Diet for Lymphoedema Abstract: Diet for lymphoedema The importance of macrophages (large scavenger cells) and the effects of slight capillary fragility or venous insufficiency is often completely ignored or missed to the detriment of many lymphoedema control procedures. This information resource segment titled 'diet for lymphoedema' pays special focus on stimulating the lymphatic system and the body’s secondary systems to assist a reduction of lymphoedema swelling, and help long term lymphoedema or lipoedema control. ‘The Wandering Macrophages’ and 'The Blood Circulatory System' are well researched medical subjects. They are a little understood, explained or promoted as an optional secondary system for lymphoedema control. Research indicated when stimulated with good dietary intake and specialised dietary supplementation, these secondary systems over time can provide a tremendous swelling reduction to both lymphoedema, lipoedema and cellulite. Results may even be quadrupled if the foods chosen are put in the right combinations to stimulate the body’s secondary system and also stimulate the lymphatic system.   Diet for lymphoedema provides an easy to follow formula of dietary assistance to help control the condition of lymphoedema, lipoedema, swollen ankles, swollen arms or hands, oedema, pain, ulceration and lymphatic stress overload. Read on, to see the desirability of a well functioning blood circulatory system and the importance of diet to stimulate the lymphatics and the secondary macrophage - lymphoedema control principle for oedema control.   You could be racing to purchase foods or dietary supplements to help eat your way to lesser swelling and lymphoedema control.   How does a diet for lymphoedema work? Diet for lymphoedema teaches, shows and lists a formula of dietary assistance using readily available foods from your local shopping centres which have potential to provide dietary help in the control the condition of primary and secondary lymphoedema, lipoedema, swollen ankles, swollen arms or hands, oedema, pain, ulceration and lymphatic stress overload. The book 'Diet for lymphoedema' is simple and easy to follow and no special foods are required.  From: Juliet George Wednesday 9:46 AM Dear visitor to the lymphoedema diet resource page, For 10 years I have worked in the Poppy Lane Skin Care and Lymphoedema Clinic to develop and teach home care treatments based on the accepted Casley-Smith C.P.T protocols for lymphoedema and lipoedema.  For diet, a special research focus was placed on the beneficial molecules in foods named 'benzo-pyrones'. These molecular substances were originally researched by Dr. John Casley-Smith and Dr. Judith Casley-Smith at Adelaide University in Australia up to 2002. They showed great promise. Their research ended with the unexpected passing of Dr. John Casley-Smith. From my research I have developed and tested a specialised diet that is specific for lymphoedema and lipoedema. This eating plan is suitable for primary and secondary lymphoedema application.  The diet also addresses the problem of unexplained weight gain associated with lymphoedema and lipoedema that does not respond to normal diet plans. I trust the resource material here provides insight, help and assistance from the explanations, introductions and review information about a diet for lymphoedema. About Lymphoedema. In the book 'Modern Treatment for Lymphoedema' it is reported all lymphoedema is caused from a failure of the lymphatic system to collect and remove excess proteins from the fluids of your body tissues. These fluids are medically termed 'interstitial fluids' and they are contained in the spaces between the cells of your body tissues.(6) When proteins remain trapped in the interstitial fluids of body tissues due to lymphatic dysfunction for a prolonged period of time, they act like a magnet for other watery body fluids by their osmotic action. This causes oedema or Lymphoedema swelling.(5) The swelling of Lymphoedema causes the secondary conditions of tissue fibrosis, pain and general discomfort (6). Most people suffering Lymphoedema know these symptoms only too well. Diet for lymphoedema can help you in conjunction with other therapies to be successful in controlling your swelling, oedema and pain associated with these conditions. The information below explains everything about diet for lymphoedema in more detail.  The systems preventing lymphoedema.   There are only two natural systems preventing lymphoedema occurrence in any person: The Lymphatic System: This system maintains protein equilibrium at 2% of interstitial fluids. It collects and returns any excess protein from body tissue fluids back into the blood circulation system. (1,5,6,11) Macrophages: A secondary backup system of large scavenger cells named ‘macrophages’. Macrophages eat up or dissolve excess protein in the body tissue fluids. The bits of protein left over after macrophage activity become small enough enter back into the blood circulation through the veins. (1,5,6,11) Macrophages help control the protein levels in interstitial fluids. If the lymphatic system is working ok, you can manage without macrophages for lymphoedema control. Macrophages are also required for infection control so they are good to have in your body. Macrophages play an important role in lymphoedema control when:   A: The lymphatic system is damaged, as in secondary lymphoedema.   