The Effect of a Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diet on Laboratory Parameters in Women with Lipedema in Comparison to Overweight/Obese Women

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations in blood parameters after a low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet in women with lipedema in comparison to overweight or obese women. A total of 115 women were classified into two groups: the lipedema group and the overweight/obesity group. Both study groups followed the caloric-restricted LCHF diet for 7 months. A total of 48 women completed the study. A reduction in body weight was observed in both study groups. A significant decrease in triglycerides and an increase in HDL-C concentrations were observed in both study groups. Despite the increase in the concentration of LDL-C observed in the lipedema group, changes in LDL-C differed between individual patients. Improvements in liver parameters, glucose tolerance, and a decrease in fasting insulin levels were observed, although they were less pronounced in the lipedema group than in the overweight/obesity group. Kidney and thyroid functions were similar before and after the LCHF diet in both groups. The LCHF diet may be a valuable nutritional strategy for lipedema and overweight/obese women, with a beneficial effect on weight, glucose profile, liver function, the concentration of triglycerides, and HDL-C and with no effect on kidney and thyroid function.

Effect of a low‐carbohydrate diet on pain and quality of life in female patients with lipedema: a randomized controlled trial

“…Even though LCD and ketogenic diets have been shown to increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the general population [44] and female patients with lipedema [45], beneficial effects of these diets have been reported on glucose, liver function, triglycerides, and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol in female patients with lipedema adopting an LCD for 7 months [45].…”

Disability and emotional symptoms in women with lipedema: A comparison with overweight/obese women

“…Most of the project results are yet to be published, except for 1 study on the lymphoscintigraphic alterations in the lower limbs 44 and 1 paper on the impact of the LCHF diet on blood parameters. 34 In this study, women diagnosed with lipedema (n = 45, with a mean age of 41.00 ±13.32 years) and women with lifestyle-induced overweight/obesity (n = 43, with a mean age of 44.95 ±13.90 years) who agreed to complete self-administered questionnaires evaluating disability, anxiety and depression symptoms were included. The women in both study groups were recruited from January 2021 to May 2022, and each woman's participation in the study was voluntary.…”

“…However, it should be noted that the low-carbohydrate high-fat diet (LCHF), which is rich in vegetable oils, has been shown to not only decrease leg volume in lipedema but also alleviate pain in adipose tissue. 33,34 Therefore, the addition of further essential oils may enhance the effects of the LCHF diet. Searching for new methods of treating lipedema is especially desirable since there is no cure for this entity.…”

“…11 Treatment includes a conservative approach and surgical interventions. The conservative treatment consists of a diet, especially a LCHF diet, 33,34 physical activity, complex decongestive therapy, and intermittent pneumatic compression. 11,[35][36][37] Surgical treatment involves the removal of excess fatty tissue through liposuction.…”

Preventive effect of low-carbohydrate high-fat dietary pattern on liver disease caused by alcohol consumption via a 6pgd-involved mechanism in mice

“…Emerging evidence has shown that modifying the proportion of macronutrients in the diet can help to improve multiple metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 14,15 For example, a low-carbohydrate dietary pattern, characterized by carbohydrate proportion ranging from 20% to 26% of the total energy intake, has been reported to lower fat accumulation in the liver. Some extremely low-carbohydrate dietary patterns with a 10% or less carbohydrate calorie proportion, termed the ketogenic diet, have been shown to improve fatty liver.…”