Does Obesity Cause Inflammation? Or Is It the Other Way Around?

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Replies

  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    edited July 2017
    OP did say that she think she might have lipedema, but with the water weight fluctuations, it sounds more like lymphedema.

  • ugofatcat
    ugofatcat Posts: 385 Member
    @DevotedtoDash I am looking over that article you posted (https://www.edinstitute.org/paper/2015/6/13/gaining-weight-despite-calorie-restriction ).

    It appears all the sources they cited link back the homepage of their blog.
  • ugofatcat
    ugofatcat Posts: 385 Member
    oops nvm I see all the sources at the bottom. It will take time to go through them.
  • DevotedToDASH
    DevotedToDASH Posts: 60 Member
    yirara wrote: »
    There are many patient groups in my home country for lipedema. The recommendation is indeed: lymphatic evaluation and massage, wear compressional thighs, and learn from a specialist how to bandage the affected parts, and overall weight loss. This does not stop the progression of the disease but slows it down.

    @yirara There is no insurance coverage for this in the US, as it's considered cosmetic... which means my out of pocket costs for initial treatment would cost me upwards of $4-5k and every session afterwards would be approximately $100 (weekly or biweekly) for no more than two areas. That doesn't include the bandages or compression garments - or income lost from work hours lost. I have already spent about $500 on compression stockings and a couple pairs of compression tights, but without insurance coverage, the cost for treatment is formidable for me. There are only two doctors in the state I live in that are trained/willing to diagnose/treat this disorder - one is not taking new patients, and the other will only diagnose and give a list of therapists from what I understand. Liposuction has become the new standard treatment here, but at $4-7k a session with multiple sessions - not happening right now. Regular massage is just too painful, so that's not an option either.
    I love the name. Dedicated to DASH.
    I love this way of eating. Giving up fast food, and frozen meals has been hard. I don't see a need to go plant based, since grilled chicken breast is a staple for me. For inflammation, I take a fish oil along with my multivitamin. I also put Turmeric on my foods. Don't give up. Never give up.

    @TheWJordinWJordin Thanks for the encouragement. I guess part of the reason I'm thinking vegetarian and organic would be good right now is I'm really trying to calm the inflammation. You just don't know what you're getting with animal protein - between the antibiotics they're given and the GMO feed and pesticides, it all works its way up the food chain and into our bodies. If I do eat meat, it will likely be free range chicken or free range grass fed beef. I want to give my immune system a break. I started turmeric last week - in capsule form. Haven't noticed a difference yet, but it takes time, I've taken fish oil supplements for a long time now. I am adding a larger dose of zinc to my daily regimen as there is research showing that has a positive effect on thyroid function.
    I'd also suggest doing research on how to better vet your sources.
    Noted... I have access to a great deal of journal articles and will in the future. Didn't realize that everyone understood medical terminology - but cool! That one was in simple English and provided sources so I thought it was a good basic resource.
    ugofatcat wrote: »
    Have your doctors talked to you about weight loss medications like saxenda or contrave? Are you open to trying a medically supervised weight loss program, where the doctor carefully monitors your intake and blood work?

    While excess weight does cause inflammation, I wonder if your excess weight is contributing to your numerous health problems, or if you had numerous health problems which contributed to your current predicament (excess weight). Have you always been your current weight?

    @ugofatcat Not a candidate for anything that would increase a risk of arrhythmia (personal/family history), pancreatitis (personal GI problems), thyroid cancer (family history) or doesn't play well with PTSD meds. I wish I had an answer to what came first. I'm guessing the health problems, because I had some quirky medical problems even as a child that doctors couldn't explain (long term FUOs, anemia, muscle pain) and others that were diagnosable - like migraine syndrome (onset around age 5, not formally diagnosed until age 18). Too many antibiotics did a number on my ability to absorb nutrients well - although probiotics help with that. Also, because I have a quirky form of familial hypertension not related to weight, most doctors are really hesitant about anything that could have a negative effect on that. Haven't always been my current weight - only 8 lbs 15 oz when I was born, lol - j/k... but pretty much always overweight unless I really restricted. Haven't been in Onederland in over 15 years. Genetics are miserable, although mom is still going strong at 93 (but wheelchair bound and never very active in her lifestyle).

    Lots of great feedback and questions - keeps me thinking. I'm still feeling positive about achieving progress, so if sounds like I'm all negativity, I'm not. I've just got a lot of roadblocks and I'm looking for ways around or over them.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    Regarding the lipedema, even if you have that, what you have said regarding fluid issues indicates that you likely have lymph involvement, and that necessitates another type of treatment protocol that you should see someone about.

