This Summer’s Three Biggest Skin Health Concerns

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As we move into the peak weeks of summer, those outdoor activities continue to beckon. We welcome the warm weather and fresh air of beaches, parks, and walks around the neighborhood. With social distancing still in effect, we’re opting for open air spaces as often as possible.

But more time outside means sun and bugs and expended water. Let’s take a minute to refresh on the skincare tips that help us fend off free radicals, avoid mosquitoes, and maintain the hydration that allows us to function.

Sun Exposure

Although the best way to improve your vitamin D level (optimal: 50-70 ng/mL) is from small doses of daily sun exposure, you still have to be aware that 9,500 people receive a skin cancer diagnosis every day in the US. Yes! That’s EVERY DAY! In the last fifty years, melanoma cases have tripled, and non-cancerous sun damage grows increasingly pronounced as we age.

But before you lather on the sunscreen for protection, read the label and be mindful of its content. For optimum defense, find sunscreens that offer UVB protection — not simply UVA. Avoid products with oxybenzone (most toxic), octocrylene and homosalate. These common sunscreen ingredients have damaging side effects — altering birth weight, interfering with male sperm function, and acting as a potent estrogen and androgen hormone disruptor. 

Instead, look for an organic mineral-based formula (not a spray that can irritate eyes, nasal and lung mucosa) containing zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is my favorite way of protecting my sensitive skin without the harmful chemicals found in typical sunscreen formulations. Don’t forget to apply it frequently during your outdoor events, especially after water sports such as surfing and snorkeling, as well as if you’re excessively sweating during your afternoon run or hike. 

BTW, did you know there is a big difference between sunscreen and sunblock formulas? Sunscreen chemicals such as oxybenzone and octocrylene absorbs the UVA and UVB rays and scatters it before the rays can penetrate and damage the skin, whereas sunblock agents such as zinc oxide actually sits on top of the skin as a barrier and protectant, directly blocking the harmful rays by reflecting them.

Stay mindful of the environment as well, and don’t use products with petrolatum or titanium dioxide, which is known to hurt marine life. Hawaii has already passed a law banning products with coral-bleaching oxybenzone and octinoxate. It goes into effect in 2021. Mahalo!

Mosquitoes 

You definitely want to keep those blood-suckers at bay. One minute you’re enjoying the peaceful mood of a beautiful sunset, the next you’re maniacally scratching a cluster of fresh bites. 

People think of mosquitoes as an unavoidable summertime pest. An annoying presence that simply forces us to make do. But keep in mind, just because they’re commonplace doesn’t make them less dangerous. 

Mosquitoes might be a nuisance, but their bites can often be harmful to your health. Mosquitoes can carry deadly pathogens which enter the bloodstream and cause mild to severe symptoms — or even disease. Mosquitoes are vector insects that can spread viral infections such as West Nile, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya disease, Zika infections and more. Mosquitoes can also carry blood parasites causing diseases such as malaria and babesiosis which comes with its own bundle of acute and chronic complications.

A solid repellent seems like an easy solution, but remember, perhaps more than sunscreens, many insect repellents on the market contain extremely detrimental components that are harmful to your skin, lungs and major organ systems. 

The chief ingredient in most repellents is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide aka DEET — a chemical that won’t stop the mosquitoes from landing on you, but does prevent them from biting you. My concerns with using DEET are the studies indicating how it affects your ability to break down a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, triggering movement and neurological disorders. Another older study connected DEET to childhood seizures and brain toxicity. 

Although many scientists and doctors consider DEET to be relatively safe, just the smell of it makes me think it’s toxic in some way! I am a mosquito magnet, and for years I have tried the all-natural approach of lotions and potions that include herbal ingredients such as citronella, rosemary, lemongrass, clove and more, but nothing…nothing works as well as magnesium oil! Really!

