Does food matter in Lymphedema/Lipoedema management?
Lipoedema is a disorder characterized by an excessive accumulation of subcutaneous body fat, characterized by soreness as well as mainly bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of fat deposits, particularly in the lower extremities. Pain, disfiguration and reduced mobility are strongly associated with lower quality of life and deterioration of psychological functioning. The onset of lipoedema often occurs at times of female hormonal change such as puberty, during pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause.
The pathophysiology of the pain is not fully understood, but increased inflammation, compression of peripheral nerves by proliferating adipose tissue, and fluid accumulation in the area occupied by lipedema have been implicated as possible causes.
Lipedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity; however, they frequently co-occur. In patients with lipedema, weight gain is one of the characteristic symptoms, associated with accumulation of body fat and increased/thickening adipose tissue what leads to increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory adipokines. However, there is no conclusive pathophysiological construct to explain how lipoedema leads to weight gain. There is general agreement that a disproportionate increase in fat in the legs or the arms is an important criterion for a lipoedema diagnosis.
Lipoedema is a disorder characterized by an excessive accumulation of subcutaneous body fat, characterized by soreness as well as mainly bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of fat deposits, particularly in the lower extremities. Pain, disfiguration and reduced mobility are strongly associated with lower quality of life and deterioration of psychological functioning. The onset of lipoedema often occurs at times of female hormonal change such as puberty, during pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause.
The pathophysiology of the pain is not fully understood, but increased inflammation, compression of peripheral nerves by proliferating adipose tissue, and fluid accumulation in the area occupied by lipedema have been implicated as possible causes.
Lipedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity; however, they frequently co-occur. In patients with lipedema, weight gain is one of the characteristic symptoms, associated with accumulation of body fat and increased/thickening adipose tissue what leads to increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory adipokines. However, there is no conclusive pathophysiological construct to explain how lipoedema leads to weight gain. There is general agreement that a disproportionate increase in fat in the legs or the arms is an important criterion for a lipoedema diagnosis.
Why nutrition has a vital role in management of lipoedema?
WHAT WE DO KNOW:
1. Lipoedema is inflammatory condition. The SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) is inflamed with the formation of fibrotic tissue. The vascular system is also inflamed with leaky vessels, and the lymphatics become inflamed with the progression of lipoedema. Anti-inflammatory diet and nutraceuticals could be possibly helpful
- to control swellings and pain
- to reduce tissue inflammation and join mobility
- to reduce “non-disease” weigh and BMI.
2. Elevated histamine levels are very commonly found in women with lipoedema. It is suggested that Histamine released by mass cells causes pain, swellings, itching in the interstitial tissue. Chronic inflammation-induced, mass cells dependent dysfunction of lymph vessels may cause significant local stasis of lymph, and increased number of lymph protein. The result of this - altered tissue environment as it is seen in lipoedema, lymphedema, and local fibrotic tissue.
Testing histamine intolerance, reducing consumption of high histamine foods and high inflammatory foods, taking the supplements which help to break down histamine and lower inflammation, could be beneficial in lipoedema management.
3. Oestrogen as a Contributing Factor to the development of lipoedema.
Oestrogen control the distribution of body fat and food intake, regulate leptin expression, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation through signaling pathways mediated by its receptors, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and ERβ. The decrease of ERα and increased ERβ concentration results in excess fat commonly stored in the gluteal-femoral region. Fluctuation of hormones in perimenopause, the drop of oestrogen in menopause/postmenopause may contribute to lipoedema development.
Functional testing of hormones and oestrogen metabolites, and how efficiently oestrogen is neutralised and cleared out is necessary in to prescribe personalised nutrition and nutraceutical plan to balance hormones, reduce inflammation and manage further lipoedema development.
4. There is often a family history of lipoedema, suggesting that this condition is inherited.
Testing the genes related to inflammation, hormone metabolism, detoxification and histamine breakdown could help to unveil what type of diet/foods, vitamins, minerals or botanicals supplements could help to loose weight, reduce inflammation and pain usually experienced with lipoedema.
