Causes of Cellulite

Cellulite is the rumpled, “cottage cheese” appearance of fat beneath the skin. The most basic cause of cellulite is fat beneath the skin. No matter how many hours a day a woman works out or how healthy she eats, there will always be some fat deposits on the body. They are necessary to maintaining the health of the entire body, and protect the body from falls, bumps, and scrapes. Usually, the fat deposits that a healthy woman retains are small and actually add to her appearance, giving her curves. When cellulite becomes most noticeable, however, it is because there is excess fat deposited around the body, which stems from a number of different reasons.

Hormones

Especially in a woman’s body, hormones play a big role in the collection of fat, particularly in what most would consider to be “problem areas.” In the thighs and buttocks area, is where hormone-fueled cellulite occurs most often. Estrogen alone, which is storing energy for the event of a pregnancy, is responsible for most of this kind of cellulite.

Diet

The kinds of foods that make a person gain weight, are the same kinds of foods that create cellulite. This means anything high in simple carbs, salt, fat, and sugar, is likely to add to fat deposits all over the body. This kind of fat is low in nutrients and is more likely to give that cottage cheese effect. Sticking to foods that are high in fiber and accelerate the metabolism are not likely to cause cellulite.

Clothing

What a person wears can actually exacerbate the look of cellulite. Any garment that cuts of blood flow and constricts the skin will give the skin that uneven look that most women want to avoid. Tights, leggings, and underwear that is too tight, rather than smoothing the area, will actually highlight cellulite.

Heredity

How progenitors stored fat and whether or not they had cellulite, can majorly effect whether a person has cellulite. The way that fat is stored in the body has a huge effect on whether or not cellulite appears. A thin, cushioning layer is less likely to show cellulite, while thicker deposits are more likely to do so. How and where this fat settles is based largely on genetics. Genetics can be counteracted with a healthy lifestyle, however.

Lifestyle

Smokers are more likely to have cellulite, as are people with a sedentary lifestyle, or those who must sit or stand in one position for a long time during the day. Not exercising enough or at all, encourages fatty deposits and as the skin becomes used to these deposits, cellulite begins to form.

Because cellulite has a number of causes, there are also a number of therapies and solutions for women that want to lessen the look of this annoying condition. The most natural way is to simply eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, to reduce fat deposits under the skin.

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