KIM SPRINGER: Fat fight fraught with fraud

Reducing or eliminating fat is a national pastime.

Cellulite is a term coined in European salons and spas to describe deposits of dimpled fat found on the thighs and buttocks of many women. Fat is no longer the lonely enemy, cellulite has now become the target of elimination by women.

Cellulite is not a medical term. Medical authorities agree that cellulite is simply ordinary fatty tissue. Strands of fibrous tissue connect the skin to deeper tissue layers and also separate compartments that contain fat cells.

When fat cells increase in size, these compartments bulge and produce a waffled appearance of the skin. According to an article in Nutrition Forum, there was no difference found between ordinary fat and lumpy fat when given to pathologists for analysis and comparison.

Genetics has been shown to play a major role in how fat deposits in the body.

Researchers at the Rockefeller Institute used ultrasonography, microscopic examinations and fat-metabolism studies to see how affected and unaffected skin areas differed in healthy adult subjects.

The research concluded that certain characteristics of skin make women more prone than men to develop "cellulite." The research also concluded that there are no significant differences in the appearance or function of the fatty tissue or the regional blood flow between normal and affected areas.

Although it is clear that cellulite is really no different than ordinary fat, there have still been attempts to make the task of lessening its appearance easier.

For example, electrical muscle stimulators are legitimate medical devices for certain conditions. Many spas and figure salons have also claimed that EMS can remove wrinkles, reduce a "beer belly" and remove cellulite. None of these claims have ever been tested. In fact, the FDA considers promotion of muscle stimulator devices for any type of body contouring to be fraudulent.

Thigh creams do not work. Many fat-reducing creams contain aminophylline, an asthma drug, that the promoters claim will dissolve fat and smooth skin.

Even if the ingredient in these creams could break down fat, there is no way that they would ever penetrate the many layers of the skin. There have been no scientific studies that have proven that these creams work.

Body wrapping is another salon treatment that has made claims to trim inches off the waist, thighs and other areas of the body. These facilities use wraps or garments, with or without special lotions or creams, applied to the skin.

Rubber sweat suits were also marketed in the past and produces the same results. Basically, inches are lost due to temporary water loss as a result of perspiration or compression. Any fluid lost will soon be replaced by drinking or eating.

Over the years, there have also been many pills marketed that claimed to eliminate cellulite without the user having to alter their exercise or diet. Research produced was not done in a scientific manner and the results were greatly exaggerated.

Since health foods are not regulated by the FDA, many "natural" supplements can make claims that they do not always meet. Buying into these types of supplements is a waste of your money.

Despite the barrage of treatments, pills and machines to battle cellulite, we are still fighting the battle of the bulge. By dieting, you will lose weight and reduce the area in which cellulite appears.

However, in order to really attack the fat, you have to exercise. Cardiovascular training alone is usually not enough to create long lasting changes in your physique.

Strength training must be included in your program and drinking plenty of water during the day will also help you to reduce fat deposits.

Kim Springer and her husband, Mike, are Certified Personal Trainers and owners of Springer Training. They can be reached at 233-9442 or at their Web site www.springertraining.com.