March 5, 2004 |
News
Getting Rid of Cellulite Excerpted from The Lark Letter October 2003, Vol. 10 No. 10
Like anything in medicine, prevention is the best medicine. And cellulite is no exception. Slender women and female athletes have far less cellulite than their heavier and less active counterparts. If you already have some cellulite, I would recommend working to reduce the size of the fat cells, improve circulation in the affected areas, and increase the integrity of your connective tissues. I have found that exercise, diet, massage, and certain nutrients can go a long way in helping you get rid of cellulite. Diet and Exercise If you need to lose 20 or more pounds, be sure to do so slowly and gradually. Rapid weight loss can make the appearance of cellulite even worse. To accomplish this goal, I recommend eating a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates and lean protein, and low in saturated fat. You’ll also want to reduce your intake of fluid retainers such as salt and caffeine, and increase the amount of water you drink. This will help to flush fats and toxins from your system. If you are not already exercising regularly, you should include 30 minutes of aerobic activity at least 5 days a week. I personally walk nearly every day, often with a weighted vest, and have found that consistent, regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep cellulite to a minimum. Massage Studies have shown that massage and/or dry brushing helps to remove toxins and improve circulation in the affected area. One of the best remedies I’ve seen for using massage to treat cellulite involves coffee grounds and plastic wrap. And since you are reducing your caffeine intakeyou should have plenty of extra grounds on hand! The grounds not only work themselves into the dimples and pockets commonly associated with cellulite, but the caffeine helps to tighten your skin and tissues by constricting your superficial blood vessels. First, warm about 1/2 cup of coffee grounds. You can do this by heating them up in a microwave or running them through your automatic drip coffee maker. Next, massage the warm coffee grounds into the affected area, then secure with plastic wrap. After 1015 minutes, simply rinse the grounds off. Cellulite-Blasting Nutrients There are three nutrients that are particularly effective for reducing the appearance of cellulite by working to increase the integrity of your connective tissues by strengthening the collagen fibers in the subcutaneous layer. They are gotu kola, glucosamine sulfate, and grape seed extract. One study from as far back as 1975 found that 58 percent of patients who took gotu kola every day for three months reported very good results in their cellulite reduction, while another 20 percent said they were satisfied with their results. If you are interested in using gotu kola, I recommend taking 500-1,000 mg twice a day in capsule form. Glucosamine sulfate and grape seed extract also work to strengthen the collagen fibers. Grape seed extract offers the added benefit of improving circulation. I recommend taking 1,0001,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate a day, in two to three divided doses, as well as 50 mg of grape seed extract twice a day. Gotu kola, glucosamine, and grape seed extract are available in most health food stores and Whole Foods Markets. To read more articles like this and to keep up on the latest in nutrition and alternative medicine for women, subscribe to The Lark Letter, my monthly newsletter. You’ll be glad you did!
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