Healthy Skin From Within

Healthy Skin From Within

Studies support the idea that nourishing the skin via dietary supplementation yields positive results.by Robert M. Blair , Ph.D., Strategic Research Scientist

Healthy Skin From Within

While it is important to take care of our skin the summer with the application of topical products, taking care of our skin by consuming skin-healthy foods and supplements is also important.  Some of the more amusing ingredients to keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy this summer include Pycnogenol, vitamin C, resveratrol and hyaluronic acid.

Pycnogenol 

A number of studies have shown that Pycnogenol can support normal skin health. One of the early studies on Pycnogenol reported that supplementation for eight weeks helped the skin resist effects of ultraviolet rays, suggesting that it can help protect the skin from sunburn.  Another study reported that consumption of Pycnogenol helped to improve skin hydration and elasticity in postmenopausal women. This was possibly due to an observed increase in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of collagen.

Vitamin C

Vitamin see is an antioxidant vitamin that is essential for collagen formation. A recent study reported that consumption of Vitamin C could increase the skins ability to scavenge oxidative free radicals, with a dose of 100 mg vitamin C/day increasing this ability by 22% any dose of 180 mg/day increasing this ability by 37 percent.  A population-based study reported that higher vitamin C consumption was associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance and reduce skin dryness with age.  Combining vitamin C supplementation with vitamin D supplementation has been reported to reduce the skins sensitivity to sunlight.  

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound found in various fruits, nuts, and berries, but is most abundant in the skin and seeds of grapes.  It is April antioxidant it has been reported to have numerous potential health benefits including skin health benefits.  Several in vitro and animal studies have reported that resveratrol can suppress UV – induced skin damage when applied topically; however, few clinical studies have examined the skin health benefits of resveratrol supplementation.  In one recent study, supplementation with a blend of grape extract (containing 8 mg resveratrol) and pomegranate extract for 60 days resulted in an increase in the skin hydration and elasticity and decrease in skin roughness and wrinkle depth.

Flawless Skin From Within

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the major skin matrix substances in which many of the skin's components ( cells, collagen, a lasting, etc.) are embedded, giving structure to the skin.  The loss of hyaluronic acid as we age is thought to be partly responsible for wrinkle formation and the loss of elasticity as we get older. To date only a few studies have examined the benefit of dietary consumption of hyaluronic acid on skin appearance; however, the study suggested consumption of hyaluronic acid might help hydrate the skin and give it a smoother appearance.  A small pilot study demonstrating that the consumption of a blend of a hydrolyzed collagen type two, low – molecular – wait hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate lead to a reduction in skin dryness and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles.

While all of these ingredients are excellent choices for supporting healthy summer skin from within, they are also excellent choices to look for in your topical skin care products. Pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest Pycnogenol, vitamin C, and resveratrol can have anti-aging benefits for the skin and protect the skin from UV induced damage, while hyaluronic acid has been shown to help moisturize the skin at low doses. Combining a topical and dietary approach with skin-healthy ingredients is the ideal approach in order to deliver these ingredients to all the layers of the skin.   Learn more here 

Mass-Marketed Energy Drinks Full Of ... Calories and Sugars

Mass-Marketed Energy Drinks Full Of … Calories and Sugars

In a world where everything is moving so rapidly, most people are always on the lookout for something to give them a boost. Many have turned to the fast-growing energy drink/energy shot market.

According to market statistics, energy drinks and shots are expected to become a $21.5 billion business by the end of the decade. The promises of instant energy in a convenient form is alluring to many – from teens and college students looking for an extra pick-me-up, to professionals trying to power through their hectic days, and even older adults looking to keep up with the younger generations.
Problem is, most of those energy drinks on the market are offering consumers more than they bargain for; namely, a ton of empty calories and sugars. These products have come into question over the last few months, as health professionals and media outlets have questioned the legitimacy of these mass marketed products.
 
