Cellulite is that horrible dimpling pattern on your skin which is caused by globules of underlying adipose tissue. Cellulite is not a medical or scientific term but refers only to aesthetics.

If you are a woman, you may be more familiar with cellulite, that stubborn dimpling on your thighs, hips or buttocks that gives your skin the texture of an orange peel. This undesired effect is not produced by a lumpy kind of fat, but it is produced by the way the tissue beneath your skin traps the fat.

The collagen fibers that connect your muscles to the skin are arranged in a honeycomb pattern, and each of the chambers is filled with fat. When these small rooms get too full of fat, they bulge against the skin, giving it an unpleasant aspect. This is what we all call cellulite. All around the world, at least 85% of women (preferable after their 30s), develop cellulite on different parts of the body: hips, buttocks, thighs and even on the arms.

Why don’t men get cellulite? This is a question that most of the women look for a response. And who said that men don’t develop cellulite on their body? It is true, that this is a rare effect, but there are enough men with cellulite nowadays. The right question in this case should be, why do men get cellulite so rarely? Well, this happens because men’s skin is thicker than women’s and their collagen fibers are not arranged vertically, but in a horizontal crisscross that holds fat firmly, and not letting it press against the skin and give it an ugly look.

Cellulite is not necessarily a factor of body weight, so you can find really fat men with no cellulite at all. On the other hand, you can find young slim men that develop cellulite, especially on their abdomen. Cellulite can affect both men and women of any age, weight, size or body structure.

And in case you are a men suffering from this condition, there are enough ways to get rid of it. A woman could give you some reliable advices. Some of the things that you can do to get rid of cellulite include:

- eat healthy foods;
- exercise every day for at least 15-20 minutes;
- avoid smoking, drinking or taking drugs;
- avoid foods that contain large amounts of salt and fats;
- do not skip meals, and stick to a balanced program

If all these will have no results, there are some special treatments options, such as liposuction, laser and ultrasound cellulite treatments, massages or spa sessions. You just have to choose the one that suits your needs and budget.

Cellulite is quite different from fat and everyone at a certain age will develop cellulite on their body. Man or woman, young or old, the human body has cellulite under the skin. With a proper diet, nutrition and exercises, you can definitely eliminate cellulite. Medical massages, treatments, and supplements are also available to reduce the appearance of cellulite, and regain the beautiful aspect of the skin.

Cellulite rarely affects men as they store their fat deposits at a deep level than women. Interestingly their fat cells are also a different shape.

The characteristic orange peel skin usually develops in women just post puberty and the condition worsens with age as the skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity. It is thought the contraceptive pill plays a large part in the formation of cellulite as the body’s natural waste elimination processes become overwhelmed with the higher levels of oestrogen in the body.

Cellulite is also known to form around the site of injuries as the supply of blood and lymph vessels are damaged and can no longer function properly in the elimination of toxins from the body.

The main factors that appear to contribute to the formation of cellulite or make an individual predisposed to develop cellulite are as follows:

· Genetics – you are far more likely to develop cellulite if there is a family history of the problem. This shouldn’t be a cause for despair as there is still a lot that can be done to reduce the problem.

· Dehydration – water is essential for the proper functioning of the body. When dehydration sets in toxins are retained and deposited in fatty layers

· Unhealthy Diet – a diet rich in empty calories from refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats will make the cellulite problem worse.

· Smoking – is bad for every part of the body. It destroys the elasticity of the skin and damages the underlying connective tissues, making cellulite worse.

· High Stress Levels – contribute to the formation of cellulite. In a stressed state the body contracts and muscles and fibres become tense. This in turn restricts circulation which causes toxins to build up. Breathing is also shallower in those who are stressed which reduces oxygen levels in the body which restricts the ability of the cells to function properly.

· Sedentary Lifestyle – when the body is still, the systems within the body work more slowly and less efficiently. Exercise gets everything moving improving the tone of muscles and tissues, encouraging elimination of toxins and diminishing the risk of many of other health conditions developing.

· Medication – particularly the pill can cause fat cells to enlarge and spread they also encourage water retention which is also means that toxins are retained.