I found this amazing secret by accident 7 or 8 years ago, on one of my many trips down to Mexico.  Every vacay I would come back with at least 5 to 7 or more mosquito bites, even after using a mosquito net over my bed. One day, my muscles were really sore after working out hard with push-ups and beach sprints, so I put magnesium oil all over my arms and legs several times a day for the pain and stiffness. And as my muscle soreness dissipated over the three days of application, I noticed I didn’t have any mosquito bites either! 

My theory is that mosquitoes have a strong aversion to the taste of magnesium chloride oil because it’s super bitter. So ever since, I have been using magnesium oil as my all-natural alternative to the toxin-filled sprays. It delivers excellent results on top of your daily magnesium dose. Try it out and tell me if it works for you too!

There is one other natural solution if the magnesium oil isn’t an option for you…and that is cedar oil. That’s right, it comes from the cedar tree and actually kills and repels all types of insects including mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, flies, ants, mites, chiggers, noseeums, cockroaches and more. It’s for people, pets and can also be sprayed indoors. BTW, cedar oil will not harm the bee population, which is good…we need more bees on our planet! I get the cedar oil spray from cedarcide.com, and I have also used the lawn spray to get rid of ticks and fleas in the yard to protect my little pup Lola!

One more thing: be practical about your attire. If you know you’re going into intense bug infested terrain, look into broad-brimmed hats with mosquito netting, and wear long-sleeved thin cotton shirts and pants that provide you a stronger defense, although some mosquitoes have been known to bite you through your clothing! 

Hydration

We all sweat or glisten, depending on the verbiage you prefer. But sometimes our hydration levels can sink imperceptibly throughout the day as we fail to keep up with our water needs. You don’t have to be outside running marathons in the heat. You can dehydrate in the coolness of your air conditioned office simply from long periods of talking and interaction. 

Your body’s water should be continually replenished and replaced — and more often during the warmer months. Drinking half your bodyweight (pounds) in ounces of water is a good rule of thumb for your minimum daily intake. Make sure you’re opting for drinking purified water rather than tap water that’s been chemically treated and contaminated with chlorine, fluoride, chloramines, lead, arsenic, MTBE (methyl-t-butyl ether) and more. 

Be cautious of mineral water or spring water — both of which may contain minute levels of toxic metals (arsenic and nickel) or other “natural” metals such as thallium, titanium and silver that you might not want mixed into your system. Definitely ask the water company for the 3rd party water analysis test. Fresh water bodies across the US have tested positive for mercury, so that spring water you think is so untouched actually may harbor its own share of trace contaminants. 

On that note, if you are interested in digging deeper into the health benefits of water, hold on tight…my next blog will be all about my favorite natural healing element: water! 

In the meantime, take advantage of every outdoor opportunity while you can! This time of year can be extremely soul-nourishing — a small reprieve from the stressors of the pandemic. With a few slight adjustments to your purchases and routines, you can count on a summer of good health, great skin, and a thriving lifestyle.

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Common Signs And Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a health ailment that is mainly due to a change in the quality of bowel movements and disruption in brain functionality. However, there are many other reasons which could be considered as a trigger of IBS including a poor diet, stress, sleeping disorders, environmental toxicity, microbiome dysbiosis and more. However, these reasons can vary for every individual so it can get difficult at times to diagnose and reach some specific treatment, supplement protocol or dietary plan that help relieve the problem.

 

So, we bring you a small list of IBS signs and symptoms which could help in recognizing if you are suffering with the same issue.

 

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is one of the most common forms of symptoms when it comes to irritable bowel syndrome. This mainly occurs due to the excessive contraction of muscles or an increase in osmolality, causing water to be “pulled” into the bowels and functioning at a rapid speed.

 

Bloating: Another symptom of IBS is bloating or gas. Bloating is also referred to as gas collected in the intestinal tract or due to inflammation or irritation of the gut from food sensitivities. Gas or flatulence can be due to an overgrowth of bacteria in the small or large intestine which distends the abdomen with feeling of fullness and appears to be bigger as the day passes.

