Lo scorso anno, in occasione del mese della consapevolezza
LIRICO: un anno dall’inizio del Progetto di ricerca.
Nel 2021 LIO ha finanziato il primo anno di
Lo scorso anno, in occasione del mese della consapevolezza
LIRICO: un anno dall’inizio del Progetto di ricerca.
Nel 2021 LIO ha finanziato il primo anno di
Karen L. Herbst, PhD, MD | Associate Professor | Director TREAT Program | University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Supplements
Some practitioners recommend supplements that help decrease swelling or improve immune system function. The following recommendations come from Linda-Anne Kahn, President, Lymphatic Therapy Services of San Diego in CA, USA and a holistic health care practitioner who specializes in lymphedema and lipedema treatment.
Selenium: Selenium is a helpful supplement for lipolymphedema patients because of its ability to reduce swelling. Taking selenium can increase the effectiveness of physical therapy, reduce the risk of certain kinds of bacterial skin infections (erisypelasis), and lower the production of free radicals.
Bioflavonoids: Bioflavonoids are a subset of fragrant plant compounds known as coumarins. Lipedema patients take bioflavonoids to improve their cardiovascular and immune systems as well as their connective tissue function. Bioflavonoids help maintain healthy blood vessel walls and fend off free radicals, and may assist in connective tissue maintenance.
Vitamin P – Bioflavonoids: These water-soluble super-antioxidants (hesperidin, rutin, citrin, flavones, and flavonols) are found in citrus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, mangoes, and papayas.
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract: Horse Chestnut Seed Extract strengthens the lymphatic system, reduces swelling, and helps treat chronic venous insufficiency.
Quercetin: Quercetin is a flavonoid that supports cardiovascular health, helps regulate blood pressure, and protects against stress by suppressing the release of cortisol in the body.
Pycnogenol (Grapeseed Extract and French Maritime Pine): Pycnogenol is an antioxidant and a bioflavonoid. Its antioxidant properties protect against damage caused by free radicals, while its bioflavonoid properties reduce capillary leakage, perivascular inflammation, and subcutaneous swelling.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): NAC is an amino acid that acts as an antioxidant, preventing tissue damage by reducing free radicals.
Butchers Broom: Butchers Broom contains flavonoids that treat chronic venous insufficiency as well as reduce swelling in the legs.
Ubiquinone / Co-enzyme Q10: CoQ10 has antioxidant properties that prevent tissue damage.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Alpha-Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that fights free radicals. It is particularly useful to lipedema and lymphedema patients because it is both water-soluble and fat-soluble, so it can work effectively throughout the body.
Milk Thistle and Dandelion Root: Milk thistle and dandelion root both support healthy liver function.
Noni: Noni has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may inhibit the formation of blood vessels that contribute to lipomatosis, a condition in which benign tumors of fat tissue appear throughout the body.
Turmeric: Turmeric is an antioxidant with a wide range of anti-inflammatory properties.
Eleuthro Root and Rhodiola: These two trace minerals support healthy functioning of the adrenal glands.
Wobenzyme and Vitalzyme: These two systemic enzymes reduce fibrotic tissue and swelling in the body.
Conjugated Lineoleic Acid (CLA): CLA has been shown to decrease the volume of adipocytes (fat cells) and thereby reduce body fat.
Nourollahi S, Mondry TE and Herbst KL*
Departments of Medicine, University of California, San Diego,USA
Veteran’s Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
New Horizons Physical Therapy, Encinitas, California, USA
Abstract
Background: Butcher’s broom plant extract has been reported to improve lymphatic flow and the trace mineral, selenium, has been shown to improve lymphedema. This retrospective case study examines the effectiveness of Butcher’s broom in conjunction with selenium to decrease limb volume of a patient with lipedema, a common fat distribution disorder with excess adipose tissue fluid.
Methods: Selenium (400 mcg) was initiated 6 days prior to limb volume evaluation utilizing perometry. The patient underwent physical therapy that consisted of manual lymph drainage (MLD) with Histological Variable Manual Technique (HIVAMAT), and compression bandaging. Butcher’s broom (one gram daily) was added on day 95 of treatment in addition to selenium and both were continued through day 293 (end of study).
Results: Total volume reduction over the study period for the left and right upper extremities and left and right lower extremities was 525 ml and 225 ml (p<0.05), and 1769 ml and 1614 ml (p<0.0001), respectively. The total percent volume reduction during the time period when MLD with HIVAMAT and compression bandaging were performed for the left and right legs was 70.6 and 79.0%, respectively. In the absence of compression bandaging, the left and right arms lost 21.2 and 10% of initial volumes, respectively at the 6 month follow-up visit. During the latter part of the study when the patient was performing a home maintenance program, at which time selenium and Butcher’s broom were continued, the left and right lower extremities decreased an additional 29.4 and 20.9% of initial volumes, respectively, despite a lack of exercise due to a foot injury during the last 46 days.
Conclusion: Butcher’s broom and selenium may offer new tools in conjunction with physical therapy to improve swelling and pain associated with lipedema.