B: There are not enough lymphatics, as in primary lymphoedema.  1: Macrophage function and lymphoedema Macrophages are large scavenger cells. They develop from bone marrow precursors, mature into monocytes and grow bigger and bigger until they become a Macrophage The word Macrophage in Greek means 'Big Eater'.  Their job in your body is to eat up or dissolve unwanted bacteria, any excess proteins trapped in interstitial fluids, viruses and other injurious agents. They also stimulate immune cells to respond to other invading cells. Picture of a Macrophage.   Well researched studies show the action of Macrophages to be the secondary and only other naturally occurring method after the lymphatic system for removal of proteins in interstitial fluids in a normally functioning system. (5,6,7,8) Macrophages could be deemed superfluous for the removal of protein from interstitial fluids and easily managed without. This is providing the lymphatic system is sufficient and intact.  Macrophages also defend the body from invasive pathogens in your body tissues so they are essential for protection. When lymphoedema occurs due to a lymphatic system dysfunction, macrophages initially work overtime to reduce subsequent additional protein overload. As protein levels increase in interstitial fluids due to lymphatic dysfunction the macrophages become so overloaded locally in an affected region they cease any active function.  When both the lymphatic system and macrophages become insufficient protein levels in interstitial fluids build past a level of 2%. Swelling and oedema then occurs. If the insufficiency is long term the oedema becomes lymphoedema.     2. The blood circulatory system The blood circulatory system can add to the swelling of lymphoedema and have detrimental effect on any oedema and swelling even when just a little compromised. Blood capillaries If the capillary ends of the arterial circulation are too thin and leaky, they allow an increase of extra cellular fluids (which include increased levels of protein) to leak into your body tissues.  When the lymphatic system does not work well enough to remove sufficient protein equal to that deposited in the tissues from your blood capillaries, this can be enough to trigger lymphatic overload and lymphoedema.  This oedema will be additional to venous oedema often seen as swollen lower legs, ankles and feet. It is proven the right foods and some food supplements eaten on a regular basis helps strengthen capillary ends and improves the health of your veins which return the blood back to the heart.   How Diet for lymphoedema can be beneficial. By eating the best choice food as shown in 'Diet for lymphoedema' you have the potential to improve the health of your arterial blood circulation. This includes big improvements to capillary health and strength. Improved capillary health and strength reduces capillary fragility and is beneficial and helpful for preventing the swelling and oedema of lymphoedema.  This beneficial action is caused by restricting the number and volume of excess protein leakage into extra cellular body tissue fluids. In turn this helps to reduce the cause and effect of lymphoedema. Information :  Most treatments or therapies for lymphoedema use the mop up principle. This type of therapy keeps mopping up the excess fluid causing lymphoedema swelling. It does not look at the underlying associated problems causing the swelling. Diet for lymphoedema is different. It looks at addressing the the three sources causing lymphoedema. It starts by strengthening the blood circulatory system where the fluid causing swelling is coming from. This can help prevent swelling. It next considers strengthening the lymphatic system which can remove excess protein causing the swelling to remain. This helps reduce swelling Lastly, the diet encourages and stimulates increased macrophage number and activity. All of these things in combination can assist lymphoedema reduction by; reducing or lessening fluid leakage from the blood circulation into the lymphoedema affected body tissues. This  helps prevent swelling. enhancing and stimulating greater lymphatic flow and the capacity of working or remaining lymphatics to remove excess fluid. This helps reduce swelling stimulation of macrophages with subsequent increased 'proteolysation', or eating up of unwanted proteins causing fluid retention problems. This helps prevent and reduce swelling. Macrophages work to reduce swelling  even when the lymphatic system is blocked and not working at all properly.    Diet for lymphoedema takes well researched information to look at lymphoedema in it's entirety to assist in solving the problem of lymphoedema and for swelling reduction.    For Primary lymphoedema and lipoedema, diet may be sufficient to control the situation and reduce the swelling With secondary lymphoedema a component of manual lymphatic drainage to bypass lymphatic blockages enhances the diet for best result.   This diet can help you reduce the embarrassment of a swollen limb or from being overweight. The eating plan helps start the process of reduced swelling. This reduction of swelling will in turn help increased your mobility to do the things you want to do.   