Cellulite

What you need to know

Prevention of cellulite is by far easier than treating it and involves good nutrition, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.

Nutritional supplements that could help:

A good hi-potency multi-nutrient (a strong multivitamin) formula taken daily is useful to assist in correcting dietary deficiencies caused by a poor or restricted diet and will help keep hormones in balance and maintain the health of the skin. Extra antioxidants may also be useful at helping prevent cellulite.

Herbs which may help:

There are no magic cures for this, but the herb Gotu kola has been used for wound healing and to reduce scarring so may help to keep the skin more flexible. Suggested amount is 3,000-4,000mg per day.

Horse chestnut gel or ointment applied topically twice a day may help strengthen the connective tissues which tends to be damaged when you have cellulite.

Aromatherapy

The following oils can be used for massage and added to the bath to make the skin feel better and improve lymphatic drainage.

• fennel

• Juniper

• rosemary

• Geranium - can be used if hormones need re-balancing.

Dietary changes that may be beneficial:

Diet is key to good health, but maintaining a healthy weight needs more thought. If you are overweight weight loss is the first step towards the reduction of cellulite, but do take care, lose weight too quickly and the condition can get worse…so no crash diets. See the section on Obesity.

Generally you should:

• Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, Oats, beans, whole-wheat bread and pasta, as well as lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – organic if possible.

• Drink at least two litres of water per day to keep the skin looking healthy.

• Eat nuts, seeds and oily Fish for the essential fatty acids.

• High fat foods, pies and pastries.

• Refined carbohydrates such as sugar, cakes, biscuits and sweets

• Salt and foods high in salt

• Alcohol and coffee

Other useful advice:

Regular exercise is a major factor in the prevention and treatment of cellulite, which mostly occurs on the buttocks, thighs, and back of the upper arms. So cycling, swimming, skipping with a rope, and a regular brisk, arm-swinging walk will all help. 20 minutes 3 times a day is the minimum in order to see any real benefits.

Skin brushing with a loofah or soft brush can help stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage. Always brush in the direction of the heart.

Reflexology, massage and Yoga can be supportive to the advice above.

This information is licensed for use by Wellbeing Information Systems Ltd ("WIS"), and protected by international copyright law. All rights are reserved. (email info@wisinfo.co.uk). The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.