Ok, that is good, but if your goal is to just barely avoid these diseases of deficiency, then the RDA is the minimum you should shoot for. But if you want to improve your health and prevent or stave off the multitude of degenerative diseases, then you need levels of many nutrients far above the RDA (or more recently the RDI) levels.

There has been a tremendous amount of research done looking at the benefits of supplementing with vitamins and minerals. Just search www.PubMed.gov for any vitamin or mineral and you’ll be amazed by how many published medical research articles are available.

Sadly most doctors and dietitians think that the RDA is the maximum amount you should take, no, it is the minimum! I heard one doctor on the Today Show a year ago or so talking about kids nutrition and warning parents to look at the nutrition in the foods they eat and to not give them supplements because they may exceed the RDA amounts. I also just read an article about marathon training written by a dietitian recommending the same thing. It is insanity for an elite athlete to not supplement. They can’t not get all the nutrients their bodies need from food alone. As a proof point, the supplement I take daily is used by thousands of Olympic and elite professional athletes. If you look at the Vancouver olympics about 25% of the Olympic athletes using these advanced supplements took home medals.

There are indeed upper levels which shouldn’t be exceeded because it can become toxic. Vitamin A for example. You shouldn’t take over 10,000 iu of Vitamin A (Retinol) but beta-caroteen, the pigment that makes carrots orange, can be broken down by your body into Vitamin A as needed. SoThere is no danger if your supplement has Vitamin A as Beta-Caroteen. you’re body will convert what it needs and no more. Another one is iron. Iron can be toxic and shouldn’t be supplemented unless you are anemic. In addition it is also poorly absorbed as a supplement, better to eat lots of spanish or liver.

So you can equate the RDA to your kids report card. the RDA is just passing, like a D grade. They will get through school and will graduate, but try getting into college with a D average. Wouldn’t you rather have your kid get straight As? That is what optimal levels of nutrition are. So upgrade your body from just passing with a D to excelling with As!

First, having those natural ingredients in a product are very attractive to molds and bacteria. That means that the manufacture must put powerful preservatives in the product to keep everything from growing in it. Slice a piece of fruit and put it on your counter – what does it look like in a few weeks? Yech. So powerful and often dangerous and/or irritating preservaves must be used. These can be even be natural oils like grapefruit, tea tree, etc. These aren’t dangerous, but they are very irritating to your skin. you want to pamper and nourish your skin, not irritate it.

There are a few lines which do have lots of natural ingredients, but they require refrigeration and have very shelf lives – not practical. This leads to the second problem. As soon as you put these products on your skin they attract bacteria who rapidly multiply in this rich environment.  If you have cuts, acne, or any sort of minor infection on your skin then these will aggravate it.

So what is the solution? Not everything in the natural fruit & vegetable ingredients is beneficial to the skin. Surely sugars, fiber, and other inert ingredients don’t add any benefit to the skin. So if you extract only the beneficial ingredients from the natural products, then you’ll get the benefit without the downside.

This is what the skin care line we recommend does. it has all the rich beneficial ingredients, but without the other ingredients which promote bacterial growth. This, along with a patented process where the active ingredients are encapsulated in micro crystals to protect them, yet not let them be available to bacteria.  Thus, no preservatives nor irritating natural preservatives are needed.

A small study in Brazil looked at the potential benefit of fish oil on strength training in older individuals, based on the fact that omega-3’s play a role in the plasma membrane and cell function of muscles (Rodacki, Am J Clin Nutr 2012). Forty-five mostly sedentary women in their mid-60s were given two doses a day of a gram of fish oil containing 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. After twelve weeks of supervised lower-body resistance-training (3 times per week), the strength of those taking the fish oil had improved more than those who did not supplement. Functional capacity (e.g., the speed of rising from a chair) also increased more among those who took fish oil. There was no improvement in the strength of women who took fish oil without strength training, and taking fish oil for two months before training started did not confer added benefit.

ConsumerLabs.com is an independent testing organization who tests all types of supplements for quality, potency, contamination, etc. Below is what they had to say about fish oil quality:

Quality Concerns and What CL Tested for:
Because omega-3 fatty acids are obtained from natural sources, levels in supplements can vary, depending on the source and method of processing.

