There are numerous diet trends we hear about in the media. The Hollywood diet – I think this is a liquid diet followed by a short stay in rehab. The eat only (fill in the blank) diet. No carb diets, Weight Watchers, and of course, just not eating.
Why is it that we can eat nothing but broccoli and marshmallows – yes, I know someone who was on a marshmallow diet – for a week and lose one pound, yet, we eat an ice cream cone and gain five pounds?
Why do we do all of these crazy things to our bodies?
Because we want to lose the stuff that jiggles, the spare tire, the saddle bags and the love handles. We want to slim down and lose some fat and will do crazy things to accomplish this, although for most of us that crash diet starts next Monday.
So, do all of these diets and consistent exercise really help us to lose fat?
According to a recent research study done by Kirsty Spalding of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the number of fat cells in adolescents can increase, however, in adults, the number of cells stays relatively constant, but instead they shrink and grow in size with weight loss and gain.
Spalding’s research shows that the number of fat cells people acquire remains relatively constant after age 20.
So what is the lesson to be learned here?
Stop giving your little siblings Twinkies because adolescence is the time when fat cells proliferate (divide).
The research looked at fat (or adipose) tissue samples of individuals before and after drastic weight loss. The results showed that the cells may have decreased in size, but the near 80 billion fat cells had remained intact.
Another research experiment done by Spalding and colleagues, labeled differentiated (not going to divide) fat cells with a carbon isotope (a certain form of carbon with a specific number of neutrons) and were able to determine the lifespan of an average fat cell to be about 10 years. These cells were then replenished but the relative abundance of fat cells remained consistent regardless.
So what does this mean?
You may have found success with a diet and exercise plan, but be careful because your skinny jeans will not be so skinny any more if you decide to start eating more. Those fat cells you had before are still present; they are just in a more shrunken state.
So does this have anything to do with those cute dimples on your cheeks, or your other cheeks?
Actually, according to Dr. Howard Murad, author of The Cellulite Solution, this is a different type of fat that does not have to do with how much weight you gain or lose.
Regular stored fat lies deep below the skin while cellulite is made up of fat cells, but they are present in the skin, according to Colette Bouchez, a writer for WebMD.
If the dimples are driving you crazy, Bouchez mentions several therapy options that may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite including:
Creams and lotions – The journal of Dermatologic Surgery suggest cream with the highest concentration of methylxanthine.
The cellulite diet by Dr. Murad aims to strengthen cell membranes with a diet high in lecithin, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants, reducing cellular fluids with the goal of keeping cellulite away from the skins surface.
Other options also include light devices, high tech massage, and mesotherapy.
Losing weight is no piece of cake … nor a piece of celery and a five-hour workout. Losing weight needs to start before we put it on, so encourage the youngsters around you to eat healthy and get some exercise.
If you are currently battling excess weight, don’t get discouraged.
Just because the number of fat cells you have may stay the same, doesn’t mean that dieting is unnecessary. Losing weight by shrinking fat cells will still have positive health effects.
For more information about healthy weight loss visit: http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm
Health in a Handbasket: A new diet
Everyone’s weight fluctuates, but losing weight may not occur how you think it does
Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Updated: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
 "Photo: Daily Titan")
Daily Titan
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Ms. Kunza does it again...educated, informative, and a dose of her wonderful sense of humor. Thanks Daily Titan