The Caffeine Issue 
No one questions caffeine, in moderation, can have a natural energy-boosting effect. According to a recent study from Johns Hopkins University, caffeine can help the brain retain information during a period of up to 24 hours subsequent to consuming it.You may not know it, but much of the rush you receive from mass-marketed energy products comes from the sugar contained in them. Some top-selling energy products on the market contain as much as 20 grams of sugar – as much as you would find in a regular sized candy bar.Many mass-marketed energy products have another secret: a lot of calories. According to nutritional facts, the most widely-consumed energy drinks on the market today have anywhere between 100 and 220 calories per serving.In that study, participants were asked to study images presented to them and five minutes later received either a placebo or 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is the average daily intake of caffeine in various forms for 80 percent of adult Americans (many health professionals and agencies, including the FDA, state that 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is a safe amount for adults).The caffeinated group was more capable of telling which images were similar to the ones they had viewed, instead of mistaking them as being the same – an ability known as “pattern separation”: being able to recognize difference between similar items, a marker of memory retention. So if the amount of caffeine isn’t the issue, what is?The arguments in this debate center on consumption by teens who are naturally drawn to energy products through mass marketing efforts and endorsement deals with athletes and celebrities. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics reports that more teens are downing energy drinks; in 2003, 16% regularly consumed the drinks, while in 2008, that percentage jumped to 35%.And it’s not just the consumption of such drinks; it’s the quantities they are consuming. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, adolescents should not consume more than 100 mg of caffeine a day. Just one energy drink nearly doubles that intake, and the addition of sodas and other caffeinated products adds up to an unhealthy amount.

Sugar, Sugar, SugarWhile all that sugar makes these energy products taste better, they come with one major pitfall: Sugar and fructose, both found in energy drinks, spike your insulin level for a brief amount of time, which translates into an infusion of energy. But it is short lived. When the sugar is used up, your insulin level will plummet and you will experience fatigue.According to the Pediatrics journal study, individuals who consume multiple energy drinks daily “could be taking in 120 mg to 180 mg of sugar,” or up to six times the maximum recommended daily intake. According to Men’s Health magazine, one leading energy drink contains nearly as much sugar as six glazed doughnuts. The study’s authors also noted that adolescents who consume energy drinks could be at risk for obesity and dental problems.

Awake Energy Shot

Unwanted Calories Pile Up
Even these companies’ low-calorie or low-sugar options have upwards of 20 calories per serving. Someone who consumes these types of drinks regularly – twice or even three times a day – could be adding nearly 700 calories to their diets, or nearly 35 percent of the USDA’s recommended caloric intake. And that’s without eating.

Possible Option 
Awake Energy Shots provide much needed fuel and promote mental focus without the crash later. With 200 milligram of caffeine, combined with amino acids and B-vitamins, Awake Energy Shots provide long lasting physical and mental energy without any sugars or calories found in leading energy products on the market. Take Charge with Awake, available exclusively at SHOP.COM.

Doubling Daily Intake of Protein Promotes Weight Loss while Saving Muscle- Its a Win Win!

Typically when people think of weight loss, they think of restricting calories or food groups, such as carbs. And many may think that adding more protein to their diet will pack on muscle, which may lead to weight gain. But in addition to be satiating, increasing your protein intake may help you lose weight while maintaining fat-burning muscle, according to new research. 

The latest research, published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, finds that doubling one’s daily intake of protein will prevent the loss of muscle mass while promoting fat loss during short-term weight loss.

According to researchers at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, who conducted the study, the 31-day regimen followed three groups: Those who took the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of protein, those who doubled that amount, and those who tripled their protein intake.

What is the RDA of Protein?

Protein RDAs are calculated using 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. A 175-pound man should, according to this calculation, take in approximately 63.5 grams of protein each day.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has simplified the equation into basic requirements.  According to the CDC, the average adult man should take in 56 grams of protein a day, while the recommendation for the average adult woman is 46 grams of protein a day.

The Protein Study

After observing all groups and controlling their diet and exercise regimens, they concluded that the group that doubled their RDA saw increased muscle mass and fat-burning benefits compared to the group following the U.S.-recommended protein intake.

The group whose protein intake was tripled did not see added benefit beyond the group that doubled their RDA, researchers concluded. According to lead researcher Dr. Stefan Pasiakos:

We believe that the RDA for protein should be based on a level to optimize health, as well as prevent deficiencies, and our data demonstrate a potential inadequacy of the current RDA for sparing muscle mass during weight loss, which may affect a significant portion of the population. 

