1st part
Cellulite is a problem of aesthetics and definitely not one of medical/pathological nature.
Although men are not immune to cellulite ,this is a problem that mainly concerns women due to their hormonal profile.
Cellulite shows a clear preference to specific parts of the body e.g. buttocks,thighs,hips etc. This,of course, doesn't mean that some other parts of the body-e.g stomach,upper arms etc-cannot be candidates for cellulite.
But what exactly is cellulite?
Cellulite is a kind of malformed fat ,which is trapped among the vertical diaphragms of the fibrous tissue that connects our skin to the underlying muscles.
When there is an accumulation of fat cells in the microchambers defined by these diaphragms, it is logical to expect a kind of pressure towards the skin. On the other hand ,connective tissue will enact pressures to the opposite direction.
This is the mechanical explanation for the form of cellulite:uneven skin surface with micro-creases and micro-lumps.
Causes/predisposing factors for cellulite
-sex: women are more prone to developing cellulite due to their specific hormonal profile( mainly estrogen+progesterone). Additionally,the nature of the connective tissue -we described above-encourages cellulite formation.
-age:as years pass the extension, frequency and severity of cellulite increases.
-sedentary life
Sedentary life will adversely affect the circulation of blood as well as of the lymph.
-heredity
It seems that genetic factors play a lead role in cellulite development.
- body weight/fat increase
That said ,slim people are not immune to cellulite.
-stress
Increased production of adrenaline will promote increased fat storage to the cellulite-prone parts of the body.
-smoking
It is now widely accepted that smoking will favor cellulite formation.
-birth control pills
Many contraceptive pills induce big quantities of estrogens and the body cannot simply get rid of them
-constipation
Constipation will make it difficult for the toxins to be removed from the body.
-improper nutrition
Increased intake of unsaturated fats and processed/refined carbs-especially of table sugar and white flour-have been found to be directly connected to cellulite increase.
End of 1st part
Chris Strogilis
