Keto diet tested as new treatment for swollen limbs

NCT ID NCT03991897

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a ketogenic diet or ketone supplements can improve lymphatic function in people with lymphedema, a condition causing arm swelling after lymph node removal. 81 participants will be randomly assigned to a ketogenic diet, an isocaloric diet, or ketone supplements for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if these dietary changes can reduce swelling and improve quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ketogenic diet and ketone ester supplement
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new dietary strategy to improve lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling in lymphedema patients.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with only 81 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The diet is strict and may be hard to follow, and side effects like 'keto flu' are possible.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Ketosis lymphedema

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

KETOGENIC DIETING KETONE ESTER SUPPLEMENT LYMPHEDEMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

UZ Leuven
RECRUITING

Leuven, 3000, Belgium

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