Joachim Zuther, Lymphedema Specialist. 
Patients affected by lymphedema should try their best to achieve and maintain a reasonable weight in order to reduce the risk factors associated with obesity (see blog entry December 3, 2010).
What is the Lymphedema Diet?
The truth is that there is no special diet for lymphedema. Patients affected by lymphedema, just like everybody else, should trust their own judgment when it comes to the selection of a proper diet. If there are no other medical conditions present, such as diabetes or heart disease, a healthy and balanced diet should be the goal.
An accepted approach in lymphedema management is to follow a low-salt
and low-fat diet, which also positively contributes to weight management. A balanced healthy diet including whole grains, fish, fruits and vegetables and avoiding fatty foods, or those with high cholesterol will greatly reduce risk factors associated with lymphedema.
Many patients are under the impression that lymphedema may be positively affected by limiting the protein intake. This is not the case – although lymphedema is defined as an accumulation of water and protein in the tissues, it is essential to understand that lymphedema cannot be reduced by the limitation of protein ingestion. It is also important not to limit fluid intake in an attempt to reduce the swelling. Good hydration (water) is essential for basic cell function and especially important before and after lymphedema treatment to assist the body in eliminating waste products.
The Role of Cholesterol in the Management of Lymphedema
Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is produced by the liver and found in food with a high content of saturated fat, such as meat, eggs and dairy products. Cholesterol has gotten somewhat of a bad name. However, the amount of fat eaten is not really linked with disease; it is the kind of fat which is consumed. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) consists of saturated and trans fats. LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol may stick to the inside wall of arteries and increase the risk of coronary diseases. The “good” fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) lower the risk of disease. Eating too many saturated fats can raise the level of “bad” cholesterol and contribute to obesity.
What about Vitamins and other Supplements?
There are no vitamins, food supplements or herbs that have been proven to be effective in the reduction of lymphedema. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated as food, not drugs. Pre-market approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are not required unless specific disease prevention or treatment claims are made. Because there is no requirement to review dietary supplements for manufacturing consistency, and no specific standards for dosage or purity exist, there may be considerable variation within the products marketed as dietary supplements.
However, lymphedema patients are often in need of additional vitamins and supplements, especially if they battle recurrent episodes of infections. To determine which supplements and vitamins are beneficial, individuals with lymphedema should consult with their physicians and/or nutritional specialist.
Additional Resources:
Video – Diet and Lymphedema: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3XcId2Gaio&NR=1
Lymphedema People
The National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
Medical News Today
Join Lymphedema Guru, a Facebook page solely dedicated to inform about all things related to lymphedema – news, support groups, treatment centers, and much more
hi Joachim
I am a Lymphoedema therapist in Australia. i agree with your blog on nutrition however i would like to point out that most oils have long-chain fatty acids which have to be dealt with by the lymphatic system thus putting more pressure where you don’t want it. coconut oil and palm oil have short chain fatty acids and so do not go through the lymphatic system. i personally don’t advocate palm oil because of the ways in which they are being grown and wiping out rain forest in the process. however organic coconut oil is very healthy, and sustainable.
regards Sue Fraser
RMT and Vodder MLD therapist
Thank you Sue for your valuable comment
hi Joachim, which area of Australia are you please? I have Lymphedema from Cancer and will hopefully be travelling to Perth and Sydney Feb 2013. It would be great if you were in an area where I could have treatment during my stay
We are located in Florida, sorry
Generally good information however all cancer patients and perhaps all patients with lymphedema should consult their Oncologist, XRT Onc, surgeon and or PCP etc. before making any dietary changes. There are hundeds of reasons but the most obvious is that fresh fruits and vetetables except those you can peel are contraindicated for Ca pts undergoing treatment
Low-carb diet and MLD: My experience is that when my patients are on a Low-carb diet the MLD treatment works better(can be seen on the reaction on the skin when applying MLD). My theory is that food with fast carbs trigger the pancreas to produce more insulin. Insulin is the key to storing carbs into the cells. Anyway …. my patients lymphedemas are less apt to gain volume and their self-MLD is more efficient when they are on some diet similar to the South Beach Diet. http://www.southbeachdiet.com
Hey,guys! I would very much appreciate a comment through my email.
My mom recently developed, what we think is lymphedema in her right arm. I being her son am very worried about it, it swelled up to a fairly good size in a just a few weeks.
I’ve been doing research, and there doesn’t look like there is any cure for it so far. My question is that she is going to the doctor in a little over a week to get it checked out, I’ve been bugging her to go for a week and a half now. If someone could please tell me what she can do to control the swelling until she goes to the doctor. Any information would mean the world to me!
God bless, you!
Dear Derek:
It is certainly necessary that your mother consults with a doctor to determine if the swelling is indeed lymphedema. While you are correct in your statement that there is currently no cure for lymphedema, this condition can be managed very effectively with a therapy called Manual Lymph Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). Here is a link to more information on precautions for upper extremity lymphedema: http://acols.com/lymphedematoday/?p=162
I prefer to refer patients to a dietician or nutritional consultant as the complexity of needs in most lymphedema patients exceeds our professional scope to make an adequate recommendation specific to the individual’s needs. Thank you for the info on regulation of supplements and vitamins in the U.S.. That is very valuable information to be shared. Sincerely, Claudia
[...] treat heart diseases, or to reduce the loss of protein into the urine in disorders of the liver. A low-salt diet, the use of external compression (support stockings) in case of venous insufficiencies and [...]