• General Information

Difference between cellulite and fat

• Cellulite is mostly fat tissue but it is not common adipose tissue. Cellulite is adipose tissue affected by the previously described physiopathological retinue.

•We require a minimum fat intake in the diet. Most of the fat ingested through food is stored in the organism as a source of energy to be consumed when needed. Although when the organism requires energy, it first consumes the circulating glucose and then the stored glycogen. Glucose is easily consumed by the organism and when it has been completely depleted, the organism consumes the glycogen stored in the liver, these are non-durable and fast energy sources. When the glycogen deposits are replenished, the intake of superfluous sugar is accumulated as fat.

• In turn, the fat is absorbed by the small intestine and is partially metabolised by the liver to synthesise hormonal substances, by the nerves, skin and others. When there is an excess intake, it is also stored in the fat tissue in the form of triglyceride lipidic vacuoles within the adipocytes.

• Fat tissue is not an enemy, it aids in protecting the body from traumatisms and prolonged compression on a subdermal level. Pesticide-type substances accumulate in the fat tissue and this aids in the protection of other tissue from the adverse effects of these substances. Fat is also important in favouring absorption of liposoluble vitamins A, D, E and K. However, a diet high in fat is harmful to the organism, not to mention the elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with the excess intake of food rich in fat, especially trans fats.

• The anatomical locations where fat tissue is accumulated depends on gender, hereditary factors, quality of life and hormonal balance. Men tend to accumulate fat tissue on the intestinal region, heart and abdomen and women on the buttocks and legs. The total number of fat cells the body can attain could increase during childhood and adolescence (hyperplasia of fat tissue), they could be further “filled out” during adulthood (which increases their volume –cellular hypertrophy-) o “empty out” but it is not common for the number of fat tissue cells to increase in adulthood.

• The fat cell receptors regulate the accumulation and liberation of the content of intra-adipose lipids. The Alpha-2 receptors control storage and are stimulated by the liberation of insulin after the post-intake circulating fat increase. The Alpha-2 receptors are also responsible for excess glucose accumulation within the adipocytes. Beta receptors work at liberating fat from the adipocytes into the bloodstream and are sensitive to the stimulation of adrenalin and thyroxin. So, some natural substances such as caffeine, aminophylline, silicon, cobalt, zinc or magnesium could stimulate the beta receptors. Although some can do so to a greater degree, such as caffeine, which in large concentrations also cause vasoconstriction of the blood vessels that reduce peripheral circulation, favouring the appearance of problems related with cellulite . Caffeine in cream form via subcutaneous could induce the liberation of fats from the adipocytes, but some trials specifically performed along these lines have not managed to prove it. Aminophylline could also be applied but only orally given that it would affect the pulmonary system taken systemically.

• Most women have fat cells rich in alpha-2 receptors in the buttocks and legs and a lower number of these receptors (six times less) in fat cells from other body regions. Therefore having greater tendency to accumulate fat tissue in these regions. Besides, these adipose cells do not easily liberate fat content. Recent studies have shown that this type of receptor is more abundant in the male fat tissue in the intestines, abdomen and heart (9).