Cellulite is a taboo word, we rarely discuss it, nobody wants it and most of us dare not admit we have it. Those that do dare to bare all are usually smooth skinned and dimple free leaving many of us perplexed as to why life has dealt us a cruel fate of lumps and bumps and an endless wardrobe of maxi dresses. The reality however is that the majority of women have some degree of cellulite and it’s perfectly normal to have the odd dimple or two. Fiona Tuck Nutritional Medicine Expert shares how to deal with cellulite and what really works.
Image via pinterest
Cellulite occurs due to a breakdown in connective tissue in the skin, which allows the fat cells to bulge through the weaker connective tissue causing a rippled or dimpled appearance on the surface of the skin. Collagen breakdown is a factor in cellulite which indicates that women with excess cellulite are suffering from hormonal imbalance and weakened connective tissue due to excess collagen breakdown. Combine this to the fact that the more fat cells you have, the more oestrogen you produce, the more cellulite you may get, means it’s time to look at what we can do before it only gets worse!
Many of us are lead to believe that a magic lotion and a vigorous massage can dissolve away the fat but sadly this is not the case. Methods to treat cellulite have been few and far between with most being unsuccessful. Years of pummelling, vigorous massages, torturous looking cellulite hand held home devices and cellulite dissolving gels are in fact a waste of time and can even worsen the situation. In fact overzealous massage, once thought to break down stubborn fat deposits, has now been proven to have the opposite effect – make it worse!
Tips to reduce cellulite:
– Reduce pro inflammatory foods in the diet such as saturated fat in red meat, dairy, refined processed foods, salt and sugar. Saturated fat, trans fats and sugar are HUGE enemies of cellulite and hormone imbalance.
– Increase omega 3 essential fats to maintain cell integrity and strength. Include nuts, seeds oily fish in your diet. Taking an essential fatty acid supplement may be beneficial if you have stubborn cellulite. Always check with your healthcare provider prior to taking any nutritional supplementation. Choose oily fish, nuts and seeds.
– Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to ensure a high intake of antioxidants, phytonutrients and bioflavonoids. These assist with healthy collagen production, cell protection and assist with the prevention of excessive collagen breakdown. Choose blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, cranberries, pomegranates, carrots, pumpkin and beetroot.
– Adequate amino acids and protein intake are essential for healthy connective tissue and collagen production. A loss of connective tissue and collagen will worsen cellulite. Choose foods such as gelatine, bone broth, nuts, seeds, poultry and fish.
– Topical creams and essential oils such as juniper, fennel, ginger and even caffeine derivatives can assist with enhancing peripheral circulation and may be of benefit to reduce fluid retention and a spongy appearance.
– Professional manual lymphatic drainage massage is excellent to reduce sponginess and fluid retention and the removal of toxins from the fat cells.
– Dry body brush daily at home to improve lymphatic system health and excess fluid retention between cells.
Manicare, Dry Body Brush, RRP $16.99 & Cellulite Bristle Brush, RRP $17.99
Miso Salmon Recipe
Ingredients:
2 middle pieces salmon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 small red cabbage
1 small carrot
1 spring onion
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
For the dressing:
3 teaspoons miso paste
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon olive or macadamia oil
3 tablespoons water
Directions:
1. Heat a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. Rub salmon with olive oil and place, skin side down, in the pan.
2. Cook for 5-6 minutes before turning over and continuing to cook the fish for 3-4 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, finely shred the cabbage, grate the carrot and slice spring onion. Place in a large bowl, add rice and sesame seeds and mix well. To make the dressing whisk all ingredients in a jug and pour over the cabbage and rice mixture. Mix well to coat the salad.
4. Divide the salad between two plates and top with the salmon, served crispy skin side up.
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