What Is Cellulite?

By Kimberly Black


If you have ever been concerned with having cellulite you are not alone. Most women tend to have cellulite on their butt, thigh and calves. Finding out what causes cellulite is great because then you can take the appropriate measures to begin getting rid of it. Cellulite does not mean you are fat, there are many thin people who have it as well.

What Exactly Is Cellulite?

Everyone knows what cellulite looks like....it is the cottage cheese look that is on your thigh and other parts of your body that seems very stubborn to move. But what is cellulite? The correct version in medical terms is adiposis oedematous, dermopanniculosis and gynoid lipodystrophy. Sounds confusing doesn't it. The simple fact is it is just fat. Although the fat is not the cause of the bumpy look, it is the globs of fat that are buried deep underneath the skin that pushes against the connective tissue. As the fat grows larger it takes up more area under the skin, which in turn puts a lot of pressure on the connective tissue. The fat pressing again the tissue causes the bumpy look that is so unattractive. The more pockets of fat there are, the more lumps and bumps there are, and it keeps expanding further out.

If you can imagine baking a tray of buns and as they begin to rise the overflow the top of the pan, and they keep expanding and getting larger. There is no where for those buns to go so they press up against each other and literally double in size. You are left with a nice tray of buns which oddly enough looks like the uneven texture of cellulite! This is the same result of the underlying fat pressing up against your skin...it causes the bumpy look we all hate.

When we are young, the connective tissue is more elastic, and remains smooth. Once you reach puberty, your hormones start to play a role in your skin making it less elastic and much stiffer. With age the outer layer of skin weakens making cellulite more pronounced. Regardless, you don't like cellulite and neither do I. Millions of dollars are spent each year trying to eliminate cellulite and it affects more than 85 percent of women whether you are overweight or thin.

Why Women Are Blessed With Cellulite-Why Men Aren't

A man's skin is generally much tougher than a woman's skin. The epidermis in the male is thicker , so when the pocket of fat begins to press again the skin, there isn't much change in the connective tissue. Unlike the woman who has thinner skin.

A major reason why men don't get cellulite and women do is because of the way their fat cells are arrange. A woman's fat cells are in like tubes so once they fill up they keep going out the top, a man's fat cells are arrange in a criss-cross pattern so it is very nearly impossible for the fat cell to fill up and pop out the top. If it does it usually shows up as a big blob of fat.

Wearing panties that are to tight will constrict the blood flow in your lower body, and this causes the development of cellulite to speed up. It isn't necessary to wear granny underwear but something a little loser or less constricting will generally help the cause.

What Is The Cause Of Cellulite?

There are a few causes for this kind of body fat. Being a woman is the main one, most men do not suffer from this. But there are a few common theories. Hormonal factors- the development of cellulite can be caused by fluctuating hormones. Estrogen, insulin, non-adrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin all play key roles. Genetics- if your mom or grandmother had it, chances are you will if you have common characteristics as them such as slow metabolism, poor circulation, and how your body fat is distributed underneath the skin. Diet- a poor diet will stress the skin, causing it to fail. A clean healthy diet with lots of complex carbohydrates, and lean protein with good fats will improve the quality of your skin. Lymph glands- our lymphatics drainage system's job is to remove excess fluids and waste from our tissues. When damage occurs to the lymphatic system waste product accumulate in the tissues and cellulite is the result.

Prevent Cellulite

The key is a healthy diet and the first step in getting rid of cellulite. Fresh vegetables and fruits, lean protein and healthy fats will help eliminate toxins from your body. The toxins are stored in the fat cells, and as more toxins are loaded in the fat cells just keep expanding. Quitting smoking is good for general health, and cellulite because of the toxins you are putting into your body. Starting the day with a glass of hot water mixed with the juice of a lemon will cleanse your liver, and remember to continue drinking plenty of water during the day. Your looks are the result of 80% of your diet, and exercise is the result of the other 20 %.




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