This Friendsgiving-season Lipedema Patient Roundtable welcomed special guest Virginia Ziulu, nutritional therapist and inflammation specialist from Virginia’s Health Corner, joining live from Ireland. The panel explored mast cell activation, chronic inflammation, hormones, and the emotional realities of living with lipedema.
Virginia explained what mast cells are, why they sometimes become “overactivated,” and how that can lead to itching, hives, pain, and flares. Panelists shared personal stories of mast-cell chaos triggered by stress, fragrances, and travel (including a Disney date gone wrong!), and discussed tools like low-inflammatory eating, GLP-1s, environmental adjustments, and nervous-system support.
Linda Anne Kahn shared highlights from the Lipedema World Congress in Rome, including new research showing real changes in microvasculature and fat tissue in people with lipedema—evidence that it is not simply obesity or a lifestyle issue. She emphasized the roles of microcirculation, genetics, and hormones, and why therapies that support lymph flow and reduce inflammation matter.
For those newly diagnosed, the panel offered simple, sustainable starting points: manage stress and sleep, build basic nutrition habits (like prioritizing protein), and incorporate compression garments and pneumatic compression, such as the Lympha Press pump. Cara Garrett shared an easy explanation of the role of compression therapy: The pump helps move the fluid out; compression keeps it from rushing back. Digestive enzymes and DAO for histamine and gut issues were also demystified, with the reminder that all medical decisions should be personalized with your healthcare team.
Because this Roundtable landed just before the holidays, the group shared practical survival tips: plan your energy, say “yes” to what matters and “gotta go” to what doesn’t, lean on tools like compression and good shoes, and give yourself permission to celebrate in ways that honor your body—even if that means shifting traditions or choosing a quieter holiday at home. The throughline: you’re allowed to protect your energy.
The session closed with a gratitude round honoring the late Pattie Cornute and her “all or something” mantra. Community wins—from reduced pain to feeling truly seen—were celebrated along with the power of connection, and appreciation for organizations like the American Lipedema Association, the Lipedema Foundation, the work of Virginia Ziulu and Linda Anne Kahn, and Lympha Press, proud sponsor of this monthly gathering for five years, was also expressed.
Thank you to this month’s amazing panel:
This Roundtable was originally recorded live on November 19, 2025, and has been edited for time. The views and opinions expressed in this Patient Roundtable are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Lympha Press.
This video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition or treatment.
