Water retention and cellulite are not the same, although they are closely related. Let’s clarify what both mean. Let's take a look at how these phenomena can occur and how to combat them.
Water Retention in the Feet and Swollen Ankles:
What happens to your body when you constantly have heavy legs, swollen ankles, and feel tired in your lower legs? This could be a sign of water retention. But don’t despair. This phenomenon affects about 30 to 40% of the population.
Why does fluid accumulate? In the case of water retention, the body doesn’t properly expel the fluid as it should. Instead, it becomes trapped in the spaces between cells, causing visible swelling. Water retention is often linked to hormonal issues, cardiovascular problems, and dysfunctions of the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
How to recognize water retention and cellulite:
- How do you recognize water retention in practice ?
If you press on the affected area, a white impression will form. You will also notice that this part of the body is more swollen than normal. This is a visible sign of water retention.
- Cellulite, as we have already mentioned, is a completely different condition. It is an inflammatory issue affecting the subcutaneous fat tissue, or hypodermis. In this case, the fat cells undergo metabolic changes due to inflammation in the tissue.
The fat cells become trapped between fibrous connective tissue structures, and as they grow—either due to genetic factors or the body composition of women—they tend to stretch the skin. This results in the appearance of the unsightly "orange peel" texture, which is easily visible to the naked eye. The dimples you see on the skin are simply the stretch points between one fibrous cellulite nodule and another.
Fat cells are the center of fat metabolism. They store energy in the form of fat droplets (lipogenesis) so that they can convert them into the energy required by the body when needed (lipolysis). In the case of cellulite, liposynthesis predominates and the fat cells enlarge and can even burst, which promotes the typical inflammatory state associated with cellulite.
As you can see, these are two different conditions, although cellulite and water retention are unfortunately often linked.
How can you combat water retention? The first step is a healthy lifestyle:
- Avoid alcohol, smoking and sugary or carbonated drinks (drinks with carbon dioxide). Instead, drink diuretic herbs, which are very effective. Try the Guam-Dren Plus drink.
- Do not wear too tight clothing or high heels. Shoes with a slightly raised heel (whether they are dressy or athletic shoes) allow for better foot and body alignment. Poor posture can be a common cause of both water retention and cellulite.
- Do not sit in one position for long periods of time.
- Make sure you eat a diet that favors low-sodium foods. This is because sodium tends to bind fluid. Reduce your salt intake to a minimum, but don't eliminate it completely. Fruit, vegetables and pulses naturally contain minerals and help to maintain the balance of electrolytes, i.e. the substances contained in all body fluids, from blood to urine. Sodium levels in particular need to be controlled.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, it is important to exercise regularly. Create habits at any age. Physical activity causes muscle contraction, which stimulates venous and lymphatic circulation.
Running is often not the most suitable activity for water retention, but you can replace it with brisk walking, cycling, swimming or water activities that reduce pressure on the lower limbs.
Water retention affects blood and lymph circulation. Do not limit yourself to cardiovascular activities as these can increase cortisol levels if performed with excessive effort. The body should be exercised in its entirety, as the smooth functioning of the body as a whole contributes to a better general condition. Also focus on strength training.
How can you get rid of fluid in your legs?
Mud packs and cosmetics such as guam algae can be used to combat cellulite and fluid retention in a natural and non-invasive way. However, the regularity of the applications should be taken into account. If you want to drain your legs and retain fluid at the same time, it is advisable to perform massages that focus on the lymphatic drainage effect. These massages help to activate the lymphatic vessels. They should be performed by professionals who know the technique well, as they can be harmful if performed incorrectly or by inexperienced hands.
Have you tried Guam mud wraps?
Try the mud packs for moderate or severe cellulite, the draining muds with the cooling cold formula or alternate between the two for added effect. Be careful when applying to the abdomen and hips, here there is not the classic hot mud for the thighs, but a special mud for the abdomen and waist, which is safe and does not cause as much nausea as a mud for the thighs, which is very intense.
To enhance the effect, we recommend applying a lymphatic circulation cream after the mud wrap, or on rest days and when you are in a hurry, using Guam gel, which is also very effective.
For showers on normal days when you are not using Guam mud packs, you can use the Guam peeling gel to enhance the effect.
