Cellulite is stubborn fat cells and the appearance of it afflicts many women. I have written about the state our fascia is in and how to treat it when we see cellulite, in my book “Connect: A Practical Guide to Fascia”. Plus, this is my 3rd article about fighting the appearance of cellulite.
The first article was about the number 1 external solution for cellulite. Check out the article here: https://www.thebodyblog.ca/post/how-to-eliminate-cellulite-for-good
The second article was about the internal influence we can have on cellulite through nutrients that come from natural and wholesome foods. Check out that article here: https://www.thebodyblog.ca/post/fight-cellulite-from-the-inside-out
Now we dive deeper in providing a complimentary solution from the inside-out, by looking at supplements for cellulite reduction.
As mentioned in Part 1, the 3 main ways to fight cellulite from the inside-out is through repair, rehydration and revitalizing the cells, the connective tissue and then the outermost layer, the skin.
Keeping a continuous nutritiously rich diet and a healthy lifestyle is an effective approach to healthy looking skin. But what if you’re already a very active person who eats very well, gets lots of sleep, doesn’t smoke, meditates and is STILL dealing with stubborn cellulite?
The reason why a healthy diet and lifestyle may still not be enough to get rid of stubborn cellulite is because 52% of our agricultural soil is already degraded! Therefore, we need double the amount of leafy greens to get the phytonutrients we were getting 200 years ago!
We need to save the quality of our soil on planet Earth, but in the meantime, proper supplementation can replace those missing nutrients. This can play a key role in cellular hydration.
Supplements
Let’s look at some of the best all-natural supplements that support proper vitamin and mineral levels in the body.
1. Glucosamine: Taking glucosamine to help the appearance of cellulite may come as a surprise to many because glucosamine is often used for joint care. This is true, its main purpose is to ensure proper joint lubrication, however glucosamine is an essential nutrient needed to build glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) which is a major component of the extracellular matrix needed to help build firm connective tissue.
2. Hyaluronic acid: A natural protein and component of GAGs, which helps cells absorb moisture. This provides high amounts of hydration to the skin cells, leaving them plump and firm.
3. Collagen: A structural protein that gives fascia strength and tone. Collagen builds viscosity- which resists changes in shape. This enhances the moisture-retaining abilities of the cell walls and leaves the skin smooth and soft.
4. Vitamin C: A natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps reverse skin damage. Vitamin C plays a vital role in collagen synthesis. It also breaks down collagenase and elastinase- two naturally occurring substances that attack collagen and elastin.
5. Antioxidants: Needed for the transportation of oxygen to the cells and cell walls. The most potent ones I recommend are pomegranate extract and/or goji berry extract. Eating the fruit alone is simply not enough and it comes with high amounts of natural sugar, which can have an adverse effect on the skin.
Pomegranate extract contains high levels of polyphenols- needed to prevent and reverse the signs of aging.
Goji-berries are one the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet! With 18 types of amino acids, 21 trace minerals, and 500 times more Vitamin C than oranges and more beta-carotene than carrots, this super-food is sure to get the skin dimple-free! Eating goji-berries in salads or on yogurt can prove to be beneficial, but once again it is advisable to go for the pure extract and avoid the natural sugar when eaten raw.
6. B- Vitamins: All these supplements are tools to help keep cellulite away. However, they do no good if your body is not able to metabolize them into smooth connective tissue. That is why it is advisable, especially when someone is vegetarian or vegan, to take a B- Vitamin complex for optimal synthesis of all these components.
Finally, every cell in our body needs sodium to function properly, from our nerves to our muscles. The problem is most people consume too much sodium from fast food or processed food. To maintain a proper balance of salt, eliminate those “fake” foods and opt to cook at home using a pinch of salt for taste. Also use seasonings that are anti-inflammatory such as pepper, basil, oregano, rosemary, ginger, and garlic.
These supplements and seasonings must be consumed alongside a healthy diet, rich in essential fatty acids, amino acids aka- protein, phytonutrients from leafy greens, and water for proper hydration.
Implementing these changes may take anywhere from 3 - 8 weeks to see desired results. Stick with it, everyone is different.
For the proper doses of these supplements and when to take them, please consult a professional. Either myself or my colleague and husband, Joey Sciacchitano, certified personal trainer, and naturopath, can help you with this. We look at your lifestyle, your goals, we help you make food corrections, build you a Meal Plan and show you where all these supplements fit in to that plan.
For high quality supplements of the purest form, please contact Joey on his website at www.apexcoaching.ca.
Let us be a part of your journey to smoother, firmer, and glowing skin!
Comments