Cellulite is a common term used to describe superficial pockets of trapped fat, which cause uneven dimpling or "orange peel" skin. It appears in 90% of post-adolescent women and is rarely seen in men. Common but not exclusive areas where cellulite is found, are the thighs, buttocks, and the abdomen. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not related to obesity, since it occurs in overweight, normal, and thin women.

Underneath the epidermis and dermis exist three fat layers. Cellulite develops in the most superficial of these layers, known as the hypodermis or subcutaneous fat layer.

Hard, or solid, cellulite usually occurs in women who are active (such as dancers or runners). Hard cellulite is difficult to get rid of because it doesn't lift from the body easily. It's also harder to see because it attaches directly to the muscle.

Soft cellulite is not as concentrated as hard cellulite and is much more visible. It occurs in large areas and, because it doesn't attach so strongly to the muscle, it's loosens, often sagging from the body. The result is often poor muscle tone. Even though it's easier to spot, it is also easier to remove.

To test for cellulite, lightly pinch or press an area of tissue between your thumb and finger (or in a larger area, between the palms of your two hands). Normal fat appears fairly smooth, but cellulite will reveal dimples or ripples -- like the skin of an orange. Cellulite tissue is also more sensitive and can feel cold to the touch. It might appear whiter than the rest of your skin.

Want a detailed description of cellulite, contact us.

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• Poor circulation
• Swollen knees and ankles
• Water retention
• Heavy and tired legs Legs are left feeling light, toned, drained and soothed

• Sweetened drinks, cream, high fat meat products, full cream milk, biscuits, full fat cheese, mayonnaise, cakes, pastries and salted snacks should be avoided like the proverbial plague.

• Low fat spreads, low fat dressings, and skimmed milk can be fitted into most dieting plans with a degree of moderation.

• The occasional glass of white wine or measure of spirit with a low calorie mixer won't wreck the diet, but it's very easy to add 500 calories to your daily intake if you don't show a modicum of self-restraint.

• Carbohydrate foods such as pasta, rice, plantain, bread, potatoes or protein foods such as lean meat and fish should always be weighed. In general 4oz for women or 6oz for men, of any of the above, or should provide the basis of a meal. (Class 2 eggs as a 4oz portion, 3 eggs as a 6oz portion)

• Say goodbye to the frying pan, steam or grill instead.

• Allow 1/2 pint of skimmed milk per day.

• Coffee, tea and low calorie drinks are okay, but not if you are aiming to detox your system.

• And of course, feel free to indulge in as much water, herbal teas and low calorie vegetables as you like.

• Combine this with 30 - 45 minutes of exercise 3 - 5 times per week, and we are talking weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week, which meets medical recommendations.

But, if common sense eludes you and you need to follow a plan, there are a few tried and tested methods that work.

Cutting out the junk food and curbing your carbohydrate intake.

Obesity is being classed as a global epidemic by The World health Organisation, and latest research indicates that this is result of a diet high in refined carbohydrates and lack of exercise.

In her cutting edge book CURB THE CARB, Nutritionist and Health Journalist Amanda Cross explores the dangers of the junk food revolution, how it is endangering our lives by making us predisposed to degenerative diseases such as diabetes, and unveils the diet regime that will improve your health, raise your energy levels and initiate dramatic weight loss.

Very Low Calorie Diets
These diets aim for maximum weight loss in the minimum time. They are really only suitable for those suffering from extreme obesity and are best done under medical supervision.

The downside of losing weight very quickly is that the bulk of the initial loss is fluid, the metabolism drops to a level where you need less food and as you begin to eat more normally, weight gain can occur almost instantaneously. Also because the diets are so hard to stick to, there is very little impact on changing normal habits and lifestyle. So, people tend to put the weight back on when they return to their old ways.

Appetite suppressants and slimming pills
Apart from the obvious health risks, these are really not the answer. They are not long-term solutions and certainly do not promote a serious change of lifestyle.

