Keep Protein in Your Diet When you do not eat enough protein, fluid can seep from your bloodstream into your tissues, making lymphedema worse. For this reason, you should work healthy protein from seeds, nuts, eggs, legumes, fish, poultry and tofu into your regular diet.
Diet recommendations for lymphedema are:
– Whole foods should be the largest portion of the diet because they do not contain added sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, soy or additives. – Gluten free grains such as brown rice, oats, quinoa, and wild rice are among the foods one should consume primarily.
Your lymphatic system thrives on potassium-rich foods. Dark leafy greens, broccoli, bananas and seafood, like wild salmon, are some excellent choices to consider.
Natural foods like dark green vegetables, ginger, citrus fruits, flaxseed, and garlic are ideal for lymphatic cleansing.
Not only does it say that selenium supplements (in the form of sodium selenite) reduce lymphedema volume and increase the efficacy of physical therapy, it even offers a snazzy rationale for it: patients with lymphedema have reduced selenium levels, and these levels further decrease with lymphedema progression.
Avoid skin infections, burns, and injuries
Your body responds to infection, burn, or injury to the skin by sending extra fluid and white blood cells to the area. If lymph nodes and vessels are missing or damaged, it's harder for your body to move this extra fluid, which can trigger or worsen lymphedema.
It Improves the Lymphatic System
Lemon water is especially beneficial in stimulating the lymphatic system and this helps eliminate toxins from the colon, lymph glands, and bladder. Ginger makes this process work even efficiently and prevents several chronic illnesses such as cancer.
Eat foods with anti-inflammatory properties like leafy green vegetables, ground flaxseeds, ground chia seeds, avocados, and nuts. Avoid wearing tight clothing. This can reduce circulation in your lymphatic system and cause blockages or flare-ups.
Without adequate water, lymphatic fluid cannot flow properly. And one of the most common causes of lymph congestion is dehydration. Only water, can adequately rehydrate the body, but if you want to expedite the process, add lemon to your water. Lemon is an alkaline fruit that helps to mineralize the body and lymph.
Alcohol and caffeine could also function like diuretics. They both could dilate the lymph tissue and cause more swelling, and as a result, exacerbate the lymphedema. Don't adopt a low-protein diet. Consumed protein has no connection with the protein in the lymph fluid.
Lymphedema can occur when the lymph system is damaged, which can prevent the lymph fluid from returning to the blood. For people with cancer, the build-up of lymph fluid can be caused by: Cancer surgery, especially when lymph nodes are removed. Radiation therapy that can damage nearby lymph nodes or lymph vessels.
Apple cider vinegar
The acid in the vinegar binds to toxins that can assist in removing them from the body. The vinegar's potassium content also helps to break up mucus in the body and clearing the lymph nodes, aiding removal of toxins.
There's no cure for lymphedema. Treatment focuses on reducing the swelling and preventing complications.
Turmeric helps reduce inflammation, thins the blood, and improves circulation. Citrus fruits aid hydration, carry powerful antioxidants, enzymes and help cleanse the lymphatic system.
Ginger is used in Ayurveda as a universal medicine to support circulatory systems such as the lymphatic, digestive, and respiratory systems.
ORANGES AND LEMONS
They're rich in enzymes and antioxidants that contribute to a stronger immune system and help in cleansing the body fluids from toxins. Eat more fresh oranges, drink lemon water and add kiwi, nectarines, and pomelo to your menu more often if you suffer from poor lymphatic drainage.
Keep in mind that the frequency of sipping warm water is more important that the quantity of how much you sip. Doing this consistently and regularly will not only flush out toxins, but will also help keep your lymphatic system clean.
On the contrary, foods such as salt, caffeine, omega 6 or 9, alcohol, and sweets exert the opposite effect [32, 49]. Thus, they should be avoided by patients with lymphedema.
Alcohol has a diuretic effect. This means that it stimulates the kidneys and causes them to excrete more fluid from the body. This has a negative effect on tissues affected by lymphedema. Alcohol is high in empty calories that do not supply any beneficial nutrients.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or jewellery. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time if you have leg swelling.