Dietary supplements for cellulite: How to choose the most effective ones

According to the definition of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, cellulite is a skin phenomenon localized mainly in the pelvic and abdominal areas, hips, buttocks and thighs.

What is cellulite

It occurs in the form of "micro-depressions of the skin, sometimes in association with small nodules in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Due to its visual appearance, it is often called "orange peel", while the scientific name is more likely "gynoid lipodystrophy", "edematous obesity" or "Liposclerosis" is.

Clinically, cellulite manifests itself as irregular areas of skin and tiny cavities under the skin that are perpendicular to the tissue and have tiny bumps in the skin.

How does cellulite appear?

It can occur in the following ways:

• Of the "edematous" type, characterized by a "congestion of fluid" that is felt when touched, with local edema;
• Of the "fibrous" type, caused by the penetration of fluids into the tissues, separating cells from each other and inhibiting normal metabolic functions; In this way, the elastic fibers compress and the collagen fibers change, compromising their natural support function. The result is small subcutaneous nodules that are perceived as roughness of the typical "orange peel";
• Of the "sclerotic" type, in which the skin is affected by sclerosis, that is, it hardens to the touch, with larger nodules and skin called "mattress skin", which is cold and painful to the touch, with dimpling and uneven coloring.

A healthy and balanced diet, drinking enough water and targeted and regular exercise can improve the complexion by reducing fluid retention. However, in more serious cases and when additional support is required, some natural supplements may be helpful in combating cellulite due to their active ingredients.

Cellulite is an aesthetic problem

In addition to accumulation of fat between cells, cellulite is also aggravated by poor functioning of the venous microcirculation.

For many women it can represent a real burden, especially in more serious cases, and at the same time be perceived as an aesthetic problem.

Natural remedies and supplements to combat cellulite

There are various medications and supplements on the market to treat cellulite, each with its own properties and healing potential. We will examine the most important and effective ones along with possible contraindications to make a calm and safe choice.

Moringa oleiferaMoringa against cellulite

Moringa is very rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect and strengthen cell walls, improve microcirculation and counteract water retention.

Moringa oleifera is a plant that originally comes from India and is now also grown in Europe. It has amazing properties and is called miraculous due to its strong anti-inflammatory effect, which is due to its high vitamin C content - which is seven times higher than that of oranges - and to the presence of bioflavonoids such as quercetin, which promote the antioxidant processes and improve natural vascular health. In addition, it can be helpful in treating edema, a painful condition in which fluid builds up in certain tissues of the body.

Additionally, Moringa's anti-inflammatory properties may be effective in preventing the development of edema.

✔ Discover all the properties of Moringa.

Contraindications :

The main contraindications regarding the use of moringa mainly concern its roots and its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Dietary supplement made from moringa, pineapple and bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in the stem of the pineapple and has special anti-inflammatory properties.

An essential prerequisite for combating cellulite is strengthening the microcirculation. In fact, poor oxygenation and therefore poor microcirculatory function can lead to fluid stagnation, which can be the reason for swelling and cellulite.

Among the numerous properties of pineapple and bromelain is certainly the reduction of the risk of obesity and local swelling, as they protect damaged cells from bruising.

Bromelina, pineapple stem and pineapple

Bromelain, extracted from the stem of the pineapple, is an enzyme that has diverse functions, including:

1. Draining: helps eliminate excess fluids in the body;
2. Anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation caused by fluid accumulation in fatty tissues;
3. Digestive: has the ability to hydrolyze proteins through the action of water, that is, to break them down.

✔ Read more about the properties of bromelain.

The combination with Moringa creates a strong and effective dietary supplement against water retention and cellulite irregularities.

• Read more about how to fight cellulite with pineapple and moringa

Dietary supplement with black bilberry

The fruit of a shrub that grows in the undergrowth of the mountains (above 900 meters and in some cases at lower altitudes and hills), also in Italy, the black bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus), has therapeutic properties that are even greater than those of the red bilberry are more pronounced. It is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances.

