Testing Ketogenic Diet and Ketone Ester Supplementation as New Treatments for Arm Lymphedema After Lymph Node Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that significantly reduces quality of life and requires ongoing management. It can be primary, caused by genetic mutations, or secondary, often due to cancer treatments like surgery or radiotherapy. Current treatments mainly relieve symptoms but do not cure the condition. Researchers are exploring a new approach using a ketogenic diet to improve lymphatic vessel function based on promising results from animal studies. The study compares three groups one following a ketogenic diet KD, one on an isocaloric diet without ketone supplementation, and one with ketone ester supplementation KE alongside an isocaloric diet. The intervention has three phases a two-week run-in period to establish ketosis, followed by 12 weeks of strict KD or KE supplementation, and then 6 months on a Modified Atkins Diet or isocaloric diet for follow-up. Participants receive dietary support from dieticians, and ketosis levels are monitored regularly. Participants will undergo assessments including measurements of lymphatic transport and edema volume over 12 weeks and at 6 months. Regular health checks, body measurements, blood tests, and questionnaires on quality of life and physical activity will be conducted. Weekly group chat sessions will support adherence to the diet. The primary goal is to evaluate changes in lymphatic function and symptom improvements during and after the dietary intervention.

Nutritional Ketosis: a Novel Metabolic Strategy to Treat Lymphedema Patients?