From the book "Women's Strength Training Anatomy" by Frederic Delavier
"Cellulite is made up of cells called adipocytes whose main function is to stockpile energy reserves. Thus these cells accumulate energy in the form of lipids, which they then release back to the body on demand. These adipocytes are present as small accumulations of fat that are walled off by fibrous connective tissue. These fat nodules spread in clusters between the dermis (the tissue that makes up the deep layer of the skin)and the muscles. When the adipocytes accumulate more energy than is consumed, they tend to grow considerably in size and fat begins to accumulate.
On the surface of the skin of the buttocks and the hips in women, we often observe multiple, more or less deep depressions that are commonly called "cottage cheese". This appearance is caused by inelastic fibrous tracts in these areas which, like little cables attach the envelope of the muscles to the deep surface of the skin at the depressions, with the fatty tissue bulging in between (like a quilt).
This characteristic has an important effect in women. When the body consumes fewer calories than it absorbs, the fat reserves increase. This subcutaneous fat, or cellulite, is compartmentalized by a fibrous connective tissue net. When this net is compressed, the lymphatics and blood vessels that run through the area are also compressed, the organic exchanges are slowed down, and the blood does not readily reach these fatty quilted areas to remove the stockpiled fatty acids. It is therefore easy to understand that the localized fat becomes difficult for the body to remove and that even intensive training may not remove it completely. For example, it is not unusual for a woman on a strict diet to lose weight, lose her breasts, but keep her hips.
Hormonal causes: Hormones also play a role in the appearance of cellulite and its increase. In fact, in women hormonal variations - and the especially the excessive amounts of estrogen during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy - favor subcutaneous water retention. This water retention associated with fat compresses the lymphatic and blood vessels, which close down circulation and makes the subcutaneous energy reserves more difficult for the organism to mobilize.
These systems for protecting and storing fat in women have evolved to maintain fat reserves that are available during the last six months of pregnancy and for breast feeding in times of scarcity."
--Lois/midnight
"Don't forget to breathe!"
"Cellulite is made up of cells called adipocytes whose main function is to stockpile energy reserves. Thus these cells accumulate energy in the form of lipids, which they then release back to the body on demand. These adipocytes are present as small accumulations of fat that are walled off by fibrous connective tissue. These fat nodules spread in clusters between the dermis (the tissue that makes up the deep layer of the skin)and the muscles. When the adipocytes accumulate more energy than is consumed, they tend to grow considerably in size and fat begins to accumulate.
On the surface of the skin of the buttocks and the hips in women, we often observe multiple, more or less deep depressions that are commonly called "cottage cheese". This appearance is caused by inelastic fibrous tracts in these areas which, like little cables attach the envelope of the muscles to the deep surface of the skin at the depressions, with the fatty tissue bulging in between (like a quilt).
This characteristic has an important effect in women. When the body consumes fewer calories than it absorbs, the fat reserves increase. This subcutaneous fat, or cellulite, is compartmentalized by a fibrous connective tissue net. When this net is compressed, the lymphatics and blood vessels that run through the area are also compressed, the organic exchanges are slowed down, and the blood does not readily reach these fatty quilted areas to remove the stockpiled fatty acids. It is therefore easy to understand that the localized fat becomes difficult for the body to remove and that even intensive training may not remove it completely. For example, it is not unusual for a woman on a strict diet to lose weight, lose her breasts, but keep her hips.
Hormonal causes: Hormones also play a role in the appearance of cellulite and its increase. In fact, in women hormonal variations - and the especially the excessive amounts of estrogen during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy - favor subcutaneous water retention. This water retention associated with fat compresses the lymphatic and blood vessels, which close down circulation and makes the subcutaneous energy reserves more difficult for the organism to mobilize.
These systems for protecting and storing fat in women have evolved to maintain fat reserves that are available during the last six months of pregnancy and for breast feeding in times of scarcity."
--Lois/midnight
"Don't forget to breathe!"