Cellulite is a problem that affects nine out of 10 women . It is a very common skin condition caused by a subcutaneous accumulation of fat cells that give rise to an irregular appearance of the skin, especially on the thighs and hips. Although a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet are important triggers, emotions also play a fundamental role.
Perhaps you have never thought about it, but as the dietitian-nutritionist Carla Zaplana, certified as a holistic health coach by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York, indicates, ” cellulite has an important emotional connotation because any retention of emotions is reflected in the fur”. With her and other experts we talked about seven factors that cause the so-called emotional cellulite and ruin our diet and our training. We also address the problem of having a pro-inflammatory diet and integrative nutrition as a solution to these issues. In short, if you think you have already done everything in your power to defeat the enemy, this interests you.
Emotions are the secret to beautiful skin
“Everything that we do not express correctly is somatized in the body,” says Carla Zaplana. The nutritionist refers to The Five Biological Laws of German Medicine that explain to what extent emotions determine the state of health of our cells . As cellulite is the product of inflammation caused in turn, and among other things, by poor blood circulation, we consider that it is a form of somatization of unexpressed emotions. That’s why we talk about emotional cellulite . There are factors that cause its appearance but luckily, all is not lost!
A pro-inflammatory diet and unconscious eating
The previous point leads us to talk about this other as the first triggering factor of emotional cellulite. “A pro- inflammatory diet (rich in ultra-processed and palatable and tasty foods that activate the brain’s reward system) causes imbalances in the body because it is a silent disease that precedes any other type of health problem such as diabetes and hypertension and because of of course diseases of the dermis, of the skin”, indicates Carla Zaplana. She ensures that the cells that “inhabit” in areas affected by cellulite do not receive adequate nutrition. For this reason, anti-inflammatory diets are the right way to tackle the problem: they help eliminate fluid retention and promote good cellular health.
On the other hand, as Itziar Digón, an expert psychologist in conscious eating, says, when we eat unconsciously and let ourselves be carried away by automatism, we end up making bad choices and making bad decisions. Consequently, we eat more calories than our body needs and we consume pro-inflammatory foods that worsen the state of cellulite.
Stress
Stress is another factor that favors the appearance of so-called emotional cellulite. This has to do with the inflammatory effect of cortisol. In this sense, Itziar Digón tells us that ” cortisol is a pro-inflammatory hormone that, worth the redundancy, inflames the tissues, generating a tension that gives rise to that skin malformation that is cellulite.”
The anxiety
As if of a what came before: the chicken or the egg? In this case, we have asked Itziar Digón if he considers that diet modifies our state of mind or if our emotions are the ones that play an important role in the choice of what we eat. For the expert there is a correlation. After all, how many times have you chosen hypercaloric foods to the detriment of the healthiest to feel better because of being sad? As Itziar Digón explains to us, “when we are sad we look for a reward in palatable and very tasty foods that are basically a poisoned dart”. Thus, the anxiety that leads us to follow a pro-inflammatory diet is another factor that brings about emotional cellulite.
social isolation
Zaplana explains that ” integrative nutrition is nutrition that not only takes into account what you have on your plate but also what other external factors can impact the way you eat .” Distinguish between eating alone or accompanied, focused on the flavors or in front of the computer. We must remember that eating is a social act and that food is better digested if it is accompanied by a pleasant chat.
the frustration
Wanting to have a perfect diet and meet training goals that are too demanding often leads us to a situation of frustration. In this sense, Itziar Digón brings up a phrase that perfectly summarizes the scenario: “control arises lack of control” . “If I repress the desire to eat certain foods, the day I can’t take it anymore, I’ll look for a quick and comfortable escape route such as food,” he explains.
The comparison
The previous factor leads us to talk about the comparison, especially present in the society in which we live due to inappropriate use of social networks . Feeling comfortable with ourselves is crucial. As Gloria Morales, founder of Ballet Fit, a discipline that combines fitness and classical dance, frequently points out , training in front of the mirror, for example, should be done solely for the purpose of familiarizing ourselves with our physical appearance and finding our best version without having to look. in the next door.
emotional mismanagement
Although, as Salvador Ferrando, dietitian-nutritionist at the Ricart Medical Institute, indicates, the main cause of cellulite is genetics, hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol can be misaligned, favoring its appearance. For this reason, he recommends “working on a good management of emotions so as not to seek a reward from pro-inflammatory foods such as sugars, low-quality salt and ultra-processed foods that contain substances that can alter the microbiota, causing inflammation at systemic level”. These release neurotransmitters of pleasure related to serotonin and that is why we choose them when we do not feel emotionally strong. They are deceptive foods . It is important to do mindfulness work, eat consciously, accompany ourselves with people who want to eat healthy and take care of our physical and mental state without frustration.
Say goodbye to emotional cellulite
In short, how we eat, the way in which we relate to the environment in which we move and the way in which we take care of our physical condition are aspects that determine the absorption of nutrients and the prevention of pathologies that can be reflected in the state of our skin Therefore, taking care of yourself inside and out and leading a generally conscious life is the secret to saying goodbye to emotional cellulite for good.
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