Contamination has also been an issue, because fish can accumulate toxins such as mercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Mercury can damage the nervous system — particularly in a fetus. Dioxins and PCBs may be carcinogenic at low levels of exposure over time and may have other deleterious effects.

The freshness of the oil is also an important consideration because rancid fish oils can have an extremely unpleasant odor and taste. While you can sometimes determine this yourself if you take fish oil directly as a liquid, it can be masked by added flavors and not readily detected if you use a softgel and other encapsulated product. There may be safety considerations with rancid fish oils due to a variety of compounds produced, some of which are odorless, such as peroxides. A study commissioned by the government of Norway (where fish oil supplement use is extremely high) concluded there would be some health concern related to the regular consumption of oxidized (rancid) fish/marine oils, particularly in regards to the gastrointestinal tract, but there is not enough data to determine the risk (The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety, 2011). The study explained that the amount of spoilage and contamination in a supplement depends on the raw materials and processes of extraction, refining, concentration, encapsulation, storage and transportation. However, it saw no significant risk of contamination by microorganisms, proteins, lysophospholipids, cholesterol, and trans-fats.

Additionally, some capsules are enteric-coated and are expected to release the oil after the stomach to theoretically reduce fishy aftertaste or burp. If they release too soon they lose that potential benefit. If they release too late, the oil may not get absorbed.

Neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency routinely tests fish or marine oil supplements for quality prior to sale. ConsumerLab.com, as part of its mission to independently evaluate products that affect health, wellness, and nutrition, purchased many dietary supplements sold in the U.S. claiming to contain EPA and/or DHA and tested them for their levels of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA and, if listed, ALA), mercury, lead, PCBs, and signs of decomposition. Enteric-coated capsules were tested to see if they properly released their ingredients. One product was additionally tested for dioxins at the request of its manufacturer. Among the products purchased and tested, the majority was for use by people and a few were for use by pets. Most of the supplements were softgel capsules or liquids.

What CL Found:
Among the 24 products that ConsumerLab.com selected for review, only 17 passed quality testing, meeting requirements for freshness and purity, and containing their claimed amounts omega-3 fatty acids. Seven (7) products failed to pass testing due to having less omega-3 than listed, spoilage, contamination, or problems with the enteric coating.

To insure you’re taking a quality fish oil product make sure it is manufactured to pharmaceutical good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards by a company which has been NSF certified as complying with pharmaceutical GMPs. Some companies claim their products are “Pharmaceutical Grade”, but this is only marketing as there is no definition of pharmaceutical grade for fish oil.

Laser hair removal takes 5-7 treatments, each about 4-6 weeks apart. So start now and by summer and you can forget about shaving. Even if you aren’t heading to a tropical beach for vacation, even feeling the freedom to wear a tank top, or shorts and not having to worry about when you last shaved – you’ll be baby smooth all the time.

We’re conveniently located in Broomfield, so close to Westminster, Boulder, Denver and the entire metro Denver area. Give us a call at (303)438-6604 or email at info@bellapellelaser.com

Lack of sleep.

Sleep is very important to skin health, because it’s the only opportunity your skin gets to repair itself. No matter how many tasks you have to do, make sure you allow at least 7-8 hours for your skin to rejuvenate and heal from the barrages of the day.

What you can do – Ambian, Lunesta, and other sleeping pills aren’t the cure as they are addictive to one degree or another. Alcohol also doesn’t help as it may help you get to sleep, but then you wake up a few hours later from the sugar. Some things which do help and are healthy are:

