Cellulite can be characterized by a state in which the cells of the subcutaneous fatty layer under the skin are invaded by toxic lymph. Combined with a poor circulation of the blood and a sluggish lymphatic system resulting from a sedentary lifestyle and you have the formula for the development of cellulite.
There are a number of changes that occur when cellulite develops:
- The capillaries become greatly enlarged, and blood plasma seeps out into the surrounding fatty tissues.
- The fat cells become ‘squashed’ and bunch up together – this forms the characteristic ‘orange-peel’ effect.
- The lymph nodes, part of the lymphatic system that drains toxins out of the body, cannot cope and the excess plasma remains in the cells.
- The walls of the fat cells become thickened by extra deposits of collagen, resulting in thinner and weakened connective tissue.
What we see from the outside is the familiar mattress phenomenon, the pitting and bulging most commonly seen on the buttocks, thighs and upper arms. The presence of cellulite has nothing to do with being overweight. Cellulite occurs on the thighs and bottoms of very slim women as well.
A WOMAN’S WORLD
To understand cellulite it is important to understand how your flesh is structured. Let’s look at the deeper layers first. They are known as subcutaneous tissues. In your thighs these are made up of three layers of fat with two planes of connective tissue and ground substance in between. This brings us to one of the interesting things about cellulite: it is almost always a female complaint. With a very few remarkable exceptions men simply do not get it. In part this is hormonal. A woman’s body is rich in female hormones such as oestrogen which encourages the laying down of fat.
The more oestrogen in a woman’s body, the more likely she will get cellulite. Perhaps one of the reason for the increasing prevalence of cellulite in today’s women is due to the excessive oestrogen-like compounds that they obtain from pesticides, hormones fed to animals, preservatives and colourings, as well as pharmaceutical drugs (the contraceptive pill and HRT are notorious examples) – all this leads to a situation known as ‘oestrogen dominance’ and is well-researched. The danger times for developing cellulite are at puberty, pregnancy and the menopause, the times of greatest hormonal fluctuations.
Cellulite tends first to appear during times of intense hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy or when a woman goes on a birth control pill. In part, however, cellulite is a woman’s condition because the basic construction of subcutaneous tissue of the thigh differs in men and women.
In women the topmost subcutaneous layer is made up of what are termed large ‘standing fat-cell chambers’ which are separated by radial and arching dividing walls of connective tissue attached to the overlying tissue of the dermis or true skin.
WHY DOES CELLULITE DEVELOP?
When one thinks how the body works holistically, one cannot help but conclude that the presentation of various symptoms are really the body’s way of maintaining balance and protecting itself from further damage. Cellulite can also be placed into this model – the toxins that the body cannot detoxify need to be pushed to a location where they do the least harm to body tissues and organs. They are therefore sent to the fatty cells where they do less harm than being trapped in the liver, kidneys, arteries, etc.
The main toxins responsible for the development of cellulite would include tea, coffee, alcohol, non-organic red meats, high levels of non-organic saturated animal fats, excessive dairy consumption, white sugar and flour products (or other refined products), smoking (including passive smoking), additives, artificial colours and emulsifying chemicals. Rapid weight loss can accentuate the appearance of Cellulite if the skin and connective tissue remains slack. Many constipated women with cellulite – chronic constipation puts a huge toxic load on the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system
The Four Stages Of Cellulite
A well respected Italian anatomo-pathologist and molecular biologist Professor Sergio Curri took up the study of cellulite tissue, and is considered the leading scientific authority on cellulite in the world.
In simple terms of Curri’s findings showed that the structure of cellulite tissue differs considerably in structure and chemical composition from normal fat. It also tends to develop in stages:
Normal Flesh – Skin on your thighs and buttocks is smooth when you are standing or lying down. When pinched it folds and furrows but does not pit or bulge. This is the normal skin of most lean and very healthy men and women.
Stage 1 – Your skin is still smooth when you are standing or lying down but a pinch test reveals the mattress phenomenon of bulging and pitting. Some deformation of the skin surface has taken place. There are signs of waterlogging – interstitial oedema, structural dissociation and the beginnings of tissue dystrophy. Your skin has begun to look pasty. Tissue examination reveals the development of hard fibres in connective tissue.
Stage 2 – Your skin is smooth when you are lying down but when standing it shows signs of pitting and bulging. (This is common in women who are overweight or past the age of 35). Deep palpitation of your skin produces a dull pain. You cannot detect specific nodules to the touch but micronodules will be seen in tissue examination.
Stage 3 – The mattress phenomenon is apparent whether you are sitting or lying down. Your flesh is painful – sometimes even when not touched – and macronodules or what is known as hypodermic plaque will be seen whether or not there is a lot of oedema or water retention present. Histological examination will show that nodules are encapsulated in hardened or sclerotic connective tissue. This stage is very common after menopause or when a woman is seriously overweight.
TREATMENT
‘Excess fat is nothing less than a poison depot in an over-acid organism’. These words were spoken half a century ago by Danish physician Kristine Nolfi – an expert in healing the body through diet. They lie at the core of the cellulite phenomenon.
