Edema

​Edema is not very well understood.
Some of parts of the picture discussed in research are:
Leakiness of blood vessels.
Failure of liver, kidney and gut to provide nutrients to keep vessels intact.
Behind these focal points, I approach diseases of these body parts at root cause as a combination of nutritional deficiencies and toxicities, with infection being the toxin that fights back.

Weak vessels can leak fluid into the interstitium and lymph, which can also become sluggish.

Recent research shows that the most important barrier that leaks is outmost surface facing the blood, the glycocalyx which relies heavily on sulfur in the forms of cholesterol sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. I have written about this before under cholesterol, sulfur, and blood clotting, with references.

The glycocalyx layer is above the pores of the vessels: fenestrations and clefts that may malfunction.
Beneath that is the layer of collagen IV, the basement layer.

One toxin that can affect this is glyphosate from Round Up weed killer used all over residential areas and in crops, specially GMOs.
It destroys nitric oxide synthesis necessary to utilize sulfur as sulfate, according to Stephanie Seneff.
Glyphosate also occupies where glycine should be in collagen making it malfunction, like in the gut. I have not seen the connection to vessels discussed, but liver and kidneys are damaged by toxins.

The older theory of leaky vessels is still useful in making the connection to leaky kidney or nephrotic syndrome in a more general way.

The older theory is that albumin protein in the blood provides “oncotic pressure” to pull fluid back into the blood to counter balance hydrostatic blood pressure to push it through and osmotic pressure to draw fluid into the tissues, which when balanced only delivers the needed nutrients and fluids.

Albumin deficiency results from the kidneys excreting too much albumin, nephrotic syndrome, or, leaky kidney. This can be measured in the urine and is known a proteinuria. When elevated it can reflect dehydration as the relative concentration.

Albumin deficiency can also be caused by the liver not producing enough of this protein.

While Starlings theory of oncotic pressure may not fully explain leady vessels it can still be a part, and moreover, it is a useful concept for understanding albumin and protein loss that can affect vessel health and overall health. It has been suggested that proteins lost are needed for venous valves and thus contributes to venous insufficiency.
The theory of oncotic pressure is explained in Wikipedia with footnotes to research on the improved theory of edema based on the glycocalyx.

Another side of kidney malfunction is suggested in kidneys not excreting enough liquid. This is the obvious idea behind diuretics, but even this simple insight is not incorporated in the theories of edema I have read—information is scattered. Kidneys not excreting enough when combined with leaky vessels would contribute to edema.

While there is no complete theory of edema or its various patterns we can at least focus on the health of the parts: vessels, kidneys, liver and gut.
All of these, in turn, depend on nutrients to rebuild and to detoxify.
Everyone has different deficiencies and needs, so there is no general solution.
I can’t guess what anyone needs so I don’t give any advice.
I’m interested in hearing from others that can contribute to understanding edema and related organ problems.