 

Constipation: Everyone at one time or another has experienced constipation. Constipation is a condition which develops when an individual has a small volume or infrequency of a bowel movement, causing a toxic build-up of stool in the lower bowels. Some of the reasons behind constipation could be dehydration, lack of proper diet such as high sugar intake with low fiber consumption, and of course, stress. One can easily get rid of this condition by drinking more water, regular exercising, and proper intake of soluble and insoluble fibers.

 

Sleeping Disorders: IBS can also be indirectly related to insomnia as the shift in circadian rhythm can change the ability to have regular bowel movements at the optimal period, i.e. 5 am to 7 am. If you tend to wake up frequently, feel restless in the mornings, and feel a need to sleep in later hours, mind these habits as it could lead to IBS.

 

Food Intolerance: Food intolerance, especially to fermentable carbohydrates can trigger IBS symptoms. Some of the IBS food triggers include dairy, wheat and other grass grains, alcohol, mushrooms, some fruits, and veggies. These foods can also trigger the reaction in people with sensitive stomach leading to food intolerance. Here is my list of anti-inflammatory and low fermentable carbohydrate foods to eat and which ones not to eat [Hyperlink here: https://drsusanne.com/foodlist] to eliminate IBS symptoms such as gas, bloating and inflammation. Follow the list for 6 to 8 weeks and then start incorporating the veggies and fruits slowly back into your diet.

 

Overall, lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep, are all helpful strategies to mitigate IBS symptoms. It only takes a healthy lifestyle and some improvements in routine to build immunity, optimize your metabolism and prevent any future health issues. All the best!

 

Are you suffering from skin allergies or gut disorder? Visit Dr. Susanne to get the best advice on holistic care services.

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5 Reasons Behind Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

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Chances are, you know someone who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome—a long-term illness characterized by a variety of symptoms, the most common one being extreme tiredness. This syndrome occurs in people of all ages, and even in children. Chronic fatigue syndrome is more likely to develop in women in their mid-20s to mid-40s. 

According to many experts, there is no one specific reason behind it’s development. Let’s talk about some of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and how it can be diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms Of CFS

While long-lasting extreme tiredness is the most common symptom of CFS, there are many other possible CFS symptoms:

 

  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Sore throat
  • Sleep problems
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Feeling sick in general

 

You can see that the symptoms of CFS are very similar to those of many other health issues, which can lead to difficulty and delays in being correctly diagnosed and treated by healthcare professionals.

Common Causes Of CFS

A few of the potential triggers for CFS symptoms include:

Viral Infections:

Everyone suffers from viral infections like colds and flus periodically, but if the proper care is not taken to allow the immune system to fully recover, then chronic fatigue syndrome may later develop. Certain viruses have been found to be linked to the development of CFS, such as the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), the mouse Leukemia Virus and Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV6).

Immune System Impairment:

It’s also said that people whose immune system is weak or impaired are more likely to develop CFS. However, this issue alone isn’t enough to diagnose the disorder.

How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated?

The root cause of CFS is often unknown, but the symptoms can be managed effectively with proper care and treatment. Recovery will depend on how your CFS is responding to treatment. 

Some of the common treatments are:

  • CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy)
  • Graded exercise therapy
  • Natural supplements such as vitamins, essential amino acids, and antioxidants to strengthening the mitochondrial function and improve energy production

Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, smoking and other unhealthy habits can also help CFS sufferers to sleep better and have more energy during the day. 

 

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5 Natural Strategies for Radiant Skin

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I’ve been seeing a ton of skin issues with my patients lately, so I thought it would be helpful to share 5 of my best tips for radiant skin with you today, because who doesn’t want clear, youthful-looking skin every day?!

Most skin issues stem from internal toxicity or imbalance (often a gut microbiome imbalance, acid reflux or mold toxicity), rather than what you’re putting onto your skin externally. But certain skincare products can definitely cause breakouts and rashes as well, especially for those of us with sensitive skin.

