Anti-cellulite supplements, are they really effective?

Doing everything to get rid of those unsightly pads in the spring is normal. It is when the rush begins after the winter hibernation: a product at its best and we are already satisfied. About the clothes that cover us the most? Perhaps. Do we suddenly get lazier? Also. In fact, cellulite is always there and, if we don’t take care of it all year round, it can increase. In addition to daily rituals (cream, scrubs and various invigorating massages outside and in the shower), the cosmetic market also offers a wide range of supplements that help keep legs lighter and more toned. But what exactly do these supplements do? How are they taken? How to choose the right one? We talked about it with Dr. Silvia Vitturi, Member of the scientific board of Solgar Italia Multinutrient SpA.

What is the difference between circulation supplements and cellulite supplements?
“With supplements for” circulation “we usually refer to those supplements based on plant extracts rich in flavonoids that promote venous circulation and that in the legs facilitate the return of blood from the bottom up, up to the heart, thanks to a support to the tone of the vessel walls. In order for the supplements to be supportive also to counteract the imperfections of cellulite, it is important that they contain plant extracts that promote microcirculation (the small, more superficial circulation) and the drainage of body fluids. In fact, in cellulite there is an accumulation of adipose tissue and water in the subcutaneous layer and the result is the unpleasant orange peel effect. To give some examples, among the products that promote venous circulation we find the extract of Rusco roots (Ruscus aculeatus L.), while among the most used products for cellulite there are those based on extract of Centella asiatica L. leaves. or the extracts of Ananas comosus L titrated in Bromelain“.

Can they be taken at the same time?
«Yes, there are no known contraindications related to the simultaneous use of supplements of this type. The assessment should be made on a case-by-case basis in order to identify which product is best suited to the needs of the subject. Cellulite can already appear in adolescence. It is therefore possible to use food supplements useful for combating this skin imperfection starting from the age of 14 “.

Is there a synergy between cosmetic treatment and supplement?
“It is certainly important to associate the topical application of cosmetic treatments that act on the most superficial part of the tissues with food supplementation with plant extracts that exert an effect from the inside to obtain visible results more quickly”.

What are the best times to take these supplements?
«The best time for integration depends on the goal you want to achieve. To prepare for the “swimsuit test” it is certainly important to start using food supplements to counteract the imperfections of cellulite in early spring. The feeling of “heaviness in the legs” is instead typical of the summer period and therefore it is important to consider continuing the integration with a support to the circulation even during the summer. Support for microcirculation should not be neglected even in winter in those who often have cold hands and feet ».

How do you choose the right supplement?
“To identify the right supplement for your needs, it is important to contact qualified operators for the advice of the food supplement”.

Can these supplements interact with medications?
«The possibility of interaction with any pharmacological therapies in progress should never be underestimated. So I invite people who decide to use a supplement for their own well-being to notify their trusted doctor and pharmacist ».

Why is cellulite on the B side the most difficult to get rid of?
“Because in women fat tends to accumulate more in the buttocks, hips and abdomen, it is the adipose tissue in this specific area that responds little to diets and sports”, explains Dr. Lauro Di Meo, plastic surgeon at Ravenna Medical Center of Ravenna. “This is why even very thin women often show cellulite in this body area where, in order to obtain satisfactory results, it is necessary to resort to targeted treatments”.

Is cellulite eliminated or only reduced?
“It can be eliminated, but it requires perseverance and a decisive approach. Any treatment you use, associated with a healthy lifestyle, a controlled diet rich in water, gives definitive results for the same weight (or if not you get fat). When aesthetic medicine does not solve the situation then it is necessary to intervene with liposuction », concludes Di Meo.

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