Black bilberry is said to have benefits for venous microcirculation, protecting blood vessels and preventing varicose veins.

In particular, black blueberries are said to have diuretic and metabolism-stimulating effects, and thanks to the active ingredient mirtillin*, it has positive effects on the circulatory system. It makes the capillaries more elastic and resilient and promotes the regeneration of skin cells.

*Mirtillin: It is an anthocyanin, a flavonoid responsible for the color (red, purple or blue) of some fruits and plants. It is found in every green plant, especially black currants, black blueberries, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Centella asiatica.

Contraindications

The main contraindications regarding the use of blueberry supplements concern proven hypersensitivity to one or more components and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• Learn more about the properties of black bilberry and how you can naturally reduce fluid retention in your legs.

Dietary supplement based on Butcher's Broom (Rusco)

Butcher's Broom, also known as gorse, witch's corn or asparagus, is a prickly plant divided into different species. Botanically it belongs to the lily family (scientifically Ruscus) with only a few species, two of which also occur in Italy: the gorse and the two-flowered, both with separate male and female flowers, embedded in the middle of the modified leaves.*

The Butcher's Broom extract produces a substance that is characterized by vascular protective, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. In phytotherapy it is used to combat the effects of cellulite.

Butcher's Broom has been known since ancient times as an effective diuretic, particularly for the treatment of kidney stones (Pliny) and gallstones (Dioscorides).

In phytotherapy, Butcher's Broom is now considered useful in disorders of the microcirculation, due to its venous and anti-edema effects. It is also used in chronic venous insufficiency to combat swelling and heaviness in the legs and, as a result, to treat cellulite, especially through local compresses with a decoction.*

✔ Read more about how to combat the feeling of heaviness in your legs.

Contraindications

Butcher's Broom or gorse should be avoided during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and if you have high blood pressure. In general, you should always consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements, especially if you suffer from certain diseases or disorders (such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, various intolerances, etc.).

Nutritional supplement with horse chestnut

The horse chestnut belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is widespread in Europe as an ornamental plant. This tree, also known as sweet chestnut, has various well-known properties and is used for medicinal preparations. The active ingredient, known as aescin, is a saponin compound that can act on capillary membranes.

Horse chestnut saponins can reduce capillary permeability, resulting in increased strength and elasticity. This is also promoted by the presence of flavonoids such as quercetin* and rutin (also known as vitamin P factor).

Other effects of horse chestnut include:

• Anti-inflammatory;
• improving lymphatic drainage;
• Increase in venous pressure.

As a result, there is a general improvement in swelling and pain in the lower extremities, including varicose veins, with a reduction in itching.

*Quercetin : It is a flavonoid that is one of the most common and can be isolated from numerous plant species, including horse chestnut, marigold, hawthorn, chamomile, St. John's wort and Ginkgo biloba.

Contraindications

The use of horse chestnut is not recommended in renal insufficiency due to the presence of antithrombotic coumarins* and in conjunction with blood thinning medications. In addition, aescin binds to plasma proteins, which may lead to possible interference with the transport of some drugs.

*Cumarin : It is an aromatic compound found in more than 27 plant families and is responsible for the sweet smell of freshly mown grass.

Food supplement with Hamamelis Virginiana

Commonly known as Virginia witch hazel or witch hazel, this plant is native to the eastern United States and Canada and is also grown in Europe.

Native Americans used Hamamelis Virginiana for its healing properties to treat wounds, and in the 19th century, settlers used it to treat sunburns and as a poultice to soothe eye irritation. In cosmetics it is used as a moisturizer for dry skin and, due to its content of flavonoids, tannins* and catechins, it is used to improve peripheral circulation. Its use is documented for the treatment of venous insufficiency and as a decongestant on the epidermal skin.

*Tannins : They are polyphenolic compounds found in various plants, such as the European chestnut, and are able to inhibit the decomposition of enzymes by binding to collagen and other proteins.

