Help! My slim body is hidden by bloat
Q:
I’m down 37 pounds since March, and I want to show off my new figure at my family reunion this summer. But I’ve been so bloated that you can’t tell I’ve lost any weight! Can a diet tweak help? A:
When gas and bloat set in, it’s often a sign that the stomach has stopped producing enough digestive enzymes to break down protein—an age-related slowdown that impacts up to 80 percent of women over 35.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to combat bloat: Take an enzyme supplement that contains amylase, protease and lipase just before proteinheavy meals up to five times daily. These targeted enzymes help correct the body’s shortfall and work to break down protein and neutralize gas. The effect is so powerful that many women report seeing 95 percent flatter bellies, as well as reduced stomach pain, within 24 hours of supplementing. A brand to try: Twinlab Super Enzyme Caps ($26 for 240 capsules, Walgreens.com).
I have a beach vacation next
month. Is there a fast fix
for cellulite?
Absolutely! We recommend a two-pronged approach to quickly flush the toxins that cause troublesome lumps and bumps and reveal smooth skin within 10 to 15 days:
(1) Eliminate dairy products including milk, yogurt and cheese from your diet from now until your vacation. These creamy treats contain a hard-to-digest protein molecule (casein) that can get stuck in the lymph node ducts and trigger a backup of lymphatic fluids that carry waste out of the body. As a result, this toxin-laden fluid builds up in fat tissue and weakens the connective tissue that’s tasked with keeping fat cells from bulging against the skin. But cutting out dairy (even for a week or two) gives your system a break from this protein long enough to restore lymphatic circulation and flush the dimple-causing toxins.
(2) Enjoy at least 2 Tbs. of ground flaxseeds daily blended into smoothies, stirred into oatmeal or sprinkled on salads. These superfood seeds deliver a hefty dose of soluble fiber, which binds to trapped waste in lymph fluid and sweeps it out of the body to help get lymph moving faster. Plus, plant estrogens in flaxseeds stimulate the body’s production of the skinfirming protein collagen to help ensure your legs look extra smooth in time for your beach reveal.