Cellulite: Definition, causes, prevention and treatment

 Cellulite: Definition and Causes

Fat is deposited under the skin in clusters of cells held together by a fibrous network of connective tissue. The pattern of fat storage in your body is partly controlled by the sex hormones. In men, the fat is stored in a fairly uniform manner. In women, on the other hand, fat is stored to a large extent, in one or two specific areas like the thighs and the buttocks. Some ‘body care people’ have termed the fat stored in these areas as cellulite. 

Cellulite, according to these people, is a gel like substance made up of a mixture of fat, water and waste materials; all trapped as immovable lumps, just beneath the skin. The protagonists of this theory believe that when the connective tissue is “poisoned”, it begins to expand abnormally, accumulating fat, water and body wastes cellulite is thus formed. 

Tension, fatigue, smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol, and drugs have been held responsible for the poisoning of connective tissue and formation of cellulite; these factors are thought to slow down the rate of elimination of waste materials from the body and these then collect in the connective tissues. 

It stands to logic that if you eat more than you require, you would put on weight. The body can easily store this excess fat in the skin. When too much fat is stored, it tends to bulge out between the fibres of connective tissue. The overlying skin then begins to look and feel uneven and flabby. Doctors also agree that too many calories and too little exercise both contribute to this excessive collection of fat. 

Doctors, however, do not regard cellulite formation as a special condition at all: they think that cellulite is nothing but a fancy name for excess fat. Chemical analysis has shown that Cellulite is similar to ordinary fat. There is also no indication of the presence of any abnormal connective tissue or excess amount of water in the skin of people having excess amounts of the so-called cellulite.

Cellulitis: prevention and  treatment for Cellulite

Anti-cellulite diets- 

These diets claim to purify the body and to eliminate the so-called “poisoning agents”. They basically contain the all too familiar list of low calorie foods- plenty of raw vegetables, skimmed milk, cheese, fish and lean meat. Logically, they exclude the so called ‘body polluters’ like chocolates, chips, and alcohol — all having many many calories. So, naturally these anti-cellulite diets will help you lose weight.

Apart from their low calori value, these anti-cellulite diets contain plenty of fluids, restrict salt intake and contain large amounts of iodine. Fluids are included because they are supposed to increase kidney activity and speed up the rate at which your body gets rid of the waste materials. Once the “poisons” are eliminated, the cellulite would follow. But this is a hypothetical explanation, because doctors do not believe that the kidney activity has anything to do with accumulation and elimination of fat.

Iodine is included to hasten up burning up of fat. Iodine is used up normally in the body by the thyroid gland to produce hormones which control the rate at which fuel is burnt. Including extra iodine in the diet is, however, unlikely to be of any use in speeding up the process of getting rid of fat, as the thyroid gland only needs a minute amount of iodine and this is generally provided by a normal balanced diet.

‘Massage type’ appliances for cellulite treatment

There are several models of these gadgets available — small portable models can be bought for use at home. Saloons have the more powerful versions, which need trained staff to operate. These appliances basically consist of rubber pads, which are Strapped to the body. On switching on the current, the muscles are stimulated to expand and contract about 40 times a minute. This forms a passive alternative to active exercises. Over a period of weeks, you can improve your muscle tone, thereby firming up the flabby flesh. So you tend to lose inches, but there is no loss of weight as there is no burning up of calories.

These passive exercises are actually only a poor substitute to active exercises, which have several other beneficial effects besides firming up muscles. These gadgets are of use for those of you, who are heavily overweight and out of condition till such time that you can build up your stamina to undertake the optimum active exercises. And since use of these gadgets requires very little physical effort, you can use them for long periods of time without getting tired. In addition, you can work on specific problem areas, such as poorly shaped thighs or a protuberant tummy.

Role of exercise in cellulite treatment and weight reduction

Low calori diets usually help you lose weight. But the loss of fat takes place uniformly, all over the body, but the shape of your body will actually not change. With dieting alone you may even lose weight from the wrongest of places. For instance, you may lose weight from the face and this may even make you look ill. Sometimes, the fat continues to remain stubbornly in certain places.

The solution to all these problems lies in a good exercise schedule (along with your diet control); you would be able to shapen the ‘resistant’ areas, like your hips, thighs and bottoms; it will also help you to firm up the relevant muscles. And most importantly, exercises will make you feel fit — really fit as a fiddle.

Which exercises are most useful in cellulite treatment?

 

This would depend on several factors. If you want to work on specific areas of the body then you can take training from an exercise instructor. But if you want to exercise your whole body then walking, jogging, cycling and swimming are all excellent.

It is possible to cure plump thighs with local creams or lotions? 

No, not at all. By, because of consumer gullibility, the cosmetic market is really well-stocked with various types of creams and lotions, all claiming to act against cellulite. These products fall into two main categories. One group contains enzymes which are thought to break down connective tissues and release the trapped toxic waste. The second group is based on seaweeds and contains plenty of vitaming and trace elements like iodine and is thought to aid in purification.

Doctors are absolutely sure that neither of these externally applied products are of any use because neither can these agents reach their targets so deep below the skin, nor are they capable of breaking down of the so called ‘toxic material’ in the connective tissues. All that these cosmetics do, is to make a big, a real big, dent in your pockets.

Calories spent during various  activities: 

Sleeping--  80 Cal/hr. 

Driving--   120 Cal/hr. 

Standing-- 140 Cal/hr. 

Domestic work-- 180 Cal//hr.

Walking (4 km/hr)-- 210 Cal/hr. 

Walking (6 km/hr)-- 300 Cal/hr. 

Running--- (16 km/hr) 900 Cal/hr.

Cycling (9 Km/hr)-- 210 Cal/hr. 

Cycling (21 km/hr)-- 660 Cal/hr.

Swimming--- 300 Cal/hr. 

Tennis--- 420 Cal/hr.

Gardening-- 220 Cal/hr.

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