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Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Pitting Edema

Pitting edema is swelling from extra fluid trapped in the tissues, usually in the legs, ankles and feet, that leaves a dent when pressed. Little research on supplements for it has been reviewed here so far, though potassium and horse chestnut have the most support, and one small pilot study looked at dandelion. Since causes range from heart, kidney and liver trouble to pregnancy, the underlying reason matters, and the evidence is limited.

Sources: PMID 19678785

Supplements studied
3
Graded outcomes
0
Trials
3
People studied
112

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 supplements

Dandelion: outcomes studied for Pitting Edema
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
DiuresisImproves (the measure goes up)1 study17 people

Studies that measured diuresis

Cat's whiskers: outcomes studied for Pitting Edema
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
DiuresisImproves (the measure goes up)1 study80 people
MSM: outcomes studied for Pitting Edema
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Leg EdemaChanges; see studies1 study15 people

The Pitting Edema Supportive Care protocol

2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements

  • PotassiumIncrease through diet (bananas, potatoes, leafy greens) or 99–200 mg supplement
  • Magnesium300–400 mg daily

See the full protocol

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Pitting Edema. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.

Fullscript collectionHeart and circulation: evidence-graded picksOpen on Fullscript

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Studies cited

10 studies from PubMed

  1. On the effects of a plant extract of Orthosiphon stamineus on sebum-related skin imperfectionsInt J Cosmet Sci · PMID 20807263
  2. Studies on the individual and combined diuretic effects of four Vietnamese traditional herbal remedies (Zea mays, Imperata cylindrica, Plantago major and Orthosiphon stamineus)J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 1434681
  3. The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single dayJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 19678785
  4. Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysisBr J Sports Med · PMID 29018060
  5. Effect of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on exercise - Induced muscle damage and total antioxidant capacityJ Sports Med Phys Fitness · PMID 22525653
  6. Effect of chronic supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane on oxidative stress following acute exercise in untrained healthy menJ Pharm Pharmacol · PMID 21899544
  7. Influence of methylsulfonylmethane on markers of exercise recovery and performance in healthy men: a pilot studyJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 23013531
  8. Effect of topical application of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), EDTA on pitting edema and oxidative stress in a double blind, placebo-controlled studyCell Mol Biol · PMID 21366964
  9. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled studyBMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 21708034
  10. A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitisJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 12006124