Not all plant-based diets are created equal.  American College of Cardiology News.   Plant–based diets with high intake of sweets, refined grains may increase heart disease risk.

Plant–based diets are recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease; however, some plant–based diets are associated with a higher risk of heart disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

In prior studies of the impact of a plant–based diet, there were several limitations. Plant–based diets were defined as "vegetarian" which consist of a variety of dietary patterns that exclude some or all animal foods. These studies treat all plant foods equally, even though certain plant foods like refined grains and sugar sweetened beverages are associated with a higher risk of cardio–metabolic disease.

To overcome these limitations, the researchers created three versions of a plant–based diet: an overall plant–based diet which emphasized the consumption of all plant food and reduced (but did not eliminate) animal food intake; a healthful plant–based diet that emphasized the intake of healthy plant foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables; and an unhealthful plant–based diet which emphasized consumption of less healthy plant foods such as refined grains.

Researchers used a baseline sample of 73,710 women from the Nurses' Health Study, 92,320 women from the Nurses' Health Study 2 and 43,259 men from the Health Professionals Follow–Up Study. These participants responded to a follow–up questionnaire every two years for over two decades on lifestyle, health behaviors and medical history. Participants with coronary heart disease at baseline were excluded, as were participants with cancer, stroke and coronary artery surgery.

During follow–up, 8,631 participants developed coronary heart disease. Overall, adherence to a plant–based diet was associated with a lower risk of heart disease. A higher intake of a more healthful plant–based diet – one rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, etc. – was associated with a substantially lower risk of heart disease. However, a plant–based diet that emphasized less healthy plant foods like sweetened beverages, refined grains, potatoes and sweets had the opposite effect.

"When we examined the associations of the three food categories with heart disease risk, we found that healthy plant foods were associated with lower risk, whereas less healthy plant foods and animal foods were associated with higher risk," said Ambika Satija, ScD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and the study' lead author. "It's apparent that there is a wide variation in the nutritional quality of plant foods, making it crucial to take into consideration the quality of foods in a plant–based diet."

In an accompanying editorial, Kim Allan Williams, MD, MACC, chair of the division of cardiology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said the study adds to the substantial evidence that a predominately plant–based diet reduces heart disease risk. Not all plant–based foods are equally healthy, but plant–based diets with whole grains, unsaturated fats and an abundance of fruits and vegetables "deserve more emphasis in dietary recommendations."

Williams said, the long–term follow up allowed authors to examine dietary patterns and analyze the effect of gradual adherence to a plant–based diet through reduced animal food intake and increased plant food intake on heart disease risk. They said "just as physical activity is a continuum, perhaps an emphasis on starting with smaller dietary tweaks rather than major changes would be more encouraging and sustainable."

Limitations of the study include its observational nature and the self–reported diet assessments.

3/22/2014
I just returned from Germany where I was a support person, or a "second" we call it, during the lymph sparing water jet assisted liposuction by Dr. Josef Stutz in Bad Steben, Germany for three amazing lippy ladies (you know who you are). 

I learned a few tricks during each of the three surgeries to make your lady comfortable so I wanted to share how to be a good second.  

Please feel free to download the pdf here:

Lipedema Patient
Raises Awareness
Posted
on August 29,
2013 by Lymphatic Research
Foundation



Catherine Seo with Lymphatic Research 
Foundation Executive Director Bill Repicci


Lymphatic
Research Foundation Executive Director Bill Repicci met with
Catherine Seo, a professor and documentary film-maker, last week to be
interviewed on the progress being made in lymphatic research and in building
awareness for lymphatic diseases.


Catherine was diagnosed with lipedema, a chronic, hereditary, and genetic
disorder of the adipose tissue generally affecting the legs and, in some cases,
the upper arms. As lipedema progresses, patients become increasingly heavy in
the lower body. The additional, expanding fat cells interfere with the pathways
of lymphatic vessels, and patients can develop secondary lymphedema, a condition
known as lipo-lymphedema.


While lipedema predominantly affects women, there are a few cases in men.
Believed to be caused or exacerbated by hormonal disturbance, lipedema usually is triggered at puberty, but can begin or worsen during or after pregnancy, at peri-menopause, or following gynecological surgery or any surgery with anesthesia. Estimates of the incidence of lipedema vary widely, and may be as high as 17 million or 11% of the post-puberty female population. Catherine was originally misdiagnosed and underwent a series of five surgeries, which resulted in secondary lymphedema.


