Anyone had success reducing cellulite with collagen supplementation?
oat_bran
Posts: 370 Member
I know that there's no cure for cellulite and that losing weight an gaining muscle is the most effective way to reduce the its appearance, but apparently studies of long-term (+6 months) supplementation of collagen show promising results. I was thinking that maybe taking collagen can improve my really bad cellulite - in addition to losing fat and toning muscles. But I don't want to throw away my money either.
Has anyone who takes/took collagen supplements noticed any improvement in regards to cellulite ? If so, what brand of supplements did you take?
Has anyone who takes/took collagen supplements noticed any improvement in regards to cellulite ? If so, what brand of supplements did you take?
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Replies
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How exactly do you think collagen would target the structure of the fat below your skin? How would collagen that you ingest and break down travel from your digestive system directly to your cellulite, be reassembled in any meaningful way into human collagen, and target it? If you're eating a balanced diet, you're already getting all of the amino acids your body needs, and your body is prioritizing them for more important things, like your heart and brain. Not your cellulite. Reducing your overall body fat might help reduce it, but for 90% of us, even very fit women, we're just going to have to deal with it. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is just trying to sell you something. Don't waste your money.8
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I use vital proteins unflavored collagen powder for my hair, skin and nails. It doesn't say anything about removing cellulite though. Oooo, I am aware of some collagen pills/supplements that make this claim but I think that's mostly wild marketing claims. Ayup, my nails are much better, no longer breaking. Just checked the label, nothing mentioned about cellulite. Hair, skin, nails.3
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I use vital proteins unflavored collagen powder for my hair, skin and nails. It doesn't say anything about removing cellulite though. Oooo, I am aware of some collagen pills/supplements that make this claim but I think that's mostly wild marketing claims. Ayup, my nails are much better, no longer breaking. Just checked the label, nothing mentioned about cellulite. Hair, skin, nails.
The collagen supplementation market is unregulated. They're all making wild claims to sell you something. There is no hard scientific evidence to suggest it actually does anything for you, and they're under no obligation to prove that.4 -
I know that there's no cure for cellulite and that losing weight an gaining muscle is the most effective way to reduce the its appearance, but apparently studies of long-term (+6 months) supplementation of collagen show promising results. I was thinking that maybe taking collagen can improve my really bad cellulite - in addition to losing fat and toning muscles. But I don't want to throw away my money either.
Has anyone who takes/took collagen supplements noticed any improvement in regards to cellulite ? If so, what brand of supplements did you take?
Can you link to these 'studies' please?2 -
My grandmother and mother used unflavored knox gelatin for their nails. VP collagen is more expensive but I like it in my coffee and tea because it doesn't bloom like knox does.
It's nothing but cow hides and mentally I don't like to think about those olde hides. I'm drinking someone's leather purse and old shoes. 
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There's nothing wrong with having cellulite. It's a natural thing that most women (and some men) have, and it was never a problem until the beauty industry decided to tell us it was a problem.16
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snickerscharlie wrote: »I know that there's no cure for cellulite and that losing weight an gaining muscle is the most effective way to reduce the its appearance, but apparently studies of long-term (+6 months) supplementation of collagen show promising results. I was thinking that maybe taking collagen can improve my really bad cellulite - in addition to losing fat and toning muscles. But I don't want to throw away my money either.
Has anyone who takes/took collagen supplements noticed any improvement in regards to cellulite ? If so, what brand of supplements did you take?
Can you link to these 'studies' please?
I was referring to this study. I also remember reading several articles that referred to "promising" research results in regards to supplementation with collagen without links as far as I remember, so I don't know if they referred to the same study or some other ones.DomesticKat wrote: »How exactly do you think collagen would target the structure of the fat below your skin? How would collagen that you ingest and break down travel from your digestive system directly to your cellulite, be reassembled in any meaningful way into human collagen, and target it? If you're eating a balanced diet, you're already getting all of the amino acids your body needs, and your body is prioritizing them for more important things, like your heart and brain. Not your cellulite. Reducing your overall body fat might help reduce it, but for 90% of us, even very fit women, we're just going to have to deal with it. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is just trying to sell you something. Don't waste your money.
Cellulite appears mostly due to the weakening of fibrous connective tissue that supports subcutaneous fat. Collagen supplementation has been shown to improve skin elasticity, including the fibrous connective tissue. So it is logical to assume that it may improve the appearance of cellulite as well.
