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NUTRITION AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL IN LYMPHOEDEMA AND LIPOEDEMA
Lymphoedema and lipoedema are not caused by being overweight. Lipoedema, in particular, is often confused with obesity, but it has no relation to it (this is discussed in depth here).
Lymphoedema and lipoedema can benefit from a specific and targeted diet tailored to each of these two conditions.
At the Clinica Linfologica Italiana in Padua, we treat lymphoedema and lipoedema with a multidisciplinary approach, combining various therapies in a personalized manner. Targeted nutrition is one of these therapies and is, therefore, a fundamental and indispensable part of the treatment.
Lymphoedema and lipoedema require different approaches, including from a nutritional standpoint. That is why we have three physicians in our clinic, including nutritionists and dietitians, each specialised in a specific clinical area.
THE “DIET” FOR LIPOEDEMA IN PADUA
The diet for lipoedema should have one main goal:
to reduce chronic inflammatory states while
maintaining control over body weight without
depriving the body of a sufficient energy intake.
At our clinic in Padua, all patients affected by lipoedema receive personalized nutritional guidance. We follow the RAD dietary approach as a baseline, which stands for “Rare Adipose Disorders”. This approach is based on dietary recommendations developed by the Fat Disorder Resource Society and is aimed at patients with rare adipose tissue disorders, including lipoedema.
These recommendations aim to limit or exclude the intake of pro-inflammatory foods and to prefer foods that combat inflammation.
THE “DIET” FOR LYMPHOEDEMA IN PADUA
In lymphoedema, the diet should primarily aim to help the lymphatic system drain lymph (lymphatic fluid) more effectively. The most common swelling caused by lymphoedema occurs in the arms and lower limbs and is due to the stagnation or slowing of lymphatic drainage. This results in increased volume of the limbs, heaviness, difficulty in movement, itching, and susceptibility to skin irritations (learn more about the causes of lymphoedema here).
Nutrition in a patient with lymphoedema affects several parts of the body, including:
- The intestinal lymphatic system: About half of the lymph originates in the gastrointestinal tract. For patients with lymphoedema, it is important to follow a low-fat diet. A high-fat content can lead to an increased production of lymph by 2 to 10 times the normal volume.
- The liver: This organ supports and regulates various metabolic functions, such as bile production. The liver produces about half of the lymphatic volume in the body.
- Blood glucose levels: This refers to the concentration of sugars in the blood, which rises significantly after meals (glucose peak with fat absorption) and falls until the feeling of hunger returns. It is important to monitor blood glucose levels in cases of lymphoedema.
- The microbiome: This system is composed of about 1 million trillion bacteria and plays a fundamental role in the well-being of the organism. Several studies have highlighted how lymphoedema in the upper and lower limbs is linked to intestinal dysbiosis, which involves severe alterations in the microbiome.
