Cellulite is a condition in which the skin of the lower limbs, abdomen, buttocks and pelvic region takes on an ‘orange peel’ appearance after puberty. It can occur in men and women but is much more common in women.
One plausible explanation for the fact that very few men suffer from cellulite is based on the composition and behaviour of women’s fat cells and the connective tissue that holds them in place. Very simply, a woman’s connective tissue is much less flexible than a man’s. As females gain weight, their fat cells expand and tend to bulge upwards towards the surface of the skin, resulting in the classic dimpled appearance of cellulite. Men generally have less fat on the thighs, and their outer skin is thicker and thus obscures what is happening to any surplus fat below.
Contributory factors associated with cellulite
The causes of cellulite are poorly understood, but several factors may cause or contribute to cellulite.
Diet: contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to being overweight – average and underweight people also get cellulite. However, diet has been shown to affect the development and amount of cellulite. Excessive amounts of bad fats, carbohydrates and salt, or too little water and fibre can all contribute to increased cellulite.
If you suffer from cellulite and would like to explore ways of using diet to help tackle it, Smart Nutrition’s consultations offer a wealth of information, as well as practical – and manageable – dietary changes. Please use the button at the bottom of the page to find out more.
Hormonal havoc: it’s very common for pubescent females to display some degree of cellulite, and the female hormone oestrogen is believed to play a role. This is reinforced by the observation that men, who rarely get cellulite, often develop the condition when undergoing oestrogen therapy.
Hormonal levels can be assessed by a Female Hormone Test.
Toxic build up: our bodies usually eliminate waste efficiently, but if a problem occurs with its systems for doing so, cellulite can be the result.
Inefficiency of the system to cope with the “poisoning” of our bodies is normally caused by excessive indulgence and an unhealthy lifestyle.
You can check out your liver’s capacity to remove toxins with the detoxification profile. Smart Nutrition can also design you an effective detoxification programme, helping to minimise both toxin levels and cellulite.
Stress: a lifestyle with consistent or high levels of stress will cause an increase in adrenal hormones, which have also been implicated in the development of cellulite.
A particularly demanding lifestyle may be a key trigger for your cellulite. An Adrenal Stress Test can pinpoint critical imbalances in stress hormones, allowing them to then be effectively targeted.
Lifestyle: smoking, lack of exercise and sitting or standing in a single position for long periods have all been correlated with an increase in cellulite.
Giving up smoking or taking up exercise can be a daunting task, but these are key changes that Smart Nutrition’s nutritional therapists can help you make, as well helping you to improve your diet for longterm cellulite reduction.
Poor circulation: adequate circulation is vital for skin health. If you suffer from cold extremities or vein problems as well as cellulite, blood flow may be exacerbating the problem.
Dry skin brushing, sauna therapies and the use of circulation-promoting foods and supplements are key techniques that Smart Nutrition use to teach you to promote circulation and skin health. Please use the button at the bottom of the page to find out more.