Cellulite has been treated at the Da Vinci Health Center for a number of years now, with a good measure of success exceeding 80-85%. The treatment programme consists of a number of elements that include a systemic (all-body) detoxification diet accompanied by skin brushing, herbal and homeopathic drainage remedies, nutritional supplements, and massage using aromotherapy oils – Vodder Lymphatic Drainage is often useful too.
THE CELLULITE TREATMENT PROGRAMME
It is very important that a full assessment is carried out on the patient using a number of tools that are used such as Iridology, VEGA Allergy Testing, Live Blood Analysis using a Darkfield microscope, Biological Terrain Analysis, Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging, Kinesiology, and an extensive history. As each case is different, some being worse than others, and each person has their own biochemical individuality, there is no ‘standard’ therapy that can be applied to all cellulite cases. Each person will have different loads of toxins in different organ systems; each person will ‘accept’ certain essential oils, herbs, homeopathics, nutritional supplements that need to be tested to determine whether the body accepts them and will be effective, etc.
The above named testing protocol accumulates all this information, and more. There are obviously cases where extensive testing is not required and a simpler approach often works, but the important thing is that each person is different and needs to be approached as a unique individual.
Once the assessments are completed, the woman is placed on a detoxification diet. The brief details are as follows:
SYSTEMIC DETOXIFICATION
In order to get to the root of the cellulite problem which is toxic deposits in fat cells, it is important to undergo a systemic or all-body detoxification, as fat cells are present in every square inch of your body. One of the best ways of doing just this is to follow an alkaline detoxification diet for 15 days. What does this consist of? For two weeks it is important to cut out all other foods apart from the following:
• Salads, all types with fresh, preferably organic vegetables, with extra virgin olive oil and cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Steamed vegetables (preferably organic) with olive oil and cider vinegar or lemon juice. jacket potatoes with olive oil, as well as grilled vegetables such as zucchini, cauliflower, carrots use your imagination.
• Freshly made vegetable and fruit juices such as carrot, beetroot, green vegetables (corriander is very detoxifying), apple. One can mix carrot juice, beetroot juice, green juice and a small apple if you want to sweeten it. You could also make ‘Spirulina Smoothies’ using the juice of your choice in a blender, add a fruit of your choice, add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of Spirulina powder and blend for a minute. This is extremely detoxifying and oxygenating for the body.
• Vegetable soups – freshly made with organic vegetables.
• Plenty of non-gaseous mineral water – at least 1 1/2 – 2 litres daily.
You can eat as much as you like, whenever you like. Usually at this stage are added the nutritional supplements to help alleviate nutritional deficiencies which are commonly found in most cases, herbal and homeopathic drainage remedies, and whatever else is required depending on other ailments that may be presented during the history. It is important to state AGAIN that all these remedies are tested individually to determine whether the client ‘accepts’ them and if they are effective for them. This can be done with the VEGA biodermal screening, or by the use of muscle testing or Autonomic Response Testing.
While you are continuing with the above mentioned detoxification diet, it is very important to conduct skin brushing every morning and evening. Concentrate on the areas with the worse cellulite. Simply get a brush (a natural fibre brush with a long wooden handle is best) and brush from the waist down to the knee, from the ankles up to the knee, etc. Do this for at least two minutes morning and evening before you shower. If you want to determine how many toxins are being released, simply wipe your skin-brushed skin towards the end of a session with a flannel and hang it up. Do this for 10 days using the same unwashed flannel and you will not be able to get near the flannel from the stench!
DRY SKIN BRUSHING
Use a large flat brush, with fairly stiff bristles, and brush in the direction of lymph flow, toward the next group of lymph nodes. Start at the ankles, using gentle, fan-like movements and work up to the thighs and beyond the bottom if necessary. Remember that lymph drainage relies on very light pressure…brush gently. Practice this daily before bathing or showering and it will become a daily habit. Dry skin brushing should improve the texture and appearance of the skin. However, used alone, it is unlikely to reduce the volume of cellulite. So follow the dry brushing by applying a botanical anti-cellulite gel or an aromatherapy mixture that stimulates the release of fat.
Dry skin brushing removes the dead layers of skin and other impurities, allowing the pores to eliminate without obstruction. The technique also stimulates circulation so that the blood can nourish the tissues, as well as effectively removing wastes. It is also an excellent way of clearing and stimulating the lymphatic system.
AROMATHERAPY TREATMENTS
The use of the appropriate essential oils in baths, infusions, or as part of a massage treatment such as Vodder Lymphatic Drainage, is a vital part of a cellulite treatment program. The aromatherapists that I work with tend to use the following essential oils in their protocol: Cypress, Lavender, Juniper berry, Clary Sage. Some others would also include Rosemary, Marjoram, Geranium, Black Pepper and Lemongrass oils – these are all beneficial in eliminating toxins and preventing fluid retention. They can be applied directly in a pre-blended base oil, added to bath water or infused into cool herbal or seaweed wraps to assist in treating cellulite.