• Don’t eat within 3 hours of going to sleep. If you have a full stomach your body is putting energy towards digesting the meal, not repairing your body. You’l find you may sleep well, but you may not really feel refreshed.
• Don’t consume caffeine in the afternoon or evening as it can make it more difficult to fall asleep.
• Even if it has been a hectic day, try to spend 30 minutes letting your brain wind down: Read, meditate, listen to soothing music, etc.
• Dim your bedroom. The light from at TV or computer monitor is very harsh and stimulates your brain. Bathe your bedroom in soft warm light, think of a candle light. Your brain associates the reddish lights, like sunset, with approaching night and begins to produce melatonin. The harsh white/blue light from a TV, computer, laptop, tablet, and cell phone resembles daylight and tells your brain to stop producing melatonin and to wake up!!
• Speaking of melatonin, it is the sleep hormone and take 0.5 to 2.0 mg and let it dissolve under your tongue and hour before you go to bed and you’ll find you’ll fall quickly to sleep. Melatonin is a strong antioxidant and is actually good for your skin too. Just use caution with over the counter melatonin as most of what is available comes from the pineal glands and retinas of cows and because they can’t get it 100% pure they have found fully intact viruses, like mad cow disease, in melatonin tablets. This is why melatonin is illegal in many countries. The brand of Melatonin I use and recommend is USANA’s Pure Rest. They have developed a process to synthesize natural human melatonin in the lab so that it is 100% pure and no chance of any bovine viruses.

Bad food.

Although there is still debate on whether or not diet is linked directly to acne breakouts, the general consensus is that certain foods to certain people can trigger acne flare-ups, and that eating more healthy foods will only help your skin. However, remember that a pimple, papule, or cyst takes days, if not weeks to form and surface. So the results of an overload of candy, chocolate, fatty and salty foods that may contribute to a breakout will appear later in the month. If you want nice, clear skin during, and after, the holidays, try to balance your diet as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and avoid dairy if you can (it is the largest culprit of acne flare-ups). However, don”t be afraid to indulge every now and then; as long as you generally eat well and follow a skin care regimen, your skin will be fine.

In general foods which are High Glycemic, meaning that the rapidly raise your blood glucose levels, will also cause general inflammation which will show in your skin and can cause other damage in your body you can’t see. In general avoid white foods. For example, white flour, sugar, white rice, potatoes, etc. These foods are typically highly refined and in the case of flour and white rice, all the fiber and the nutritional parts have been stripped away and all that is left is the starchy part which is very quickly digested, absorbed, and turned to sugar. Not only are these foods bad for your skin, they also cause you to gain weight.

Exposure to the elements

Whether your winter vacations are white and cozy or sandy and sunny, the weather – heat and cold – affects your skin, especially sensitive areas on your face. Cold weather strips your skin of moisture, while hot weather can bring about an overproduction of oil in your skin, as well as too much sun exposure. Both of these problems can be solved with one product – a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher. Your skin will be hydrated and protected from any type of weather that comes your way this winter.

1. Enzyme Peel – This option is the least aggressive, and is very temporary.  Enzyme peels are actually very popular with brides or students attending a dance or prom, because it gives them a great 24-hour glow without penetrating too deep into the skin.  Anyone can get an enzyme peel, no matter what Fitzpatrick level.

2. Lactic Peel – Lactic acid is one of the most hydrating things you can apply to your face, next to hyralonic acid.  Since you make lactic acid naturally in your body, it is a very natural peel that can even be used on pregnant women.  Lactic acid is especially good for lightening areas of discoloration (age spot, hyperpigmentation, etc).  This peel is great for more mature skin that needs not only the moisture, but also the brightening capabilities.

3. Glycolic Peel – Glycolic peels are beneficial for many skin types; it is a very versatile acid, as it can help acneic skin conditions, wrinkled skin, asphxiated, skin, and skin with an uneven tone.  To make a noticible difference, a glycolic acid strength should be at least 25% or 30%, even 40%.  70% glycolic solutions are also used by dermatologists to clear skin tags.  This is a more aggressive peel, so sensitive and darker skin types should be careful.

4. Salicylic Peel – Salicylic acid is ideal for oily, congested, or problem skin.  It is also a great resurfacing solution; anyone with superficial acne scars can do a series of salicylic treatments and often see a dramatic difference.  This is an aggressive beta-hydroxy acid, so it does go deep into the skin, and should be reserved for Fitzpatrick Types 1-4.

5. Jessner’s / TCA peels – These are medical-grade peels that require a post-treatment care kit and about a week of downtime.  Usually ideal candidates for a TCA or Jessner’s peel are older women looking for a slight face lift, as well as resurfacing and evening tone.

