How a Ketogenic Way of Eating Can Help With Lymphedema and Support Brain Health

At first glance, you may not think that lymphedema or lipedema have anything in common with Alzheimer’s. But in fact, there are a few commonalities, namely the lymphatic-glymphatic system (which is the brain’s system of waste removal), inflammation and nutritional approach.

Here we’ll touch on inflammation, as it relates to nutrition and lifestyle, but will focus on a nutritional approach that will provide marked benefits for all of these conditions: a ketogenic way of eating.

Broadly speaking, the ketogenic way of eating is a high fat, moderate protein, low carbohydrate diet, which pushes the body to breakdown fat for energy instead of glucose. This is helpful in many ways, including blood sugar and insulin balancing, supportive of healthy metabolism, and weight reduction (reducing the amount of sugar that is converted to fat and by burning fat).

How does inflammation develop?

Inflammation may be a contributor to, and a result of, lymphedema and lipedema (and in many cases, obesity and some cancers). Likewise, inflammation contributes to, and is quite likely the foundation of, Alzheimer’s.

There are many routes leading to the development of inflammation, including but certainly not limited to:

• blood sugar (and insulin) imbalances,
• hormonal imbalances,
• toxic burden resulting from eating a diet of processed foods, poor elimination, pollution, poor water intake or a poorly functioning liver,
• stress which releases cortisol, in turn triggering the release of stored sugar, further contributing to blood sugar and insulin imbalances, and
• poor sleep is tied to our sleep cycle and so if quality and length of sleep are not there, then toxins and metabolic waste are not being cleared out nightly and so accumulate and contribute to inflammation in the brain.

The commonalities between lymphedema, lipedema and Alzheimer’s don’t stop at inflammation, they also have a similar nutritional approach that helps balance blood sugar, the body’s pH and hormones; support liver function; improve lymphatic flow; and boost brain health. The best way to describe this shared nutritional approach is a ketogenic way of eating, with the inclusion of large quantities of alkaline and anti-oxidative foods in the form of non-starchy fruits and vegetables.

The ketogenic diet has been shown to:

1. reduce inflammation and pain,
2. improve function and growth of lymphatic vessels,
3. reduce invasion of immune cells that inhibit the proliferation of new lymphatic vessels, and
4. decrease edema.

Here are some food choices to make, if you want to begin to adopt a ketogenic way of eating

The brain needs glucose but too much is actually toxic to the brain and it leads to excess insulin, and inflammation (which feels like brain fog and may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s). Ketones are an efficient, slow-burning fuel source, leading to improved cognition – greater concentration and prolonged focus.

Here are some food choices to make, if you want to begin to adopt a ketogenic way of eating:

• Limit processed and packaged foods. These:
  • are high in carbohydrates and poor-quality fats,
  • have low nutrient value because most of the nutrients were stripped away during the processing
  • have added ingredients, oftentimes chemicals and artificial preservatives.
• Eat whole foods (non-GMO, and organic when you can)
• Eat high amounts of fats (good quality, anti-inflammatory ones (extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil, avocado, cold water fish salmon, mackerel, anchovies, raw nuts (walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts) and seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, flax, chia), extra virgin coconut oil, dark chocolate (80% cacao or higher) and whole free-range eggs)
• Eat moderate protein (whole free-range eggs, beans and lentils, quinoa, free-range poultry, grass-fed beef and lamb, and the fish, nuts and seeds mentioned above)
• Eat low carb (lots of non-starchy grains (for example, quinoa) and non-starchy veggies (dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards, chard, bok choy), onions and garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, asparagus) and low-sugar fruits (berries and citrus fruits)
• Drink lots of good quality, filtered water.

Soon after starting to implement a whole foods ketogenic way of eating, you may start to experience a boost in energy, weight loss, clearer thinking and more. Why not give it to try?

Krista Amey is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant. You can also follow her on Instagram or Facebook for more nutritional tips.

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