Question

How would you explain to an individual the role of protein in the development of edema

Answer 1

The protein are the necessary nutrients of the body in building up the tissues and hence the building blocks of cells.Edema in simple is the accumulation of water in the body. Albumin(protein) is one of the most important part of fluid exchange. This serum albumin prevents the entry of sodium and water into the cells and this tissue from the blood stream through oncotic pressure.When the protein intake is hampered or deficient it leads to decrease in the level of serum albumin which stops its function and thus the sodium and water is pushed into the tissues resulting in edema.