Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Whether it is summer and the temperature is hot and the air is humid, or winter and it’s cold and dry, you skin needs certain minerals and vitamins in order to look (and feel) it’s best. Your skin is the largest organ you have, so …
Photo by Rawpixel on Unsplash By Mariesette Zeyl, ND Did you know that we absorb up to 60 percent of what we apply on our skin? Yes, it is true! Anything you are putting on your skin is being absorbed into your body and into …
Summer is upon us, and that means we’re heading outside! This season can be great for the body (especially those Vitamin D levels) but there are some products that can help us stay healthy this summer – from your skin to your energy levels. Amanda Williams, MPH, Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health brings you the products you need this season.
For many, the summer brings oily, sensitive skin, especially on your face. The heat during the day can also dehydrate the skin and cause sun spots if you’re spending a long time out in the sun. And your sweat (especially if you love to wear hats) can lead to breakouts.
“Vitamin C, when paired with Marine Collagen, promotes Collagen production and targets sun-damaged skin to enhance your skin’s youthful appearance and firmness. Antioxidants like Alpha-hydroxy acid, Aloe Vera, and natural plant glycerin help to provide moisture and hydration for the skin. Red Wine Fruit extracts help target dead skin cells and functions as a barrier to impede future damage.”
Stay clear of parabens, petroleum, colorants, fragrances, sulfates and benzoic acid that can clog your pores and cause damage to your skin.
It is officially the season for shorts, sundresses, and bathing suits! And for many, that means keeping your legs smooth and free of hair. But shaving can cause irritation and damage to the skin, along with ingrown hairs, razor burn and bumps.
You’ll want a product that contains ingredients that tone, nourish and soften the skin, while protecting it from results of a close shave. Amanda reports, “Ingredients like Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Grape Seed, Witch Hazel and antioxidants like Lemon, Orange and Vitamin E oils should be in your go-to shaving product.”
You may also want to stay clear of foaming creams and gels. These are filed with air and can act as a barrier between the razor and your skin. Amanda explains, “A rich, dense balm or cream allows the razor to get as close to the skin as possible.”
Summer days means sweaty days. But not every deodorant on the market works efficiently and many actually contain harsh and dangerous chemicals, like aluminum.
“The best deodorants keep you smelling fresh with natural ingredients and actually kill bacteria that forms when you sweat. A deodorant using Rice Flour instead of the heavy metal aluminum is safe and will keep your dry all day long. Essential oils like Jasmine and Lavender will keep you smelling fresh and Witch Hazel helps to keep your underarms clean and free of bacteria that can grow in moist climates.”
Healthcare professionals have been advising the public to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. But for many, getting the 5-9 servings a day can be difficult. While there is no replacement for eating fruits and vegetables, by including black-hued superfoods, you can support your body with antioxidants powerful enough to make a difference.
“Black-hued superfoods are high in fruit-antioxidants,” explains Amanda, “including mushrooms and cumin extracts, to help keep skin cells healthy. They also support energy and wellness that the body especially needs to keep up during those long, hot summer days. There is certainly something very special about black-hued superfoods.”
For many, drinking hot tea in the summer can seem difficult. Who likes to feel hot both on the inside and the outside? But the benefits that green tea provides are just too good to remove from your diet completly. The good news is that Green Tea is available in both capsule and tincture forms, where you can take one a day or add a few drops into your water bottle for the same benefits the original hot tea would provide.
“Green tea extact has been used as a tonic in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for superior health and longevity for centuries. This is due to its high concentrations of polyphenols and categchins, which tout numerous antioxidants benefits, especially because of ECGC,” explains Amanda.
EGCG has been shown in numerous clinical studies to inhibit the absorption of fat into cells, help burn fat, protect the digestive tract, rejuvenate skin cells and help fend off UV-damage from the sun.†
There are many factors that make the cells and tissues work properly throughout our bodies, but one of the most important are our pH levels – potential of hydrogen. This is a measurement of hydrogen ions in a particular solution; the more ions, the more acidic.
When you eat too many acid-forming foods (as many Americans do), the kidneys can’t always keep up with the acid waste and it can eventually accumulate in our tissues. Consuming those 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, can help the body maintain alkalinity. But, for many and as previously mentioned, that serving size is difficult to achieve.
“A blend of specialized nutrients like Magnesium, Potassium and Beta-Alanine can help rebalance the acid-alkaline ratio in your body to reinstate important minerals needed for your muscles, cells and bones. During the summer, Alkalizers are important to rehydrate your body from sweat loss.”
Everyone wants thick hair, bright, younger-looking skin and strong nails. But achieving that can often be difficult for some people. However, with the right products and treatment, to keep your skin soft during the winter is easy. With plenty of formulas on the market, it …
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash There’s a reason why aloe vera is now a major ingredient in numerous skin and hair care products, and it’s not just because it’s great for that sunburn! Aloe’s use can be traced back about 6,000 years to Ancient …
Avocados are the biggest thing since flare jeans. There’s new restaurants opening using avocado as its main ingredient. There’s millions of photos on Instagram of avocado toast. There’s even avocado ice cream. And all of this is for good reason. This fruit is packed with nutrients and healthy fat, which touts numerous benefits, from the inside, out.
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, one serving of an Avocado contains:
They are great sources of fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein & zeaxanthin, and Vitamin K1. The fat that avocados are made of are healthy and beneficial, keeping you full and satiated.
The benefits of avocados range from heart to vision and bone health. Studies have shown regular consumption of beta-sitosterol and other plant sterols have been seen to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Avocados also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that are especially concentrated in your eyes to provide antioxidant protection. And, because Avocados provided about 25% of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin K, it plays an important role for bone health. While Vitamin K is often overshadowed by calcium and vitamin D, it is actually just as important, supporting bone health by increasing calcium absorption and reducing the excretion of calcium. Eat up!
Not only do we see avocado on toast and in numerous recipes, but it is also in many skin and hair care products. The same fats that are great for your body can also help you achieve maximum skin and hair health. Avocado oils and butters are now staples in hair care products, especially hair masks.
Hair care masks with avocado have been shown to provide your hair with that healthy glow you’ve been looking for. It’s perfect after the winter months that leave you with dull hair and dry ends. A superior Hair Repair Treatment Mask will provide more than Avocado! Look for other ingredients like Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Vitamin E to protect your hair, nourish your scalp, and revive over-processed, damaged hair.