WHAT EFFECT DO DIET AND EXERCISE HAVE ON LIPEDEMA?


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Lipedema is a complex, chronic disease that predominantly affects females and can get progressively worse if left untreated. Unfortunately, many symptoms of this disorder are overlooked as obesity-related or a lifestyle issue by inexperienced medical professionals who are not versed in lipedema. Fortunately, women can find the help they need at Total Lipedema Care in Beverly Hills, CA. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz is dedicated to ensuring his patients receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment, including counseling on dietary options and exercise targeted for lipedema patients.

Total Lipedema Care (TLC) is focused on helping patients who live with this progressive medical condition. Founded by lipedema expert Dr. Schwartz, Total Lipedema Care provides women with the necessary emotional and medical support to manage their symptoms. Dr. Schwartz meets with his patients during a one-on-one consultation to address their concerns and thoroughly discuss treatment options, including nonsurgical treatment for lipedema and how to lose weight the healthy way with lipedema. Read on to learn more about exercising with lipedema, reducing painful symptoms like inflammation or swelling with healthy dietary choices, and improving your overall quality of life.

IS EXERCISING WITH LIPEDEMA POSSIBLE?

There is currently no cure for lipedema. However, patients can slow down its progression with surgical treatments like liposuction to remove painful subcutaneous fat buildup, as well as nonsurgical options like massage therapy, compression garments, healthy dietary choices, and remaining active.

It is recommended that women in the early stages of lipedema should maintain light walking at least 4 – 5 times a week for 45 minutes. However, women diagnosed in later stages of the disease may be struggling with more buildup in the lower extremities, which can be cumbersome or painful. Those patients may turn to low-impact activities like water aerobics or swimming laps in a pool. In addition to a targeted lipedema exercise plan, Dr. Schwartz can also help patients who need dietary assistance. A balanced diet in conjunction with regular exercise can reduce triggers that cause lipedema flare-ups and support a positive lifestyle change for those living with this disease.

IS THERE A LIPEDEMA DIET THAT IS EFFECTIVE?

Once a patient receives a definitive lipedema diagnosis, focused care centers like Total Lipedema Care in Beverly Hills, CA, can help them live more comfortably. A woman’s nutrition should be an essential part of her lipedema care and treatment program. Studies show that a low-glycemic diet high in vegetables, certain fruits, healthy proteins (fish or chicken), and whole grains helps to reduce painful swelling and inflammation, and even assists them to maintain their ideal body weight. Patients can also choose to follow a specific diet plan, or even stick to a modified eating plan, such as:

  • Limiting or rarely eating restricted items or saving them for only special occasions
  • Limiting fatty meats, citrus-based fruits, and dairy items (like yogurt) in smaller amounts to only a few times during the week
  • Primarily eating a wide variety of vegetables, beans, legumes, whole-grains, lean protein, and fruit (preferably berries) in reasonable serving sizes each week

WHAT IS THE RAD DIET?

Because lipedema essentially revolves around a woman’s lymphatic system, certain foods can wreak havoc on the body. Highly processed foods or refined sugar are just a few of the culprits that can cause lipedema symptoms to worsen. While daily factors and treatment options vary by patient, some women have success following specific dietary programs, such as the RAD diet for lipedema. The RAD (Rare Adipose Disorder) diet aims to reduce inflammation and fluid retention in the body while keeping women at their target body weight. The RAD diet for lipedema entails reducing the consumption of the following:

  • Pasteurized dairy products (yogurt, cheeses, milk)
  • Animal meat high in fat (particularly red meat, bacon, sausage)
  • Simple carbohydrates and sugars (potatoes, honey, white rice, pasta, or cereals)
  • Highly processed or salty foods
  • Wheat or processed flour products (white bread or white tortillas)

CAN A KETO DIET IMPACT THE EFFECTS OF LIPEDEMA?

For some women who have lipedema, following a ketogenic (or keto) diet has provided positive results. A keto diet for lipedema involves eating a high content of healthy fats while limiting carbohydrates. When carbohydrate intake is restricted, the body begins using dietary fat, and even stored fat in the adipose tissue, for fuel or energy. It shifts a woman’s body from a sugar-burning machine to a fat-burning one. Like a low-carb diet, the keto diet for lipedema patients focuses on consuming a lower amount of carbohydrates of approximately 20 grams or less each day. Patients are restricted from pasta, bread, rice, or starchy vegetables, such as potatoes. The primary focus is eating foods like eggs, meat, and non-starchy vegetables, while limiting natural sugars and carbs from fruit.

Women living with lipedema may face certain obstacles, but they can look to experts like board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz and his experienced team at Total Lipedema Care in Beverly Hills, CA. Concerned you may have lipedema or need guidance about diet and exercise as you navigate the stages of the disease? We invite you to contact our office and schedule a one-on-one consultation with lipedema expert Dr. Schwartz today.