By simply eating the right foods you can make a start to help reduce your oedema and control your swelling . With diet for lymphoedema you get to choose the foods you eat and you only need eat foods you like.    The book 'Diet for lymphoedema'  can help you start an easy eating plan where you begin to help yourself today   3: The venous blood circulation. Veins and venous blood return   Venous oedema can cause long term swelling and oedema. It is often observed as puffy ankles and swollen feet. The cause is thought to be influenced by degenerative changes with advancing age, plus, metabolic and degenerative changes to vascular walls.  Varicose veins, where the venous valves preventing backflow are compromised, will also contribute to oedema. Doppler ultrasound tests are carried out to check for venous insufficiency that causes varicose veins.  Even though medical testing using a Doppler test for venous insufficiency may not show abnormality, a slightly compromised vascular system will be highly detrimental and cause additional swelling when present with lymphoedema.  Western diets that are low in fibre and high in calories can lead to degeneration of vascular walls. Diets high in bulk and fibre play an important part of maintaining the venous system and the strength of capillary walls.  For this reason it is suggested your diet should contain food high in fibre to help maintain the health of your blood capillaries and veins.  We have set out a positive eating plan in the book Diet for lymphoedema and suggested registered food supplement 'lympaction' to assist and help strengthen capillaries, veins and the lymphatic system. These products are featured below and available to purchase on your right. Diet for lymphoedema can be beneficial. By eating the right food as shown in 'Diet for lymphoedema' you can, where dietary intake is inadequate, very quickly help improve the health of your veins and venous blood circulation. This includes big improvement to it's overall health and strength. Improved function, health and strength of veins and subsequent increased blood return and can move greater volumes of interstitial fluids. This will help prevent venous oedema and swelling that exacerbate lymphoedema swelling.   Information: Two common problems with lymphoedema and lipoedema can be the feeling of  embarrassment. Knowing complete strangers stare at you and having to explain the need to wear compression garments, even in hot weather get monotonous. People you don't know ask personal questions and can be insensitive to your problem.    With primary lymphoedema, some secondary lymphoedema and lipoedema, your condition is often confused and diagnosed as overweight or obese. Many doctors and members of the general public assume this, they do not understand the problems of lymphoedema or lipoedema. It gets very upsetting as regular diets do not work.    But now there is a choice. Diet for lymphoedema is not a regular diet. This is a diet to help with Primary Lymphoedema, Secondary Lymphoedema and Lipoedema which has shown to help reduce swelling with these conditions.   This diet can help you reduce the embarrassment of a swollen limb or from being classed as overweight. This diet can help start the process of reduced swelling. The reduction of swelling will in turn help increased mobility to do the things you want to do.   You do have a choice, make a start, order the book 'Diet for lymphoedema'  to help yourself starting today. Or hesitate and do nothing, which in all probability allows the swelling over time to get worse.  What will you do the help control and reduce your lymphoedema today?  4:  Food for Therapy  Plant and food information:   Certain molecules in some food and some drugs can: Help reduce abnormal plasma protein leakage from arterial blood capillaries into the tissues. This in turn will reduce protein overload of the lymphatic system. Strengthen the walls of the veins to help prevent the metabolic and degeneration process of the vascular system.   Stimulate macrophage activity and re-activate overloaded macrophages to locally increase their number in protein overloaded areas.  The most effective combinations for food for lymphoedema is explained in the book 'Diet for lymphoedema'. Effective molecules in food At Adelaide University in South Australia, over a period of forty years the leading Lymphology researchers Dr. John Casley-Smith and Dr. Judith Casley-Smith researched and tested food derived molecules and drugs to help reverse and prevent lymphoedema. This research formed part of a system of complex Physical (Lymphatic) Therapy (CPT) to help reduce and reverse the condition of lymphoedema, lipoedema and disorders of the microcirculation.  Their research and findings are now the accepted method of lymphoedema control in most countries worldwide. The Casley-Smith findings proved a whole family of plant molecules broadly termed 'benzo-pyrones are effective in reducing swelling and oedema of lymphatic dysfunction and the microcirculation.  The most effective molecular substance isolated from plants was a benzo-alpha-pyrone. It reduced swelling but proved to have detrimental side effects. For these reasons that particular molecule is not available.   