ATD: Could My Diet Be Making Me Sick?

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Question:

I am a 30-year-old woman who has been a vegetarian for ten years. Lately my skin is really dry and I feel tired all the time. I’m retaining water more than I used to as well. I used to weigh 110, but my weight has slowly crept up to 135. What can I do diet-wise to have more energy and lose weight? Thank you!

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Answer:

Dear Ann,

With symptoms as specific as yours (dry skin, constant fatigue, water retention) I would suggest seeing your physician as soon as possible. From what you describe, I have no idea how these symptoms are related, but they may be a clear sign to your doctor of an easily treatable condition. Fluid retention is always a sign to see the doctor right away–it could involve major organs like your kidneys, liver, heart, or lungs.

Then, if the doctor finds nothing wrong I suggest, first of all, making sure you drink plenty of water (6-10 eight-ounce glasses daily). Dry skin can be a symptom of simply not being well-hydrated, and fluid retention can happen from a combination of a higher sodium intake and too little water intake to flush it out. (I want to stress you should definitely not just start drinking more before seeing your physician–as I mentioned above, if there are physiological reasons you are retaining water, drinking more could stress your kidneys, make breathing difficult, or stress your heart).

Depending on your diet (“vegetarian” can be well-balanced or can be lacking nutrients, just as with anyone’s typical diet) you may be lacking enough protein or enough essential fatty acids to be causing some type of deficiency. Protein deficiency can cause edema (fluid retention) and fatty acid deficiency can lead to dry skin.

Before adjusting your intake you need to see the doctor first to rule out any condition that can be easily treated now, but lead to serious consequences if you wait.

Please let us know how you’re doing!