Your Cellulite Questions, Answered
Getting Rid of It
Can the foods you eat decrease or increase cellulite?
A. Diet plays a role only in affecting how much fat you carry around, so avoiding high-calorie foods will prevent weight gain, which means you'll have less body fat and therefore less cellulite. But there are no magic foods that will banish cellulite once you have it.
If you lose weight, will you automatically lose cellulite?
A. Dropping pounds will make your fat cells shrink but not disappear. So while your cellulite may look better, it won't vanish completely. And if you gain the weight back, expect those dimples to reappear in the same spot.
Does the supplement CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) reduce cellulite as claimed?
A. No. Despite some animal studies showing that CLA-a supplement derived from trans fats found in grass-fed beef and dairy-can minimize body fat and probably cellulite, the only thing it will likely slenderize is your wallet. In human studies, results have been inconclusive. Many people not only saw little or no weight loss, they also reported adverse health effects, such as insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and a decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol. The danger: CLA destroys fat-storing cells; this can cause fat droplets to circulate in the blood and end up in vital organs such as the heart and liver.
However, new research indicates that a diet high in soy protein and the amino acid L-leucine may play a key role in the fight against cellulite by stimulating fat burning and maintaining lean muscle mass during weight loss. You're much better off getting these nutrients through foods such as tofu, lean meats, beans, and nuts than in a pill; and you need to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to achieve lasting results.
What Really Works
Products and potions aside, exercise is the most effective way to reduce the appearance of cellulite. We put together the perfect 30-minute workout to target your most common problem areas and help you banish cellulite for good.
Originally published in FITNESS magazine, June 2008.
Sources: Cheryl Karcher, MD, an assistant clinical professor at New York University Medical Center and an associate at Sadick Dermatology in New York City; Matt C. Cave, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Louisville in Kentucky (for CLA information).