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i rather not throw my money away on hoodoo nonsense.
love me, love my cellulite.4 -
I've never heard of that as a benefit for cellulite, and I'm more inclined to be skeptical of claims of that nature because they are generally scams. However, I have found that using my foam roller and ball on my legs regularly (for recovery purposes) has made a pretty significant impact on my cellulite so I am no longer completely convinced that cellulite cannot be remedied. I still think you're better off with some strength training and reducing body fat (as appropriate), and just rock whatever you've got. I don't believe most people would look a fit/healthy person and even think twice about some cellulite, it doesn't take away from your beauty or strength.3
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snickerscharlie wrote: »I know that there's no cure for cellulite and that losing weight an gaining muscle is the most effective way to reduce the its appearance, but apparently studies of long-term (+6 months) supplementation of collagen show promising results. I was thinking that maybe taking collagen can improve my really bad cellulite - in addition to losing fat and toning muscles. But I don't want to throw away my money either.
Has anyone who takes/took collagen supplements noticed any improvement in regards to cellulite ? If so, what brand of supplements did you take?
Can you link to these 'studies' please?
I was referring to this study. I also remember reading several articles that referred to "promising" research results in regards to supplementation with collagen without links as far as I remember, so I don't know if they referred to the same study or some other ones.DomesticKat wrote: »How exactly do you think collagen would target the structure of the fat below your skin? How would collagen that you ingest and break down travel from your digestive system directly to your cellulite, be reassembled in any meaningful way into human collagen, and target it? If you're eating a balanced diet, you're already getting all of the amino acids your body needs, and your body is prioritizing them for more important things, like your heart and brain. Not your cellulite. Reducing your overall body fat might help reduce it, but for 90% of us, even very fit women, we're just going to have to deal with it. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is just trying to sell you something. Don't waste your money.
Cellulite appears mostly due to the weakening of fibrous connective tissue that supports subcutaneous fat. Collagen supplementation has been shown to improve skin elasticity, including the fibrous connective tissue. Thus it is logical that it can improve the appeareance of cellulite as well.
Interesting links. Thanks!0 -
I take collagen for joint health. It has the added benefit of skin, hair and nail growth but I have not seen any change in my cellulite3
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i put a scoop of collagen powder in my coffee once per day. its dirt cheap and you can't even tell its in there. you can even buy it at the bulk barn/grocery store/drug store. lasts a long time. within 2 weeks i noticed marked improvement in my hair and skin. it helps to knit the connective tissue under the skin. (don't quote me look it up for how this works.) it also helps with gut health. among other things it helps with leaky gut. here's a link for info on gut health. https://www.furtherfood.com/collagen-protein-superfood-gut-health-heals-leaky-gut-digestive-problems/
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i put a scoop of collagen powder in my coffee once per day. its dirt cheap and you can't even tell its in there. you can even buy it at the bulk barn/grocery store/drug store. lasts a long time. within 2 weeks i noticed marked improvement in my hair and skin. it helps to knit the connective tissue under the skin. (don't quote me look it up for how this works.) it also helps with gut health. among other things it helps with leaky gut. here's a link for info on gut health. https://www.furtherfood.com/collagen-protein-superfood-gut-health-heals-leaky-gut-digestive-problems/
Leaky gut is not a medical diagnosis. It is something dreamed up by the woo peeps.
Just like the one your link points to. 5 -
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BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
I totally agree. I know it's normal and super common. But I'm just not there yet where I can feel that comfortable with my body. I probably could learn to be ok with a little cellulite, but mine is so bad that I look overweight and unfit even at a healthy weight. I hope that losing more fat and muscle will help, but I also tend to store the most fat around my buttocks and thighs and it's the fat that always comes off the last. I'll probably need to get super lean, before I won't look overweight anymore...1 -
BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
I totally agree. I know it's normal and super common. But I'm just not there yet where I can feel that comfortable with my body. I probably could learn to be ok with a little cellulite, but mine is so bad that I look overweight and unfit even at a healthy weight. I hope that losing more fat and muscle will help, but I also tend to store the most fat around my buttocks and thighs and it's the fat that always comes off the last. I'll probably need to get super lean, before I won't look overweight anymore...
No you don't look "overweight" at a healthy weight. You just think you do. This is your own perception in your mind. I'd work on changing this before I'd work on getting super lean (which can be unhealthy itself).
