Could the Presence of Cellulite Indicate Disease?

Cellulite is the characterized by a dimpled, cottage cheese, or orange peel appearance of the skin. It is primarily found on the hips, buttocks, and thighs but it may appear on other areas of the body as well. It is more common in women than men, and in many cases considered normal. But what is it, and what causes it? Should I be concerned? Can I get rid of it?

Cellulite is fat which has accumulated between the skin and muscle layers; this area is known as adipose tissue. Fat is normally stored in the adipose tissue but it does not always appear as cellulite.

The reason that the skin takes on an orange peel or dimpled appearance is that fat in the adipose tissue is pressing against the connective tissue between the layers of skin and muscle. In women, fat cells and connective tissue are organized in a way that is different than in men, making cellulite more visible on women.¹

Cellulite can appear at any age, and whether a person is obese or thin. In fact, it is estimated that 80-90% of women will have some form of cellulite in their lifetime.² The factors that contribute to its formation are quite varied. Although, not a risk factor for disease itself, the appearance of cellulite is disturbing to many who develop it.

Some of the more common causes of cellulite include genetics, aging, stress, inflammation, and hormonal factors.³ As we age, skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more prone to sag. Collagen production also decreases making the connective tissue between fat cells weaker. The result is uneven looking skin as fat cells press against the connective tissue and skin.⁴

Our body is designed to store fat to be used for energy when needed. In fact, a certain percentage of body fat is necessary for the body to function normally, which is termed essential body fat. Essential body fat is stored in small amounts in bone marrow, organs, the central nervous system, and muscles. When it comes to total body weight, that equates to about 3 percent in men, and 12 percent in women. For women, essential body fat is also stored in breasts, the pelvis, hips, and thighs; it is believed that this is to support reproductive function.⁵

It is generally accepted that a woman expecting to conceive should have at least 12 percent body fat since many women stop having menstrual cycles when their body fat drops to below 12 percent. While being super skinny may sound appealing, being so thin that the body does not believe that it is prudent for the woman to conceive and carry a baby to full term should give you pause in believing that being that thin is healthy. It is called essential body fat for a reason!

Being produced by the endocrine system, the hormones necessary for reproduction are closely tied to all the other hormones in your body. The job of the endocrine system is to produce and regulate hormones, such as estrogen. The major glands/organs in the endocrine system include adrenal glands, hypothalamus, ovaries, pancreas, parathyroid, pineal gland, pituitary gland, testes, thymus, and thyroid gland.⁶ A proper balance of all of the hormones produced by the endocrine system is necessary for good health. Many hormones have multiple functions in the body, including triggering production of other hormones.

For premenopausal women, the sudden appearance of cellulite may be due to a change in hormones including estrogen which often occurs after the onset of puberty or during pregnancy. This can even occur in women who are not overweight.

Estrogen is an important hormone involved in fat storage. The presence of estrogen determines where fat is stored. In premenopausal women, fat tends to be stored more on hips, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. In postmenopausal women, fat tends to be more evenly distributed over the body (including the abdomen) due to lower estrogen levels.⁷

Apart from age, estrogen levels are influenced by fatty foods in our diet. High-fat diets increase the amount of estrogen the body produces; little distinction is made between saturated (animal) and unsaturated (vegetable) fats meaning that fried foods are just as bad as high fat meats, dairy, and cheeses.⁸ This is true for both men and women. Keep in mind low to moderate consumption of both saturated and unsaturated fats is important for a healthy diet.

In a study published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, doctors Linda R. Nelson and Serdar E. Bulun stated that adipose tissue, where fat is stored, can also raise estrogen levels. It was noted that local estrogen concentration of tissue is higher where cancerous growths exist and that elevated levels of estrogen promote the growth of cancer cells.⁹

Cellulite can appear at any age although it is rarely seen before puberty. Other factors that play into development of cellulite include lack of circulation, dehydration, and fluid retention.¹⁰ Lack of circulation and fluid retention could be indicative of an improperly functioning lymphatic system.

 The lymphatic system is a circulatory system different from the vascular system. It is one of the main components of the immune system. It also plays a major part in detoxification. A congested lymph system can lead to fat being stored as cellulite, particularly around the abdomen.¹¹

Unmitigated stress has a number of ways in which it undermines health including impeding proper functioning of the lymph system and causing inflammation. Inflammation is associated with many diseases including diabetes, insulin resistance, and other metabolic disorders.¹²

While little is understood about the exact causes of cellulite, it is safe to say that cellulite itself is not a risk factor for disease. However, for certain individuals the development of cellulite may be a warning sign of impending health issues.