Catherine’s experiences prompted her to research these disorders. She
discovered that both lipedema and lymphedema are often difficult to diagnose
and, despite their prevalence, receive little attention, research funding, and
focus. Catherine has looked at the cultural issues as well, especially in the
United States, which stigmatize and blame women for weight issues. In order to
help others who may suffer from these illnesses, Catherine has developed a
website, www.lipoedema-simplified.org, has scheduled a
series of speaking engagements, and is producing a documentary, You Mean
It’s Not My Fault: Lipedema – A Fat Disorder.


“I deeply hope this information can save even one person from the circuitous,
painful, and difficult journey that I’ve navigated,” Catherine said. “There is
hope.”

I have been wondering if people with ATDs can enter ketosis.  Many people on low carbohydrate diets reach ketosis or fat burning when the body no longer uses sugar but breaks down fat into ketones.  If you are in ketosis, you should be able to lose fat.  So why is it so hard to lose fat in ATDs such as those on this website?

I put up a little survery to see if people with ATDs are able to go into ketosis.   You can buy ketone sticks to test for ketones in your urine.  For example:
http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/product/ketone-care-ketone-test-strips_1642.htm?source=Shopzilla&zmam=69792428&zmas=1&zmac=83&zmap=2129200146

http://www.theonlinedrugstore.com/Keto-Diastix-Reagent-Strips-p/2225274.htm?Click=6348&vfsku=2225274&gpla=pla&gclid=CO3c8ZnEirkCFSNyQgodrkwAqw

Shop around for a good price.

Some people need to fast for 12 hours before testing their urine after eating a small meal of low carbohydrates the night before.  Some may need to fast for three days.  Some people may use up their ketones in their blood and not pass any into the urine.

TAKE THE SURVEY:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Herbst_Survey

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3587


A group of ladies with lipedema will be having a greet and meet on
Friday night October 25th in Tucson Arizona, with lectures and workshops on
October 26th all day.

October 27 some are flying home others are staying till Monday October
28th for Appointments at the University of Arizona Medical Center on Campbell Avenue with me.  If you are in this group needing an appointment on Monday the 28th, please contact me at kaherbst@gmail.com so I can get you on the schedule.  The address is on my webpage: www.lipomadoc.org on Campbell
Avenue.

This was prepared by a patient/friend of mine:

Hello Everyone:    Dr. Herbst let me know about the opportunity to have the FDA put Lipedema and other fat related disorders, such as Dercum's, Madelug's disease and familial multiple lipomatosis on the radar for research and development.  I have included the link to their website.   NOTE:  the deadline for comments is November 1st.    Here is the website to comment electronically: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FDA-2012-N-0967

When you get to the website you will see the brown box with an N and the title: Prescription Drug User Free Act Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting.  Click on "Comment Now."  You will be directed to the comment page. Enter your personal information (not required) and the *required and data with the earth symbol. Country: scroll to United States.  State or Province. Organization Name:  I put Fat Disorders Research Society. Submitter's Representative: Dr. Karen Herbst.  Category: Scroll to bottom of the list: Individual Consumer

Then go to 2. Type comment.  As you type, you will see the number of characters you have remaining under the comment box.  You can see a preview of your comments when you click on the "Preview Comment" in box 4.  The "Preview Comment" page allows you to print your comment.  I highly recommend you do this for future reference.

 FYI: since there is a 2,000 character limit in the comments section, so single space between sentences and no spaces between some commas, increases number of characters you can use. In case you would like to forward to anyone else you think might be able to comment and help. The comments of spouses and friends would also help contribute to increase awareness. 

We need to flood FDA, because they are only going to include 20 diseases, and no Fat Related Disorders are on the list of 39 being considered.   The message shown below is what I submitted this morning.   

Thank you for taking the time to help.  

