Does Magnesium Help With Cellulite?
Cellulite affects 80% to 90% of postpubertal women at some point in their lives. Those dimpled areas on your thighs, buttocks, and hips can feel frustrating. Many people search for solutions that actually work. Magnesium keeps popping up as a potential answer. But does it really help?
This article breaks down the science behind magnesium and cellulite. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t.
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite happens when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath your skin. This creates that bumpy, dimpled look. Women get cellulite more than men because of how their bodies store fat and structure connective tissue.
Your body stores fat in chambers. When these chambers fill up, they push against your skin. The connective tissue pulls down. This creates the dimpled effect you see.
Cellulite is not a health problem. It’s completely normal. But many people want to reduce its appearance.
What Does Magnesium Do In Your Body?
Magnesium is involved in more than 300 biochemical reactions in your body. It helps your muscles work properly. It keeps your heart beating steadily. It builds strong bones and supports your immune system.
Your body uses magnesium to make energy from food. It helps control blood sugar levels. It also plays a role in making proteins and DNA.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults 19-51+ years is 400-420mg daily for men and 310-320mg for women. Many people don’t get enough magnesium from their diet.
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Download FreeDoes Magnesium Help With Cellulite?
Magnesium does not directly remove cellulite. No scientific studies prove that taking magnesium supplements or using magnesium creams eliminates cellulite. However, magnesium supports several body functions that may improve your skin’s appearance.
Research shows magnesium helps with circulation. Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reach your skin cells. This can make your skin look healthier and firmer. When your skin looks firmer, cellulite appears less noticeable.
Magnesium also helps reduce water retention. When you hold excess water, it can make cellulite look worse. Magnesium acts as a natural diuretic. It helps your body balance fluids properly. This may reduce the puffy appearance that makes cellulite more visible.
Your body needs magnesium to break down fat properly. Some experts believe that magnesium deficiency might contribute to fat storage problems. When your body stores fat more efficiently, it may reduce the pressure that creates cellulite dimples.
Magnesium reduces inflammation throughout your body. Chronic inflammation can damage connective tissue. Damaged connective tissue makes cellulite more visible. By fighting inflammation, magnesium might help maintain stronger connective tissue.
What Does The Research Say?
Scientists have not conducted large studies specifically on magnesium and cellulite. Most evidence comes from understanding how magnesium affects related body systems.
A 2017 study found that magnesium applied to skin in cream form can be absorbed transdermally and showed magnesium permeation across human skin. Better hydrated skin looks smoother and plumper. This can make cellulite less noticeable.
Research on circulation shows magnesium helps blood vessels relax and expand. This improves blood flow to all areas of your body, including your skin.
Studies on water retention confirm that magnesium helps balance electrolytes. When your electrolytes balance properly, you hold less excess water. This reduces bloating and puffiness.
How Can You Get More Magnesium?
You can increase your magnesium through food or supplements.
Foods High In Magnesium:
- Spinach and leafy greens (157mg per cup cooked)
- Pumpkin seeds (156mg per 28g serving)
- Black beans (120mg per cup)
- Almonds (80mg per 28g serving)
- Avocado (58mg per medium fruit)
- Dark chocolate 70-85% cacao (64mg per 28g)
- Salmon (26mg per 100g)
- Bananas (32mg per medium banana)
Magnesium Supplements:
Magnesium supplements come in different forms. Magnesium citrate absorbs well and costs less. You can find it for around $15-30 AUD for a month’s supply. Magnesium glycinate causes fewer digestive issues. It costs about $20-40 AUD monthly.
Start with 200-300mg daily if you take supplements. Take them with food to avoid stomach upset. The maximum recommended daily dose of magnesium for adults from supplements is 420mg for males and 350mg for females. Don’t exceed recommended amounts without talking to your doctor.
Can You Apply Magnesium To Your Skin?
Magnesium oil and creams claim to reduce cellulite when applied directly to skin. These products contain magnesium chloride dissolved in water.
Your skin can absorb some magnesium through topical application. A 2017 study showed that magnesium applied to skin in cream form demonstrated statistically significant magnesium permeation compared to control solutions. However, no studies prove that magnesium creams specifically reduce cellulite.