I am similarly built.4 -
BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
I totally agree. I know it's normal and super common. But I'm just not there yet where I can feel that comfortable with my body. I probably could learn to be ok with a little cellulite, but mine is so bad that I look overweight and unfit even at a healthy weight. I hope that losing more fat and muscle will help, but I also tend to store the most fat around my buttocks and thighs and it's the fat that always comes off the last. I'll probably need to get super lean, before I won't look overweight anymore...
No you don't look "overweight" at a healthy weight. You just think you do. This is your own perception in your mind. I'd work on changing this before I'd work on getting super lean (which can be unhealthy itself).
I am similarly built.
Thank you. I'm working on it. But I often feel that it's easier to change my body to match my perception of what is attractive than to change my perception of what is attractive. It seems like cultural beauty standards are deeply ingrained in our minds, on an almost subconscious level. I can constantly tell myself my body is ok and attractive, and understand it on an intellectual level, but I still won'y feel it. But yeah, it's a topic for a different thread, I guess.1 -
I was referring to this study. I also remember reading several articles that referred to "promising" research results in regards to supplementation with collagen without links as far as I remember, so I don't know if they referred to the same study or some other ones.
Cellulite appears mostly due to the weakening of fibrous connective tissue that supports subcutaneous fat. Collagen supplementation has been shown to improve skin elasticity, including the fibrous connective tissue. So it is logical to assume that it may improve the appearance of cellulite as well.
The first two studies were by people who sell collagen products, so it's hard to take their research seriously.
Heavy strength training is said to give good results. Which strength program are you following?
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BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
I totally agree. I know it's normal and super common. But I'm just not there yet where I can feel that comfortable with my body. I probably could learn to be ok with a little cellulite, but mine is so bad that I look overweight and unfit even at a healthy weight. I hope that losing more fat and muscle will help, but I also tend to store the most fat around my buttocks and thighs and it's the fat that always comes off the last. I'll probably need to get super lean, before I won't look overweight anymore...
No you don't look "overweight" at a healthy weight. You just think you do. This is your own perception in your mind. I'd work on changing this before I'd work on getting super lean (which can be unhealthy itself).
I am similarly built.
Thank you. I'm working on it. But I often feel that it's easier to change my body to match my perception of what is attractive than to change my perception of what is attractive. It seems like cultural beauty standards are deeply ingrained in our minds, on an almost subconscious level. I can constantly tell myself my body is ok and attractive, and understand it on an intellectual level, but I still won'y feel it. But yeah, it's a topic for a different thread, I guess.
I think a lot of us go through this. Right now I'm much better at deciding what I like, what is healthy and attractive and not caring so much about "cultural beauty standards". I listen to my husband when he calls me attractive. On social media I follow a lot of fitness personalities that promote positive body image (a lot of them focus on lifting):
Molly Galbraith (Girls gone Strong)
Annie Brees
Jennifer Campbell (mamalionstrong)
James Fell
It takes works but it can be done. It helps to surround yourself with positive people and things. Don't buy the silly magazines that promise cellulite reduction. Go to a pool and look at all the beautiful women who have cellulite. If you keep telling yourself you like your body, eventually you will.2 -
Cherimoose wrote: »
The first two studies were by people who sell collagen products, so it's hard to take their research seriously.
Heavy strength training is said to give good results. Which strength program are you following?
Thank you for letting me know, I wasn't aware they were funded by companies selling collagen. It does indeed put their results into doubt.
I started doing weight training several months ago when I head access to my campus gym. I didn't follow any specific program, I was just following the basic "strength training for beginners" guidelines. Which I realize probably wasn't smart to get good results, but I didn't have enough free time/access to gym to go through with a serious program. I also didn't find a weight lifting program that didn't appear intimidating to me (I'm a petite woman who mostly just wants to tone muscles especially my thighs and glutes - and most programs I found were serious whole body muscle building kinds for bodybuilders and gym junkies).
Now I unfortunately have no access at all to gym (no possibility to do any weightlifting or serious exercise at home either). So now I just do some body weight exercises targeting thighs and glutes and continue running several times a week. I hope to regain access to gym in a couple of months though.BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
I think a lot of us go through this. Right now I'm much better at deciding what I like, what is healthy and attractive and not caring so much about "cultural beauty standards". I listen to my husband when he calls me attractive. On social media I follow a lot of fitness personalities that promote positive body image (a lot of them focus on lifting):
Molly Galbraith (Girls gone Strong)
Annie Brees
Jennifer Campbell (mamalionstrong)
James Fell
It takes works but it can be done. It helps to surround yourself with positive people and things. Don't buy the silly magazines that promise cellulite reduction. Go to a pool and look at all the beautiful women who have cellulite. If you keep telling yourself you like your body, eventually you will.
