WHAT IS CELLULITE?

by Dr. Pamela A. Popper

Cellulite usually afflicts women; in fact, over 80% of women will develop at least a little bit of cellulite as they age. Cellulite is the dimpling appearance of the skin that results from pockets of trapped fat. The most common locations are the buttocks and thighs, and sometimes the abdomen. The development of cellulite has nothing to do with being overweight - even very thin women can have large areas of cellulite.

Cellulite develops in the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin and is a result of several factors. First, fat cells increase in size due to increasing fat storage (directly a result of consuming excess fat in the diet), becoming too large for the natural compartments that hold tissue in place and causing bulges. In the surrounding area, capillary walls become more permeable, causing fluid and waste accumulation. This irritates the connective tissue, which starts to becomes stiff and hard. Sedentary lifestyles also can contribute to stiffening of the connective tissue. Eventually, stiff connective tissue starts to reduce circulation and adversely affects the lymph system's ability to remove accumulated waste and toxins. Cellulite development accelerates when increasing fat accumulation causes more pressure on the tissues, reducing circulation even more.

The difference between regular fat and cellulite is that regular fatty cells can move about, while with cellulite, the fat cells are trapped with fluid, waste, and stiff connective tissue, leading to the dimpled appearance that women dislike and would like to be rid of.

Women are more prone to develop cellulite because they have more fatty tissue than men. Also, cellulite appears to be influenced by estrogen levels since it is more prone to develop during the times when hormones fluctuate the most - during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. One of the roles of estrogen is to regulate blood flow, lymph drainage and fat storage, so excessively high estrogen levels, which are more common due to the Standard American Diet, contribute to the problem.

Most of the time, cellulite is a cosmetic problem, but left unchecked it can develop into full-blown edema. At this stage, the lymph system is almost completely unable to clear lipids and proteins and increasing amounts of these and other degraded waste products from the interstitial areas and this can result in fibrosis, or excess tissue growth.

There are varying opinions about the efficacy and even safety of treatments for cellulite (such as creams a liposuction), but addressing the underlying causes (diet, lack of circulation, high estrogen levels) can at least stop the formation of more cellulite, and often reduces existing cellulite too.

A Wellness Forum-style diet helps in several ways - it lowers estrogen levels through elimination of dairy products which contain estrogen metabolites; it is lower in fat; higher in fiber, which reduces circulating estrogen by excreting it in the feces; and results in weight loss (fat cells produce estrogen too). Additionally, adopting this diet will stop the development of additional fat stores.

Exercise burns stored fat, including the fat stores that cause cellulite; increases metabolic rate, which helps to reduce the development of fat stores; increases circulation (poor circulation contributes to cellulite); and helps to keep connective tissue pliable.

Deep tissue massage can improve circulation, will also soften the stiffened connective tissue, and can improve lymph flow, assisting the body in removing fluid and waste accumulation that contributes to cellulite. Drinking 64 ounces of filtered water daily can assist the body in removing waste products too.

Success in reducing cellulite is based on many factors, including the amount of it that has accumulated, the length of time a woman has had cellulite, and the level of compliance with the right diet and lifestyle changes. Almost all women notice an improvement in their appearance, and for some, the problem can be eliminated entirely.

Article printed with permission from Dr. Pamela A. Popper and taken from Newsletters Volume 10 Issue 3. Dr. Popper is the founder and Executive Director of The Wellness Forum, a chain of health and wellness centers located throughout the United States and the Far East.