"The average male and female should be consuming approx 120 grams of protein per day"

Finding it difficult to get your optimal amount of protein?  Try a quality shake or bar.

     Protein is an integral part of any healthy diet and it should be considered just a diet food we all need protein to give our body the energy to get through the day and it plays an important role in regulating body weight

Protein keeps you full for little longer and keeps your metabolism in high gear.

One other nutrient most people aren't getting enough of is fiber.  Fiber goes far beyond digestion and regularity - fiber rich complex carbohydrates such as fruits vegetables and whole grains keeps us feeling full for longer.

Fiber stabilizes your blood sugar and gives you longer-lasting energy but not only that but fiber can help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels those are just some the reason is important to get enough protein and fiber throughout the day.  Unfortunately that's not happening for most of us because we are eating convenience foods that are sorely lacking in protein and fiber.

GLUTEN FREE

Many people are gluten sensitive and many others who can benefit from reducing the amount of gluten they consume.  Gluten is the sticky substance in wheat and other products responsible for the elastics texture of dough that can draw water out of the intestines and feed bacteria in the intestines that can cause gas, bloating and indigestion.

Gluten even a mild sensitivity to it has been shown to spark systemic inflammation.  Even the smallest amount of gluten can have a prolonged inflammatory effect in the body if you're sensitive.  Traditionally eating gluten-free means cutting back on fiber intake from whole grains or missing out on vitamins you normally get from fortified foods

Choice Protein Bars

That's what's so great about Choice Bars.

----- not only are they gluten-free but they give you the protein and fiber you need 

it's absolutely a win-win

Get your protein and lose the weight while saving your muscles.

Ingredients That Improve Bone-Joint Health

Bone and joint health is one of the most common areas of health that people deal with on a daily basis. The numbers back it up:

• The CDC reports that 30 percent of Americans experience some type of joint pain each month. That number increases depending on who’s doing the reporting.
• One in five people suffer from chronic pain and the same amount, according to the CDC, have been diagnosed with arthritis by their doctor.
• By 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans ages 18 years or older are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.

These statistics have led to a surge in the bone & joint health industry, as experts predict that the sale of bone and joint supplements will exceed $9 billion globally by 2017. This booming market has led researchers to identify the top ingredients for bone and joint health – not from a marketing perspective, but to let the public know what actually works to help improve your bone and joint health.

Outside of calcium and vitamin D – long proven to benefit your bones – there are a multitude of ingredients and products claiming to improve your bone and joint health. So what works? Recently, the experts weighed in, and here’s what they found:

Vitamin K: The correlation of vitamin K to cardiovascular and bone health directly focuses on supporting proper calcium utilization. Known as the calcium paradox, it simply means getting calcium in the right place: into the structure of the bone structures instead of the artery walls). One particular form of vitamin K – vitamin K2 – promotes the synthesis of proteins involved with calcium utilization, thereby supporting bone retention and arterial health.

Magnesium: According to researchers, up to 80 percent of people do not get enough magnesium. This can have a lasting effect on bone & joint health, as magnesium is a critical component of the mineralized part of bone and supports the normal metabolism of potassium and calcium in adults. Magnesium – the fourth most abundant mineral in the body – also supports more than 300 enzyme systems, including nerve function, adaptation to stress, metabolism and more.

Glucosamine: Naturally produced by the body and a key component of cartilage, glucosamine is concentrated in joint cartilage, and has been scientifically proven to support healthy joint function and promote the normal production of synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and regenerates cartilage.

Omega 3s: We’ve written about the benefits omega 3 fatty acids have on inflammation before, and the bone and joint health industry is catching up. The American Heart Association has recommended omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of inflammation not just to improve your heart health, but your overall health, as well.

One ingredient the experts failed to mention that has been shown to help the body’s inflammatory response is Pycnogenol. Research has shown that Pycnogenol – a water-soluble, flavonoid complex extracted from the bark of the French Maritime Pine tree – may inhibit the activation of NF-kappa B and AP-1, both of which are proinflammatory mediators. In addition, studies have shown the ability of Pycnogenol to cross-link collagen fibers and strengthen connective tissue proteins.