The Development of Concepts of Malnutrition

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Abstract
The idea that edematous malnutrition was caused by hypoalbuminemia, and that this was directly attributable to a low protein diet, was present in the 19th century. After the conceptual framework was laid by Starling, of the effects of the plasma protein's oncotic pressure being responsible for fluid distribution between the interstitial and vascular compartments, the idea that a low protein diet caused edema was quickly established on this theoretical background.