It can also harden rain, water into snow and ice.
The digestive system is like the engine of a car. It not only energizes, powers the car but also heats. Digestion throws off a lot of heat that not only warms the body, but also contains and or dissipates excess fluids.
Weak digestion burns less fluids while creating more.
Low protein, low fat (especially milk, yogurt, beans, nuts and seeds) and high carbohydrate (grains, pasta, bread, salads, raw vegetables, fruit, especially tropical, juices, etc.) diets, in the extreme, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, and in the extreme, cause edema.
Edema trends to attack women more than men, as many women tend to eat low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets. They also tend to menstruate. Menstruation, blood loss tends to weaken all function, including digestion and body temperature.
The correct way of eating, meal plan, 2-3 times per day, preferably breakfast and lunch is:
1/3 Protein and fat (red meat, eggs, chicken, turkey, beans, etc.)
1/3 Grain (rice, noodles, bread, etc.)
1/3 Vegetables, cooked (3-5), cabbage, broccoli, onions, kale, celery, carrots with tops, etc.) Avoid potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and raw vegetables, salads; fruit (1) avoid tropical and semi tropical
Spices (cardamon, cumin, coriander, fennel, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, etc.)
Tea
Over overeating as it weakens digestion.
Author, Hot and Cold Health
Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992-2002); Owner, operator Food and Thought, health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984-2001); Questioned and counseled 30,000+; “What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Web: http://www.hotandcoldhealth.net