The side effects can include headaches, agitation, and restlessness, disturbed sleeping patterns, dry mouth and increased nervousness.

The key thing is to view your improved dietary and exercise regime as a means to good health and improved energy levels.

And remember, don't ever go on a diet without your doctor's advice if:

• You are pregnant
• You are breast feeding a baby
• You are under 18 years of age
• You have or have had any kind of serious medical problems
• You are taking prescribed medication
• You have or suspect you have an eating disorder

Healthgate is committed to bringing you the very latest in products and services around the world. To this end we are working with Amanda Cross - a well-established health and beauty author and health industry consultant from the UK.

Her latest offering is Curb the Carb - a revolutionary new book that explores the connection between the global rise of obesity and the devastating effect on blood sugar levels, known as insulin resistance, that is created by a diet high junk food and refined carbohydrates.

Amanda has used her experience and research on this topic to adapt one of her diet plans for the Nigerian market. The diet is based on healthy protein such as lean meat and poultry, eggs and nuts, fish rich in essential fatty acids and plenty of fibre packed raw fruits and vegetables that are bursting with vitamins and minerals.

Following this diet for 2-3 weeks will allow your blood sugar levels to normalise, increase energy levels, and reduce the symptoms that often accompany insulin resistance, such as bloating, fluid retention and fatigue. The added bonus being that you will also lose that excess weight.

After 2-3 weeks healthy carbohydrates such as whole grains such and brown rice should be re-introduced gradually, if the symptoms start to return and your weight starts to creep back up, then cut back on the carbohydrates as you have probably reached your optimum level.

If you use the basic principles of this way of eating, combined with regular exercise for life - you should keep weight problems and a whole host of other health problems at bay.

• Drink masses of water, and of course EXERCISE REGULARLY
• Take a tip from a food combing diet - only eat fruit twenty minutes before eating anything else, not after. Fruit takes less time to digest and if eaten on top of a heavy meal, this can also cause bloating, so as you re-introduce a higher intake of fruits into your diet, bear that little thought in mind.
• If you are going to drink alcohol, make sure it is dry white wine or even better, red - which contains flavonoids which have antioxidant and antiplatelet properties thought to reduce the incidence and death from coronary artery disease. Or if you have managed to kick the alcohol habit, then opt for grape juice, containing flavonoids similar to those in red wine.
• Try mixing sweet potato with cauliflower as a mash or puree to go with grilled fish or chicken. This will reduce the total carbohydrate level.
• When making a rice dish, such as a rice salad or risotto, reverse your ratio of vegetables to rice. Whereas before you may have added vegetables to a mound of rice, add a little rice to a heap of vegetables. Also try grating raw vegetables such as carrots and courgettes to a rice dish at the last moment, it adds great texture and you are getting the benefit of all those raw phytonutrients.

Always remember that proteins and carbohydrates will give you 4 kilocalories per gram. Fat is 9 kilocalories per gram and alcohol provides 7 kilocalories per gram.

If trying to maintain and stabilise your weight at a certain level, multiply your weight in lbs by 10 if you are quite sedentary or 15 if more active. This will give you your approximate ideal calorific daily intake.

For example: If you are 154 lbs and don't exercise, you should stabilise at around 1540 kilocalories per day, if you are quite active then you will need to take in around the 2310 kilocalorie mark. Athletes and very active people will usually need to take in even more calories to remain balanced.

• Kiss goodbye to a diet high in carbohydrates
• Go for natural foods wherever possible
• Go for maximum nutrition and fibre by eating as many of your fruits and vegetables raw.
• Don't touch soft drinks, alcohol and fruit juices.
• Rev up your intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flaxseed oil
• Only have natural cold pressed oils such as olive· Include protein at all meals and snacks rich in omega -6 fatty
• Absolutely no deep fried food, margarines and processed junk food
• Exercise - both aerobic and strengthening at least 4 days per week.