Many people try the ketogenic diet because it offers a lot of health advantages. By removing carbs from the food they eat, people often experience improved energy, better focus, and a healthier body. Fitness enthusiasts also use the keto diet to enhance their skin health and treat different skin issues – like cellulite.
So is the ketogenic diet effective in eliminating cellulite? A person’s diet affects the appearance of cellulite, which is why it’s important to follow a healthy diet and maintain a stable weight. The keto diet is an effective fat burning technique that also helps treat cellulite. People who are on a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb diet eat food like collagen protein, MCT oil, avocado, whole egg, tuna, salmon, kale, spinach, green tea, nuts, and lemon water.
Cellulite isn’t a simple issue of excess body fat. Like stretch marks, it’s a skin condition that affects about 80-90% of adult women. The main cause of cellulite formation is difficult to determine because there are several factors to consider, such as hormone, age, muscle mass, metabolism, genes, diet, weight gain, and sedentary lifestyle.
Cellulite is more noticeable in women than in men because of the way fat tissue is stored in their bodies. Women store fat cells in between fibrous bands that connect the skin to the muscles. The connective tissue pulls the skin down as the fat cells push it up, creating a dimpled appearance that’s visible on the surface of the skin.
Hormones are also partly responsible for the appearance of visible cellulite on the skin. As women age, their estrogen levels also decline – leading to decreased blood circulation. Without proper blood circulation, the body has a hard time developing more collagen fibers for the connective tissue.
Another hormone that contributes to the appearance of cellulite is the stress hormone called “cortisol.” This hormone keeps the body alert for different crises, but high levels of cortisol cause the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream and trigger your “fight or flight” instinct. High blood sugar level triggers the pancreas’ release of insulin, the hormone that tells the body to store fat.
There isn’t a “one size fits all” solution for cellulite reduction but changing into a healthy and balanced diet greatly helps reduce its appearance. A keto diet is one of the most effective diet plans for minimizing cellulite appearance because it targets the adipose tissue underneath the skin. It’s similar to the Atkins diet and other low carb diets, but with the added benefit of helping patients treat diabetes and heart disease.
The fat loss in a ketogenic diet is caused by ketosis. It’s a process that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough glycogen and carbohydrate reserves to burn, which is why it burns fats and creates ketones instead. A keto diet also helps lower blood sugar and insulin levels.
There are tons of food options for people who are interested in trying a keto diet plan, but here’s a list of ketogenic choices that are also great for eliminating cellulite:
Collagen is an important protein in the body found in almost every tissue structure. It’s found in the blood vessels, muscles, tendons, bones, and skin. This protein gives the skin its strength and elasticity by replacing the dead skin cells. There are 28 types of collagen found in the body, but type 1 collagen is the most abundant one.
The body gets most of the collagen from dietary sources rich in protein and amino acids like meat, fatty fish, eggs, and dairy. The digestive system converts the high amounts of amino acid from these foods into collagen that keeps the skin supple, strong, and elastic. However, most of these foods aren’t keto-friendly, which is why people on a keto diet take collagen supplements. They may also eat bone broth since it’s an excellent source of collagen.
Extra virgin coconut oil is an ideal source of MCT (Medium-Chain Triglycerides). Food and supplement manufacturers extract the MCTs from the saturated fats of the coconut oil to create and sell health products.
MCT oil is a popular supplement among people following a ketogenic diet because it’s a great energy source for ketone production. Taking a tablespoon of MCT oil in the morning helps boost mood and energy throughout the day. MCTs are directly absorbed by the liver where they’re converted into ketones. They also improve the body’s efficiency when it comes to burning stored body fat.
Avocado is one of nature’s best superfoods because it’s rich in antioxidants and healthy fats that eliminate the toxins and free radicals in the body. Free radicals gradually build up in our bodies because of events like prolonged sun exposure. These toxins and free radicals cause cell death through oxidation, which leads to the appearance of wrinkles and frown lines.
Eggs are undoubtedly one of the most nutritious foods. They’re rich in protein, dietary fat, and cholesterol. Eggs are also a source of various vitamins and minerals like zinc, iron, vitamins E, D, A, and B12.
For the longest time, people thought eggs were a source of bad cholesterol, which increases the risk of developing heart diseases. However, recent studies indicate that eggs don’t affect the body’s blood serum cholesterol levels. They even help increase the level of triglycerides levels in the body. Eggs are also rich in collagen and other amino acids responsible for cell repair and regeneration.