Magnesium oil costs between $15-35 AUD per bottle. Magnesium creams range from $20-50 AUD. If you try these products, apply them after showering when your pores are open. Massage them into areas with cellulite for several minutes.
Some people report their skin feels smoother after using magnesium topically. This might happen because magnesium relaxes muscles and improves circulation in the area. But these effects are temporary.
What Works For Cellulite?
Cellulite is stubborn. No single solution removes it completely. But several approaches show real results.
Strength Training:
Building muscle reduces the appearance of cellulite. Muscle fills out the space under your skin. This makes the surface look smoother. Focus on exercises that target your legs and glutes. Squats, lunges, and deadlifts work well.
Research shows that strength training helps reduce body fat, with participants losing around 1.4% of total body fat through strength training alone over approximately five months. The muscle built during strength training can help smooth the skin’s appearance and make cellulite less visible.
Staying Hydrated:
Drinking enough water keeps your skin plump and healthy. Dehydrated skin looks thinner and shows cellulite more clearly. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water daily.
Maintaining Healthy Weight:
Excess body fat makes cellulite more noticeable. Losing fat through diet and exercise can reduce cellulite appearance. But even thin people get cellulite. It’s not just about weight.
Massage And Dry Brushing:
Massage temporarily improves circulation and lymphatic drainage. This can make cellulite look better for a few hours. Dry brushing before showering may have similar effects. These methods don’t provide permanent results.
Medical Treatments:
Some medical procedures show promise. Laser treatments, radiofrequency therapy, and acoustic wave therapy can reduce cellulite. These treatments cost between $500-3000 AUD per session. You usually need multiple sessions. Results vary between people.
Should You Try Magnesium For Cellulite?
Magnesium supports overall health. Getting enough magnesium benefits your muscles, bones, heart, and skin. If you’re deficient in magnesium, increasing your intake might improve your skin’s appearance slightly.
But don’t expect magnesium alone to eliminate cellulite. It’s not a magic solution. Think of magnesium as one small piece of a bigger puzzle.
Focus on getting magnesium through food first. Eat more leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These foods provide other nutrients that support healthy skin too.
If you want to try magnesium supplements, they’re safe for most people. They cost less than many cellulite creams and treatments. Just keep your expectations realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from magnesium?
If magnesium helps your cellulite at all, you might notice small changes after 8-12 weeks. Your body needs time to correct any deficiency and improve circulation. Most people won’t see dramatic changes from magnesium alone.
Can you take too much magnesium?
Yes. The maximum recommended daily dose of magnesium for adults from supplements is 420mg for males and 350mg for females. Taking more than recommended amounts can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Very high doses can be dangerous. Stick to recommended amounts.
Does magnesium oil work better than supplements?
No evidence shows magnesium oil works better for cellulite than oral supplements. Some people prefer oil because it avoids digestive issues. Others find it leaves a sticky residue on skin.
Will magnesium help if I’m not deficient?
Probably not. If you already get enough magnesium, adding more won’t provide extra benefits. Your body removes excess magnesium through urine.
What’s the best type of magnesium supplement?
Magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate absorb well. Magnesium oxide is cheaper but absorbs poorly. Choose citrate or glycinate for best results.
Can men use magnesium for cellulite?
Men rarely get cellulite because their connective tissue structures differently. If a man has cellulite, magnesium might help slightly through the same mechanisms it helps women.
The Bottom Line
Does magnesium help with cellulite? The honest answer is that it might help a little bit, but it won’t eliminate cellulite completely. Magnesium supports healthy circulation, reduces water retention, and fights inflammation. These effects may make cellulite slightly less noticeable.
But magnesium is not a cellulite cure. No supplement or cream can completely remove cellulite. The dimpled appearance comes from how your body structures fat and connective tissue. You can’t change that structure with magnesium alone.
Your best approach combines multiple strategies. Eat a healthy diet rich in magnesium and other nutrients. Do strength training to build muscle. Stay hydrated. Maintain a healthy weight. These habits improve your overall health and may reduce cellulite appearance over time.
If you want to try magnesium, start with food sources. They’re safe, affordable, and provide other health benefits. Add a supplement if you think you’re deficient. But don’t spend lots of money on expensive magnesium creams that promise miracle results.
Remember that cellulite is normal. Most women have it. It doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy or doing something wrong. Focus on being strong and healthy rather than achieving perfect skin.
