Keto diet tested as new treatment for swollen limbs
NCT ID NCT03991897
First seen Jan 05, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 28 times
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.
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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UZ Leuven
RECRUITINGLeuven, 3000, Belgium
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.