Apr 14, 2013

What The Heck Is Cellulite?

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By Paula Simmons


If you are worried about unattractive cellulite that seems to be most prone for women in the butt, thigh and calves then you will find this article very informative. Learning what causes cellulite and how to get rid of cellulite are the first steps in eliminating it. Cellulite is not just for fat or overweight people. Thin women have cellulite as well.

What Exactly Is Cellulite?

We all know what cellulite looks like...it is dimpled look on your thighs and other areas that is almost impossible to get rid of. But what the heck is cellulite.? The medical terms for cellulite is adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy. A less confusing explanation for cellulite is It is just fat. The fat isn't responsible for the lumpy look though, it is pockets of fat that are deep under the skin that push against the underlying connective tissue. When the fat expands it takes up space under the skin, which places a lot of pressure on the connective tissue. The pressure from the fat against the tissue pushes everything against it, creating the dimpled look we all know and love. When there are numerous fat pockets, there are numerous bumps and it just keeps expanding further across the skin.

Imagine a wonderful pan of cinnamon buns set nicely into a round baking tray. You pop them in the oven and 20 minutes later you take the tray out and they buns are close to overflowing. This is what happens with the fat pockets under your skin, they expand and keep expanding until there isn't anywhere to go. So what you are seeing with the dimpled effect is the expanded fat pressing on your skin from underneath. NICE!

A young person has more elasticity to their skin so it remains smooth. As you reach puberty and beyond, hormones come into play which results in your skin becoming much stiffer and less elastic. And then as we age further the outer layer of skin weakens making the cellulite much more noticeable. But knowing what cellulite is doesn't make it any better! There are millions of dollar spent each year on products trying to get rid of cellulite, and whether you are thin or not it still affects 85 percent of women.

Why Women Have Cellulite More Than Men

Women's skin is generally thinner than a man's skin. The epidermis in a male is much thicker, so when that body fat is pressing against the skin, it doesn't change the connective tissue in the same way as it does with a woman.

There is another basic reason which is that male and female skin is different. The female fat cells are arranged in rows, so when the fat gets bigger it pushes upwards against the skin. A male's fat cells are in a cross-crossed pattern. So the space inside each criss cross is a lot smaller and will not pop up in the same manner. If it does it tends to show up as a big blog 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 Cellulite Caused From?

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.

How to Prevent Cellulite

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to begin reducing cellulite. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with lean protein and good fats will begin the process of removing toxins from your body. These toxins are stored in the fat cells, and they expands as more toxins are added. So a good diet is crucial. Having a glass of hot water with fresh lemon juice in it first thing in the morning will cleanse your liver. Plenty of water throughout the day will continue to flush toxins out of your body. Exercise is important as well, sweating removes toxins and helps keep our bodies toned. You really are what you eat, your diet account for 80% of how you look with exercise only accounting for 20 %.




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