90% of Americans deal with cellulite at some point in their lives. As common as it is, there are quite a lot of misconceptions about what it is, what causes it and how to get rid of it. So before you run off to the “cool sculpting ice laser” or whatever new cosmetic gizmo is asking you to spend a fortune on smooth skin, let’s take a deep dive into the world of cellulite.
Ceulluite is the common name for adipose edematousa, dermaponiculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, gyroid lipodystrophy, or “orange peel syndrome” due to the visual appearance it creates on your skin. That’s a lot of names for a relatively simple phenomenon.
By definition, cellulite is a herniation of skin fat within the fibrous connective tissue that lays underneath your skin (mostly in the buttocks, lower limbs and abdomen). This connective tissue is called fascia. It is what attaches your skin to the muscles underneath.
Cellulite is estimated to affect 90-95% of women, yet only 10-15% of all men (the high incidence in women is thought to be due to hormone fluctuation and the physical changes a woman’s skin goes through during pregnancy). Because of the high incidence in women, most “medical professionals” consider cellulite to be a “normal” part of aging.
Cellulite carries the appearance of lumpy or dimpled “orange peel skin,” again caused when fat globules accumulate and push up or through the fascia, thus you have this uneven, “mottled” skin appearance. By itself, cellulite is not a serious medical condition – however most people are “psychologically” affected by its appearance, especially in the summer when it’s more common to reveal the affected skin.
What Causes Cellulite To Appear?
Cellulite only appears when the subcutaneous fat we all have herniates through the connective tissues in your skin. So the real answer to this question is “What causes your fascia to weaken, thus allowing the fat to move up into your skin?”
Several factors contribute to this, including an acidic, highly processed “standard” American Diet (High Carb, Low Fat, High Grain Diet). Dehydration has also been linked to decreased connective tissue strength, as has collagen and Vitamin C deficiency (collagen is a necessary building block of connective tissue and Vitamin C is known to strengthen the bonds of connective tissues – thus prevent fat herniations). A sedentary lifestyle (sitting for more than 8-10 hours dai- ly) has also been connected to the presence of cellulite.
Natural Methods To Tighten Your Connective Tissue
Consume the necessary building blocks of connective tissues
Connective tissues under the skin are mostly made of collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the human body. Bone Broth is by far the BEST way for you to consume collagen – as the broth contains high levels of the amino acids, PROLINE and GLYCINE. These proteins are the essential building blocks that allow your body to make collagen (always better to naturally make it than to consume it directly).
A study published in Journal of Medicinal Food also found that consuming 2.5 grams (2,500mg) of collagen peptides created a “significant decrease in the degree of cellulite and skin waviness on the thighs,” and when taken daily for 6 months lead to “clear improvements in the skin of women suffering from moderate to severe cellulite.”
Eat more fat
Plant based fats are an excellent way to down-regulate inflammation and tighten skin connective tissues. Flax seeds have been shown to be great for the skin and weight loss as they help to regulate estrogen levels and can increase collagen production. Flax is easy to consume via sprinkling ground flax seeds into smoothies, soups or salads, or by simply consuming the seeds directly, or in a concentrated oil form. The same holds true for chia and hemp seeds.
Get some help with Kelp or Fucoxanthin (aka “fucoTHIN”) by Garden of Life
Kelp is high in a nutrient called “fucoxanthin,” a pigment found in the chloroplast of plants high in chlorophyl. It has been shown to increase the fat burning power of the human body, thus reducing the appearance of cellulite by creating an increase in fat burning states. Kelp can be added by sprinkling small amounts onto your meals, much like flax, chia or hemp seeds. You can also take this in its extracted supplemental form in a product called “fucoTHIN” by Garden of Life.
Use An Anti-Cellulite Supplement
Kola Nut. Chances are quite high you didn’t even know this nut existed. This nut comes from the “Cola” genus of trees which includes the KOLA tree, thus the Kola Nut. It’s native to the rainforests of Africa and, interestingly enough, the tree and nut contains caffeine. When John Pemberton combined the KOLA nut with cocoa, sugar and carbonated water, he created the original 19th century “Coca-Cola” beverage recipe. Extracts from the kola nut have been shown to reduce cellulite when consumed. It has relaxing properties and is often best taken just before sleeping.
Skin Healing Essential Oils
Procedures to remove cellulite (liposuction, body sculpting, cool-sculpting) can be costly and ineffective – not to mention many of them are full of chemicals that can irritate or damage your skin.
Grapefruit oil has been shown to significantly help reduce cellulite with direct application. Studies have shown that the oil contains high levels of bromelain, which helps to break down cellulite and prevent the formation of new fat cells under the skin.
Try this “Grapefruit Cellulite Cream” and report back with your results:
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
- 15-20 Drops Grapefruit Oil
Apply liberally to any area of your skin you wish to “tighten” or “banish cellulite.”