Circulation and cellulite problems
Natural remedies to defeat them

Very often behind cellulite and water retention, there are problems with venous and lymphatic circulation. Let's see how these circulatory problems arise and how we can counteract them naturally.

Circulation problems: the causes

The alterations of the venous or lymphatic microcirculation, often correlated to the little elasticity of the blood vessels themselves, are due to various factors:

• Genetic predisposition: the tendency to have cellulite and water retention is typical of the female sex and can be transmitted from mother to daughter. Women are certainly more affected by the effects of estrogen hormones which, with the changes they undergo over time, can cause an accumulation of fat and fluids. Other elements that can unbalance hormones and circulation in women are puberty, pregnancy, menopause and the use of contraceptives.

• Thyroid: certain imbalances can also originate from the malfunctioning of the thyroid, which has different effects on the metabolism and can favor inflammation, further alterations and the formation of localized fat.

• Lifestyle: clearly, it also influences the microcirculation. Having too sedentary habits and wrong postures make circulation less efficient. If we add an excess of stress, bad eating habits, altered sleep, smoking, a situation of poor oxygenation of the tissues is likely created.

• Fitted clothes: the use of clothes, underwear, and shoes that are too tight certainly does not facilitate the correct flow of blood and lymph.

Why does cellulite form?

Very little is needed to switch from a defective microcirculation to full cellulite.

Cellulite is a disorder caused by the alteration of the adipose tissue located under the dermis and above the muscle bands. This fabric has a structure similar to polystyrene: it thinks of many small spheres (the "adipocytes, fat cells) wrapped in a dense network of capillary vessels, whose walls are porous and permeable.

If the capillaries are in good health, the microcirculation will work properly. If, on the other hand, the capillaries dilate due to different causes, the pores on the walls tend to open and the blood serum (the aqueous part) comes out and settles between the adipocytes of the adipose tissue forming an edema, a stagnation of liquids that is the premise for the appearance of cellulite.

Edema causes an inflammatory process in the adipose tissue, causing venous and lymphatic circulatory exchanges to worsen. The area becomes less and less oxygenated, nodules and fibrosity grow thicker over time: the fat becomes "sclerotic" and hardens, thus becoming real cellulite.

The three stages of cellulite

By "cellulite" we mean the aesthetic disorder given by the accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous layers accompanied by water retention, the stagnation of liquids due to poor blood circulation.
Water retention and cellulite especially affect the buttocks, lower back, legs, knees, and ankles, but not only. The three stages of cellulite severity are:

1. The bearings: there is a slight alteration of the microcirculation, where, however, the adipose tissue is healthy and "intact".
2. Orange peel skin: accompanied by swelling and a feeling of heaviness.
3. The mattress skin: full of nodules painful to the touch, in this case, the venous circulation is strongly hindered, there may be a more or less sensitive increase in body weight, especially if the phenomenon is accentuated by a poor diet.

Why it is important to prevent circulation problems

Cellulite is not only unsightly: it can cause pain and become a real annoyance due to the constant feeling of heaviness in the legs and ankles.

It is therefore important to know the strategies to combat it, starting from improving microcirculation and metabolic efficiency with physical activity; promoting the recovery of the ideal weight with a healthy and balanced diet that contrasts inflammation and fluid retention.

Fortunately, nature supports us with active microelements to be used as adjuvants for physical activity and targeted nutrition. I speak of phytoextracts that improve capillary tropism, promote the drainage of liquids stagnating at the tissue level and act in a targeted manner to improve the microcirculation itself, reducing inflammation and tissue suffering due to poor oxygenation. Let's see what it's about!

Circulation and cellulite: supplements and natural remedies

To counteract microcirculation and cellulite problems, natural remedies can be used.

• Diosmin

It is a flavonoid present in citrus fruits that are widely used in supplements to treat cellulite. Diosmin exerts a direct action on red blood cells at the level of the microcirculation, reducing stiffness and aggregation and favoring blood flow even in very small vessels. It is known to increase the resistance of the capillaries making them more elastic and less fragile and gives relief in case of swelling, heaviness in the legs, edema and varicose veins.
Most flavonoids such as diosmin are not completely absorbed by the body because they are not soluble enough, so new-generation supplements use micronized technology to reduce the size of the active ingredient particles making it more assimilable and effective.

• Troxerutin

It has a vasoprotective action that promotes microcirculation and capillary resistance. Troxerutin is a bioflavonoid that acts by improving the resistance of capillary vessels and decreasing their permeability, thus preventing the liquid component of the blood from passing to surrounding tissues (anti-waterproofing and anti-edema action).

• Bromelain

A substance derived from the stem and the pulp of the pineapple, bromelain effectively supports the digestive functions and is a good adjuvant in the treatment of inflammatory states, as an antiplatelet agent, and to combat cellulite. Bromelain helps improve circulation and drain water retention, reducing inflammation associated with adipocyte alteration.

• Blueberries

The delicious blueberries support the microcirculation thanks to their content of anthocyanins, flavonoid anti-inflammatories responsible for the blue-violet color and their antioxidant action. From anthocyanins, anthocyanidins are released from the vasoprotective properties of both venous and cardiac microcirculation. By improving circulation, blueberries are an excellent natural remedy for those suffering from water retention, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids, all disorders related to circulation problems in capillaries and small vessels. Several studies conducted on women suffering from varicose veins show that blueberry extract gives good results in counteracting swelling, pain, heaviness, improving skin appearance and tingling.

• Centella Asiatica

Phyto-active that helps to relieve heavy legs, the Centella contains many microelements, essential oils, flavonoids, phytosterols, tannins, mineral salts, triterpene saponins that make it an optimal natural remedy in the treatment of cellulite. Centella Asiatica helps to preserve the structure and tone of blood vessel walls, strengthening capillaries and making them more elastic, favoring peripheral circulation and giving relief to the legs in cases of venous insufficiency.

• Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are rich in bioactive substances, one of which is Hesperidin, which is found in the peel and in the white undercoat, which boasts vasoprotective properties that help prevent and counteract circulation disorders in the lower limbs, venous insufficiency and favor the peripheral microcirculation.
Hesperidin is used by those suffering from varicose veins, venous stasis, potential phlebitis because it tones the veins, strengthens the capillaries and promotes circulation.

Have you ever tried any of these natural remedies? Tell us about your experience in the comments.