Thank you! This is very helpful and inspiring!0 -
Cherimoose wrote: »
The first two studies were by people who sell collagen products, so it's hard to take their research seriously.
Heavy strength training is said to give good results. Which strength program are you following?
Thank you for letting me know, I wasn't aware they were funded by companies selling collagen. It does indeed put their results into doubt.
I started doing weight training several months ago when I head access to my campus gym. I didn't follow any specific program, I was just following the basic "strength training for beginners" guidelines. Which I realize probably wasn't smart to get good results, but I didn't have enough free time/access to gym to go through with a serious program. I also didn't find a weight lifting program that didn't appear intimidating to me (I'm a petite woman who mostly just wants to tone muscles especially my thighs and glutes - and most programs I found were serious whole body muscle building kinds for bodybuilders and gym junkies).
Now I unfortunately have no access at all to gym (no possibility to do any weightlifting or serious exercise at home either). So now I just do some body weight exercises targeting thighs and glutes and continue running several times a week. I hope to regain access to gym in a couple of months though.BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
I think a lot of us go through this. Right now I'm much better at deciding what I like, what is healthy and attractive and not caring so much about "cultural beauty standards". I listen to my husband when he calls me attractive. On social media I follow a lot of fitness personalities that promote positive body image (a lot of them focus on lifting):
Molly Galbraith (Girls gone Strong)
Annie Brees
Jennifer Campbell (mamalionstrong)
James Fell
It takes works but it can be done. It helps to surround yourself with positive people and things. Don't buy the silly magazines that promise cellulite reduction. Go to a pool and look at all the beautiful women who have cellulite. If you keep telling yourself you like your body, eventually you will.
Thank you! This is very helpful and inspiring!
I've been pleasantly surprised by my results from following the You Are Your Own Gym videos. I bought the first volume, spent about 3-4 months at each level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), and then bought volume two and am on that beginner level.
I had to stop lifting due to a combination of time and needing more time for recovery after I started jiu jitsu, which was more important to me but really exhausting. I still wanted some strength training, so I bought the You Are Your Own Gym Book and Body By You. You have to develop your own programs with those, and never having done bodyweight training, I didn't really want to start there. So I bought the videos. While I lost some of the shape I had at first (from lifting), over the past year it has really made a difference. I have done it three times a week pretty consistently (each level has three workouts), taking about three weeks off around Christmastime due to a deliberate week off between levels, but then becoming sick.
My cellulite has definitely reduced, but I couldn't tell you whether that's due only to general fat reduction, or also to the bodyweight training. I think it's very likely both.
I will also echo what others have said - it's important to try to accept yourself the way you are. Of course it's difficult, but it makes a big difference. I think what has helped me be more accepting are aging (lol, a lot of us seem to care less - in a good way - about what others think as we get older) and jiu jitsu. I believe there are studies that show young women who are involved in sports (generally, I think there are issues in areas like ballet and gymnastics) tend to have better body images. I think jiu jitsu helped me with that.
*****GRRR, don't know how to fix the quotes.0 -
I've been pleasantly surprised by my results from following the You Are Your Own Gym videos. I bought the first volume, spent about 3-4 months at each level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), and then bought volume two and am on that beginner level.
I had to stop lifting due to a combination of time and needing more time for recovery after I started jiu jitsu, which was more important to me but really exhausting. I still wanted some strength training, so I bought the You Are Your Own Gym Book and Body By You. You have to develop your own programs with those, and never having done bodyweight training, I didn't really want to start there. So I bought the videos. While I lost some of the shape I had at first (from lifting), over the past year it has really made a difference. I have done it three times a week pretty consistently (each level has three workouts), taking about three weeks off around Christmastime due to a deliberate week off between levels, but then becoming sick.
My cellulite has definitely reduced, but I couldn't tell you whether that's due only to general fat reduction, or also to the bodyweight training. I think it's very likely both.
I will also echo what others have said - it's important to try to accept yourself the way you are. Of course it's difficult, but it makes a big difference. I think what has helped me be more accepting are aging (lol, a lot of us seem to care less - in a good way - about what others think as we get older) and jiu jitsu. I believe there are studies that show young women who are involved in sports (generally, I think there are issues in areas like ballet and gymnastics) tend to have better body images. I think jiu jitsu helped me with that.
