Body wraps for firming and spot reduction?

[allno]

Has anyone had any success at all with the utilization of body wraps for firming the skin and/or to help your body process stubborn fat from certain areas? It seems like this may work in theory; applications of heat, certain herbs, oils, or minerals and manipulation through wrapping and massage MIGHT increase the chances that your body would break down fat in certain areas. I know that some research has been done on lypossage but I don't think the studies were controlled. But again, it makes some sense doesn't it? And of course, I do not think any of this would work at all without a clean diet, weight training, and cardio.

Thoughts?

[Tiffany_P]

The only part that might work in theory is the massage, since it could improve blood circulation which might help mobilize fat. I doubt you would see any real results from it though. Any type of wrap or oil would just temporarily decrease the water content.

[kathyfit]

I agree with Tiffany....a temporary decrease in water in a certain area.....very temporary! They always say....exercise and eat right!! That's the "magic pill"

[allno]

The only part that might work in theory is the massage, since it could improve blood circulation which might help mobilize fat. I doubt you would see any real results from it though. Any type of wrap or oil would just temporarily decrease the water content.

Tiffany,

"Mobilize" was one of the key words that I was looking for. So can fat be mobilized? This is what I want to know. If so, then it would stand to reason that wraps might indeed be beneficial as they might help to mobilize fat by means of compression. I also know that caffeine can penetrate the skin to increase circulation which also might help to mobilize fat correct?

[ives]

Tiffany,

"Mobilize" was one of the key words that I was looking for. So can fat be mobilized? This is what I want to know. If so, then it would stand to reason that wraps might indeed be beneficial as they might help to mobilize fat by means of compression. I also know that caffeine can penetrate the skin to increase circulation which also might help to mobilize fat correct?

"Mobilize" implies the fat is going to get up and move, either to another part of the body, or out of it entirely.

Moving to another part of the body isn't going to happen... adipocytes (fat cells) from your butt/thigh aren't going to get up and float to your gut/arm/face and take hold.

Massage also isn't going to make fat "mobilize" and get "number one'd" or "number two'd" out. Fat leaves the body when the lipids inside each fat cell (they're little balloons that fill with fatty goo) are broken down by the body and burned for energy.

I can see how it's tempting to think that fat can be "melted" with external heat or squished out of an area, but short of LIPO actually SUCKING IT OUT, there's not a lot that external manipulation will do about fat. Sorry.

[Tiffany_P]

Tiffany,

"Mobilize" was one of the key words that I was looking for. So can fat be mobilized? This is what I want to know. If so, then it would stand to reason that wraps might indeed be beneficial as they might help to mobilize fat by means of compression. I also know that caffeine can penetrate the skin to increase circulation which also might help to mobilize fat correct?

Ok, quick primer for you on fat mobilization. Fat is constantly being mobilized. There are two types of andrenoreceptors that control this. Alpha-2 receptors are bad. They shuttle fat into fat cells. Beta-2 receptors are good and help shuttle fat out of fat cells. The reason it's so hard to lose lower body fat is there is a really high ratio of alpha-2 to beta-2 receptors. Blood flow is also part of the equation because once released, fat needs to be transported through your blood in order to be used for energy. The strategies for fighting against stubborn fat include increasing blood flow, blocking alpha-2 receptors, and increasing beta-2 receptors.

None of these strategies will make any difference until you are very lean though. If you are creating a deficit, and you have plenty of fat all over your body, you will continue to lose it, and you can't do anything to influence where you're losing it from. When trying to diet down to extremely lean levels, some people (especially women) start to lose lean mass because their stubborn fat is so difficult to mobilize. That's the point at which these strategies can be useful. You're not at the point yet where they will help you. Sorry