Fighting Cellulite

“The time is growing near
Summer is almost here.
So what do we have to fear?
Cellulite on our rear!”

And our hips, thighs and let’s not forget above our knees. It’s a wonder we don’t get cellulite on our calves as well. So why are we cursed with this awful affliction? Part of the reason is genetic predisposition. In other words, if your Mom has it, there’s a chance you will too. But don’t throw in the towel just yet. There are ways to deal with this stubborn body fat.

People disagree when they talk about cellulite. Some argue it’s just fat. Others say it’s a medical “syndrome” resulting from a number of different causes. One thing we do know: cellulite is not a disease but a cosmetic condition that has its roots in anatomical changes. But whatever it is, cellulite never fails to spark a mid-life crisis in women.

The syndrome theory originated from a French-born woman named Nicole Ronsard in the early 1970s. Ronsard coined the term, “cellulite” in America. According to Ronsard, cellulite is the result of a combination of factors (e.g., bad eating habits, stress, poor circulation, yo-yo dieting, lack of exercise, improper lymph drainage, age). She argues that cellulite isn’t just fat and points out that thin women struggle with cellulite too.

During puberty, a surge of estrogen awakens the fat cells in the breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs—part of the reason women develop their feminine curves. So wouldn’t it seem logical for you to start losing weight during menopause? After all, as you age, hormone levels begin to drop.

But according to Dr. Debra Waterhouse, MPH, RD, when this happens, your fat cells begin to panic and start hoarding fat. It’s your body’s way of protecting you from memory loss, fatigue, mood swings, osteoporosis and hot flashes. When estrogen levels fall, your fat cells expand. This in turn increases the amount of estrogen.

To compound the problem, within each cell are fat-storing receptor sites (alpha-2) and fat-releasing sites (beta-1). As women, we tend to have more alpha-2 receptors in our lower bodies while men have more beta-1. Plus, men have thicker coriums than women. The corium is the connective tissue between the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The thicker the corium, the better the dimples are hidden. So our bottoms naturally become fat magnets. And as we age, our coriums grow thinner and looser. Is there no justice in the world?

There are a few things we can do to smoothen out our thighs and butts. To do so, we need to understand another important reason why cellulite exists: a reduction in collagen. For the same reason fine lines and wrinkles appear on your

face, the skin on the bottom half of your body loses its elasticity with age.

Beneath the uppermost layer of skin (better known as the epidermis), lies connective tissue made up of several components: cells (fat cells and fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen); fibers (collagen and elastin which provide skin resiliency and support); and a matrix (a gel-like substance that is the glue which holds everything together). When these components are in equilibrium, your skin appears smooth, firm and supple.

at the Brussels University found that women with cellulite often suffer from deficient lymph systems. The study suggests that massaging the lymph system may be an effective part of any anti-cellulite program. And since the lymph is circulated by the pull of gravity or by muscle contractions, a massage can provide the necessary push it needs to enter the bloodstream 25% faster.

Way To Go Marlene 

Cellulite forms when the vital function of these connective tissues are disrupted and the capillaries (which exchange nutrients and cellular wastes between the blood and tissues) weaken. When this occurs, capillaries leak more fluid than usual into the interstitial spaces between cells. As the cells spread apart and exchanges become more difficult, cells become congested and inefficient. Furthermore, the connective tissue walls between the fat-cell chambers become thinner as we age, and as a result, the fat-cell chambers enlarge increasingly. In short, the degradation of connective tissue structures often leads to cellulite.

