LIPOEDEMA, CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY & AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Lipoedema, chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases can have a significant impact on daily life, often causing symptoms such as:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Fatigue
• Digestive disturbances
• Changes in body composition

Although these conditions differ in cause and clinical presentation, nutrition can play an important role in improving the quality of life of patients who suffer from these conditions or diseases.

When working with patients affected by these conditions, it is important to look beyond the diagnosis itself. Medical history, current symptoms, blood test results, lifestyle and eating habits help determine the most suitable nutritional approach. Two people with the same condition may have very different needs, so dietary recommendations should always be based on an individual assessment rather than a standard meal plan.

LIPOEDEMA AND NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT

Lipoedema is a chronic condition characterised by a disproportionate accumulation of fatty tissue, most commonly affecting the legs, hips and sometimes the arms. It predominantly affects women and is frequently associated with pain, tenderness, easy bruising and a feeling of heaviness in those areas.

One difficulty patients face is that lipoedema is often mistaken for obesity, but the affected fatty tissue does not respond to weight-loss approaches such as exercise in the same way as other fat deposits. This can lead to frustration, particularly among patients who have tried numerous diets without seeing significant improvements in the affected areas.

Nutritional treatment is therefore not simply about losing weight. The focus is on supporting metabolic health, addressing associated conditions and helping patients establish eating habits that may improve their symptoms and general wellbeing.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defence system, but when it becomes persistent, it can contribute to tissue damage and the development or progression of certain diseases. Nutrition can influence some of the processes involved in inflammation, although its role varies depending on the underlying condition.

A diet rich in:

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Legumes
• Whole grains
• Oily fish
• Unsaturated fats

can help provide the nutrients needed to support normal immune function and general health.

Nutritional care also involves identifying deficiencies, assessing digestive symptoms and considering whether certain foods or eating patterns may be contributing to discomfort. Autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, require particular attention because their effects on nutritional status can differ considerably.

For example, patients with coeliac disease need to follow a strict gluten-free diet, while those with inflammatory bowel disease may require dietary adjustments depending on gastrointestinal symptoms. In other conditions, the priority may be ensuring adequate intake of nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, calcium or vitamin B12 when deficiencies are identified.

There is no single anti-inflammatory or autoimmune diet suitable for everyone. Eliminating entire food groups without a clear medical reason may lead to nutritional deficiencies and make an already challenging condition more difficult to manage.

A Practical Approach to Long-Term Nutritional Care

Dietary treatment should fit into a patient’s life, not become another source of stress.

Living with a chronic condition can already involve multiple appointments, medications and changes to daily routines, so nutritional recommendations need to be realistic and manageable. Clinical dietetic care involves reviewing symptoms, nutritional intake, relevant laboratory findings and the patient’s response to dietary changes over time. Recommendations can then be adjusted as needed, particularly when symptoms fluctuate or medical treatment changes.

The aim is to help patients understand how nutrition relates to their condition, address specific nutritional concerns and develop eating habits they can maintain in the long term. Working alongside the wider medical team, nutritional care becomes part of a broader approach to managing chronic illness, rather than a separate or restrictive treatment.

To book a consultation for abdominoplasty or for more information, contact us +971 50 494 6377 to schedule an appointment with our clinical dietitian, Maria Liliana Ciraulo.

Maria Liliana Ciraulo is an Italian Clinical Dietitian with over 6 years of clinical experience treating international patients in Europe and the UAE.

She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the prestigious University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, graduating top of her class with honours and special mention. Maria holds multiple national and international certifications in functional nutrition, including the International Certification in Functional Medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), the Nutrition Network, and the International Lipoedema Association.