Millions of people are afflicted with cellulite and there are many factors postulated as to its cause. For the most part, this condition occurs more frequently in women than men, and those unsightly fat deposits mainly occur after pregnancy. Over the years, a number of different modalities have come into existence to help deal with this cosmetic condition. The various treatment methods such as endermologie, massage, herbal wraps, yoga, skin creams, and nutritional supplements have their benefits and should be incorporated into a comprehensive program. Some of these types of treatments have been helpful for some people, but for others, their skin condition has become a lifelong struggle. For those people, simply applying a skin cream, or getting a number of endermologie treatments may not be effective at treating their condition.
A total lifestyle change for many people suffering from cellulite would provide for the most successful outcome. First, it is important to examine your diet and eliminate those foods that you may be allergic to. Foods such as wheat, corn, soy, and dairy products are known allergens, and many people consume them on a daily basis. You can consider going on a rotational diet which would involve eating different foods for a 3 day period, then repeating a food that you ate on one of the previous days for the 4th day. If you are uncertain as to which foods you may be allergic to, you should have your physician perform a cytotoxic blood test. This type of test will determine which foods you are allergic to so that you can eliminate them from your diet. Secondly, it is important to lessen your consumption of food so that you are not ingesting too many calories. By reducing your food intake, you can help yourself reach an ideal body weight. If we drastically reduce our calorie intake and eat foods high in refined carbohydrates (such as cakes and deep fried foods), we may lose weight, but at the same time, we will also lose muscle and gain fat tissue.
Most animal proteins contain hormones and antibiotics from the feed given to these animals. When we eat these animal proteins, we are, in effect, consuming those chemicals which will then cause a toxic overload in our tissues and cells. If at all possible, you should consider purchasing organically grown meats, fruits, and vegetables in order to avoid the chemicals found in those foods. For those who cannot afford the additional expense of organically raised meats, you may consider adapting to a vegetarian diet. In order to detoxify your body from food and environmental toxins, some authorities state that you should consume at least 3 glasses daily of fresh organic vegetable juice. In addition to also recommending a multivitamin, supplements such as extra buffered Vitamin C, beta carotene, glutathione, L-Cysteine, and Vitamin E will also be beneficial. Your local health food store carries antioxidant formulas which contain certain herbs such as milk thistle and burdock root. They are helpful for neutralizing the toxins in your body. Although there are a number of therapies available to help treat this skin condition, detoxification should be the first step taken in order to deal with cellulite successfully.
The daily practice of skin brushing is very beneficial to our health, since it cleans our inner body and outer skin layer. It is an excellent detoxifier and externally it can help clear our pores of toxins and eliminate dead skin cells. Additionally, it helps detoxify our internal organs and can help improve our blood circulation. For this reason, several natural health practitioners have maintained that daily skin brushing can be helpful in treating and reducing cellulite. Everyone should own a natural vegetable fiber bristle brush, and you can purchase one at your local health food store or department store. You should consider adding this additional treatment option along with others in order to achieve a more favorable outcome.
The use of essential oils has been used as an adjunct to treat a number of different health conditions such as hemorrhoids, bronchitis, varicose veins, and cellulite. For the treatment of cellulite, you can add oils of oregano, lemon, and juniper to your bath water and massage the affected areas while bathing. In addition, you can dilute essential oils of grapefruit and basil into a carrier oil (such as almond oil) which will help make it an excellent massage oil. Continue this treatment approach daily of bathing in essential oils and rubbing the massage oils into the affected areas of your skin after your body is completely dry from bathing. It is important to be patient and not to expect immediate results. Please allow for 2 to 3 months of treatment before expecting any cosmetic improvement.
Over the past 3 decades, jogging has become a popular form of aerobic exercise. For those of us that are not in the best of shape, you may consider other forms of aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking and dancing to help improve muscle tone, blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. Stretching exercises that firm and strengthen affected areas such as the stomach, arms, thighs, and buttocks are also beneficial. These exercises may be combined with non-aerobic exercises, such as weight training, in order to achieve more satisfactory results. At your local gym, consult with a personal trainer about the various exercise machines available that focus on different parts of the body. Studies have shown that combining aerobic with non-aerobic exercises (such as leg presses, squats, and extensions) will not only help us lose fat tissue, but can also help us gain muscle. A sensible approach in treating cellulite is to first consult with your physician to see which type of exercise activity is best for you, and to incorporate any or all of the above treatment modalities under their medical supervision.
By: Joseph Giordano