I request that lipedema (myalgic lipedema or big leg syndrome) be included in the Patient Focused Drug Development Initiative. I was diagnosed with this disorder after several years of misdiagnoses and failed treatments. With the help of Dr. Karen Herbst, I learned that in 1940 the Mayo clinic identified lipedema. It is a complex disorder involving the microvasculature disfunction (microangiopathy). The lives of more than 11% of the female population are significantly impacted by this disorder. Some men with high estrogen levels (such as hypogonadism or liver disease) may also have lipedema. This disorder is inherited passed down by mother or father to their children. People with lipedema share the following traits:1)All ethnic and income populations are affected;2)permanent disabilities develop, which prevent the ability to work or perform and enjoy everyday activities;3)patients are sick for decades and daily treatments include,a)wrapping arms and legs;b)using lymphatic pumps;c)wearing tight compression garments;d)performing daily manual lymph draining massage. Persons with lipedema often become housebound, bedridden, or must use mobility assistive devices such as wheelchairs. How has lipedema affected my life? When I was about 13 years old, I began to experience symptoms, but did not know I had lipedema until I was 57. As a result, I am now in stage two of this illness. I tell people that pain is my constant companion, 24/7, 365 days a year. I am robbed of effective sleep because of the pain, and getting up many times to eliminate lymphatic fluid. I need walking aids and experience frequent discrimination by family members and the public. I am often called a penguin, due to my inability to walk using a normal gait. I lost my job 18 months before I could retire with full benefits. I lose at least 3 hours everyday, managing my symptoms. Since there is still no effective treatment, and help prevent further suffering, please include lipedema in this initiative.

As the holiday season approaches and you continue to make travel arrangements, buy gifts, or purchase needed items for holiday cheer, please consider using iGive to make your purchases.  You can support my reasearch into all fat disorders by using my iGive link below.  By clicking on the link, you will be asked to register in iGive for my cause.  Believe me, every penny counts.  For example, if you want to get your whole exome sequenced (look at the sequence of every gene that you have) with copy number variation (you may have more than one gene of one kind while another person only has one of the same gene), it is $2,300.00 per person.  Imagine the money needed to evaluate a whole family!  But with so many people shopping through iGive, we can truly make a difference.

Thank you and Enjoy Your Holidays with Friends and Family. 

Post a comment here and let me know how you are doing!

http://www.iGive.com/DercDz

Barbara’s story
In 1996, Barbara Croker (Lyons) was diagnosed with this dreadful disease and
has undergone 39 major surgeries in the last 16 years. After a recent increase
in the diagnosis of Dercum’s Disease, there may be light at the end of the
tunnel for Barbara and other Dercum’s Disease patients. We have found hope in
researcher Dr. Karen Herbst of San Diego, CA. She has begun to research the
causes and possible cure for Dercum’s Disease. All proceeds from the tournament
will be donated to Dr. Herbst who is focusing on finding the gene or genes that
contribute to the development of Dercum's disease.

Please join us for a friendly round of golf to help research Dercum’s Disease!

Come meet Dr. Herbst

We once again are featuring two courses to play!


Where: Midville Country Club and West Warwick Country Club***

West Warwick, RI 02893

You will be assigned to play 9 holes on one of the courses

When: Saturday, October 06, 2012, Shotgun at 1:00pm, Registration @
11:30am

Fee: $75.00 per person or $300.00 per foursome (includes greens fees, dinner,
and prizes).

**Golf carts are not included but will be available for rental only if reserved**
***Use of WWCC  is based on number of golfers***

Please contact Peter Lyons at (401) 345-3134 for more information.

Make checks payable to: RI Dercum’s Research Fund.

Obtain a form from Jim Greene and return it to:

Snail Mail: Jim Greene, 108 Maple Ave Rear, Barrington, RI 02806

Email: PJL1889@verizon.net

Can’t or don’t want to play? You can sponsor a hole for $50!

Please nominate your favorite RAD provider for an award. 

Go to this site:
http://globalgenes.org/2012-rare-tribute-to-champions/

and nominate a RAD provider for the RARE Champion of Hope™ Award, Medical Care &
Treatment award.  This award recognizes an individual that goes above and beyond in clinical
care and treatment for a rare disease patient, family or the community at large. 

Someone who engages with a patient/family with a rare disease to optimize care
and treatment. This person could be a doctor, nurse or special care
provider.

This will help with recognition for RADs!

When you click on the page, look to the right for green nomination button.