Extra weight due to poor nutrition can also set off a chain reaction leading to cellulite. Additional fat can strain the connective fibers, collagen and elastin, resulting in more visible or “dimpled” fat clumps. When you were a baby, dimples were cute, but not now. No way! To reduce unsightly cellulite, you need to reduce subcutaneous fat and improve connective tissue integrity. Diet and exercise can play a key role in shedding this dreaded fat. Start by reducing the amount of fat in your diet, especially saturated fats (red meat is high in saturated fats). Give priority to complex carbohydrates that are low in glycemic value while minimizing refined, simple carbs. Increase protein intake (up to 1 gram for every pound you weigh). Be sure to reduce your sodium intake as well. By lowering your sugar consumption, your liver function improves. When the liver is working inefficiently, blood becomes sugar-saturated and this puts added stress on the pancreas. If this occurs, the body will be unable to metabolize excess hormones, fats and other wastes, which ultimately translate into more cellulite. Finally, drink plenty of water. Water helps flush out toxins and impurities from your liver.

Exercise is the next step. Aerobic exercise, while providing benefits for the cardiovascular system, also improves circulation, leading to a better distribution and assimilation of nutrients. And since cellulite is related to fat, by removing as much fat as you can from the equation, the better chance you have of reducing those ugly dimples.

In addition to exercise and diet, something as simple as a massage can help alleviate some of the problems. A study conducted The theory behind massage is sound according to Dr. Elisabeth Dancey. Poor lymph drainage results in damaged fat. In
her medical opinion, cellulite consists of abnormal fibers and water retention in fatty subcutaneous tissue. If the lymph, which is a protein-rich fluid, doesn’t drain from the cells properly, it can exert pressure on the tissue around it. Eventually, the proteins separate from the lymph, causing a backup that thickens. Over time, the situation worsens as the lymph is unable to properly supply the surrounding cells that make collagen and elastin fibers with the necessary nutrients and oxygen they need.

Once deprived of nutrients and oxygen, these specialized cells called fibroblasts create thick, abnormal fibers. Compounding the problem, fibroblasts rely on lymph fibers as a base to make collagen and elastin. Finally, the lymph fibers thicken progressively due to the actions of the surrounding fibroblasts until they form a honeycomb-like structure around the fat cells. This honeycomb structure is what we see as cellulite.

Dr. Dancey suggests a specific form of massage called “manual lymph drainage” or MLD to improve lymph flow and reduce this honeycomb appearance of the skin. MLD is a form of connective-tissue massage that’s practiced widely in clinics and hospitals. It’s used to decongest lymphatic pathways, maintain adequate levels of oxygen and nutrients in tissues, accelerate the removal of toxins from the tissue and reduce edema (a condition in which the tissues retain excess water). When employing a massage, always remember to move from the periphery to the heart.

Aside from massage, stress management is encouraged by Dr. Dancey. Stress and anxiety put undue stress on all major functions of your body, including the adrenal glands and skin. Stress also exerts a major influence on our bodies—women are known to binge when stressed or depressed.

So now that we understand the basic underpinnings of cellulite, we can do something about it. Education is the key to making sound fitness and lifestyle choices which will help control the formation of cellulite. So ladies, start feeling good about yourselves. Unwrap those beach towels from around your waist. It’s not going to be easy, but if you follow the advice I’ve given, you’ll be on your way to a trimmer, smoother you!

Marlene Harden’s 4 Step Anti-Cellulite Program 1. Exercise Get plenty of aerobic exercise and trim the extra fat from your hips and thighs. By doing so, you’ll put less stress on the connective tissues and ensure a smoother, cellulite-free look. Your goal should be to work out at least three times per week, for a minimum of 30 minutes per session. 2. Diet Be sure to eat a lot of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Foods naturally high in fiber will also establish a healthy digestive system and maximize your body’s elimination of toxins. While increasing your fiber, you should also lower your fat intake, especially saturated fats, and refined simple carbs (sugars). 3. Water Drink plenty of water. Water helps improve circulation and flushes out toxins from the liver and kidneys. Try to drink 2-3 quarts of water per day. 4. Massage As outlined above, massage therapy can work wonders by improving lymph circulation and drainage. When doing so, be sure to work from the periphery to the heart. 5. Supplements Nutritional supplements can be used in conjunction with all of the above for more positive results. I personally use Tone ‘N Tighten and have gotten wonderful results. Considering I’m 41 years old, its says a lot about the product.