Skin issues—from acne to rashes of all kinds to excessively dry or oily skin—are all linked with having too many bad bacteria, yeasts and fungi in the gut, and not enough good ones (aka lactic acid probiotic bacteria). 

This sort of gut imbalance is very common in the US and around the world now, and it’s fueled by our excessive antibiotic use (in medicine and in our food), diets full of highly processed junk food, and chronically high-stress lifestyles, yeast overgrowth among other factors.

The result can be experienced as anything from various types of digestives issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, autoimmune diseases, skin issues and more. 

Many people don’t realize that their skin issues are related to an internal imbalance, and they try to resolve it by trying new skincare product after product, often to no avail. But the good news is that there are many all-natural ways to help balance your gut microbiome and therefore your skin from the inside out. 

Implementing a few of these strategies consistently can go a long way in strengthening your digestion and giving you the skin that you’ve always dreamt of. So let’s dive into my 5 top radiant skin strategies!

1) Stick to an Anti-Inflammatory Skin-Friendly Diet

My top recommendation for radiant skin shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

What we eat is very closely linked with every aspect of our health, including our skin health. So I recommend avoiding inflammatory foods as much as possible—ones like dairy, wheat/gluten, soy, eggs, and processed foods. Alcohol is also super bad for skin and health in general, so it’s best to keep it to a minimum or avoid it altogether if you want that youthful glow.

Instead, focus on eating an abundance of fresh fruits & vegetables, gluten-free whole grains, nuts, seeds and clean proteins like legumes and grass-fed/wild-caught meat and seafood (once a week). Organic is best!

Eating this way the majority of the time will help tremendously with establishing and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and giving you all of the nutrients that your skin needs to truly thrive. You’ll be amazed at what this one change (when done right) can do for your skin, and for every single aspect of your health. A diet full of whole foods can literally make you glow!

2) Eat Kimchi Daily to Balance Your Gut Microbiome

Kimchi is my favorite functional food, as it does so much to support our gut and skin microbiome and our overall health, thanks to the billions of probiotic bacteria in every serving, along with the organic acids, vitamins, and minerals it contains.

It’s been shown to help with eczema (atopic dermatitis), and it helps to heal leaky gut conditions, preventing any unwanted wastes, acids, or bacteria from getting into the bloodstream—a major contributor to skin issues, allergies, and autoimmune conditions.

My new book The Kimchi Diet is the best way to help you start incorporating kimchi into your daily diet for optimal results. In it, I share everything you need to know to make and enjoy your own kimchi at home, the traditional Korean way—all clearly outlined in my simple 8-week program which includes a new batch of kimchi every 2 weeks.

If you’re new to kimchi or fermented vegetables in general and want to start adding it into your diet, I recommend starting with just a tablespoon or two per day at first and slowly working up to about a ½ cup per day. Increasing the amount you consume slowly over a few weeks or months will help to minimize any digestive discomfort you may experience as the kimchi works to reinoculate your gut with billions of lactic acid bacteria. 

The result? Better digestion, clearer skin, more energy, sharper thinking, and much more!

3) Support Your Digestion With Enzymes

Digestive enzymes can be a huge help in resolving skin issues if you’re having problems digesting your food completely—which unfortunately is very common these days.

Your body produces its own digestive enzymes, but it may not be producing enough of them or all of the right ones, due to various factors like stress, nutritional deficiencies, etc. 

But by taking a digestive enzyme supplement (one with betaine HCL and ox bile to ensure protein and fat digestion) at the beginning of your meals, and you’ll begin to experience more complete digestion and absorption of your macronutrients, which can lead to clearer, healthier skin in a matter of weeks.

4) Protect Your Skin’s Microbiome With Natural Soaps

Did you know that we have an entire microbiome on the surface of our skin? And that we have different types of bacteria and other microorganisms living in different areas of our body? For example, there are certain microbes that live in our belly buttons vs. our armpits vs the skin on our face or our scalp.