*****GRRR, don't know how to fix the quotes.
Thank you! I think I've seen people around here talk about You Are Your Own Gym program. I'll look it up again, it sounds like something I should be able to do at home.
Yeah, I also care much less about how I look now as I'm nearing 30, but still it's not easy. But I'm working on it!0 -
Dry brushing, lots of water and clean eating is meant to help.5
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I know that there's no cure for cellulite and that losing weight an gaining muscle is the most effective way to reduce the its appearance, but apparently studies of long-term (+6 months) supplementation of collagen show promising results. I was thinking that maybe taking collagen can improve my really bad cellulite - in addition to losing fat and toning muscles. But I don't want to throw away my money either.
Has anyone who takes/took collagen supplements noticed any improvement in regards to cellulite ? If so, what brand of supplements did you take?
you dont tone muscle. you strengthen muscle or build muscle(you can even lose it) but you cant tone it. you lose fat over existing muscle to get that toned look.if you dont have a lot of muscle/lean mass under the fat you may not look toned at all
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ashleyharrison3914 wrote: »Dry brushing, lots of water and clean eating is meant to help.
clean eating doesnt have anything to do with fat loss, a deficit does. "clean eating" is of course for health. how much cellulite a person has also has to do with genetics
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I take a skin supplement which is suppose to increase collagen which I like to believe helps my facial wrinkles but I’m aware that’s possibly a bit of wishful thinking
But what has defo improved the skin on my legs is lifting. After just shy of 2 months lifting heavy my legs are definitely much smoother and firmer and that’s without any major diet1 -
I've been pleasantly surprised by my results from following the You Are Your Own Gym videos. I bought the first volume, spent about 3-4 months at each level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), and then bought volume two and am on that beginner level.
I had to stop lifting due to a combination of time and needing more time for recovery after I started jiu jitsu, which was more important to me but really exhausting. I still wanted some strength training, so I bought the You Are Your Own Gym Book and Body By You. You have to develop your own programs with those, and never having done bodyweight training, I didn't really want to start there. So I bought the videos. While I lost some of the shape I had at first (from lifting), over the past year it has really made a difference. I have done it three times a week pretty consistently (each level has three workouts), taking about three weeks off around Christmastime due to a deliberate week off between levels, but then becoming sick.
My cellulite has definitely reduced, but I couldn't tell you whether that's due only to general fat reduction, or also to the bodyweight training. I think it's very likely both.
I will also echo what others have said - it's important to try to accept yourself the way you are. Of course it's difficult, but it makes a big difference. I think what has helped me be more accepting are aging (lol, a lot of us seem to care less - in a good way - about what others think as we get older) and jiu jitsu. I believe there are studies that show young women who are involved in sports (generally, I think there are issues in areas like ballet and gymnastics) tend to have better body images. I think jiu jitsu helped me with that.
*****GRRR, don't know how to fix the quotes.
Thank you! I think I've seen people around here talk about You Are Your Own Gym program. I'll look it up again, it sounds like something I should be able to do at home.
Yeah, I also care much less about how I look now as I'm nearing 30, but still it's not easy. But I'm working on it!
All you need for the videos is a yoga mat. The books involve use of other things around your house, like doors, but the videos only require a mat.
I would note, patience is very important. I stopped focusing on how the backs of my thighs looked and my sad bingo-wing arms, and just focused on training. I was very pleasantly surprised when I just noticed one day that my thighs and arms were so much better. I'm not embarrassed to wear sleeveless shirts now. I don't have incredibly defined arms or anything, but they're not fat like they were and while they have the kind of "normal" hang, I guess, if I hold them out, it's not the same type of bingo-wing hang I had before. But, it took time. Because I stopped looking for changes, when I did look I really noticed them.
ETA: If you try the videos, don't be afraid to modify exercises. Volume one has some exercises which require upper body strength that I just didn't have. Even by the end of the advanced level I couldn't completely do some of the moves requiring upper body strength, but I had improved greatly from the beginner's level. I just modified those moves I couldn't complete and kept going.2 -
ashleyharrison3914 wrote: »Dry brushing, lots of water and clean eating is meant to help.
What is "dry brushing?"0 -
Dry skin brushing; you can get the brushes at places like body shop.
I’ve never done it for cellulite but if I do remember it’s great for gentle exfoliating and soft skin1
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