Did you know your plate could be a pathway to better lymphatic health? The answer is, of course, yes!
In addition to self-treatment with self-drainage and wearing compression garments as instructed, there is actually a growing body of evidence that suggests your nutrition can make things easier (or harder) for your body to handle. This Lymphedema Awareness Month, let’s dive into how your nutrition can play a vital role!
To start with, here are five potential strategies to keep in mind:
- Salt. This may seem self-evident, but salt is not your friend when you’re dealing with lymphatic issues. Increasing the sodium levels in our body encourages retention of water to maintain the ionic balance, which increases the potential for swelling.
- Water. Speaking of water, drink enough of it! In the case of lymphedema, where we are dealing with compromised lymphatic vessels, we want to keep the fluid a little thinner. Remember, it’s easier to move soda through a straw than a milkshake!
- Increase consumption of “anti-inflammatory” foods, while reducing consumption of “inflammatory” foods. Broadly speaking, focus on whole foods (including whole grains), with less processing and fewer added sugars. Keep the trans and saturated fats low, and emphasize Omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids. And use your spice cabinet! Cinnamon and turmeric are famous for their anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, but ginger, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and oregano are no slouches in that category either.
- Limit fat intake: in the digestive system, long-chain fatty acids are actually absorbed into the lymphatic system. Reducing the total amount of dietary fat intake reduces the load on the lymphatics.
- Gut health in general. Studies are showing that incorporating both prebiotics (dietary fiber) and probiotics (foods containing beneficial bacteria) can significantly reduce lymphedema symptoms.
These highlights are some of the ways that you can use your diet to Love Your Lymph and support your lymphatic system, whether you have lymphedema or are just looking to make things easier on your system in general. Always remember to check with your health care team if you have specific questions for nutrient intake for your health situation.
For more information about nutrition and lymphatic health, including links to detailed studies, check out Jean LaMantia, RD’s blog at
https://jeanlamantia.com/cancer-bites-diet-blog/
Feeling overwhelmed? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Reach out to us for personalized support and tips on optimizing your lymphatic health!