Question

When you read the testimonials and memoirs of survivors of WWII concentration camps, many of them mention that the weight loss form severe malnutrition was quite remarkable, and yet, their ankles and feet would get so swollen that walking would become difficult.
How do you explain the swelling in the lower extremities in the concentration camp victims?
(hint: it has something to do with albumin)

Answer 1

Proteins like albumin in blood helps in holding up water and salts inside the blood vessels and due to which the fluids does not leak into the tissues. In hypoalbuminemia the concentration of albumin in blood decreases due to which there is not enough albumin to hold on the water and salts inside the blood vessels because of which fluid leaks into the tissues which causes edema. This was the reason of swelling in lower extremities in concentration camp victims. Malnutrition in these concentration camp victims had lead to hypoalbuminemia which had caused edema and swelling in their lower extremities as explained above.