By Alastair Bland

Summer is upon us and bathing suits beckon. For legs that are smooth and beach-ready it's important to first understand what cellulite is and then to assess the most effective and safe options for controlling it.

The dimples are the result of a simple breakdown of connective tissue directly below the skin and while they can be reduced cellulite never completely disappears. But things aren't all bad. There are several things you can do to significantly change the appearance of cellulite-prone zones. Exercise is key as is a healthy diet and lots of water. Algae extracts detoxify and increase metabolic function while green tea has been found to actually burn fat. Massage therapy also treats cellulite by clearing the lymphatic system and increasing circulation.

Until recently seaweed had two places in my life - wrapped around a spicy tuna roll or lightly coated with sesame oil in a salad. Any other encounters with oceanic vegetables were frankly disconcerting. Take my last run-in with a sea plant. I was blissfully strolling into the ocean when I felt this cool slimy creature wrap itself around my right ankle. I leapt into the air convinced that an overly aggressive jellyfish had attacked me. Needless to say, it took a small leap of faith for me to imagine slathering myself with kelp or algae or seaweed, but the truth is, sea veggies are incredibly conducive to healthy skin and a big part of many natural moisturizers and lotions.

Betcha never thought a banana could perform the same function as a sewage plant. Well, think again. At an biolab in Massachusetts, researchers are experimenting with