WHAT IS CELLULITE?
Cellulite is the lumpy, bumpy, dimply fatty tissue that you and everyone else can see most commonly on hips, thighs, buttocks, lower back, lower abdomen and backs of the arms.
But what is it? What is happening under the skin? And why me?
Cellulite is a combination of things happening within the first few mm under the surface of the skin.
Fat storage sites under the skin are held in small compartments made of connective tissue, elastin and collagen. When these fat cells swell as they fill up with fat and toxins; the connective tissue compartment is supposed to be able to hold the fat cells in an organised compartment. Between the fat and the skin is a layer called the dermis that is supposed to be full and plump and spongy enough to hide any changes in the fat layers beneath.
Cellulite happens when the fat cells swell and the connective tissue compartment cannot contain the swelling fat cells and some of the bands snap under the pressure. This causes areas where the fat cells explode up and out of the compartment causing a bump on the skin surface; while the area where the connective tissue has lost elasticity but hasn't snapped is still pinned down creating a trough or dimple.
WHAT CAUSES CELLULITE?
There are 2 main causes for cellulite
1. Fat cells over full
2. Weak dermal connective tissue, collagen and elastin
OVERFLOWING FAT CELLS
Hormonal factors, including estrogen levels, are thought to play a role in how the body stores fat and fluid, which may influence the appearance of skin. This is a vicious cycle,the biochemical trap could have started with excessive fat cells or obesity; or from exposure to excessive estrogen from pollutants, plastics, genetics, contraceptive pills etc.
WEAK COLLAGEN
Did you know that cellulite is a side effect of having a period? Not fair I know. On a monthly cycle your body will tell immune cells to breakdown the collagen that holds the period in so that you can shed the endometrium and have a period. Collagen is an important structural protein found throughout the body, including in the skin, and its levels can be influenced by various lifestyle and dietary factors.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet may affect general skin health and appearance over time.
TIPS TO SUPPORT SKIN APPEARANCE AND GENERAL WELLBEING
DIETARY TIPS FOR GENERAL HORMONAL WELLBEING
- Brassica vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and cabbage are a source of compounds associated with general digestive and nutritional health as part of a balanced diet. Broccoli, broccoli sprouts, kale, spinach, radish, watercress, cabbage and cauliflower
- B vitamins in particular folic acid, B12 and B6
- Dietary fibre may support general digestive health as part of a balanced diet.
- Kelp and seaweed are natural sources of fibre and minerals that may support general digestive health as part of a balanced diet.
BODY CARE TIPS FOR SKIN APPEARANCE
- Massage may support general circulation and help with the appearance of skin.
- Dry skin brushing using a vegetable bristle brush of luffa
- Massage in topical body shaping serums (Such as ATP Science Subcut and Block-E creams) that contain caffeine and other compounds like forskolin as part of a general skin care routine.
ANTIOXIDANTS TO PROTECT DERMAL COLLAGEN
- Turmeric, lycopene, green and white tea, rosehip, silybin / silymarin protect dermal connective tissue from becoming brittle and break too easily.
ANTIOXIDANTS TO PROTECT DERMAL COLLAGEN
- Turmeric, lycopene, greens powder and white tea, rosehip, silybin / silymarin may help support the appearance of healthy skin as part of a balanced diet and daily routine.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR SKIN APPEARANCE
- Vitamin C and bioflavonoids such as rutin, quercetin, and luteolin are nutrients that may support general skin health and appearance as part of a balanced diet.
- "You are what you eat" - so eat more collagen from green lipped mussel, chicken sternum / cartilage, tripe, and hydrolysed collagen supplements like Collagen Complete and Glow Collagen Coffee.
