Lipedema: How a healthy diet affects the disease

What exactly is lipedema and how is the condition treated? We explain how a healthy diet influences the disease.

5 Min

Last updated on 29.12.2025

from Paulina

Contents

Wearing shorts or skirts reveals voluminous legs; the affected person's skin feels tight and painful, and even the slightest pressure causes bruising – the diagnosis is lipedema. This condition involves a visible increase in subcutaneous fat tissue. Women living with lipedema are significantly impacted in their daily lives. What exactly is lipedema, how is it treated, and can diet influence lipedema? We provide the answers.

What is lipedema?

Lipedema is a chronic condition that, with few exceptions, occurs exclusively in women. In medicine, it is referred to as a fat distribution disorder . Because the increase in subcutaneous fat tissue occurs in the upper and lower legs, as well as in the hip area and, less frequently, in the arms, the disease is also known as "riding breeches disease ." The fat deposits are usually symmetrically distributed and are often accompanied by noticeable fluid retention.

Causes of lipedema

Despite extensive studies, the causes are not yet fully understood. Scientists suspect that a hereditary predisposition and hormonal changes likely contribute to and influence the development of these edemas. Currently, there is no cure for lipedema, only therapeutic approaches that alleviate the symptoms.

The symptoms of lipedema

Lipedema develops gradually, often as a result of significant weight gain. A clearly recognizable disproportion arises between the upper and lower body . However, doctors only diagnose lipedema when, in addition to the visible changes in the body , pain and other symptoms (tight skin, sensitivity to touch, bruising) occur.

The weight gain in the legs is usually so pronounced that patients suffer from chafing on their inner thighs. In advanced stages, lipedema can even cause leg deformities and, consequently, osteoarthritis . For many patients, the altered self-image is a psychological burden.

Lipedema is classified into five different types depending on the affected body regions:

type	Body region
Type 1	Buttocks & hips (“riding breeches”)
Type 2	Buttocks, hips & thighs
Type 3	Buttocks, hips, upper and lower legs
Type 4	The arms are also affected.
Type 5	lower leg

Furthermore, there is a distinction between three stages, which, however, only take into account the visible symptoms.

Stage I
The subcutaneous fat tissue is soft but thickened, the skin surface is smooth.

Stage II
The fatty tissue is thickened with small nodules, the skin surface is uneven.

Stage III
The subcutaneous tissue is thickened and hardened, the skin surface very uneven.

With further increases in body weight, lipedema patients can develop lymphedema as a direct consequence of the excess weight, in which the lymph fluid can only be transported away to a limited extent.

Treatment for lipedema

Patients with lipedema receive individualized treatment depending on their specific disease type and stage. Doctors can choose between conservative and surgical treatment approaches .

Conservative therapies include:

Compression therapy using compression stockings
Lymphatic drainage by medical personnel
Decongestive therapy (a mixture of several measures)
Movement therapy

In advanced stages, conservative treatments are not always sufficient to alleviate the symptoms of affected patients. Liposuction can then be considered for a lasting reduction in symptoms. However, such surgery always carries risks and cannot guarantee that patients will remain pain-free for life.

Did you know?

For a long time, the costs of lipedema surgery were not covered by health insurance companies because the procedure was classified as cosmetic and not as a serious illness. Since the beginning of 2020, health insurance companies have covered liposuction under certain conditions.

Dietary changes for lipedema

Regular attendance at movement and physiotherapy sessions, as well as compression therapy and targeted skin care, are essential for people with lipedema. However, nutrition, especially healthy and balanced foods, also plays a crucial role in the course of the disease.

According to current knowledge, people with lipedema can slow the progression of the disease for years and significantly alleviate their symptoms . The focus is on a balanced diet with fresh foods that provide the body with vitamins and nutrients and support a healthy body weight .

It should be noted, however, that while dietary changes can combat obesity, they cannot cure diseased fatty tissue. However, they can prevent secondary diseases such as diabetes .

Nutrition with lipedema and SHEKO

This raises the question of whether women with lipedema can drink SHEKO shakes. As part of a long-term dietary change, the colorful SHEKO containers can be safely placed in the kitchen cupboard. As a complete meal replacement, each prepared shake contains valuable nutrients that reach the intestines and are absorbed by the body. As a meal replacement, SHEKO also helps to save calories and achieve a healthy body weight. ¹

Do you love success stories? We do too! Every day we receive messages from the community where people share their SHEKO stories with us. One such SHEKO enthusiast is someone with lipedema who struggles daily with the typical symptoms of the disease. After receiving her first order, she replaced breakfast and dinner with a shake for the first few weeks – and has already lost a dress size.