It’s not a pleasant thought for most of us, but just as the microbes in our gut are critical to our digestive and overall health, so are the ones living on our skin. So it’s important to treat your skin gently with natural skincare products that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils and won’t kill off all of the microbes living there.

I love our probiotic cleansing bar, as it does an amazing job of protecting the skin and supporting a healthy skin microbiome!

5) Purigenex Intensive Collagen Serum & Mask Kit

So many people ask me what’s my skin secret…do I get any fillers or Botox, and the answer is an emphatic “NO! I’m totally free of fillers, injections, laser treatments, facelifts, etc.!”

My favorite skin secret for the past 11 years has been applying Purigenex Collagen on my skin and now at almost 57 years old, my skin looks better than it did in my 40’s!

Our flagship Intensive Collagen Serum & Mask 8-week kit is medically engineered to be transdermally absorbed, with the world’s most highly purified form of collagen. It helps to reduce the signs of aging and dramatically improves cell turnover as it activates the body’s own collagen production. 

Try adding my 5 skin favs into your life, and tell me if you start feeling and seeing a difference in a few weeks—vibrant, glowing skin, naturally…

And if you’re ready to learn more, click here to get free access to my Skin Secrets Mini-Series, where I reveal the exact steps that I took to heal my 2nd-degree sunburn in one hour and make my skin look 10 years younger!

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Natural Sun Protection Remedies

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With spring finally here and days are getting longer, temperatures will continue to rise with warm sunshine and clear blue skies.

So, before stepping outside, we want to be mindful about sun protection, and should apply the correct formula that protects our skin and your children’s delicate skin, particularly in the areas that a prone to sun exposure and damage, such as your face, shoulders and chest.
drsusanne-paddleboardHere I am all covered up under the hot La Paz sun!

With so many different brands available as well as various types of chemicals in sunscreens and sun blocks, you may feel overwhelmed and often have difficulty choosing the right type of formula or SPF.

I am going to make it easy for you and give you the details on which best sun care formulas to get and some tips and tricks in natural sun protection.

1. First let me give you some Sun Facts!

The sun emits two types of ultraviolet light that affect human skin, UVA and UVB. UVB is much stronger than UVA, and it has an immediate impact on skin, within 60 seconds.

It is most powerful during the summer and especially between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. UVB is completely blocked by glass (windows) whereas UVA radiation penetrates through glass and windows and can cause damage to the skin even during cloudier days.

Although UVA is lower in intensity and is not felt by the skin, it is the main cause of premature skin aging (wrinkles, sagging and age spots) and possibly skin cancer.

I have to tell you that a few weeks ago when I was in Miami for a conference, I actually got a second-degree burn on my skin!

I acted quickly and healed my blisters and pain in one hour, so miraculously that I got so inspired and made a 4 part Skin Secrets miniseries that goes into detail on how to heal damaged skin from the sun and premature skin aging.

You can go to drsusanne.com/miniseries to get the free 4 part Skin Secrets miniseries!

2. What does SPF mean?

It stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF numbers are designed to describe the length of time you can stay in the sun before you start burning your skin. For example, if you normally start to burn after 30 minutes of direct sunlight, then an SPF 30 product should let you stay in the sun for approximately 30 times longer without burning.

What is the difference between sun blocks and sunscreens? Both formulas protect our skin from sun damage by different mechanisms.

Sun blocks actually sit “on” the skin and act as a barrier to reflect away ultraviolet (UV) rays — both UVA and UVB radiation can cause sunburn and skin damage, and possibly even skin cancer.

So it “BLOCKS” the sun UV rays from penetrating into the skin and damaging the delicate tissue. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are both sun blocking agents for both UVA and UVB rays.

Sun blocks usually start at an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher. All SPF ratings apply only to UVB protection, not UVA.
In comparison, sunscreens are made with chemicals that absorb and neutralize the ultraviolet radiation.

Sunscreen chemicals typically protect against either UVA or UVB, while only a few protect against both types of radiation.
As a result, sunscreens usually have mixtures of both kinds of chemicals in order to be labeled as “broad spectrum” — and to be fully protective.

The SPF levels of sunscreens are widely varied, starting as low as 2 and rising as high as 100+.

I have big concerns about chemical sunscreens acting as endocrine disruptors — compounds that mimic hormones and activate hormone receptors. Some studies have indicated that these chemicals may generate free radicals that can damage skin and possibly cause skin cancer.

3. Go for the sun blocks rather than the sunscreens.

  • I always suggest using sun blocks rather than sunscreens. Look for formulas that have either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in them. Out of the two, zinc oxide causes fewer allergic reactions. These are natural mineral compounds that will “block” the UV rays from penetrating the skin; the only drawback I know of is that they may leave a white residue.I suggest staying away from products claiming they use “nano-particles” (between 1 to 100 nanometers), which can penetrate skin. Don’t forget to follow product warnings for infants under 6 months old.
  • I believe in avoiding synthetic estrogen compounds, which appear under names such as oxybenzone (benzophenone-3 and 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC), as well as other derivatives that are super free radical generators (causing skin damage) such as avobenzone, Parsol 1789, dioxybenzone, ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnimate, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, protamine salicylate, homosalate and PABA.
  • Also avoid—Sunscreens with added insect repellents such as deet and permethrin, they are super toxic and can cause damage to you and your child’s nervous system.
    Purchase cream-based products only. Avoid sprays and powders, as the vapors and particulates can easily be inhaled and irritate nasal passages and respiratory system.
  • Use an SPF of at least 15 — and apply plenty of it often.
  • Before using any sunscreen or sunblock, test it by applying a small amount to your child’s wrist. If the skin turns red, itchy or irritated within 20 minutes, try another brand.

4. The best defense from damaging UV rays is prevention.

Use these common-sense Sun Safety Tips before grabbing the sunblock/sunscreens:

  • Wear loose, cotton/linen, and light-colored clothes. Long sleeve shirts, pants and dresses will reduce UV rays from penetrating the skin. A good hat with a large brim will protect the face, neck, eyes and ears.
  • If you are a water sports lover like I am, wear a rash guard or even full-body rash guard/swimsuit. It also works beautifully for children who love to be in the water for hours at a time. Use a hat that can be cinched down under the chin.
  • Play in the shade. Use a parasol or umbrella at the beach or park, and keep infants completely out of the sun: sunscreen should not be used under six months of age due to their sensitive skin. In addition, infants under the age of 12 months do not have enough melanin, a protective pigment in skin that helps block out UV rays.
  • Schedule indoor or shaded play dates around the peak sun hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses to prevent skin damage around the eye and cataracts. Do attach the glasses to straps, so you don’t lose them!
  • Use removable mesh window shields to keep direct sunlight from coming in through the windows of your car.
  • Eat organic foods high in antioxidants to build up your “internal sunscreen”, including fresh vegetables, dark greens and fruits such as berries, pomegranate, acai and goji berries. For children who shy away from veggies, give them a daily antioxidant supplement loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin E and greens.

We do need our daily dose of vitamin D, but on sensitive areas that are well known to grow skin cancer, such as your face, chest and shoulders, do use the best form of sunblock to prevent premature aging and sun damage and definitely to keep your healthy glowing skin!

While you’re at it, grab your hat before going out too!

BTW: Don’t for get to join me on the Glowing Skin Summit, it starts today, April 27, 2015!

https://drsusanne.com/glowingskinsummit
Healthy Travel Summit

Planning for your summer vacation? Before you do so,
Join me on the Healthy Traveler’s Global Summit!

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Glowing Skin Summit

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I’m curious: Do you have any skin issues that you just can’t seem to get rid of?

If so, you’re not alone. In fact, 30% of my patients come to my office for skin issues like acne, rosacea, hives and rashes as well as signs of early aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin.

My patients often have a hard time figuring out the cause of these issues on their own, so I put together a short little video explaining some of the biggest reasons, and inviting you to a brand new (free) skin summit!

Introducing… The Glowing Skin Summit

I’m so excited share with you that I am a guest expert at the Glowing Skin Summit hosted by Dr. Trevor Cates, along with 35 top clinical nutritionists, functional medicine and skin specialists!

This is a free online summit where I will share my best natural strategies on how to heal allergic skin conditions, prevent skin aging and start reversing your biological skin age!

Glowing Skin Summit

In our video interview I go into detail about how allergies and food sensitivities can have a huge impact on skin health, contributing to acne, eczema, rosacea, hives and of course wrinkles and aging skin.

Then I will share my 7 Secrets to a Fabulous Face, including valuable tips and tricks you won’t want to miss!

The summit is from April 27th through May 4th, and my personal video interview with Dr. Trevor will be live on April 28th!

Click here to register now and claim your complimentary gifts (which will not be available after the summit starts!)

Don’t miss this brand new event on how to maintain and achieve healthy, glowing, and vibrant skin now and into the future!

Register now to the Glowing Skin Summit!  And I’ll see you on April 28th!

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Spring Cleanse Weekend Retreat at the Exclusive Deer Lake Lodge

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dll-collageSpring is here and it is time to start thinking about “Spring Cleaning” of our bodies and mind so that we can shed the toxins we accumulated in Winter and become our most brilliant and healthy self. That is why I am so excited to share with you my upcoming ALL-INCLUSIVE 3-day, 2 night weekend “Spring Cleaning” retreat happening at the Deer Lake Lodge on April 26th – 28th.  This very special 3-day retreat was designed with my clinic patients and online community in mind will be an exceptional opportunity to jump start your brilliance.

During this special “you” weekend, you will learn to tap into your inner strength and be brilliant so you can achieve your life goals and passions by improving your nutrition and lifestyle. My goal for the weekend is to provide specific, practical and easy-to-apply suggestions, which can improve your ability to reach your optimal potential in physical and mental health.

The Deer Lake Lodge is a unique wellness resort which specializes in cleanses and detoxification in a natural, sustainable setting. Their holistic approach addresses your mind, body and spirit. The Deer Lake Lodge is simply amazing in all that they offer their guests in complimentary classes, products, use of their equipment and so much more! Here is only a partial list of the many amenities that you will receive during your stay: daily cleanse program, organic robe and slippers, himalayan rock salt, organic juices, specialty teas for cleanses, supplements, yoga classes, nutrition and raw food classes.

dll-swimmingpoolDuring this 3 day, all about you weekend, you will learn:

  • About food allergies and how they contribute to inflammation; disease, and obesity;
  • Why sleep can be your best medicine and how to get more!;
  • How to recalibrate your “Bio-Rhythms of Life” to increase energy, vitality, lose weight and increase lifespan;
  • 7 foods to eat for energy, mental clarity and weight management;
  • How to prevent the three most common physical complaints of America- fatigue, indigestion, headache;
  • Why time management is key to your health and success.

And much more!

This amazing three day experience will help you revitalize your energy, stimulate your mind, bring out your brilliance and set you on a path for optimal health and personal success.

Click here to find out more now and to reserve your space. If you register before March 31st, you will save $500. Also, if you choose to come in early you can do so for just $200.

I would love to see you there!  Step into your brilliance and sign up today for a weekend all about you that will cleanse your mind, body and spirit so that you can be your most brilliant self.

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AVOIDING STAPH INFECTIONS

Staying healthy is not just about what you eat or how often you exercise, it is also about your hygiene. We touch hundreds of things every day and transfer thousands of germs around without a second thought. It is in small work environments or hospitals however, where most people contract a common bacterial infection, staphylococcus aureus, or staph infection.

A staph infection is usually found on the skin or in the nose and may appear as an abscess on the body that is discolored, swollen and more often painful. Staph infections are contagious so it is important to take precautions every day to protect yourself. Do not share personal hygiene items. The bacteria is not usually transferred through saliva or hugging but sharing a razor or eye drops are easy ways for the bacteria to enter your body. If the bacteria enters your bloodstream the infection has the potential to become fatal. It is best to keep all wounds covered and treat them correctly, wear shoes in public places, especially locker room showers, and wash your hands often with soap.

I recommend taking Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic supplements to help prevent or treat staph infections. The probiotics helps your body produce good bacteria it needs to fight off the bad ones each day. It contains “12 strains of live lactic acid bacteria, 4 organic acids, 10 vitamins, 8 minerals, and 18 amino acids.” Dr. Ohhira’s products are famous for treating and preventing not only staph infections but e coli, stomach ulcers, and even morning sickness. There is also a Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics soap available. It is great for everyday use to keep your hands germ free and moisturized. It can also be used on the face to heal acne. Taking the right precautions are so effective in keeping your body in good health!

References:

http://drohhiraprobiotics.com/dr_ohhira_probiotics_about.php

http://www.staph-infection-resources.com/mrsa-infection-control.html

 

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GLUTATHIONE FOR THE SKIN

Believe it or not, the next big thing in skincare is a gem produced by our very own bodies called glutathione, and it is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking radiant day in and day out. Glutathione is naturally found in every cell of the body but the highest levels can be found in the liver. Glutathione is great at fighting free radicals to help fight against cancer and is great for detoxifying the body.

Nowadays you can find glutathione in supplement form at your local vitamin store. The supplement elevates the levels your body normally produces and fights the signs of aging by refine your pores. For people struggling with acne, the glutathione helps to balance out your body and contain your acne and skin cells to help with acne scaring. Over time, glutathione will rejuvenate the skin so it can glow and become the radiant skin it should be. As if that weren’t enough, it also helps fight cataracts, infertility, regulates thyroid and liver problems to help against chronic fatigue.

As with any supplement, however, you may want to consult your physician before ingesting anything that may affect your skin, the largest organ on the body. As great as glutathione can be for the skin, it has been shown to sometimes lighten skin or darken sun spots, depending on your skin color. Be sure to educate yourself on all the side effects before taking glutathione into consideration!

References:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50746

http://www.glutathioneexperts.com/

http://www.skin-whitening-product.com/skin-whitening-pill.html

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THE WONDERS OF EDELWEISS

various-types-of-flowers.blogspot.com

Edelweiss is more than just a wonderful song from The Sound of Music–it is a blossoming flower that packs a punch. This flower, found along the ridges of the Himalayan and Alpine mountains, is known to be one of the best kept cosmetics secrets to date.

The active ingredient in edelweiss is leontopodium alpinum. It is produced by the plant as a defense mechanism against its harsh living environment. The stems produce a natural UV ray protection that scientists have been able to collect and produce on a large scale. Endangering the plant life, however, is not a problem. Scientists are able to produce metabolites from its stem cells and can then recreate all of its properties over and over again without endangering the plant’s longevity.

Edelweiss has recently been used in cosmetic stores in makeup and lotions. Its properties naturally protect against the sun’s harmful rays as well as provide the skin with a healthy bounty of antioxidants. Edelweiss can be used as an anti-inflammatory and aid your skin in the endless fight against aging and sagging. It has the restorative ability to build up collagen in the skin and slow down its degradation.

That such wonderful benefits can be extracted from a plant really makes you question the potency of  popular skincare products on the market. Can those multi-syllablic chemical names really be as effective on the skin as the natural extract from a plant? Go with the nature cure!

References Used

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Formulation-Science/Edelweiss-stem-cells-could-help-in-the-fight-against-ageing

 http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Formulation-Science/Edelweiss-stem-cells-could-help-in-the-fight-against-ageing

http://www.incosmeticsasia.com/ExhibitorLibrary/276/Brochure_Leontopodium_Stems_G_2.pdf

 

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