Melting Away Cellulite Naturally
Orange peel syndrome, cottage cheese skin the mattress phenomenon, hail damage … WHAT IS A WOMEN SUPPOSED TO DO!
Cellulite is the unsightly dimpling, padded or “orange peel” appearance of the skin that appears after puberty in women and is probably one of the most aesthetically troubling concerns of women, more than wrinkles and aging skin. Majority of the cellulite is fat that has deposited in the cells of the stomach, arms, thighs and the buttocks region.
Cellulite is not related to being overweight; average and underweight people also get cellulite too!
CAUSES
Cellulite formation occurs due to a number of causes:
Diet and lifestyle being high on the list. Various changes in metabolism and physiology may cause cellulite or contribute to cellulite. Among these are a disorder of water metabolism, blood circulation issues and deposition in fat due to abnormal hyperpolymerization of the connective tissue.
Hormonal Factors
Hormones play a dominant role in the formation of cellulite. Estrogen is the most important hormone. Practically all females past the age of 20 display some degree of cellulite, some may have it earlier too. It is seen in males with androgen-deficient states – this means that cellulite formation appears to have a hormonal component to its presentation. Other hormones including insulin, the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin have all been shown to participate in the development of cellulite.
Predisposing factors
Several genetic factors have been shown to be necessary for cellulite to develop. Gender, race, biotype, a hormone receptor allele that determines the receptor number and sensitivity, distribution of subcutaneous fat, and predisposition to circulatory insufficiency have all been shown to contribute to cellulite.
Diet
Diet has been shown to affect the development and amount of cellulite. Excessive amounts of fat, carbohydrates, salt, alcohol or too little fiber can all contribute to an increased cellulite.
Lifestyle
Smoking, lack of exercise, tight clothes, high heeled shoes, and sitting or standing in a single position of long periods have all been correlated with an increase in cellulite. A high stress lifestyle will cause an increase in the catecholamine hormones.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET RID OF CELLULITE?
At our naturopathic clinic, I have found that acupuncture and massage with certain oils to have been extremely effective in smoothing out cellulite and the results can be seen right after the first visit!!
Of course, diet and lifestyle changes are extremely important in keeping cellulite away, so people don’t despair … there is hope!
By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.