HERBAL REMEDIES
There are a number of herbal remedies that I use – specially mixed in my herbal pharmacy, depending on the needs of the individual client, as determined by specific testing. Some of the herbs that I use are as follows:
GOTU KOLA
This herb is ideal in the treatment of Cellulite because it enhances the structure of the connective tissue surrounding fat chambers and by the same action improves the circulation of blood. Gotu Kola works to strengthen connective tissues by stimulating the body’s production of the ground substance that keeps collagen fibres locked firmly in place. Gotu Kola is one of the few herbs that have been investigated specifically as a treatment for Cellulite. A three-month study involving 65 people with Cellulite resulted in 58 percent of participants reporting ‘very good’ results and a ‘satisfactory’ outcome for a further 20 percent. Gotu Kola has also been extensively investigated as a treatment for varicose veins and venous insufficiency (reduced blood flow), with excellent results.
HORSECHESTNUT
The active component of this odd sounding herb is called Aescin which is useful for decreasing the number and size of small pores on the capillary walls. By doing this it improves the flow of blood. The herb also helps by reducing inflammation and fluid build-up.
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
Another dual-action nutrient, Grape seed extract supports connective tissue by reinforcing the cross-linking structure of collagen. It is also a powerful antioxidant and improves the lifespan of Vitamin C, which is itself important to the health of the connective tissue. Like Gotu Kola, Grape seed extract helps maintain the strength and elasticity of the blood vessels for healthy circulation.
SPIRULINA
Spirulina is unique and remarkable in so many ways that it is hard to list them all. When it comes to creating cellulite free flesh, it is something I would never do without. It offers a form of protein which is easy to digest, it is alkaline in character, it is nature’s richest whole-food source of all the anti-oxidant known including the vitamins C, B1, B5, B12 and B6, the minerals iron,zinc, manganese and copper, the sulphur-based amino acid methionine and the trace element selenium, in addition to beta-carotene and viamin E.
APPLES
You can kick start your detox by going on an applefast for two days. Eat only raw apples as many varieties as you want. Eat all you want, but chew well and always crunch up the seeds too. They contain valuable nutrients that help the process.
Apples are low in acidity to help balance stored bodily wastes which tend to be acidic. They stimulate circulation in the gums, have been used in folk medicine for eliminating obesity, as well as for the treatment of skin problems, bladder inflammation, anaemia, insomnia, intestinal parasites and even bad breath. They are also rich in pectin a form of fibre which can be an excellent substance to help lower cholesterol and for eliminating bile acids from the intestines. Pectin is a natural chelating agent for binding dangerous heavy metals in the body such as aluminium, cadmium, mercury and lead, and eliminating them.
Other herbal or plant remedies can be used specifically for kidney, liver and lymphatic drainage depending on each individual case.
MATRIX REGENERATION THERAPY (MRT)
Petechial suction Massage.
This method uses suction electrode to generate negative pressure in the tissues. As in cupping, worn-out and toxin laden blood and lymph are drawn to the surface by means of the cupping suction’s intense stimulus.
Matrix Regeneration Therapy loosens up muscular tension and tissue indurations (geloses) and stimulates circulation. Crucial to the therapeutic effect are the matrix’s electrical charge state and hormonal situation. Matrix Regeneration Therapy applies 1 VDC to repolarize the matrix, thereby allowing the anabolic-catabolic metabolism to normalize. The MRT neutralizes pathological energy fields. Toxin information is picked up by the suction electrode and passed on to the control device for processing. MRT informs the immune system of all stresses on the basal system (Pischinger), leading to specific contaminant elimination.
LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
As well as taking the herbs, nutrients and oils mentioned, it is strongly recommended that some basic lifestyle issues are addressed. To reduce the appearance of Cellulite and prevent it returning you should combine dietary supplements with:
* A balanced diet that suits the individual’s Metabolic Type based upon the work of Wolcott in his book The Metabolic Type Diet. * Freshly squeezed vegetable or fruit juices and water drunk often.
* Physical activity such as walking, cycling, swimming or aerobics for at least 30 minutes to one hour, three or more times per week. This is required to begin burning the fat liberated by better circulation.
* Regular massage of the affected area with hand or brush. Note: always massage towards the heart.
Restoring strength to the connective tissues and circulation with the help of the natural substances mentioned, while removing stubborn fat with sensible dieting and exercise can lead to smoother, more well-toned skin.
Generally, most of the clients see benefits after 2-3 weeks, but it usually takes around eight weeks for the connective tissues to begin regaining their strength and shape.Within a period of 3 months with the treatment protocol followed correctly, even the most stubborn cellulite that is a couple of decades old will shift successfully.
The US government has eventually admitted to “phase down” amalgam fillings which contain 50% mercury and are known to be highly toxic. When most of Europe has legally phased out mercury thermometers, as well as other instruments containing mercury due to its toxic effects on health, then this amalgam phase out is very welcome indeed.