The curse of dimpled ‘orange peel’ skin will affect most women but your diet can help
If you think you’re the only person worried about wearing a bikini this summer for fear of sporting ‘orange-peel’ skin – think again. Cellulite, with its characteristic ‘dimple-like’ effect, can be spotted on most of us, and contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t just exist when we’re overweight. It may be on thighs, buttocks or arms, but the fact is that few of us, small or large, get away without a sign of cellulite. However, the food we eat, or rather the food we don’t eat, may help to make a difference.
Cellulite facts
Cellulite is perfectly normal and not a disease. Around 85 per cent of people in the world have it, but unfortunately, the number of women with cellulite is far higher than the number of men affected. This is due to the female hormone oestrogen, which often encourages the body to store fatty deposits just below the skin, which causes the flesh to dimple. A tendency to cellulite may also be partly genetic. Although men get it, their skin is thicker, making it less noticeable.
Quality not quantity
Many dieticians and doctors claim that there is a possible link between poor blood supply to fat cells and fluid build-up leading to cellulite stores. So improving circulation through dry skin brushing and massage is an effective way of reducing cellulite.
Cut down on…
Caffeine
High intakes of caffeine can cause blood vessels to constrict, and circulation to become inefficient. Try to have no more than one cup of tea or coffee a day. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free.
Sugar
Excess sugar is stored as fat, and although it won’t cause cellulite, sugar may contribute to it in the long run. Although the occasional piece of chocolate cake doesn’t do any harm, try to reserve it as a special treat rather than an everyday habit.
Salt
High levels of salt in the diet cause the skin to hold more water which may enhance the appearance of cellulite. Salt is found in processed foods so try to replace pre-packaged foods with fresh fruit, vegetables, beans, pulses, tofu, soya, lean meat and fish.
Toxins
Saturated fat, sugar, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes trigger free radicals, and they also put pressure on the lymph system (whose job is to flush toxins from the system). When the lymph system is sluggish it creates fibres that bind to the walls of the fat cells, making them thicker. This in turn creates extra pressure on the fat cells, creating the orange-peel effect.
Eat more…
Protein
Protein, eaten in at least two meals a day, is vital for
the healthy growth and repair of cells. Quality sources come from dairy products, lean meat and fish (grilled, poached, steamed or baked).
Fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruit and vegetables are the cornerstones of any healthy eating programme. Go for mangoes, blueberries, kiwi fruit, peppers, spinach and tomatoes, which are packed with antioxidants.
Salmon
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and can help balance blood cholesterol and improve circulation. With an anti-inflammatory effect, omega-3s may also reduce the amount of build-up on the inside of blood vessels, thus alleviating cellulite. According to research, salmon oil is an effective treatment for cellulite. The lower blood lipid levels and lower incidence of heart and blood vessel diseases in Eskimos suggest that the types of fats present in their diet, mainly from salmon and similar fish, may cause this effect. Given that poor circulation seems to play a part in the formation of cellulite, reduction in deposits that build up in the blood vessels also decreases the amount of cellulite.
Water
Areas of cellulite contain higher than average amounts of water-retaining cells. Excess fluid in the body will gravitate to these cells, causing them to swell (a major cause of cellulite in thinner women). Cutting down on salt and drinking eight glasses of water a day will help fight fluid retention.
Cellulite busters
Although the reason isn’t always clear, certain foods have been proven in research to help in the treatment of cellulite. These include:
Kelp
Cayenne
Fennel
Cinnamon
Orange
Onion
Rosemary
Apple cider
Ginger
Pepper
Garlic
Cloves
The role of antioxidants
Free radicals are damaging to the collagen which surrounds our fat cells. The effects of free radicals are such that the collagen becomes tougher and starts to shrink. As it stretches more tightly over the top of the fat cells, the fat cells become more noticeable. Free radicals are also capable of causing adverse modifications to fat cells, resulting in degeneration and the development of cellulite. Antioxidants have the role of fighting off the free radicals, which circulate in the body.