Salmon and tuna meat freshly caught straight from the ocean are rich in protein and Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). They’re ideal sources of Omega-3 fatty acids which are rich in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), the two kinds of EFA that offer a ton of health benefits.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for improving the health of every system in the body. They also improve the skin’s elasticity. Different EFAs enhance the body’s metabolic rate, which keeps the body in a continuous fat-burning state.
Consuming EFAs improves the effects of a ketogenic diet. Make sure to eat freshly caught salmon or tuna to utilize the full metabolic benefits of EFAs. Omegas-3 fatty acids are also available in the form of fish oil capsules.
Green leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants and folate that eliminate free radicals and replace damaged skin cells. Kale and spinach are the best options when it comes to keto-friendly leafy vegetables because they’re rich in Vitamins C and K. A ketogenic diet requires an individual to avoid carbohydrates, which is why it’s important to fill the fiber requirement with low calorie vegetables.
Kale also contains calcium and potassium. It helps maintain the health of the digestive system and keeps the body in a state of fat burning. Spinach is also rich in different nutrients, which makes it a great substitute if there isn’t kale in the grocery store.
Green tea is rich in catechins which assist the body in preventing collagen oxidation. Catechins also increase fat oxidation and metabolic rate, which is why they’re great for promoting weight loss. Drinking 2-3 cups of green tea daily enhances the effects of a ketogenic diet since it aids digestion, keeps the gut healthy, and strengthens the immune system.
Nuts like pecans and almonds are rich in healthy fats and nutrients. Pecans have Vitamin E which strengthens the cell and mucous membrane of the skin’s epidermis. Eating pecans help increase the levels of gamma-tocopherol in the body and decrease the unhealthy oxidation of Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL). Oxidized LDL is a huge problem because it causes skin inflammation and irritability, making an individual more prone to developing cellulite problems. Pecans also have plant sterols which are known for helping treat cellulite.
Almonds are another type of nut that’s rich in monounsaturated fat and calories. They’re usually consumed as whole nuts or flour. Almond flour is used to prepare low carb muffins, pizza, cookies, and biscuits.
Lemon water is considered a staple for a ketogenic diet because it improves the body’s detoxification and digestion. It’s also rich in Vitamin C for rejuvenating the skin and body. Lemon juice is also high in citric acid, which helps prevent kidney stones.
People in a keto diet should avoid carbohydrate-rich food, such as:
Biohacking refers to a huge range of activities that help people change and optimize how their body functions. These activities are meant to boost an individual’s cognitive and physical performance. Biohackers also improve skin health and eliminate cellulite using the following techniques:
Acceleration training through whole body vibration helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by growing muscle mass and tightening tissues around the body. It’s the same vibration technique used by NASA astronauts, which enhances lymph drainage. People only need to work out on vibration plates for about 10 to 15 minutes every day to see visible results on their belly fat and thigh cellulite.
Effective cellulite reduction techniques should also involve shrinking the size of the adipose cells that push the skin upwards. One of the most effective ways to do this is by burning the fat reserves through intermittent fasting and other similar diets that force the body to go into ketosis. Bulletproof Intermittent Fasting offers the benefits of traditional fasting and avoids the consequence of feeling hungry. This fasting method also prevents muscle loss since individuals eat the right amount of protein every day.
While other cellulite treatments rely on the individual’s food intake, HIIT focuses on physical activity to stimulate lymph flow and enhance muscle mass. It also takes a lot less time and burns a lot more fat than normal exercise. HIIT requires very short but intense rounds of exercise with a short period for active recovery. HIIT routines are usually done with weights or sprints.
Although biohacking techniques like a ketogenic diet are effective in eliminating cellulite, some people don’t have the means or patience to follow through. If the exogenous ketone or weight loss pills are taking too long to show visible results, here are other cellulite reduction treatments you might want to try:
A ketogenic diet is one of the healthiest lifestyle changes that help eliminate cellulite. However, diet and exercise take several weeks or months to show noticeable results, which is why patients turn to other cellulite reduction treatments instead.
Here at the Cellulite Treatment Center of NJ, we offer safe and effective cellulite reduction treatments without the need for a surgical procedure. Book an appointment with us today to find out how we can help you find the best treatment plans for smoother, healthier, and cellulite-free skin.