What is the difference between normal fat and lipedema fat?

The difference between normal fat and lipoedema fat cannot be seen with the naked eye. But under a microscope you can see some differences, and practical experience shows that lipoedema fat behaves differently.

1. microscopic characteristics of lipoedema fat: A slightly increased number of inflammatory cells can be seen in lipoedema fat tissue under the microscope. This indicates a slight, gradual inflammation. These inflammatory cells could be an explanation for the typical symptoms of lipedema, including spontaneous pain, a tendency to swell and causeless hematomas.

2. Insidious inflammation and symptoms: The gradual inflammation in the lipedema fat could be the cause of the symptoms that occur. This connection is currently being intensively researched in order to better understand the exact mechanisms of this inflammation.

3. Disturbed metabolism in lipedema fat: It appears that lipedema fat has a disturbed metabolism, as it stores fats but has difficulty releasing them again. This could explain why conventional measures such as dieting and exercise are often not enough to reduce lipedema fat.

4. Sensitive to hormonal changes: Lipedema fat is particularly sensitive to changes in a woman's hormonal balance. The onset of lipedema during puberty, the first hormonal change in a woman's life, suggests a close relationship between lipedema and hormonal influences.

5. Cannot be reduced by exercise or diet: Due to the disturbed metabolism, lipedema fat cannot be reduced by conventional dieting or exercise. This is a particular challenge for people with lipedema, who often find that their efforts to lose weight have little effect on the lipedema fat.

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