The Emotional Toll of Lipedema: Addressing Depression and Appearance Distress

In this episode, I’m excited to share an excerpt from a presentation by Dr. Catherine Seo during our Heart 2 Heart virtual event held on March 31 and April 1-2, 2023. Catherine is the Founder & CEO of Lipedema Simplified and The Lipedema Project, course director for MasterClass: Beyond Lipedema, and a psychology professor. She’s also the producer and director of the documentary The Disease They Call FAT and co-author of the book Lipedema: The Disease They Call FAT: An Overview for Clinicians. In this excerpt, she emphasizes the incredible power of community and how collaborative efforts can harness collective intelligence, much like the mesmerizing flight patterns of starlings. Join me as we explore the strength that comes from working together toward a common goal.

In this episode, I’ll discuss a groundbreaking paper led by Gunther Felmerer and a team of researchers from Germany, Finland, and Switzerland. The study, titled "Increased Levels of VEGF-C and Macrophage Infiltration in Lipedema Patients Without Changes in Lymphatic Vascular Morphology," was published in Scientific Reports in July 2020. This research investigates the tissue and lymphatic involvement in lipedema, shedding light on the complexities of the condition. Join me as we explore how these findings contribute to our understanding of lipedema.

In today's episode, I’m sharing an inspiring excerpt from Bill Repicci's presentation at our Heart 2 Heart virtual event, held on March 31, and April 1-2, 2023. Bill Repicci, President & CEO of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN), discusses the emotional toll of lymphatic diseases and the transformative power of self-advocacy.

In this episode, I’ll explore a 2022 review paper authored by leading researchers from Texas A&M and Vanderbilt Universities, including experts like Rachelle Crescenzi and Joseph Rutkowski. Published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the paper, "Current Mechanistic Understandings of Lymphedema and Lipedema: Tales of Fluid, Fat, and Fibrosis," dives into the complex mechanisms behind these conditions. Join me as we discuss the latest insights into the interactions between fluid, fat, and fibrosis and their implications for understanding lymphedema and lipedema.

In this episode, I’ll share insights from a significant study conducted by researchers from Australia and the Netherlands, titled "Stages of Lipedema: Experiences of Physical and Mental Health and Health Care," published in Quality of Life Research in August 2022. This research aims to explore and articulate the physical and mental health experiences of individuals living with lipedema across its various stages. Join me as we dive into the findings and their implications for the lipedema community.

In this episode, I discuss a study conducted by researchers in Russia, titled Influence of Ketogenic Diet and Nutraceutical Correction in the Complex Treatment of Lower Limbs Lipedema. This paper was published in The Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine in October 2021 and explores the impact of a ketogenic diet as part of a comprehensive approach to treating lower limb lipedema.

Today, I have an excerpt from a presentation by Brian Wiley at Lipedema Simplified’s April 2024 Heart to Heart virtual event: Keto and Beyond: Customizing Your Plan to Joyful Nutrition. Brian is a Certified Health Coach and a low-carb lifestyle advocate.  In this excerpt of his talk titled Luxurious & Delicious - Low Carb on a Budget, Brian describes how to use grocery store apps to save time and money.Ready to take a step towards a balanced and satisfying diet? 🚀 Access the Keto Meal Planner now: https://learn.lipedema-simplified.org/keto-meal-planner Fuel your body with the goodness it deserves! 💙 #KetoForWellness #LipedemaNutrition #HealthyChoices

In this episode, I share an excerpt from my presentation during the Lipedema Simplified Summer Boot Camp in June 2022. I discuss a recent study comparing a whole food diet and a whole food ketogenic diet, focusing on their effects on chronic pain and the implications for lipedema management. I also covered this topic in a recent Research Update on Facebook Live.

In this episode, I share insights from a study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University, published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in May 2022. The study uses noninvasive 3T MR lymphangiography to reveal subcutaneous adipose tissue edema in lipedema, providing new insights into the condition.

In today’s episode, I discuss a study by researchers from Texas and Arizona, published in Obesity in April 2022. The study investigates lymphatic function and anatomy in the early stages of lipedema, prior to the onset of lipo-lymphedema. Using near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging with indocyanine green (ICG), the researchers explore whether lymphatic defects seen in early lymphedema also occur in early-stage lipedema.