Q. What deficiency causes swollen feet and ankles?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Swollen feet and ankles can be caused by various factors, but one common culprit is a deficiency in certain nutrients, particularly potassium and magnesium. These two minerals play crucial roles in maintaining fluid balance within your body.
Potassium helps regulate fluid balance by acting as an electrolyte, which means it helps conduct electrical impulses in your body's cells, including those in your muscles and nerves. When you don't have enough potassium, a condition called hypokalemia, it can lead to fluid retention, causing swelling in your feet and ankles.
Similarly, magnesium is another mineral that helps regulate fluid balance and muscle function. When you're deficient in magnesium, your body may struggle to maintain proper fluid balance, leading to swelling in your extremities.
Other deficiencies, such as low levels of protein or vitamin B6, can also contribute to swollen feet and ankles. Protein helps maintain the pressure within your blood vessels, preventing fluid from leaking out into surrounding tissues. Vitamin B6 plays a role in regulating fluid balance and may help reduce swelling.
In addition to nutritional deficiencies, other factors such as prolonged standing or sitting, pregnancy, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions like kidney disease or heart failure can also cause swollen feet and ankles.
If you're experiencing persistent swelling, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, simply addressing nutritional deficiencies through dietary changes or supplements may help alleviate symptoms, but it's crucial to rule out any serious underlying conditions.
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