03/19/2025
For the files, a new paper:
Fueling Lymphatic Health: The Emerging Role of Nutrition in Lymphedema Management
“Hypocaloric diets have been found to be particularly beneficial for patients with lymphedema, especially those who also struggle with obesity, a known exacerbating factor. Weight reduction through a controlled calorie intake has been linked to significant decreases in limb volume.
In addition to low-calorie diets, other dietary approaches, such as ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diets, have shown promise in reducing lymphatic fluid accumulation. These diets promote lymphatic drainage by inducing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C) production, which enhances lymphangiogenesis.
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols, including curcumin, demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory effects and help mitigate oxidative stress, a critical factor in fibroadiposis transformation of tissues.
In one study, women with breast cancer-related lymphedema who adhered to a low-calorie diet combined with synbiotic supplementation (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics) showed a notable reduction in limb volume compared to a control group on a placebo diet.
This suggests that nutritional modulation can directly impact the extent of edema by addressing underlying factors such as inflammation and oxidative stress.“
The full paper is available here:
PDF | Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by lymphatic fluid accumulation in interstitial tissues, often leading to inflammation and... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate
