Vitamin D Facts and Sun

Don't Seek the Sun: Top Reasons to Get Vitamin D From Your Diet

Our bodies need vitamin D to build and maintain strong and healthy bodies. Without vitamin D, the body cannot use calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are necessary for healthy bones.1 The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) does not recommend getting vitamin D from sun exposure (natural) or indoor tanning (artificial) because ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds can lead to the development of skin cancer. Getting vitamin D from a healthy diet, which includes naturally enriched vitamin D foods, fortified foods and beverages, and/or vitamin supplements, and practicing sun protection offer healthier alternatives. Still skeptical? Consider these scientific facts:

1. Substantially more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year.2 The benefits of vitamin D to bone health are well known, but it also is well known that overexposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer.2

2. UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. There is significant scientific evidence to support this fact, which is why the International Agency of Research on Cancer classifies UV radiation from the sun and tanning devices as a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). UV exposure also can lead to cataracts and suppressed immune responses.3

3. The number of diagnosed cases of skin cancer continues to increase. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime.4

4. One person dies from melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, almost every hour in the United States.2 Melanoma is the No. 1 cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second-most-common cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.5 At current rates, a person has a one in 58 chance of developing melanoma during his or her lifetime.6

5. Dietary sources of vitamin D do not prematurely age the skin or increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Dietary sources (fortified foods, beverages, and vitamin supplements) are available year-round. Good sources include fortified milk, cheeses and yogurt, fortified cereal, and oily fish like salmon and tuna.1 Research shows that vitamin D supplements are well tolerated, safe, and effective when taken as directed by a physician.

6. People need vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone health.1 Vitamin D increases the efficiency of the body's absorption of calcium 30 to 40 percent, and phosphorus by 80 percent. Fortified foods and beverages are rich in both vitamin D and calcium, and maintain phosphate levels. Many dietary supplements also contain both of these minerals. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D is essential to prevent osteoporosis in men and women who are 50 years of age and older.1

7. Vitamin D from food and dietary supplements offers the same benefits — without the danger of skin cancer — as vitamin D obtained from UV light.1 Vitamin D cannot be used by the body until it is processed by the liver and the kidneys. The usable form of vitamin D created by this process is the same, regardless of how it enters the body.1

8. Vitamin D intake might not lower cancer mortality.7 Several epidemiological studies have suggested that vitamin D can reduce cancer mortality and/or improve cancer survival, but a recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) did not show a correlation between the level of vitamin D and overall cancer mortality for most types of cancer.

The amount of vitamin D an individual needs is an active area of research. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that anyone who is concerned about getting enough vitamin D should discuss with his or her doctor the options for obtaining sufficient vitamin D from foods and/or vitamin supplements.

8 Super Food Secrets for Healthy Skin

Want smooth, supple, wrinkle-free beautiful skin?

Scientific skin care, lotions and potions...they're all great, but have you ever heard the phrase "beauty comes from within"? Eat super foods for healthy skin and you'll look younger and feel better.

Incorporating these eight super food secrets into your diet will help erase lines, keep your complexion glowing and give you beautiful skin.

1. Egg Whites for protein to produce collagen. Egg whites have long been known as an immunity booster. Recent studies show that egg whites are a great source of zinc, an essential mineral that keeps the skin young, firm and vital. If you're zinc deficient, all the skin care applications in the world won't cover basic healthy, youthful skin.

2. Pomegranate to soften your skin. A glass of natural, pure pomegranate juice is great, but try to have at least a cup of pomegranate seeds - not just the juice. This fruit is packed with Vitamin C. The juice in pomegranate seeds contains both ellagic acid and punic alagin. The first is a compound that fights damage from free radicals. The second is a super nutrient that increases your body's ability to preserve collagen, the connective tissue that makes your skin look younger, smoother and soft.

3. Olive Oil for a healthy glow. Have at least one tablespoon a day. Olive Oil has "good fat." It contains heart healthy omega-3's, which improve your circulation, leaving skin rosy and supple.

4. Watermelon for a dewy complexion. Eat as much as you like of this healthy, sweet fruit. Watermelon contains lots of Vitamin C, Potassium and Lycopene. These ultimate antioxidants help to regulate the balance of water and nutrients in cells. Hydration is the secret to vibrant, healthy, youthful looking skin and super food secrets for healthy skin is the key.

5. Blueberries to smooth fine lines. Blueberries are truly a super food. They contain more fiber and antioxidants than any other food. Enjoy eating at least one half cup of berries and give your skin the benefit of protection from skin damaging free radicals that come from over-exercising, emotional stress and too much sun exposure. Blueberries prevent cell-structure damage that can lead to fine lines, wrinkles and loss of skin firmness.

6. Green Tea to diminish brown spots. Drink at least one to two cups per day. Not only is this healthy brew great for your diet and boosting your metabolism, it contains "catechins," an effective compound for preventing premature aging and effects of sun damage. Green Tea is rich in antioxidants that fight off free radical damage and may reverse the effects of aging.

7. Cold-Water Fish to reduce redness. Eat six, 6 oz. portions of Salmon, Sardines or Mackerel per week. Cold-Water Fish naturally contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids which strengthen skin-cell membranes, which helps to hydrate the skin. Adding supplements to your diet will also help with inflammation such as Eczema, Rosacea and Psoriasis.

8. Spinach & Kale for skin firming. Eat your green veggies daily! These two Super Foods contain vital Phytonutrients also referred to as antioxidant compounds that help guard against damage from the sun. Try to have at least three cups per week of spinach or kale. These two leafy greens are loaded with beta-carotene and lutein. These two important nutrients are noted to improve skin elasticity and firmness. Also, adding Spirulina supplements to your diet is a great way to get in your nutrients if you aren't eating enough of your green, leafy vegetables.

In summary, beautiful skin starts on the inside. First and foremost, drink water, drink water, drink water, green tea, or even black tea, in place of coffee. Then, try these super food secrets for healthy skin. They are sure to help you look and feel your best!

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

"Grow and Glow" Organic Skin Care Giveaway

How do you handle the funny tell-tales on soon to be moms? Some say, if you are extremely glowing or you are having an impeccable aura your child would certainly be female, the funny thing though, is what if someone told you, “perhaps, you will be having a boy”, a.k.a “excuse me, but you look terrible”. Yes, someone said that to me, and it directly equates to the latter part. Staying beautiful while you are “on the way” is challenging, your hair treatments will surely be postponed for at least a year. Your nail care, well, just be contented with the sufficient help from the calcium that we are taking. Nail polishing is not really a good idea on pregnant women, from mothers to doctors same old advise, “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”, for some long lasting nail polish includes formaldehyde, which could really be harmful due to its fume and skin absorption. Read more and participate in this giveaway, click here.

Breakthrough: Seaweed extract helps to reduce wrinkles and improve skin in general.

What do we know about Seaweed extract often used in skin care? Seaweed is also kows as Spirulina, green, red, brown, blue algae and kelp. Seaweed is packed with vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids that are essential in maintaining healthy and youthful skin. This natural marine wonder helps slow the aging skin process while protecting it from the harsh environmental elements in the air and water. Essential vitamins include: A1, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, K, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and niacin. As well as being rich with antioxidants such as beta-carotene and over 60 trace elements that include potassium, calcium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and manganese, seaweed is a major source of B12. Selenium and ascorbic acid protects the skin from damaging free radicals. Organic Iodine found in seaweed increases metabolism. Seaweed also contains fatty acids to combat skin irritation and inflammation. Clinical trials have shown the ingredient to drastically reduce wrinkles and improve skin appearance. Both in vivo and in vitro tests were carried out on the ingredient, which was specifically developed for use in anti-ageing skin care applications. Targets glycation and preserves skin’s natural collagen In in-vitro tests, the ingredient was shown to inhibit skin degrading enzymes and the glycation process. Glycation is triggered when the naturally occurring sugar molecules in the skin bond to a protein or lipid molecule without the controlling action of an enzyme. The resulting glycation process impairs the functioning of biomolecules, which weakens the skin structure at a cellular level, leading to a less firm surface and a greater tendency towards wrinkling. In addition, it inhibits elastase and collagenase, two enzymes linked to the break down of the structural proteins elastin and collagen. Seaweed improves skin appearance and proves to be effective in reducing skin aging, particularly in white Caucasian women, studies show. Subjects applied a formulation, at one per cent twice a day for 12 weeks, which resulted in a 9.45 per cent decrease in wrinkle depth. Expert grading carried out at the end of the study showed skin tone, firmness, and elasticity, showed an improvement of 67.6 per cent. Similarly, overall skin appearance improved 68.4 per cent. The expert grading also reported a 92.1 per cent improvement in skin dryness and roughness.
Seaweed is a part of formulation of Sweetsation Therapy's Aqua*Tica Organic Botanical Night Cream.

Cellulite and it's cure

Cellulite is a persistent problem among many women. The ripping fat that gets deposited at your bum is called cellulite and is caused by the deposition of the fat cells in the epidermis. Cellulite is strictly genetics and hence whatever you do they are sure to return. In fact there is no permanent cure for cellulite. Often you will see fat people without cellulite and often many thin and slim figured girls have cellulite deposits at their bums. There are two ways to fight it one is the change in lifestyle and the other is the external surgery and hormone treatment. Food Habit: The first step you can take to reduce cellulite is to improve your lifestyle and cut down on the fatty junk food and alcohol consumption. In this way you will reduce the chance of more fat cells getting deposited at the tights. Fibre: Fibre is one of the cleansers of the body. They absorb harmful toxins and cleanse the whole system. They help in the circulation and improve skin texture which will help you to fight cellulite. Water: Drink more water to keep the skin hydrated. When the skin is hydrated it retains its elasticity and also the damage mechanism effect also becomes quite effective. This may in turn will help in the rippling effect of the skin. Exercise: Cardio vascular exercise is a must in order to burn out the fat cells. To target the particular bum region do a lot of leg presses, squats, jogging, walking also help in the reduction of cellulite to a long extent. Mesotherapy: It is another process of surgery to reduce cellulite by injecting a chemical solution in order to get rid of the fat bands. They may cause bruising and inflammation and is also not permanent. Hormone Therapy: Cellulite is directly influenced by the hormones like estrogen, insulin, prolactin etc. In certain cases hormone therapy may prove to be quite effective. Deep tissue massage works too. But you have to do it on a regular basis to keep cells moving and reducing it's storage. ( short cut to exercise in a way) Skin QR Organics offers a short cut to that (see picture) by offering a small device that can be operated with one hand and on any part of the body to provide that deep tissue ironing on daily basis. For more information click here.

Best Moisturizers with SPF , updated TOP 10 report.

EWG's analysis shows that many moisturizers don't give long-lasting, broad-spectrum protection. Choose from among EWG's top rated products to get the most from your moisturizer. And match the SPF strength with your expected UV exposure to avoid spreading unnecessarily large amounts of sunscreen chemicals on your skin. EWG has just released the latest report and recommendations of the best Moisturizers with SPF on the market. And we are pleased to report that yours truly, is one of the Top 10. Sun*Si'Belle SPF 50 and other 2 SPF 30 take the cake in TOP 10.

V-Day Giveaway. We have a winner.

Congratulations to Clarissa, she is the winner of our first major giveaway this 2010 year. Thank you everyone for participating. When a giveaway is over I always feel bad that I can't make it so everyone wins. Guilt. Being a mother "guilt" is pretty much my permanent state of mind, it's just the way it is. So by now I would hope I would get used to it. But I am not.
I know some of you have actually went ahead and purchased some of the limited edition products, without even waiting to see who wins. And that was a great decision, since now we are almost out of stock. Please let us know how you liked the products so we can decide whether to add them to the line permanently.

Have a Sweetsation Day!