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Now let’s talk about dimples. No, not the cute ones that Cheryl Cole made desirable. I’m talking about the dreaded thigh dimples that plague even the slimmest of women... You only have to flick through the latest celebrity magazines to catch glimpses of pint sized celebs caught off guard on the beach, showcasing their orange peel thighs - proving once again that they too are only human... Oh the SHAME! The dimpled effect is the result of fat storage under the skin, in a layer of connective tissue known as the hypodermis. Skin progressively loses its resilience and can no longer smooth over the subcutaneous fat layer beneath it. This means that the tiny pockets of fat show through, leading to cellulite. Exercise is certainly an effective way to smooth out your thighs, but not in isolation. Cellulite needs to be addressed from the inside too. Beat the cell out of your behind with the following nutrition tips... Assist your liver in detoxifying. Toxins create free radicals which burden your lymph system. A sluggish lymph system cannot deal with toxins efficiently, so they accumulate in the walls of fat cells. Reduce your intake of coffee, sugar-rich foods, processed foods and alcohol. Focus on liver loving foods such as kale, spinach, watercress and broccoli, plus plenty of good quality protein sources like chicken, fish, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds and natural yogurt. Protein is packed with amino acids which are vital for healthy growth and repair of connective tissue. Cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, cabbage, onion and garlic – are high in sulphur which aids detoxification. Reduce your salt intake. High levels can give your skin a ‘puffy’ appearance and lead to water retention, which can emphasise the appearance of cellulite. Beware of most pre-packaged foods which contain high levels of hidden salt. Too much salt in the diet can lead to dehydration, which is a big factor in cellulite formation. Water helps to flush out toxins. Drink up to 3 litres a day of water and herbal teas. Dandelion, fennel, nettle and green tea support the detoxification to eliminate toxins, whilst encouraging the kidneys to drain excess fluid. Keep your cell walls strong, so that they retain nutrients and repel pollutants. If they are damaged or weakened they are susceptible to attack (hello cellulite!) So include plenty of antioxidant rich, brightly coloured fruit and vegetables in your diet - which are high in vitamin C, so will help to increase collagen production and help keep the skin supple and smooth. Dry skin brushing around the abdomen, buttocks and thighs can really help to stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage – thus detoxifying this notoriously stagnant area, which is so prone to cellulite. Five minutes of dry brushing every day can send signals to your body to produce new skin cells, which are better equipped to banish cellulite. For you herbalistas, ginkgo biloba is an effective herb for promoting good circulation, which strengthens cell membranes... If you think your body could do with a professional detox designed to meet your unique requirements, then a nutrition consultation may be for you! About the author: Rachel Henderson is a fully qualified nutritionist and co-founder and director of Food Fairy Nutrition Ltd
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Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Nutritionist, Nutrition Consultation, Detoxification, Cellulite,
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