What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a skin condition occurring in men and women where the skin of the lower limbs, abdomen and pelvic region become dimpled. The condition is related to being overweight but other diet factors can play apart in its presentation. Other references to cellulite include “orange peel syndrome”, “cottage cheese skin”, the “mattress phenomenon”, and “hail damage”. There are natural herbal supplements that can help with cellulite.

In Women:

It is normal for adolescent females to display some degree of cellulite. Our bodies contain what is called connective tissue. It is the group of tissues in the body that maintains the form of the body and its organs and provides cohesion and internal support. The female connective tissue is very inflexible or rigid. Due to this lack of flexibility in the nearby connective tissue fat cells tend to bulge upwards towards the surface of the skin as women gain weight and their fat cells expand. The result is the orange-peel appearance of cellulite.

In Men:

In men, there is generally less fat on the thighs, but also the outer skin is thicker and hides what is happening to any surplus fat below. Of course, there are exceptions.

Males with androgen-deficiency tend to have cellulite. Androgen deficiency in men means the body has lower than the normal amount of male hormones or compounds that regulate physiological activities including growth. One of the se hormones is testosterone – the hormone responsible for development of the male sex organs and such masculine characteristics as facial hair and deepening of the voice. This deficiency may be attributed to problems in the brain signals to the testes or problems in the testes (the organ that produces sperm which is the male reproductive cell) themselves.

A closer look at how cellulite develops

Fat cells

One cause for its appearance, as stated above, is based on the components and behavior of fat cells and the connective tissue that holds them in place. There are other elements that are contributing factors as well.

Metabolism

Metabolism describes the process of how your body breaks down substances to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized meaning your body takes simple compounds and “constructs” them into ones that are complex.

Water metabolism is the process of regulating water intake, retention and output. A disorder of water metabolism may contribute to cellulite. Changes in physiology (body organs and internal systems) may contribute to cellulite.

Hormonal factors

Certain hormones are believed to play a dominant role in the formation of cellulite. Remember: hormones regulate physiological activities including growth. If you’d like to know more about these hormones then follow this link (more about hormones).

Genetic factors

Several genetic factors have been shown to contribute to cellulite development. Among these are gender, race, biotype (a group of people containing the same gene type), distribution of subcutaneous fat or fat under the skin, and a tendency to normal circulatory function.

Diet

It has been shown that high amounts of fat, carbohydrates, salt, or too little fiber can all contribute to increased cellulite to the development of cellulite.

Lifestyle

Smoking, lack of exercise, fatty/starchy foods, and sitting or standing in a single position for long periods have all been proven to correlate with an increase in cellulite. Stress can also contribute to its production.

Clothing

Underwear or clothing with a tight elastic across the buttock limits blood flow and can further the formation cellulite. Avoid these types of clothing and you can reduce the impact on cellulite's development.

In later articles we will tackle herbal remedies for the reduction of cellulite.

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