    Lipedema involves the abnormal accumulation of fat cells in the extremities. It has nothing to do with fluid in those areas. You have mentioned fluid several times in this thread. They're separate issues, though someone can suffer from both conditions.

  • Old_Cat_Lady
    Old_Cat_Lady Posts: 1,193 Member
    Doctors know about this program. They may ask for a printout so log accurately every single day. Get a food scale if you don't have one. They are next to measuring cups at the store.
    I know you will get better.
  • OliveGirl128
    OliveGirl128 Posts: 801 Member
    edited July 2017
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    For the record, I am one of those people who do not believe " a calorie is a calorie"...Our bodies are so complex and unique and there is so much science and medicine hasn't figured out yet.

    Here's the bottom line. And yes, I know you won't accept this.

    As long as you continue to believe what you wrote above, you will *never* solve your issues. Literally never.

    I do wish you the best of luck - but it won't be enough.

    This. There's just no point in even trying to help when someone has this false belief.
  • skinnylady2014
    skinnylady2014 Posts: 101 Member
    Well, I don't know anywhere near the OP's whole situation, but I will say I have at least a couple autoimmune issues as well as inflammation. For me personally, some exercise or movement daily helps. Also, using turmeric, which I have seen a couple other posters mention. Eating simply and "clean" definitely helps. Cutting way way back on flour and white sugar helps a lot. For me I feel better not using artificial sweeteners beyond Stevia. Drinking clean water every day helps. All of these things help my inflammation, but indirectly help with weight loss.

    This has been my experience.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Well, I don't know anywhere near the OP's whole situation, but I will say I have at least a couple autoimmune issues as well as inflammation. For me personally, some exercise or movement daily helps. Also, using turmeric, which I have seen a couple other posters mention. Eating simply and "clean" definitely helps. Cutting way way back on flour and white sugar helps a lot. For me I feel better not using artificial sweeteners beyond Stevia. Drinking clean water every day helps. All of these things help my inflammation, but indirectly help with weight loss.

    This has been my experience.

    I started using turmeric a while ago, and although I don't know whether it has anything to do with the turmeric or was just coincidence, my postprandial glucose readings dropped about ten points at about the same time. Research on the effect of turmeric on insulin resistance is mixed but promising. Two things to know about it: the active compound in turmeric, curcumin, requires some oil to be utilized, and piperide, a compound in black pepper, greatly increases absorption. So if you're going to test drive the turmeric, try it with a little oil and black pepper.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    Malabsorption does not cause fat gain and usually doesn't cause weight gain (water weight gain in a few people). If you are truly experiencing malabsorption you would be dropping weight quickly.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,357 Member
    edited July 2017
    Without exercise and being an older woman, it's doubtful a weight loss number of 1650 will be the right setting. Plus, you really do need to log your food - for all you know you're eating 2800. Right now all this is conjecture and arguing. Do the work.
  • DevotedToDASH
    DevotedToDASH Posts: 60 Member
    The difference between lymphedema and lipedema - mine is nearly identical to the lipedema photo although I'm not that advanced, and nothing like the lymphedema photo. Note the difference in texture - this is the major distinguishing factor between the two, but not visually - rather by feel. The fat in lymphedema remains smooth. In lipedema the texture of the fat is completely different. It feels like lumps and bumps and tiny pellets...
    and it is painful in a different way than the swelling of lymphedema.lymphedema-vs-lipedema.jpg

    Anyone who wants to chip in for the $650-$1000 that a diagnosis would cost me, let me know - I'll be happy to be diagnosed. Or if you know of a Dr local to me who can diagnose it that will do it for the cost of a regular office visit - give me a name and I'll make the appointment. I'm not looking for a diagnosis from anyone at MFP - please feel free to quote anywhere that I said I was.
  • ugofatcat
    ugofatcat Posts: 385 Member
    OP, I would just focus on what you can control. You can continue to carefully log what you eat, you can use a food scale for accuracy, and figure out what kind of exercise you can do and include that.

    The Mediterranean diet has been shown to improve inflammation (albeit inflammation related to cardiovascular disease; source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1262363612001528) so perhaps try to model your diet off of that? (Lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains like oatmeal, plain popcorn, brown rice, quinoa, plant based proteins like beans and legumes, fish 2-3 times a week, 1/4 a cup of nuts a day, low fat dairy, chicken/turkey some days while avoiding red meat and added sugars.)

    Also I am not sure if you mentioned this, what is your current weight? With your excess fluid what does your weight fluctuate between?