The development of cellulite is largely considered a metabolic issue. Metabolic issues are a direct result of inflammation and imbalances of hormone levels. The liver and thyroid are the main drivers of body metabolism. The health of these two organs as well as proper functioning of other organs in the body will dictate level of metabolic function.¹³

In the presence of cellulite, fat cells have a lower metabolic rate. This is due to several contributing factors. A sluggish lymph system will cause a build up of fluid around the fat cells which in turn reduces blood circulation around the fat cells. Reduced blood circulation results in lower oxygen being provided to the fat cells which in turn results in a lower metabolic rate in the fat cells. All of this equates to a poorer quality of fat being squeezed into the fat storage structure of the adipose tissue, which results in an uneven appearance.¹⁴

So, all of this information brings us to the questions, ‘Should I be concerned about cellulite’ and ‘Can I get rid of it?’. It is possible that you should be concerned at least enough to be checked out for serious health issues since the some of the causes for the development of cellulite are also risk factors for heart, thyroid, and liver disease, as well as diabetes and obesity.

A thoughtful analysis of diet and lifestyle will illuminate known contributors to serious health and metabolic issues, such as sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, digestive issues, stress, smoking, excessive drinking, and being overweight.

By adopting a diet full of whole foods and devoid of junk food, participate in regular exercise of some form, give up self-destructive habits of smoking and indulgent drinking, develop stress management practices, and address digestive issues through natural means, it is possible to reduce cellulite greatly.

You can spend a lot of money on treatment with topical products that supposedly reduce cellulite, freezing it with cryolipolysis, devices such as lasers and radio frequency, and ultrasound, or dangerous procedures such as liposuction and mesotherapy.¹⁵ At least one study has shown that whole body vibration can also reduce cellulite.

Massage and hydrotherapy can help reduce cellulite by stimulating lymphatic drainage.¹⁵ Topical application of products containing caffeine has been scientifically shown to reduce cellulite, while topical application of vitamin A has been scientifically shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving skin tone and elasticity. And finally, a phosphatidylcholine-based cosmeceutical anti-cellulite gel combined with LED light was scientifically proven to lessen cellulite.¹⁶

Quite honestly though, the best, cheapest, and safest way to reduce or eliminate cellulite is to adopt a holistic lifestyle of clean eating, drinking plenty of pure, fresh water, getting regular exercise, and eating lots of raw vegetables and fruit. By doing these things, metabolism rises and the body can detox through a properly functioning lymphatic system. Juicing is also extremely beneficial in restoring hormone balance as well as providing a concentrated source of nutrients.¹³

Additionally, at-home practices of dry skin brushing, lymphatic massage with grapefruit essential oil in a sesame carrier oil, applying a coffee scrub or wrap, and using a foam roller can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Also, consuming gelatin can help by repairing connective tissue that breaks down with age.¹

So, you can see that the presence of cellulite does not necessarily indicate that disease is also present but by addressing the root causes of cellulite you will also be addressing the causes of serious conditions and disease. And although some conditions such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are temporary, good health practices can minimize the effects of hormonal fluctuations.

Reference

1. Mercola, J. (2017, February 24). What Causes Cellulite and Can It Go Away? Retrieved from Peak Fitness: https://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2017/02/24/what-causes-cellulite.aspx

2. T, P., C, B., & HC., K. (2006, October 4). Cellulite–the greatest skin problem in healthy people? An approach. Retrieved from National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17010177

3. Mandal, A. (2009, August 3). What Causes Cellulite. Retrieved from News Medical Lifesciences: https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Causes-Cellulite.aspx

4. Hannan, C. (2017, November 30). Everything You Need to Know About Cellulite. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149465.php

5. Weil, A. (2002, April 19). How Much Body Fat Do We Need? Retrieved from Weil: https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/health-centers/women/how-much-body-fat-do-we-need/

6. The Endocrine System. (n.d.). Retrieved from Hormone Health Network: https://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/the-endocrine-system/

7. Santosa, S., & Jensen, M. D. (2012, September 16). Adipocyte Fatty Acid Storage Factors Enhance Subcutaneous Fat Storage in Postmenopausal Women. Retrieved from American Diabetes Association: http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/62/3/775

8. Fat and Hormonal Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: https://www.pcrm.org/health/cancer-resources/diet-cancer/nutrition/fat-and-homonal-effects

9. Nelson, L. R., & Bulun, S. E. (2001). Estrogen Action and Production. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, S116-S124. Retrieved from Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(01)45314-X/fulltext

10. Axe, J. (2017, March 15). How to Get Rid of Cellulite — 5 Natural Treatments. Retrieved from Dr. Axe: https://draxe.com/how-to-get-rid-of-cellulite/

11. Douillard, J. (2017, May 11). Rescue Your Lymph From Stress… Before It’s Too Late! Retrieved from Lifespa: https://lifespa.com/rescue-lymph-stress-late/

12. Bubnis, D. (2017, September 03). How to Lose Subcutaneous Fat: All You Need to Know. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319236.php

13. Cellulite. (n.d.). Retrieved from Liver Doctor: https://www.liverdoctor.com/cellulite

14. What is Cellulite and Can Anything Be Done About It? (n.d.). Retrieved from Liver Doctor: https://www.liverdoctor.com/cellulite-can-anything-done

15. Cellulite Diagnosis & Treatment. (2018, March 07). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354949

16. Thorne, T. (2017, April 27). 3 Evidence-Based Ways to Reduce Cellulite. Retrieved from Green Med Info: www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/3-evidence-based-ways-reduce-cellulite