>Lisa May
>In fact, I would love recommendations for all other related lists that you
are aware of.

Have you heard of the sci-veg list? It's a list composed of mostly
academics.  Many professional nutritionist, a few well-known nutritional
authors, and other scientists are on the sci-veg list. This
group knows and practices the scientific method.  It was started by a group
frustrated with the discussion level of other lists (vegan-1, if I remember
correctly) Although I delete a good percent of their posts, the ones I read
are of high value.  There is much up to date dietary information regarding
osteoporosis, heart disease, essential fatty acids, etc.  Nutritional
deficiencies in vegan infants and reliability ofUSDA nutritional data are
current threads.  It is a moderated list. Well moderated, imo, and sticks to
its subject. It tends to have only a few threads going at once, but does
cover them well.  It's cooked, not raw.  From reading the sci-veg archives,
most of their contact with the raw world seems to have been with fruitarian
zealots (isn't that a fine how-de-do).  You should be able to get sci-veg at
http://www.waste.org/sci-veg

Lisa, you also mentioned that on the other raw list that you were not
getting much acknowledgment for your frequent posts,

Belated thanks don't have the same effect as a timely reply, but let me say
that I very much appreciate all your posts. You're heartfelt
illingness( and fast response) in helping others "defined" the other list in
my mind. I dislike being in the position of making excuses, but I never
responded with a short post of appreciation to you, or others for that
matter, because I was (am) somewhat new to the net,  was in the process of
going through the archives, and in the process of figuring out how to deal
with the 50+e-mail messages I was getting a day ( I have since mastered the
delete key). Plus I'm more of a lurker than a
poster.  So belated as it may be, thank you very much for all your work on
the net.

Also, Lisa, you mentioned a while back your concern about edema.  As I
recall the only response referred to edema being the result of poor kidney
function and recommended a vista to a health care practitioner.  Have you
tried diuretic herbs, such as dandelion, to stimulate kidney function.  As
much as I was Shelton's work changed my life, I always ignored natural
hygiene's condemnation of herbs and supplements. (Supplements may not be
perfect but just think what a little b-12, zinc, or calcium supplements
would do for the average fruitarian.  Chet Day even reported that a young
women, a beauty contest winner no less, died of osteoporosis - but wasn't
the actual cause ideological rigidity/)

One thing that struck me about edema was the seeming lack of specific
information.  When I do a search through my usual research materials, I am
normally able toget a reasonably good idea of the basic biology behind a
health problem, and then believe in attacking it at its root cause. I didn't
get this regarding edema.  Sure everybody says underperfoming kidneys and
recommends herbs to support the kidneys. I was looking for the biochemical
conditions which turn the kidneys on, or what would cause one set of kidneys
to function properly and another set to work poorly.  I didn't find that.

In any case, I would suppose you are familiar with Prescriptions for
Nutritional Healing by Dr. Balch and his nutritionist wife, Phyllis.  Its
prominently displayed in most heal food stores, and gives pretty good advice
for most people in most situations, imo. For edema Dr. Balch, who is a
urologist by trade, recommends such things as:
Vit B6    50mg 3 times a day to reduce fluid retention
Choline  50 mg daily
Inositol   100 mg daily
Vit C       2-4 grams/ day
Calcium 1,5000mg/day (cal/mag in 2-1 ratio)

Dr. Balch also says edema can be caused by allergies
Have you done a med line search edema?
The following is entirely speculative: I'm not claiming any of the following
suggestions would be tremendously effective against edema.  But if I had
water retention I would consider the following minor lifestyle changes.

Lisa, you mentioned you were into weight lifting.  Don't you think jogging,
aerobics, or hatha yoga would be a better choice?  The jogging and aerobics
induce sweat, of course.  Hatha youga makes the claim of toning and
strengthening the organ and glands.  I have been doing hatha yoga for about
2 years and, although I can't offer any scientific proof, from my experience
hatha does seem to benefit organ and gland functioning.  And isn't our
vitality and longevity more closely related to organ and gland health than
muscularity?  Not that I have a hate thing against lifting weights.  During
the winter months I normally lift weights 3 days a week.  Also if you have a
sauna available, consider using it 2 or 3 days a week (beware,excessive use
of a sauna can dry out the skin).

Anyway, thanks for all your posts.
Best Regards
Roy Siegel