Energy Supplements

As women start menopause they may experience a decline in their sexual desire.  Don’t worry this is perfectly normal.  First, I suggest you have your doctor check your blood levels.  Progesterone starts declining as you approach menopause, so it’s usually a good idea to try natural progesterone cream, e.g., Organic Excellence USP Progesterone Cream.

Most of our customers keep coming back  for  Maca.   Maca has been used for centuries in Peru.  It is grown naturally as a root & has been known as a superfood.  I suggest the standardized brands by Gaia Herbs, Nature’s Way or Solaray, if you’re looking for a capsule form.  If you prefer powders, customers like Maca Magic.   Maca is one of the favored supplements from Peru, used by both sexes  — it not only boosts libido &  balances the hormones, but it helps boost immune system, energy levels and mental acuity.  

Irwin Naturals Steel Libido for Women, which contains a proprietary blend of supplements, is a very popular seller as well.   Many customers use this with the Maca.  However, I suggest using one product at a time. 

Also, it’s always important to stay on a healthy diet & get plenty of exercise.  Elevating endorphins by exercising is always an important measure in general, for  better mind, spirit and performance.

Do not use if you are taking medications without checking with your doctor first.

CAL

Nope, this isn’t about gasoline prices but, the fact that millions of Americans are running out of physical and emotional energy. Also, this isn’t directly referring to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but the growing number of people who suffer from being tired all of the time

Our active lives – balancing family, career, friends etc., poor diets, lack of rest and lack of proper supplementation have created an energy drain among most of us. We all end-up trying to burn the candle at both ends (some of us even burn the middle) and zap the strength and energy we need to maintain optimal health.

So what’s happening in the body to cause us to feel tired all of the time? The constant stress and our poor diets weaken our adrenal glands (responsible for the body’s ability to adapt to stress and fatigue-as well as many other functions in the body).  When these lifestyle choices continue over time, the body is unable to keep up with our demands and begins to suffer in many different ways. Fatigue is just the most obvious effect.

In order to help re-build your energy stores it’s essential to add more Greens to your diet. This includes fresh salads and even juicing.  In this case, a supplement like Kyo-Green or Green Vibrance could be great additions to your everyday diet. Greens act to purify the body and promote increases in energy and well-being. It is a win-win!

It can also be beneficial to try taking a look at a few key nutrients. Taking a closer look at each of these will better explain why they are so helpful in getting you back on the road to more energy.

Magnesium activates enzymes that contribute to energy production and helps regulate the levels of important nutrients like calcium, copper, zinc, potassium and Vitamin D. While you can get magnesium from foods like whole grains, nuts and leafy green vegetables, most of us need a supplement to reach the recommended daily value: 400 mg magnesium with 600 mg calcium. One of our most popular combos is: Solgar Calcium/Magnesium Citrate

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid and a building block for the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Chronic stress can deplete your level of tyrosine and contribute to feelings of exhaustion. Tyrosine supplements should be taken in 500 mg doses 3 times a day, at least 30 minutes before meals.

You might consider: Kal’s L-Tyrosine 500mg

Melatonin known as the sleep hormone is naturally occurring in the body and can improve circadian rhythm and help you fall asleep faster. This improved rest will help the body to recharge your batteries so you can feel more energetic each morning. There are many great brands to choose from here: Melatonin

L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and white tea. It helps produce a calming effect in the brain. It is thought that this is why green and white tea can cause a restful alertness (due to low levels of caffeine and L-theanine). L-theanine helps control mood which in-turn will aid the body in dealing with stress. You can find several brands here: L-theanine

B-Complex is the last part of this program. Since it’s best never take one B-vitamin by itself, you need to make sure you are getting the synergy provided by taking all of the B-vitamins. Also, other B-vitamins like Folic Acid, B-6 and B-12 will have a positive effect on your fight against fatigue.  Among our most popular brands is Solgar, but we have many more for you to choose from here: B-Complex

I have some homework for you, but don’t worry it won’t require any calculus or Shakespeare literature.  The next time you go food shopping, take a look at the ingredients list on the food you buy. I can almost guarantee that you will find one of these ingredients in your food:

• Corn
• Soy
• Wheat
• Gluten (common in many wheat/grain products)
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Peanuts

These foods won’t kill you per se, but they are known allergens and depending on the individual they can truly make your body feel sub-par. Many people think an allergen is something you have a physically visible reaction to. For example, many people are allergic to peanuts and have a serious adverse reaction to them. However, this is not always the case with these other allergens.

