Cellulite affects the tissues containing fat cells. It appears on the skin surface giving an “orange peel effect”. When the tension of your skin’s elastic fibres is reduced, increased fat is stored in the cells, which causes cellulite. It is not an infection of the skin’s connective tissue (which is called cellulitis), but usually a problem of fat metabolization. Mainly women are affected by cellulite because their elastic connective tissue is softer and looser.
What causes cellulite?
Several scenarios can lead to cellulite:
- Your body does not eliminate toxins in the lymphatic system
- You suffer from chronic constipation, which leads to toxins build-up
- You may have a sluggish pancreas that influences fat metabolization
- You have an improper diet (usually rich in salt and carbohydrates) that doesn’t allow your body to burn excess fat or reduce water retention
Cellulite remedies: healing nutrition
Gradual weight loss is one of the most important things to shrink cellulite. Your diet should aim at:
- Foods rich in fibre to avoid a build-up of toxins
- Lots of vegetables not only because they are low in calories but also because they have a low salt content and are high in potassium, which help reduce water retention
- Foods rich in essential fatty acids since they help burn excess fat
- Try to avoid saturated fats or trans-fatty acids that cause fatty deposits
- Drink plenty of water, vegetable or fruit juices (unsweetened and diluted) and fresh herbal juices of horsetail, birch, nettle, parsley, yarrow, or dandelion to stimulate circulation.
- Avoid alcohol and beverages.
Cellulite remedies: supplements
- Kelp stimulates your lympathic system
- Apple cider vinegar and whey protein help with fat metabolization
- Chromium regulates blood sugar so that it is not converted into fat
Cellulite remedies: herbal remedies
- Seaweed, algae, plankton are rich in minerals, amino acids and vitamins to repair the skin
- Horsetail and Witch Hazel are used to tighten the skin and improve the tone of the skin
- Birch leaves increases skin firmness
Cellulite remedies: other skin remedies
- Exercise! Lack of physical activity can lead to the onset of cellulite
- A herbal cleanse, especially a lymphatic detox, may help stimulate metabolism and promote good circulation
- Massage with a skin brush for 5 minutes before applying any oil or cream to stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic flow.
- Put your legs up when possible, several times a day, to improve circulation
- Don’t wear clothes or shoes that are too tight
Cellulite remedies: references
- Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
- Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
- Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
- Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
- Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995
- Disclaimer
J. Beck
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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