Other benzo-gamma-pyrones proved most effective to assist swelling reduction. It is these foods that Diet for lymphoedema has continued with research and concentrated on.  For reasons of your safety only foods available at your local supermarket, corner store or green-grocer with beneficial molecules are considered in this diet.   Government food safety regulations ensure your safety is guaranteed. We advocate using only whole foods that are covered by government food regulations.   Information: I would like to put all the information in the book Diet for lymphoedema on this website. Unfortunately it takes up too much room, so it is available as a nice handy sized book that will easily fit into a handbag or can sit on the bench top when you are making a meal. Lots of people tell me they already eat healthy, and if your lymphoedema is under control you are are the weight and size you want to be, then this is fine and perfect, there is no need to even consider anything else. If you are like many people who know they really need  and should to do something, and nothing they are doing now really works, then this is the time to make a start with Diet for lymphoedema.  This book lists and shows all the foods I have found that can help reduce swelling.   6. Conclusion  Evidenced based research shows choices of food intake will have direct effect on nutrition and health and that unbalanced diets can result in malnutrition (1).   There are many other specialised research documents showing the positive effect of plant molecules on humans and mammals once ingestion or absorption into the body is achieved (2, 3, 4, 5).  Three really important points learned from research and observation are: Food containing certain molecular ingredients have real potential to offer in assisting lymphoedema control.  By eating foods containing the correct molecules you can stimulate beneficial secondary response in the body. In the case of lymphoedema eating the best choice foods is a positive option to help control oedema.  Positive results can be expected with lymphoedema reductions by eating beneficial foods to stimulate macrophages and strengthen blood and lymphatic vessels. The book Diet for lymphoedema sets out an eating plan showing the best choice food combinations. this eating plan can be most beneficial for reduced swelling and oedema. Order in Australian Dollars for worldwide delivery DIET FOR LYMPHOEDEMA - BOOK ------------------------------------- Just want the book? USA Customers Order in $US   UK Customers Order in £GB After making a PayPal payment you will be returned to the www.lymph.com.au thank you and confirmation of order page. A receipt for your purchase will have been e-mailed directly to you and you may log into your account at www.paypal.com/au to view details of your transaction. Bibliography:  1. Eldra Pearl Solomon, Linda R. Berg, Diana W. Martin.  “Biology”, Fifth Edition,  Saunders College Publishing, Orlando Florida , USA . ISBN: 0-03-022299-0  Processing Food  Processing Food & Nutrition.  5, 975 2. K. Raj Narayana, M Sripal Reddy, M.r. Chaluvadi. D.R. Krishna  “Bioflavonoids Classification, Pharmacological, Biochemical Effects and Therapeutic Potential. Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2001; 33: 2-16 3. N.S.Parmar, M.N. Ghosh, “Current Trends in Flavonoid Research” Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 12 (4), 213 – 228 (1980) 4. Elliott Middleton, JR, Chithan Kandaswami, Theoharis C. Theoharides “The Effects of Plant Flavonoids on Mammalian Cells: Implications for Inflammation, Heart Disease, and Cancer”, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Pharmacological Review 52:673-751, 2000 5. Casley-Smith J.R , Judith R. Casley-Smith "High Protein Oedema and the Benzo Pyrones, Lippincott Sydney & Balt (1986) The Structure, History and Sources of the Benzo-Pyrones. 5, 175, 181. 6. Casley-Smith JR & Judith R 'Modern Treatment for Lymphoedema' Fifth Edition (Pg 233) Bowden Printing, Adelaide  Chap 33, page 230 7. Robert Twycross, Karen James & Jacquelyne Todd. “Lymphoedema”  Ausmed Publications P/l. ISBN 0 9579876 6 Drug Treatment for Lymphoedema. 15, 245-248. 8. Nicholas Farinola, Dr Neil Piller Lymphatic "Lymphatic Research and Biology" volume 3, Number2, 2005 Pub Mary Ann Liebert Inc  9. Marieb, Elaine N. (2003). Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, Seventh Edition, San Francisco : Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 0-8053-5385-2.  10. H. Kohler, Dr. Hendrik Alenkamper, Hans Winiger. Venous Diseases of the Leg and Medical Compression Stockings and Pantyhose. Ganzoni & CIE, Groblistrasse , CH_9014, St Gallen ,Switzerland .      11.  Arthur C. Guyton, John E. Hall ‘Textbook of Medical Physiology’, Elsevier Printing, New Delhi, India ISBN 13:978-0-7216-0240-0   © Copyright July 2010 Poppy Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic, Lansvale. N.S.W. 2166 Australia          Website Sponsor Poppy Lane Skin Care & Lymphoedema Clinic 139 Hollywood Drive   Lansvale NSW 2166. Australia     Phone (02) 9723 5402  Phone international 61+2+9723 5402 E-mail julietgeorge@lymph.com.au Home                                   Next Page       Old Navy Coupons