Each cell and every tissue in your body contains water that helps to maintain their shape and supports their functions. Regulating the fluid balance in your tissues is important to your health, since too little water can hinder cellular metabolism, while too much water can cause swelling, or edema. Consuming too much or too little of specific nutrients in your diet, such as vitamins, can lead to edema.
Vitamin A
One vitamin that can potentially cause edema is vitamin A, or retinol. While moderate consumption of vitamin A can prove beneficial -- helping to maintain healthy skin, support your immune and visual systems -- high doses can cause harmful edema. Specifically, an overdose of vitamin A causes a buildup of fluid within your skull, and this cerebral edema can damage your brain tissue. If you suffer a vitamin A overdose, you might develop headaches, irritability or visual disturbances such as double vision as a result of the edema.
Avoiding Vitamin A Toxicity
You can prevent edema due to a vitamin A overdose by consuming the nutrient in moderation. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, adult females require 2,333 IU -- or 700 mcg -- of vitamin A each day, while men require 3,000 IU, or 900 mcg daily. Never exceed a total vitamin A intake of 10,000 IU daily, as larger doses can cause an overdose. Always talk to your doctor about a vitamin A dosage to meet your needs without increasing your risk of edema.
Vitamin B-1
Another vitamin linked to edema is vitamin B-1, or thiamine. Unlike vitamin A, which causes edema when consumed in high doses, chronic low levels of vitamin B-1 are responsible for edema. You might develop a buildup of fluid in your extremities, causing swollen feet, ankles, legs, hands and wrists. In addition, the deficiency can cause a decrease in cognitive functioning, as well as impaired muscle function and stunted growth, reports the Colorado State University Extension.
Avoiding Vitamin B-1 Deficiency
You can prevent edema due to a vitamin B-1 deficiency by consuming enough of the vitamin every day. Foods such as whole grains, meats and legumes all are sources of thiamine. Aim for an overall thiamine consumption of 1.2 mg daily for men, and 1.1 mg daily for most women to prevent deficiency, recommends the Linus Pauling Institute.
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