Please note

Please discuss with your doctor whether it is safe for you to drink our SHEKO Shakes if you have lipedema.

Low-glycemic and ketogenic diets

To give you a starting point and perhaps a little inspiration, we'd like to introduce you to two recommended dietary approaches. The low-glycemic diet involves avoiding foods with a high glycemic index . The goal is to keep blood sugar levels moderate , as this encourages the body to use its own fat reserves as an energy source .

The ketogenic diet is very similar – it also reduces carbohydrates . This is because carbohydrates can be easily converted into energy. By eliminating them, the metabolism is stimulated to burn fat as an energy source instead of storing it.

Did you know?

SHEKO shakes have a low glycemic index.

5 tips for your diet

Anyone struggling with being overweight or who values their health will sooner or later have to deal with their diet and nutrition. Here are five simple tips you can take to heart for a healthy everyday life.

1

Listen to your body

Listen to your body, because it sends you clear signals. Eat when you feel physically hungry and put down your fork and spoon when you're full. If you'd like to learn more about this topic, you can read our blog post on intuitive eating. Read smartly.

2

Drink enough fluids

We can't stress this enough: Drink enough! Besides water, unsweetened teas are also suitable for your daily fluid intake.

3

fruit and vegetables

Help yourself to colorful foods from the fruit and vegetable section. This will not only ensure a supply of vitamins and nutrients, but also of phytochemicals that have neurological, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects in the human body.

4

Healthy fats

Make sure you provide your body with enough valuable fatty acids. We're primarily talking about omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in high quantities in oily fish, but also in nuts and oils.

5

Proteins

Find a good balance between animal and plant-based protein . Combine high-quality meat and dairy products with legumes.

Everything for a healthy lifestyle

Don't forget: Besides nutrition , exercise is essential for a healthy body. Sport offers many benefits. While you burn calories , your body releases endorphins . A short, intense HIIT workout helps you reduce stress. Find a sport that makes you sweat and that you enjoy at the same time.

Lipedema: The Conclusion

Patients with lipedema are characterized by a significant, symmetrical increase in fatty tissue in the legs and hips, pressure and tension pain, and a tendency to bruise easily. While medical prognoses cannot promise a complete cure, there are several treatment options available. These range from targeted physiotherapy to liposuction. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, and nuts can slow the progression of the disease.

Do you want to lose weight but don't know exactly how to get started? In our guide article " Losing Weight with SHEKO," we'll tell you everything you need to know for a successful start.

Lipedema: The most important information at a glance

We have summarized the most important questions about lipedema here.

What to do about lipedema.

Women who recognize symptoms of lipedema should first consult a doctor. Following diagnosis, a treatment plan tailored to the individual patient will be developed, which may include compression therapy, exercise and physiotherapy, and skin care.

Is lipedema curable?

Lipedema is currently incurable. However, there are various treatment approaches that can alleviate the symptoms of the disease. In severe cases, liposuction can provide relief.

What kind of diet is appropriate for lipedema? What should you eat if you have lipedema?

Patients with lipedema are advised to follow a balanced diet rich in fresh foods. This includes fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts, dairy products, and small amounts of meat and fish. Processed foods and sweets are discouraged.

Is it possible to lose weight with lipedema?

Yes, people with lipedema can lose weight. Body weight has an influence on the course of the disease. Patients who are overweight are therefore even advised to make dietary changes that promise weight loss.

Which sports are good for lipedema?

Exercise has a demonstrably positive effect on the course of lipedema. For most patients, joint-friendly water sports such as swimming and aqua aerobics are suitable. Cycling, walking, and yoga can also alleviate symptoms.

What can you do yourself to treat lipedema?

In addition to the treatment options offered by a doctor as part of conservative therapy, you as a patient can take an active role yourself and positively influence the course of the disease and alleviate symptoms through your diet and exercise!

Which foods should you avoid if you have lipedema?

It's important to cook fresh meals and focus on unprocessed foods. You should reduce saturated fats (for example, butter) and simple carbohydrates (for example, white flour), as well as large amounts of salt, sugar, and animal products.

¹ To lose weight, you must replace two daily meals with SHEKO Shakes as part of a calorie-reduced, varied and balanced diet with sufficient fluid intake.