Lipoedema is a painful hereditary disorder, typically it leads to a pattern of adipose tissue (fat) accumulation from the hips to the ankles, arms, and often other parts of the body. Lipoedema may be found in women of all shapes and sizes, unfortunately this is no respecter of women, but it is more commonly found in women who are suffering from overweight or obesity. Often not realised but 11% of Australian women are affected with this often-debilitating condition.
From the medical standpoint there are two main groups of treatment for Lipoedema. The first is nonsurgical. Compression garments don’t affect the fatty tissue much, but they can reduce swelling and discomfort. Low impact exercise like swimming and massage can also help.
The other method is to get rid of the fat cells that cause Lipoedema is with surgical intervention with Liposuction.
The purpose of this article is to introduce and share insights into the benefits of how modifying a diet that has proven benefits can greatly assist those suffering from this condition.
One of the most effective ways to manage lipoedema is through dietary modification, and the ketogenic diet has shown some promising results in managing this condition. In this blog we will discuss the ketogenic diet and how it works and its benefits for women with lipoedema.
For those unaware of the ketogenic diet, it is it is a high fat moderate protein low carbohydrate diet that puts your body into a state of kurtosis Ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. When you consume a higher fat and lower carbohydrate diet, your body produces ketones, which are then used as an alternative fuel source for your body and your brain.
The ketogenic diet is effective for assisting those suffering from Lipoedema because it addresses several underlying factors that contribute to this condition. These factors include inflammation, insulin resistance, and lymphatic dysfunction.
Firstly, the ketogenic diet is a low carb diet that reduces inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is a key factor in the development and progression of Lipoedema, and reducing inflammation can help manage the symptoms of the condition. When following a ketogenic diet, the body produces fewer inflammatory modules, which can reduce the amount of inflammation in the body.
Secondly, the ketogenic diet can improve insulin resistance, which is often present in woman with Lipoedema. Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to the effects of insulin, which can lead to higher insulin levels in the bloodstream. High insulin levels can cause the body to store more fat, exacerbating the symptoms of Lipoedema. The ketogenic diet helps to low insulin levels by reducing the intake of carbohydrates and promoting the use of fat for energy.
Lastly, the ketogenic diet can improve lymphatic function, which is often appeared in women with Lipoedema. The lymphatic system is responsible ball for removing excess fluid and waste products from the body, and when it is not functioning properly, it can lead to swelling and other symptoms of associated with Lipoedema. The ketogenic diet can improve lymphatic function by reducing inflammation and promoting weight loss both of which can improve lymphatic flow.
Lymphoedema is a painful condition that affects millions of women worldwide. While there is no cure for lymphoedema, the ketogenic diet is shown promising results in the managing this condition. The ketogenic diet can help reduce inflammation promote weight loss reduce swelling, improve insulin resistance, and improve lymphatic flow which can also help manage Lipoedema.
References: