By Efthymios V. Gozzi,

V-MD, Msc Clinical Dietitian

@drgotsisdiet

 

 

 

Cellulite is the accumulation of modified fat cells under the skin, combined with the degeneration of the subcutaneous connective tissue.

It is affected by fatty foods, but is prevented – improved by a special diet that includes only foods with medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

 

WHAT CAUSES CYSTARITY IN WOMEN?

It is caused by hormonal and vascular changes mainly due to the reduction of estrogen during menopause.

The fat cells that are normally present in the subcutaneous tissue become filled with saturated fatty acids of “irregular composition”, the vessels that feed them become larger but dysplastic. Type I collagen is reduced. The clinical effect is orange peel on the skin of the woman mainly on the buttocks and thighs.

‘ Affected by fatty foods, but prevented – improved with special diet ‘

 

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIET AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CELLULITE

Saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids with long carbon chains (>18 C atoms) found in foods such as butter, olive oil, animal fats in meat, nuts, etc. seem to be implicated in their accumulation within lipodystrophic cells.

RECENT DATA

We know that replacing long fatty acids with medium-chain fatty acids has remarkable clinical results. As a typical example, the use of coconut oil as the only allowable fat in the diet of women with lipoedema or lymphedema improved >60% of the aesthetic outcome