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I have been experimenting with very low carb and higher fat ketosis type diet. I love it and I feel great, but I have noticed that I have more cellulite on my thighs than normal. I am losing inches (not pounds, which is a good thing) but it is definitely not going anywhere fast. Have any other women experienced this while losing weight low carb?

I read that high fat diets contribute to cellulite, and I always thought that was bs. Now I am reconsidering upping my protein and carbs for less fat. What do you think?

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genetics play a big part as does a healthy diet.. and lack of muscle. more muscle on the bod for women means less cellulite to see :) eat good, keep up with the exercise, you'll see improvement. – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Sep 10 2011 at 2:40
I am 5'9, weigh 137 and sit around 14% bodyfat. I am very lean. The only place I have bodyfat is my bum and thighs. I know this seems like an odd thing to complain about, but I have definiely noticed a change. – Ashley Sep 10 2011 at 2:54

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Some folks say that the cellulite is not so much fat as the breakdown in collagen and connective fibers in and below the surface of the skin. Some people recommend taking in collagen rich broths, bone broths, to give the body the nutrients it needs to rebuild the strength of the skin structure.

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This is from the book Deep Nutrition: "Having enough healthy collagen in the subcutaneous fat (just under your skin, where most body fat is stored) doesn’t just prevent cellulite and keep your curves looking taut, as we saw earlier. It also prevents the development of the chin wattle, the droopy butt, the floppy underarm, and even those creases on the sides of the nose and mouth." Shanahan MD, Catherine (2011). Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food (Kindle Locations 4251-4253). Big Box Books. Kindle Edition. – none Sep 10 2011 at 20:26
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Damn. Y'all are going to get me to eat bone broth some way or another, aren't you? – sherpamelissa Sep 10 2011 at 21:44
I'm on a pre-AHS12 broth regimen. I've got to try for 2 mugs a day. Maybe I'll up it to three. I'll let you know what happens in 30 days. If my results aren't optimal I'm going with the other suggestion in Deep Nutrition: eyeballs. – none Sep 10 2011 at 22:33
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I have experienced reduced cellulite after using bone broth. It did not happen overnight, Exercise was included and I made a broth every week for about a year ( still do!) Consuming the bone broth will help give you all the amino acids You need when consumed with muscle meat. My aim was to Drink broth with 50 percent or more of my meal consumption. Great book on this and other topics ... Called Deep Nutrition. Authors last name is Schanan (spelling could be off there!?) Good luck! If you do go The broth route its important to be very diligent with it..it will take time But the broth can help!!!

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Okay, that does it. I'm upping my bone broth consumption to weekly (was monthly). – Rose Sep 10 2011 at 15:38
Going to head to the butcher today and get some bones! I have been craving chicken soup for weeks. Two birds! – Ashley Sep 10 2011 at 16:49
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My theory is that your actual cellulite hasn't got worse on LCHF, so much as its appearance is what has gotten worse. I wonder if the diuretic effect of a ketogenic diet could harshen the appearance of the subcutaneous fat underneath, sort of like how body builders dehydrate themselves before competition so that their veins and muscle striations will become more obvious. When I eat more carbs my skin looks thicker and plumper, so maybe try higher carb intake for the next week to see if it makes any difference.

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I have experience with water loading/depleting from when I used to cut. I may try water loading, to see if the excess water will help flush the toxins that are probably making the appearance more noticeable. – Ashley Sep 10 2011 at 16:40
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Hi Ashley,

My answer comes from my once and only experience with achieveing ZERO CELLULITE. I have cellulite at the moment and alot of it, i also have about 15lb to lose. (I will probably still have cellulite when i lose the 15lb also).

The only time i had 0 cellulite was when i competed in a natural bodybuilding competition. I was a very lean 5-7% bf and i could honestly say once i got down to about the 10-12%bf thats when it started to completely dissapear. Complete diet maniputlation, calorie and carb counting and lots of training helped me achieve this result.

Alot of work achieved this result, and when i went back to eating a NON PALEO (SAD) diet the cellulite came back. I have also seen this with numerous female competitors.

Ness.

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FWIW, my favorite part about VLC has been reduction in cellulite appearance I had even at 110 lbs. I guess each of our mileages do indeed vary on this one. Then again, this was mostly during weight loss phase and I tended to lowER fat/higher protein than most seem to follow these days.

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After my patients lose their weight we use a few things to tighten skin over about 12 months…..high dose Vit K2 and teprenone (Oral and topical), caprylic acid (oral and topical) and high dose dietary palm and coconut oil. It does amazing things to adipocytes and the skin once the weight is gone.

