Cellulite

Cellulite is misshapen fat cells due to restrictive connective tissue. These misshapen fat cells have a tendency to create ripples in the skin, especially in the upper arm, thighs, and abdominal area of women. This skin appearance is often referred to as "cottage cheese". As much as the advertisers for miracle fat creams or fad diet supplements want to tell you otherwise, the presence of cellulite is not a sign of poor health or even obesity. But to understand the truth of cellulite, we have to look closer than skin deep.

Cellulite Photo:

First, fat is good. Without it, or even with low quantities your body will cease to function and begin using muscle and organ tissue for energy needs. This is literally a body eating itself, and what happens to people suffering from malnutrition, starvation, and eating disorders. All things in moderation, fat levels in the body must be kept in proportion to the rest of it.

Women are more likely to develop cellulite because of hormone levels and tight connective tissue "plumping" fat cells. At a healthy weight and total body fat percentage of 15-25%, cellulite is frequently present. It may not please our aesthetic sensibilities, but from a health perspective it is perfectly okay. While men are not immune to cellulite, their skin thickness, lack of hormonal changes, and lower total body fat percentage for health makes the effects of cellulite less noticeable.

Cellulite Treatments

People concerned with the amount of cellulite on their bodies can consult with their doctor or licensed nutritionist about their body's fat percentage. It may look ugly, but those fat cells are your body's strategic energy reserve should the unthinkable happen-- you run out of food. There are many services and products out there to reduce the sight of cellulite and they fall into four basic categories:

Surgical
Liposuction and other surgical procedures may not remove cellulite since it is not always caused by an abundance of fat, but simply fat cells that are in an odd shape. Bodies must keep a healthy level of fat at all times.

Cosmetic
Sunless tanning products can help diminish the contrasts of the skin's dimples, but most creams and lotions can't change cellulite under the skin. Some people have found success in cosmetic services such as endermologie and laser treatments, but there is a high cost for possibly minimal results.

Nutrition and Diet Changes
Vitamin supplements won't affect cellulite, but proper hydration will keep skin supple and reduce the pronounced ripples in the skin. Also, controlling any hormonal disorders through prescribed medication may also reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Exercise
While exercise is vital for healthy and beautiful bodies, again cellulite is caused at the cellular level. Toning may help improve body shape, but exercise can't and shouldn't remove all of the fat cells from the body.

The biggest threat cellulite poses to people is that of increasing insecurities about body image. Concerns about a healthy weight and fat percentage are unrelated to the presence of cellulite, which can show up on the skinniest of bodies due to oddly-shaped fat cells. As women age, the likelihood of cellulite increases and they may become worried about their partner's reaction. First, talk to your partner about any insecurities as his reaction may surprise you. Second, think about yourself, what are your thoughts about changes to his body that he can't control?

Cellulite is controlled by genetic predisposition, hormone levels, and physiological characteristics. The presence of cellulite is not a sign of poor health or necessarily obesity: those of a healthy weight and fat percentage can have cellulite. Remember advertisers and companies make money when they sell you their product, even if they must make you insecure and feel bad in the process. Most of these products and services will not change the appearance of cellulite, so the best way to handle the "cottage cheese" thighs is to compromise: You won't obsess over the appearance, and cellulite will make sure you won't die or suffer from a lack of energy.