text: Introduction\n\nThere is no special diet that will prevent or control lymphedema; however, good nutrition promotes good health and this helps the body manage with the stresses related to lymphedema. When other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, are present the diet must be adjusted to accommodate the specialized needs of these conditions.\n\nDietary Protein\n\nSince the fluid associated with lymphedema is protein-rich a question that often arises is, “Should I stop eating protein so there won’t be protein in this fluid?” The answer to this question is, “No! Do not stop eating protein. It won’t solve your problem because proteins are essential nutrients.”\n\nDietary proteins are present in the foods we eat and are important to good health because:\n# Proteins are the building blocks of the body.\n# Proteins are the only nutrients that can repair worn-out tissue and build new ones.\n# Proteins are used by the body in manufacturing hormones.\n# Proteins have a role in building antibodies to fight infections.\n# Proteins aid the blood in transporting oxygen and nutrients.\n# Proteins are essential to the clotting of blood.\n\nWhen There is a Shortage of Dietary Proteins\n\nThe goal for each individual should be to eat the appropriate amount of dietary protein to meet nutritional needs. This protein should come from a variety of sources, not only meat, and include only a minimum of fat.\n\nWhen there are not enough dietary proteins available to meet the daily needs of the body, proteins are taken from the tissues and muscles to maintain the proper protein level of the blood. A severe shortage of dietary proteins will weaken connective tissues and causes them to swell. This is known as hunger edema and it can be seen in the swollen bellies of starving children.\n\nSeriously restricting the intake of dietary protein in an effort to control the swelling of lymphedema does not help. It has just the opposite effect: It increases the amount of swelling that is present. It also weakens the muscles and other tissues.\n\nStaying Hydrated\n\nThe term hydrated describes the state of having adequate fluids in the body. Maintaining this state helps the body remove impurities from the blood and this is important to good health.\n\nDrinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, is essential to maintaining this balance within the body. Cutting back on fluid intake in an effort to reduce the swelling of lymphedema doesn’t work! Instead of the desired effect, the protein-rich lymph of lymphedema attracts more fluid from the other parts of the body. This can cause increased swelling in the affected area.\n\nDrinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is recommended to maintain good health; however this need increases in hot weather, or in very dry conditions, when the body looses fluids more rapidly.\n\nBeing well hydrated, by drinking plenty of water, is particularly important after an MLD or pump treatment because it is necessary to flush out the impurities that were moved during treatment.\n\nCaffeine, which is a mild diuretic, reduces the level of body fluids by encouraging the kidneys to excrete more urine. For this reason caffeine containing substances (coffee, tea, chocolate and many soft drinks) should be consumed only in moderation.\n\nAlcohol also has a diuretic effect that stimulates the kidneys to excrete more water and thereby increasing dehydration.\n\nEating a Balanced Diet\n\nEating a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables is recommended for maintaining good general health. It also aids the body in coping with the added stress caused by lymphedema.\n\nHigh salt foods, which encourage the body to retain fluids, are not part of a recommended healthy diet.\n\nMaintaining Normal Weight\n\nMaintaining the normal weight for your height and age is also an important part of managing lymphedema. The mechanism of how excess fat interacts with the development of lymphedema is not yet clear