Prevention of diffuse, minimal lymphatic "retention" with Robuvit®: a concept, supplement registry study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the standardized supplement Robuvite (oak wood extract) in defined diffuse, minimal lymphatic "retention" (DMLR). METHODS: Robuvit (R) has already been investigated in both primary and secondary (post-surgical, post chemo-radiotherapy) lymphatic insufficiency. This registry included subjects with diffuse, minimal lymphatic "retention" (DMLR). The registry management groups included women with mild-moderate limb swelling using standard management (SM) as controls. A second, comparable group used prevention with Robuvit (R) at the dosage of 3 cp/day (300 mg/day) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: No tolerability problems or side effects were observed with the preventive supplementation. The management groups (34 women in total), including 18 women in Robuvite and 16 in SM were comparable in age and baseline evaluations. After 4 weeks, in the Robuvit (R) group, edema scale values derived from ultrasound observations decreased significantly (P<0.05) at all measurement's sites, from the proximal (inguinal) level to the more distal (ankle-foot) level. No significant changes in edema were observed in control subjects. Generally, in areas with higher level of edema (distal areas at the foot and ankle), the edema decrease was larger than in more proximal, ultrasound measurement sites. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive Robuvit (R) supplementation appears to be safe and effective in controlling DMLR in subjects without significant or apparent clinical conditions. This preventive. concept study should be extended to a larger population for more meaningful observations.