by Roberto Eusebio, absolute national champion of body fitness
In medical parlance, cellulite is called edemo-fibro-sclerotic panniculopathy ; it is an alteration of the adipose connective tissue, with hypertrophy of the cells and accumulation of fluids and metabolic toxins in the interstitial spaces.
Cellulite gives the skin a spongy appearance which is why it is called orange peel. Above all, women are affected, starting from adolescence, but not only overweight ones; in fact, even thin women can be affected.
There are different types of cellulite depending on age and stage of progress.
The main ones are:
- EDEMATOSA: evident water retention from the waist down.
- FIBROSA: increase of connective tissue and hardening of fat and formation of many small palpable nodules (orange peel skin).
- SCLEROTICS: the fabric becomes hard, cold and painful to the touch with the presence of large nodules.
The causes of cellulite are of various kinds, they can in fact be researched both in hereditary genetic factors (white race, female sex and familiarity), and in factors linked to our lifestyle. As already mentioned, cellulite is accompanied by a considerable accumulation of liquids and toxins from metabolic processes. The sap is responsible for removing these products from the body; unlike blood circulation, the flow through the vessels of which it is composed is stimulated by muscular contractions, therefore a lack of movement determines an inefficient function of the lymphatic circulation.
Water retention is caused by the action of hormones such as estrogens, which characterize female characters; they are one of the causes of circulatory pain, not by chance in the premenstrual period there is an increase of water in the tissues. In the gynoid conformation, called a pear, of some female subjects, we can find that this imperfection is located in the lower part of the body, between the hips and the knees.
Aggravating factors of the appearance and progression of cellulite can be considered behavioral and concern habits, lifestyle and nutrition.
A sedentary life and lack of physical exercise lead to the loss of muscle tissue, therefore a decrease in metabolism, which causes overweight and loss of body tone, with an increase in visible cellulite. It would therefore be necessary to dedicate oneself constantly to physical activity to maintain a good state of health with good circulation and musculature, in addition to a fast metabolism.
Overweight is an important factor to keep under control to eliminate cellulite. They are excellent habits, to maintain a good state of health, reduce the caloric intake and increase the outgoing one.
Improper nutrition increases retention, overweight and consequently worsens cellulite. Garments that are too tight and / or incorrect postures (legs crossed, stay for a long time) alter the normal circulation by compression of the vessels or compromise the venous return to the lower limbs (watch out for high heels).
Often associated risk factors are stress and smoking, which aggravate the situation. Smoking has a vasoconstrictor action and increases free radicals, while stress raises the levels of cortisol (stress hormone) which increases water retention.
To conclude, here are some useful tips to prevent cellulite.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet, being careful not to lose weight too quickly, because it could also cause a loss of muscle and tone.
- Drink plenty of water during the day
- Make movement
- Change clothing and posture
- Eliminate alcohol and decrease, if not abolish, smoking
- Remove stress
The therapies to prevent and fight cellulite and water retention are
- CLASSIC MASSAGE: has benefits on circulation
- LYMPH DRAINAGE: it is a massage that serves to reactivate the lymphatic circulation so that liquids and toxins are conveyed into the bloodstream to be eliminated.
- IONOPHORESIS: (iòno-phoresis = transport of ions) consists in the introduction of an active principle in the body through the epidermis. This therapy allows to act in a localized way on the imperfections.
- PRESSURE THERAPY: indicates the therapy and the machinery to implement it. It is based on a mechanical principle similar to lymphatic drainage, but it also has effects on circulation. It consists in positioning the lower limbs in special leggings containing an air chamber and progressively inflated from the most extreme section to the one closest to the trunk (for example, from the foot one passes to swell the calf section, then the knee and gradually until you reach the basin and then start again from the foot ). The sequence in which the sections are inflated is that followed by venous blood and lymph. This cycle facilitates blood and lymphatic flow, freeing the extracellular environment from excess fluids and metabolic waste products continuously produced by the cells.
Therapy is recommended for aesthetic treatments and water retention.
- MESOTHERAPY: is a treatment exclusively for medical competence; consists of intradermal local injections of drugs (traditional, homeopathic, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.) with small special needles.
Mud therapy and hydromassage also benefit .
Weight loss does not always coincide with the elimination of cellulite, which is why diet means healthy and balanced nutrition. The intake of fatty or refined foods, red meat and dairy products should be reduced, favoring fruit, vegetables, whole grains and water.
The food that must not be missed in the diet to prevent cellulite is fish (especially the blue one) rich in Omega-3 - essential fatty acids - that promote circulation and help sweep toxins, reduce swelling, improve and protect the cellular structure.
Let us not forget the importance of the fibers that we find in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are useful to satiate first and to keep the intestine clean.
To combat cellulite it is also necessary to reduce excess sugars (bread, pasta, sweets) which are converted into fats and deposited in the bearings!
Red meat, salt and dairy products (fat cheeses etc.) favor retention, it is better not to abuse it.
To prevent cellulite you need to start keeping active from adolescence.
With the passage of age it is advisable to maintain a toned body to guarantee elasticity to the tissues and a good musculature; in this way it is also possible to prevent circulatory suffering allied to cellulite.
- EDEMATOUS CELLULITE: from the age of 12, activities are recommended where the whole body is involved in a balanced way to avoid disharmony that can be unaesthetic and to avoid overloading the figure. Therefore aerobics, dance, swimming, fitness, running etc. are recommended
- FIBROUS CELLULITE: starting from 30 (hopefully not sooner) it can be useful to maintain a toned and active body, constantly attending physical activity. Cardiovascular training is recommended, accompanied by good toning: cardiovascular (aerobic) work uses fat metabolism and improves circulation, muscle toning prevents tissue breakdown which would highlight cellulite, promote the synthesis of new tissues and help to dispose of water retention.
- SCLEROTIC CELLULITIS: it is an advanced stage so usually medical treatment is used, but we must not remain sedentary. The problems can also become serious.
We recommend all cardiovascular activities such as long walks, aerobics, dance, cardiofitness, but also spinning and water courses ( aqua-gym, hydro-bike ).
Let us not forget that a balanced diet is essential in the first place to combat cellulite and get a good result!