*Remember, avoid the sun after doing any type of manual or chemical exfoliation, and moisturize often.  Protect your skin, and your investment!*

1. EXFOLIATE

Exfoliation is the act of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.  Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or an at-home scrub used every other day are great examples of ways to get dead, flaky skin off the epidermal layer, revealing glowing, healthy skin underneath.

2. MOISTURIZE

With exfoliation comes moisturization; one without the other only hurts your skin.  Protect it with a hydrating moisturizer, and make sure it has an SPF of at least 15.  The rays of the sun are still there, even in months with little sunlight!

After exfoliation you want to put only the most gentle skin care products on your skin. For this we use and recommend the Usana Sense product line. There are not harmful chemical preservatives nor any irritating “Natural” preservatives.

Give us a call at 303-438-6604 to book an appointment.

So what does all this skin do for us?

1.  Protection

The skin acts as a barrier to the outside elements – heat, cuts, scrapes, and even atmospheric pollution.  Without the outermost layer of our skin, the epidermis, our insides would be outside.  The epidermis is actually made of 5 layers itself, and is about the thickness of a piece of paper.  It’s entirely made of dead cells that are keritinized with protein that lay flat on the surface, keeping our intestines and organs secure and protected from car crashes, bug bites, the rays of the sun, and paper cuts.  The second layer of skin also protects us; the dermis contains blood vessels and melanocytes, or specialized cells that create melanin to block UV rays.  Your dermis is full of plump, healthy cells that eventually rise to the top level of the epidermis, where they continue to protect you.  It’s also a thicker layer of skin – about 25 pieces of paper thick!  That’s a lot of protection.

2.  Heat Regulation

The glands in our skin also act without our knowledge, by aiding our skin in our body’s heat regulation.  The normal temperature of the body is 98.6 degrees, and our cells operate to keep it at that temperature, no matter how hot or cold it is outside.  Your sudoriferous glands, or sweat glands, excrete sweat to evaporate on the surface and cool the body when temperatures rise, and your blood vessels contract and heat the core of your body when temperatures outside the body fall.

3.  Sensory

We are able to feel pleasure and pain because of the nerve endings in our skin.  They begin in your paparilly layer, within the deepest parts of the dermis.  These sensory perceptions are key to responding to different stimulus – heat, pain, cold, and even pressure.

4.  Secretion/Excretion

Your skin is actually part of an entire body system, called the integumentary system. This includes hair, skin, and nails, as well as glands.  These glands help secrete vitalities for your skin health, such as your sebaceous glands secretingsebum, or oil that protects your skin.  They also help excrete waste and toxicities of the body, such as sweat glands that excrete sweat.  This is of upmost importance to the body – the ability to keep neccessary things inside, and push unneccesary or harmful things out.

5. Absorption

Your skin also absorbs products, chemicals, and drugs through the hair follicles and pores.  The IcyHot medicine or joint relief cream you apply to your sore knee or back is only able to work and penetrate into the sore tissue because of the skin’s amazing ability to allow products to soak into it in a very organized fashion.

As you can see, your skin does quite a bit of work to keep you healthy and moving!  That is why is so crucial to take good care of it.  Always wear a sunscreen, moisturize and hydrate with vitamins and serums, and pamper yourself with some gentle exfoliation treatments that keep your cells glowing and healthy.  Remember – you take care of your skin, and it will certinaly take care of you!

Is your favorite lady tired of shaving every morning, imagine if she could sleep in a few extra minutes and forget about shaving!

Is your favorite guy afraid to wax his back, but wants it gone (or do you want the back rug gone!)

Give a gift certificate for Laser Hair Removal and they will be hair free in time for that summer vacation.

Don’t be fooled into those Groupon deals either. Like the old saying, you get what you pay for.  The Groupon deals either don’t offer enough treatments to clear an area of all the hair (you usually need 7) or they will treat you so quickly hairs will be missed, or they’ll be subjected to high pressure sales to have them upgrade to the package they really want or need.

So give us a call at 303-438-6604 today to find out more. We can do it all over the phone too so you can be very discrete and won’t give away your surprise.