Cellulite: Facts and Fiction

Despite their contrasting advice and information, many of us continue to place our life, body and health in the hands of journalists for the sake of an essential product, trend or treatment that's 'guaranteed to shed the pounds' or 'improve our appearance', but can we really trust the media with our health and well being?

Here is a great example regarding the treatment of cellulite and why we should all take what we read in magazines with a pinch of salt.

1) Fiction: Apply a superficial treatment.
Fact: although the application of a superficial treatment may help to an extent, there is no quick fix miracle product for cellulite.

In order to diminish the dimples and improve tone, a change of diet, lifestyle and physical activity will prove to be a far more beneficial treatment in comparison to the application of expensive beauty products:

• Diet - too much fat, salt, sugar and processed foods and too little water - essential for the elimination of toxins - can all contribute to the development of cellulite. By reducing your dietary intake of unhealthy food and drink sources and increasing your water (filtered) intake to 2-3 litres a day, you will begin to see a visible improvement in the texture of your skin. 
• Physical activity - cellulite has an increased risk of developing in areas of poor circulation as a result of inactivity - those with a sedentary lifestyle are at an increased risk of developing the condition in comparison to those with an active lifestyle. 
Participating in regular physical activity and incorporating resistance based exercises such as uphill walking, squats and lunges into your lifestyle will not only boost circulation and help to diminish the dimples, but improve overall muscle tone.

2) Fiction: Consume a low-fat and low-carb diet.
Fact: if you're struggling to shift orange peel skin, the only diet that you need to consume is one of a healthy and balanced nature. 
Restricting specific food groups in an attempt to improve the appearance of cellulite will only deprive your body of the essential nutrients it requires to function effectively and efficiently on both a physical and psychological level. Never risk your health for your appearance - the damage can be irreversible.

3) Fiction: Consume a juice/fluid based diet.
Fact: regardless of its duration and nutritional contents, any juice/fluid based diet is unacceptable - particularly if your body is forced to rely on one specific food group in fluid form. 
Similar to the importance of following a healthy and balanced diet, the human body relies on a variety of essential nutrients to be obtained from a variety of essential food groups - carbohydrates, fats and proteins etc - in order to remain healthy, and function effectively and efficiently on a physical and psychological level. Limiting your daily intake of essential nutrients can not only result in ill-health, but your body losing valuable muscle tone as its forced to access every available energy store in order to survive.

Remember that although someone may claim to be an expert in one field, doesn't necessarily mean that they're an expert in every field - or even an expert at all. Always second guess everything that you read in the media - particularly articles relating to the health, weight loss and beauty industry - and don't be afraid to ask a professional for factual advice. You never know, it may just save your life.