Women and Cellulite
Cellulite Treatment | Weight Loss | Why diets don't work | Weight loss Q&A

Dear Dr. Suzy,   

Q. What exactly is cellulite and what can I do to reduce it?  It's getting harder and harder to separate fact from fiction anymore.

A. There has been considerable debate through the years over exactly what cellulite is. For all practical purposes, what is commonly called cellulite is actually excess adipose tissue or bodyfat, not some unique type of tissue.  Getting rid of cellulite is not an easy task, but understanding more about what causes it is the first step to reducing those frustrating dimples and bulges. 

Due to natural physiological differences, women normally have more bodyfat than men and the excess is stored in different areas, namely the hips, thighs, and buttocks. The distribution of a woman’s fat deposits is determined largely by hormones, which play a major role in the buildup of excess bodyfat.

As a natural consequence of an imbalance in the pure energy equation, when you take in more food than your body needs to function, what is not needed for energy is stored as bodyfat. Over time, this excess can take on a lumpy, bulging appearance. It is at this stage that women commonly refer to the dimpled tissue as cellulite.

The main reason that fatty tissue has a different appearance in women than men is that women have thinner skin. A widely accepted theory is that the dimply appearance is due to fat pushing up between restrictions formed by connective tissue that separates the fat cells into small compartments, giving the visible fat a lumpy appearance under the skin.

Excess bodyfat is basically stored energy. Dietary excesses, whether in the form of fats, carbohydrates, or protein, all eventually turn to bodyfat if they are not needed by the body as a source of energy. Energy is stored by the body as fat in adipose tissue, which is a distinct type of connective tissue. When other sources of energy, such as glucose (blood sugar) are depleted, the body draws on fat stores for its needs. 

(Also read Dr. Suzy's article:  5 tips for getting in shape under the publications link of www.pure-life.com)

Adipose tissue increases in two ways. Existing fat cells can grow by filling up with more fat, or the total number of fat cells can increase. As the original fat cells are filled to capacity, new ones are created.

I find it very interesting to note that when an overweight adult reduces body size, there is a decrease in fat cell size, but no change in total fat cell number. In other words, fat cells can shrink in size, but once new fat cells are created, they are there to stay.

The reason that most women gain weight more easily than men is related to the historical evolution of fat storage mechanisms as protection against starvation in periods of famine. In general, a man's body contains enough fat to protect itself for a few months. A woman's body, on the other hand, is designed to store enough fat to protect her and her unborn child for the length of a full term pregnancy.

The simple truth is that there is no single, isolated factor that is solely responsible for causing excess bodyfat to accumulate. It is necessary to evaluate each aspect of your lifestyle individually, and make positive, permanent changes, when needed, in your overall lifestyle—not just one part of it.

It is very important to remember that having some bodyfat is healthy and physiologically necessary. This important component of our body’s structure gives the female form its sensual, attractive curves and softness. Also keep in mind that the images we see in magazines and advertisements have been digitally altered so much that they sometimes bear little resemblance to the real thing. Try not to lose sight of the fact that true, optimal health comes from the inside.

So what if you do not have a perfect, rock hard body? You can start feeling good about your true self right now, knowing that you are treating your body with the respect it deserves.