Contraindications

Due to the presence of tannins, Virginia witch hazel can cause constipation and, at higher doses, can damage the stomach lining. It is not recommended for liver disease. Usually infusions are used externally and without contraindications.

Dietary supplement with Ginkgo Biloba

Also known as maidenhair fern or ginkgo, ginkgo biloba is a plant that comes from China and first appeared 290 million years ago.

Its recognized properties in the treatment of cellulite mainly concern circulatory disorders (leg pain and Raynaud's syndrome*).

Its use appears to be particularly helpful for leg pain in clogged arteries.

*Raynaud's syndrome : It is a blood flow disorder that primarily affects the extremities of the body, especially the hands and feet (occasionally also the nose and ears). These become cold, numb and abnormal in color after exposure to cold or in response to emotional stress.

Contraindications

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract-based supplements are generally not associated with specific contraindications. However, it can cause headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea in some people. It could also affect the effects of anticoagulants, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinning medications, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, diabetes medications, liver agents, and dietary supplements such as garlic, saw palmetto, St. John's wort, and yohimbine.

Ginkgo may reduce the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Allergies to ginkgo can cause skin rashes or more serious effects.

Due to the potential risks, the use of ginkgo is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Dietary supplement with Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica belongs to the umbelliferous family (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae) and is native to Asian regions, but is also grown in Australia and Africa. This plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic treatments for centuries. It is known for combating cellulite irregularities due to its anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties, as well as for treating varicose veins.

As a topical poultice on the skin, Centella Asiatica appears to be effective in reducing stretch marks during pregnancy and treating scars and wounds.

Contraindications

The combination of Centella Asiatica with sedatives and during planned surgical procedures is not recommended. It should be avoided in people with liver disease, while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. External poultices, however, do not appear to have any particular contraindications.

Dietary supplement with Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid and used in some medications to combat cellulite. It regulates the metabolic process by reducing the size of adipocytes* and hindering the excessive production of collagen fibers that trap the fat cells and cause the notorious orange peel formation.

*Adipocytes , also called lipocytes, are fat cells that belong to the connective tissue structure and serve to synthesize, store and release fats (fats, substances with low water solubility).

Contraindications

Some cases of thyroid disorders have also occurred with external use, as noted in a statement on the Aifa (Italian Medicines Agency) website: "It cannot therefore be ruled out that excessive intake of Levothyroxine has caused latent Graves' disease with hyperthyroidism.

Fucus food supplement

These dietary supplements, found in seaweed, have a similar effect to levothyroxine, but they also contain iodine, and long-term use can cause thyroid problems, especially in people suffering from iodine intolerance.

Dietary supplement for the treatment of cellulite

In summary, there are various natural remedies in the form of supplements to combat cellulite in its various forms and there is now a wide selection available on the market.

Therefore, it is important to pay attention to both the type of supplement, with the different herbal combinations that can act on multiple levels, and the quality of the supplement. It is advisable to seek the advice of a doctor, especially in the case of particular forms of intolerance and sensitivity to the active ingredients and substances in the dietary supplement.

References:

• * https://www.issalute.it/index.php/la-salute-dalla-a-alla-z-menu/c/cellulite#sintomi
• * https://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/rusco/
• *https://www.tuttogreen.it/rusco-proprieta-utilizzi/
• *https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculus_hippocastanum
• *https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamamelis_virginiana
• *https://www.issalute.it/index.php/la-salute-dalla-a-alla-z-menu/s/sindrome-o-fenomeno-di-raynaud
• *https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplement-guide-ginkgo-biloba
• *https://www.humanitas.it/enciclopedia/principi-attivi/fitoterapici/ginkgo-biloba/
• *https://www.humanitas.it/enciclopedia/integratori-alimentari/centella-asiatica/
• *https://www.aifa.gov.it/sites/default/files/levotiroxina_escina_tiroide.pdf