What You Can Do to Improve- Though Not Necessarily ‘Cure’ Cellulite

By: Carrie E. Pierce/Menopauserus.com  

Cellulite; until only recently- one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe.

Let’s review what we know about this unsightly condition:

Cellulite, as we all know, is very common in women- but can even be found in some unlucky men and a few teenage girls. Cellulite also seems to profoundly worsen with the onset of menopause.

Cellulite can exist in women who have as little as 15% body fat.  Because of this phenomenon it is incorrect to think of cellulite as merely ‘a fat person’s issue’ or that cellulite is just ‘fat’ in general terms.

New findings reveal that PRIOR to menopause, cellulite is actually a condition comprised of two basic issues:  Decreased microcirculation deep in the skin tissues- and inflammation caused by free radical buildup and insufficient lymphatic drainage.

 There are also other conditions that exacerbate the condition. Some of these factors include: poor diet/sluggish digestion/no exercise and/or undiagnosed food sensitivities.   

AFTER menopause however, another factor kicks in to greatly worsen the condition. This factor being: the hormone imbalances accompanying menopause-chiefly excess estrogen.

It’s now thought excess Estrogen can cause the body’s connective tissues- and septae- to weaken.  This weakening then allows fat deposits to collect and push to the surface of the skin in bundles. Coupling this excess-estrogen-induced weakening of the connective tissue with poor microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, you have the Perfect Storm scenario for the development and progression of cellulite.

While it’s generally accepted that once cellulite forms it is notoriously next to impossible to get rid of-all is not lost. New research indicates certain things CAN be done to improve- though not necessarily ‘cure’- cellulite. 

While not all cellulite treatment products such as creams and/or lotions deliver lasting results, there are some that actually can -and DO-lessen the visible appearance of cellulite. Certain ingredients such as caffeine and several key herbs and botanicals assist in this lessening effect.

Some of the herbs proven to benefit cellulite are:

Cypress:  Known to be highly astringent and to have a strong toning effect on body tissues. It should be avoided by pregnant women.

Grape Seed Extract: Causes collagen fibers to strengthen and reinforce. Has also been shown to improve blood vessel elasticity and circulation.

Dandelion: Flushes poisons and toxins out of the body and also serves to detox the liver and gall bladder. Be aware however,if you are Gluten Intolerant, dandelion is one of the highest gluten containing herbs on the planet.

Horse Chesnut: Improves circulation and also knocks out inflammation. Proven to cause the capillaries under the surface of the skin to become more toned, reducing cellulite’s appearance.

Kelp: Stimulates metabolism and causes the body to release fluid accumulation. Used often in full body detox wraps. If iodine sensitive please avoid using Kelp and/or other seaweed topically.

Milk Thistle: Causes the liver to detoxify which then creates less of a toxic burden on the body. Also is known to benefit circulation.

Grapefruit: Very stimulating. A diruetic and also strengthens and tones underlying tissues. Causes the body to release toxins, clearing the congestion from the connective tissues.

Fennel: Very diruetic. Also anti-inflammatory.

Green Tea:  Very effective as an antioxidant and is a slight blood thinner.

Ginko Biloba: Boosts circulation and causes cholesterol within the artery walls to remain fluid and resist oxidation.

Juniper: Astoundingly antispetic, toning and stimulating.Classified as being a diuretic.  When used as a massage oil it stimulates circulation and flushes accumulated wastes out of body tissues. This is another herb that should be avoided by pregnant women.

Urva Ursi: Diruetic.  Stimulates the release of trapped and accumulated fluids within the body. Fights bacteria and strengthens the major organs. Not recommended for pregnant  or nursing women.

Gotu Kola: Assists the body in strengthening the underlying collagen fibers found in the skin. It also has been shown to make vein and capillary walls more flexible and less prone to leaking. 

Now let’s discuss some massage and lifestyle techniques that have been proven to benefit cellulite:

Dry brush massage: An ancient massage technique. The standard technique of employ: using a natural bristle body brush, such as boar bristle, lightly brush the arms and legs of the body using soft, light, upward strokes toward the heart. This stimulates the lymph system and causes toxins to be moved through the lymph nodes and eventually eliminated form the body.

Lymphatic drainage: This massage technique is incredibly powerful for moving lymph fluid throughout the body and causing a deep, systemic detox of surrounding tissues. Lymphatic drainage uses incredibly soft stroking movements but is tremendously powerful in result.  Prior to undergoing Lymphatic Drainage a detailed health analysis is necessary. If untreated infection or cancer is present, this massage technique can spread the disease process throughout the entire body. It is a very powerful and beneficial tool- used more widely in Europe than the United States.

Exercise: Simply crucial to enhancing overall health, strength and vitality, exercise is a non-negotiable for health and beauty. An excellent way to keep circulation moving and toxins being released, as well as introducing fresh oxygen to body tissues.

Diet/low glycemic and detox: Keeping blood sugar levels stable is critical to overall health and beauty- and is especially important during menopause as doing so takes a huge burden off the adrenal glands. 

Standard protocol is to avoid a high-fat diet, sugary foods, highly caffeinated beverages, and instead focus on: fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, maintaining proper hydration, eating low glycemic index foods like legumes, brown rice, etc. and focus on getting enough of the essential fatty acids, Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C.

All this being said however: First and foremost if you have cellulite and are peri menopausal /menopausal, it is imperative to get -and keep- those hormones in balance!

Hormone supplementation is being shown to impact- and in some cases reverse- the aging process of the skin and also the formation/worsening of cellulite in some cases.
There is a strong correlation between hormone decline and the onset of visible signs of skin aging.

So then, the best course of action is to do your research, choose wisely- and then discuss your findings with your Physician!