There is now a multi million dollar industry providing cellulite treatments to those who seek a solution to what is a very normal, but nevertheless unwelcome, physiological phenomenon. Despite this, the most effective treatments are still those that can be roughly categorized as changes to diet and lifestyle.

90% of post-adolescent women go on to develop cellulite at some time during their life although it is very hardly ever seen in men. The thighs, buttocks and the abdomen are the most common areas for a woman to develop cellulite. Although it is often mistaken for obesity, cellulite is not actually obesity related because it can also take place in thin lean women.

Underneath the dermis and epidermis are three specific layers of fat. Cellulite tends to develop in the subcutaneous fat layers. This layer of fat is unique in its structure compared to the other layers because its fatty parts are structured into specific chambers by strands of linked tissue around it.

Hormones also help out with the storage of fat along with the body’s metabolism in the subcutaneous fat layer.

Hormonal factors such as estrogen and folliculine also play a role in cellulite formation. Cellulite is for the most part found in women during their hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause and also whilst taking birth control pills. A woman’s hormones are usually responsible for the regulation of their blood flow, fat, connective tissue and lymphatic drainage.

The fat cells between the two reserve fat layers situated under the subcutaneous fat layer dissolve into a slack network. A person’s genetic makeup predicts their fat storage and metabolism in these layers which are predisposed by diet, exercise and lifestyle. These layers have no responsibility for cellulite forming on a person’s body.
The subcutaneous fat layer in a woman is organised into large upright chambers allowing fat to be stored. In men, these chambers are organised into small slanting units. These store smaller fat quantities and are not likely to form cellulite.
Cellulite’s formation is a result of complex physiological changes that occur in the subcutaneous fat layer. Regular exercise and well balanced diets do not always reverse or prevent its formation, although an unhealthy lifestyle will make the overall appearance worse over time due to poor nutrition, weight gain and lack of sufficient water intake.
With age there is a loss in the thickness and tone of the connective tissue in the superficial fat layer and the dermis. Unfortunately noticeable, flaccid cellulite is the result.
There are a wide variety of products on the market today which claim to remedy cellulite. Many do not perform what they claim and as it’s not known or clear which do and don’t work, it is very easy to become sucked in to buying expensive mistakes.

Many products consist of topical treatments which alone are ineffective in the treatment of cellulite. There are also creams available which contain herbs, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. These assist the skin to become softer, healthier and smoother and allow it to repair itself more easily.

Creams which contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are more effective when treating cellulite as they stimulate the flow of blood. The areas which are affected by cellulite are usually dry and damaged therefore needing additional moisture, increased blood supply and protection. The appearance of cellulite can be reduced temporarily by increasing moisture to the affected area. It needs to be remembered cellulite needs to be treated from the inside as well as the outside.

Good Fats

Monounsaturated Fats. These are the best fats for you. Replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats has been shown to lower bad cholesterol without lowering good cholesterol. You can find these helpful fats in most nuts, canola, olive, and sesame oil, and in avocados.

Polyunstaurated Fats. These fats are still unsaturated, but not as good for you as monounsaturated fats. While they have been shown to lower bad cholesterol, they also tend to lower good cholesterol at the same time. These fats can be found in mayonnaise, walnuts, corn and soybean oil, and in salad dressings.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These are a special type of polyunsaturated fat found in high fat fish and other nuts. They not only have anti-inflammatory effects; they have also been shown to lower triglyceride levels and help prevent you from dying of a heart attack.

Bad Fats

Trans Fats. These fats, also known as hydrogenated fats, are man made fats. These were created to prolong shelf life of some foods. When looking for foods low in trans fat, be sure to check the ingredients list, not just proclamations on the box. When something says it has “no trans fat” that actually means it has less that .4 grams.

Saturated Fats. Even though they are natural fats, saturated fats have been linked to higher levels of bad cholesterol and certain types of cancer. Foods that contain saturated fat include: high fat meat and poultry, milk products, cheese and some oils. Check labels; companies are required to tell you how much saturated fat is in a product.

Fats aren’t all bad; they make food taste better, have a better texture, and can help us absorb certain vitamins. So when you’re trying to cut fat out of your diet, be sure to be selective. Choosing the right fats will not only help you lose weight, it can prevent certain diseases and cancers.