Nutrition and Lymphedema

Introduction

Fruits and vegetables are important parts of a healthy diet.

There is no special diet that will prevent or control lymphedema; however, good nutrition promotes good health and this helps the body manage with the stresses related to lymphedema. When other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, are present the diet must be adjusted to accommodate the specialized needs of these conditions.

Dietary Protein

Since the fluid associated with lymphedema is protein-rich a question that often arises is, “Should I stop eating protein so there won’t be protein in this fluid?” The answer to this question is, “No! Do not stop eating protein. It won’t solve your problem because proteins are essential nutrients.”

Dietary proteins, which are present in the foods we eat, are important to good health because:

• Proteins are the building blocks of the body.
• Proteins are the only nutrients that can repair worn-out tissue and build new ones.
• Proteins are used by the body in manufacturing hormones.
• Proteins have a role in building antibodies to fight infections.
• Proteins aid the blood in transporting oxygen and nutrients.
• Proteins are essential to the clotting of blood.

When There is a Shortage of Dietary Proteins

The goal for each individual should be to eat the appropriate amount of dietary protein to meet nutritional needs. This protein should come from a variety of sources, not only meat, and include only a minimum of fat.

When there are not enough dietary proteins available to meet the daily needs of the body, proteins are taken from the tissues and muscles to maintain the proper protein level of the blood. A severe shortage of dietary proteins will weaken connective tissues and causes them to swell. This is known as hunger edema and it can be seen in the swollen bellies of starving children.

Seriously restricting the intake of dietary protein in an effort to control the swelling of lymphedema does not help. Instead it has just the opposite effect! It increases the amount of swelling that is present. It also weakens the muscles and other tissues.

Staying Hydrated

The term hydrated describes the state of having adequate fluids in the body. Maintaining this state helps the body remove impurities from the blood and this is important to good health.

Cutting back on fluid intake in an effort to reduce the swelling of lymphedema doesn’t work! Instead of the desired effect, the protein-rich lymph of lymphedema attracts more fluid from the other parts of the body. This can cause increased swelling in the affected area. Therefore, instead drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, is essential to maintaining the fluid balance throughout the body.

Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is recommended to maintain good health; however this need increases in hot weather, or in very dry conditions, when the body looses fluids more rapidly.

Being well hydrated, by drinking plenty of water, is particularly important after an MLD or pump treatment because it is necessary to flush out the impurities that were moved during treatment.

Caffeine and alcohol are mild diuretics that reduce the level of body fluids by encouraging the kidneys to excrete more urine. For this reason caffeine containing substances (coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and all forms of alcohol) should be consumed only in moderation.

Another reason for limiting the consumption of these beverages is because most of them contain empty calories. These come primarily from sugars and do not contribute to the nutritional needs of the body.

Excess Weight Adds Risk Factors

There is a relationship between excess weight and lymphedema.

In normal tissues, lymph flows between the cells. As it flows it collects waste and returns to the lymph capillaries. Here waste is filtered out of the lymph, which eventually returns to the venous circulation of the blood stream.

• This normal flow can be disrupted by any of the factors that make an individual “at risk” for lymphedema.
• When this disruption occurs, the lymphatic system continues working until it is so overwhelmed that it can no longer remove all of the lymph.
• Gaining excess weight places more stress factor on the lymphatic system. This increases amount of fluid in the already swollen tissues.
• As more body weight is gained, the fat cells that were already present enlarge and more new fat cells form.
• With the addition of these cells, there are more cells that must be cared for by the circulatory system. In addition there are also additional waste products to be removed by the lymphatic system.
• Despite increased weight and body size, the number of lymph capillaries and vessels do not increase. Therefore more lymph must be collected and transported by a system that is not large enough to effectively serve the body mass.
• Excess weigh also increases the risk of developing other conditions such as diabetes.

As the weight increases, the individual becomes less mobile and less able to exercise. Yet it is the motion of the muscles pumps that are an important factor in maintaining the normal flow of lymph. Exercise also helps to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and increase general well-being.

Vitamins and Supplements

Lymphedema creates stress on the body systems and research has been established that coping with stress depletes the body of vitamins and nutrients. Therefore having an ongoing adequate supply of essential nutrients is important.

Many experts maintain that an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals can be obtained through a well-balanced diet. Others recommend specific supplements. The decision to take, or not to take, a specific supplement should be made on the basis of as much reliable information as possible.

What About Salt?

To learn more read Salt and Lymphedema.

References

[1] Living with Lymphedema by S. S. Selim, F. Manuel, et al. Updated October 2007.

[2] “Morbid Obesity and Lymphedema Management” by C.E. Fife, MD, et al in NLN Lymph Link, Vol 19. No.3, July-September 2007.

[3] “Research Perspectives” by S.Ridner, PhD, RN in NLN Lymph Link, Vol 19. No.3, July-September 2007.

[4] “Question Corner: Weight Management and LE” by K. M. Thrift, BS, CLT-LANA in NLN Lymph Link, Vol 19. No.3, July-September 2007.

[5] Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, Nov 2008.

[6] Lymphedema Management: The Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners 2nd ed. by J. E. Zuther. Thieme, 2009.

© LymphNotes 2010. This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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Category: Self-Care for Lymphedema Updated: 2010-05-01