We cannot change the genes, but we can mitigate gene expression with the right foods, supplements and life style.
WHAT WE DO KNOW:
1. Lipoedema is inflammatory condition. The SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) is inflamed with the formation of fibrotic tissue. The vascular system is also inflamed with leaky vessels, and the lymphatics become inflamed with the progression of lipoedema. Anti-inflammatory diet and nutraceuticals could be possibly helpful
- to control swellings and pain
- to reduce tissue inflammation and join mobility
- to reduce “non-disease” weigh and BMI.
2. Elevated histamine levels are very commonly found in women with lipoedema. It is suggested that Histamine released by mass cells causes pain, swellings, itching in the interstitial tissue. Chronic inflammation-induced, mass cells dependent dysfunction of lymph vessels may cause significant local stasis of lymph, and increased number of lymph protein. The result of this - altered tissue environment as it is seen in lipoedema, lymphedema, and local fibrotic tissue.
Testing histamine intolerance, reducing consumption of high histamine foods and high inflammatory foods, taking the supplements which help to break down histamine and lower inflammation, could be beneficial in lipoedema management.
3. Oestrogen as a Contributing Factor to the development of lipoedema.
Oestrogen control the distribution of body fat and food intake, regulate leptin expression, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation through signaling pathways mediated by its receptors, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and ERβ. The decrease of ERα and increased ERβ concentration results in excess fat commonly stored in the gluteal-femoral region. Fluctuation of hormones in perimenopause, the drop of oestrogen in menopause/postmenopause may contribute to lipoedema development.
Functional testing of hormones and oestrogen metabolites, and how efficiently oestrogen is neutralised and cleared out is necessary in to prescribe personalised nutrition and nutraceutical plan to balance hormones, reduce inflammation and manage further lipoedema development.
4. There is often a family history of lipoedema, suggesting that this condition is inherited.
Testing the genes related to inflammation, hormone metabolism, detoxification and histamine breakdown could help to unveil what type of diet/foods, vitamins, minerals or botanicals supplements could help to loose weight, reduce inflammation and pain usually experienced with lipoedema.
We cannot change the genes, but we can mitigate gene expression with the right foods, supplements and life style.
Besides nutritional therapy, the other therapies that are needed in management of lipoedema:
1. Manual lymphatic drainage, reduces inflammation and pain.
2. Compression therapy
3. Liposuction, however this is only temporary solution of big legs/arms. But, weight loss, healthy diet, compression garments, lymphatic drainage, physical activity could prolong the results achieved from liposuction.
4. Bariatric surgery
4. Counselling
5. Weight management. Not all people diagnosed with lipoedema are obese/overweight. However, for those who are, weight loss programmes have little or no effect on the amount of tissue enlargement in lipoedema. Weight loss that does occur is likely to be disproportionately lower in lipoedema-affected areas than in unaffected areas. People with excess weigh should be encouraged to reduce the amount of non-lipoedema fat tissue to improved general health to reduce risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, less strain on joints and muscles with potential benefits for mobility, and a probable reduction in the risk of developing lipolymphoedema.
6. Physical activity
7. Skin care and protection
1. Manual lymphatic drainage, reduces inflammation and pain.
2. Compression therapy
3. Liposuction, however this is only temporary solution of big legs/arms. But, weight loss, healthy diet, compression garments, lymphatic drainage, physical activity could prolong the results achieved from liposuction.
4. Bariatric surgery
4. Counselling
5. Weight management. Not all people diagnosed with lipoedema are obese/overweight. However, for those who are, weight loss programmes have little or no effect on the amount of tissue enlargement in lipoedema. Weight loss that does occur is likely to be disproportionately lower in lipoedema-affected areas than in unaffected areas. People with excess weigh should be encouraged to reduce the amount of non-lipoedema fat tissue to improved general health to reduce risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, less strain on joints and muscles with potential benefits for mobility, and a probable reduction in the risk of developing lipolymphoedema.
6. Physical activity
7. Skin care and protection