I also add a couple of high dose supplements too….NAC and R-lipoic acid and resveratrol. This is not for a leptin reset…….this is when you are looking to lose the last twenty pounds after your weight loss.

If there is a lot of cellulite marks I also ask patients to consider high dose super curcumin as well.

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The women of the world need you Jack. Go international so we can all be lucky and cellulite free. – BaconHealsChic Sep 11 2011 at 1:23
@ Quilt - how much coconut oil to eat in a day? Should it be put in bone broth for optimal results? How long should results appear? – none Sep 11 2011 at 15:11
Half to full cup depending upon my activity – The Quilt Sep 12 2011 at 15:07
I put mine in coffee tea and broths. – The Quilt Sep 12 2011 at 15:07
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I have a lady in my practice who had 120 LB weight loss and has no cellulite and skin is tight after 15 yrs of obesity. Her belly looks amazing. She eats co oil and takes 25 mgs of carlsons k2 a day – The Quilt Sep 16 2011 at 14:08
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Ahhh, I'm not alone! I'm 5'4" and weighed 139. Gained 3-4 lbs over 9 mths now. My legs (thighs front and back and calves) and a few other spots have noticeable cellulite now. It looks horrible. I keep wondering if the high fat (whole cream, butter, some cheese) is causing cellulite, which makes me doubt everything I'm doing. But like another poster said, I think the breakdown of something is changing the appearance. I am actually wearing longer clothing now to hide thighs and such, which I have never needed to do in my life!

I had lost a lot of muscle mass (chronic cardio, low-to-no protein), but had retained the fat, and now that chronic fatigue has subsided I'm doing Primal workouts at beginner level. Six sessions and I'm definitely seeing definition but the cellulite is like nothing I've ever seen before on me!!

While the scale hasn't budged down in 9 mths, the body composition keeps changing and my smaller jeans in various sizes and styles continue to start fitting again. I can't help but be seriously confused. VLC to LC and the fat is not coming off like everyone experiences. I took pictures about a month ago and thank goodness I took measurements everywhere before starting 1/1/11. It just baffles the mind how the composition is changing. I just hope it doesn't take as long to lose the 18 lbs as it did to gain it!

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Congrats on taking the primal leap. I know it is super frustrating, but the body composition change is a great motivator. I read a while ago that cellulite is more visible when losing weight, so hopefully it will diminish once I have reached my target and the body starts to settle in to a smaller frame. – Ashley Sep 10 2011 at 16:42
I am experiencing the same thing, my cellulite is horrible now. So I am upping the bone broth and going to start exercising more (weight training) and see if that helps improve it – Heather McCormack Sep 10 2011 at 22:52
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I can relate with Ness on this. I carb depleted while lifting heavy years ago. ( Not as low bf as you Ness but around 17%.) I had hardly any or no cellulite. I was in my early 20's too and had been about 50 pounds overweight prior to that.

I carb depleted on mostly cardio a few years after that and my skin was not toned and looked horrible--cellulite and lumps. It was not even worth being skinny. So I think the key is lifting weights to build muscle.

This time around...when I'm older to boot and had babies I'm lifting and pretty lc. I hope I can get pretty smoothed out but I'm not trying to win any competitions...just look decent at the waterpark with the kids. I'll probably always have some cellulite now.

I also like what others have said about bone broth but I can't speak from experience on that. I'm also going to try dry brushing.

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Maybe trying adding in a potato (white or sweet) a few times a weeks after a workout. I have noticed a huge difference in my body composition from when I am getting no starch to some starch. It is mostly water weight but it does fill out your muscles and make you look more toned. I haven't gained weight from doing this either. I am now adding one potato about 3 days a week after HIIT sessions. The first time I added in a starch after being VLC for a few weeks I saw a difference in my body the same day. For those who have cellulite at low BF% I would try a potato or starch a few days a week for one week and see how that works for you.

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You need to be doing some Synergistic Muscle Layer Stimulation exercises. These exercises will build up the fibres between the muscles and will help with your problem. Aslo make sure that you eat little and often. I'm not sure if I should post this link but here are 3 exercises that will help you http://cellulitehowtogetrid.com/top-3-exercises-to-lose-cellulite-on-thighs/

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I have read on a raw paleo forum that an estrogen imbalance can cause cellulite to form from eating high fat dairy. When I eat grass fed butter and heavy cream I instantly notice more cellulite on my stomach. It drives me crazy. I have started Cold thermogenesis treatments on my stomach but it's too soon to tell if they are working. I drink bone broth quite often but will drink more. Skin brushing may also help, as well as t-tapp exercises.

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