Why would you want to eliminate these foods, well here are a few reasons.

Tummy Problems:

If you have an gastrointestinal issue that has difficulty going away, like IBS, food intolerances, bloating, gas, indigestion, irregular bowel movements, then eliminating these foods from your diet may, and likely will, relieve or remove these symptoms.

Skin Issues:

If you experience acne or any other skin issues like eczema, dry skin or your skin just isn’t clear, eliminating these foods may give you insight as to the culprit of the problem. By eliminiating these foods, your liver will have the opportunity to actually cleanse the body and not worry about removing these allergenic foods.

Allergies:

If you deal with chronic allergies, not a specific food allergy  (like peanuts), but sinus issues or other allergy symptoms, then perhaps your body is trying to tell you something.

Inflammation:

Chronic inflammation can be very painful and depressing. Dealing with chronic inflammation, such as back pain, nasal issues, or other inflammatory responses can be reduced with eliminating certain foods and introduces others. The body does an excellent job at healing itself, and inflammatory response are the body’s way of trying to clear up and resolve a problem. But how can it do so without the proper nutrients?

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, corn, soy, dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat and gluten are in a lot of foods, a lot, and yes it is hard to avoid these things. But it is not impossible, I know because I have done this exact program.

As one of my favorite professors, Dr. Sheldon Watts, once said, “Eat as close to the farm as possible.” Although most of us live very farm from farms, we can find foods in the market that are not processed or filled with corn, soy and the such. By eating more fruits and vegetables, and gluten free grains like oatmeal, buckwheat, brown, rice and quinoa, this program is absolutely possible. Add protein like, Purity’s Ultra Protein Vanilla Shake, wild salmon, free-range chicken, bison meat, or lamb.

This may seem difficult, but by eating healthier in just a week you will feel 10 times better than you thought you could.

Side Note:

• Try to avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee, soda, and black tea. Opt for ginger tea, decaf organic coffee and WATER!
• If you can try to buy organic or free-range chicken. Bison meat is naturally free-range. Also, wild fish like wild salmon is a much better option, given the additives that are found in farmed fish.

-Ralph

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“It’s generally believed that having a nightcap may aid sleep, especially getting to sleep” says Seiji Nishino, Director of the Sleep & Circadian Neurobiology Lab at Stanford University School of Medicine. “This may be true for some people who have small amounts of alcohol intake. However, it should be noted that large amounts of alcohol intake interfere with sleep quality and the restorative role of sleep.”

This was no surprise – For a long time researchers have known that large amounts of alcohol shortens the length of time that it takes you to make that transition from full wakefulness to sleep (or Sleep Latency); increases your slow-wave sleep (SWS) and suppresses rapid eye movement (REM) during the first half of your sleep. During the second half of sleep, REM increases and sleep becomes shallower.

How do they know what happens? A study just released that was done on the acute effects of alcohol and the relationship between sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep, has shown that alcohol interferes with the restorative functions of sleep. Alcohol directly affects overall sleep architecture,” said Yohei Sagawa, a physician in the Department of Neuropsychiatry at the Akita University School of Medicine.

For this study, they gave 10 healthy, male university students with (average age of 21.6), 3 different alcohol beverages at 3 week intervals: 0g (control), 0.5g (low dose) or 1.0g (high dose). On the day of the experiment, a holter electrocardiogram was attached for a 24-hour period; the student was instructed to drink one of the 3 alcoholic beverages 100 minutes before going to bed; and polysomnography was then performed for 8 hours while they slept. The researchers were focused on the relationship between the students’ heart rate variability and their sleep.

The team found that alcohol increased heart rate and interfered with the restorative functions of sleep — and the more alcohol the participants drank, the greater the effect. “Although the first half of sleep after alcohol intake looks good on the EEG, the result of the assessment regarding the autonomic nervous system shows that drinking leads to insomnia rather than good sleep.”

The effect on habitual drinkers might be even worse, a study co-author said. “This study evaluated the effects on sleep after only a single dose of alcohol and easily found negative health consequences,” Seiji Nishino, said in an August 2011 news release. “Many people habitually drink alcohol and if the reduction of healthy parasympathetic nervous system activity during sleep occurs routinely as the result of drinking, the negative health consequences may be much larger and could bring about various diseases.” It is reported that habitual drinkers with high blood pressure are often associated with reductions of parasympathetic nerve activities.”

Sagawa agreed. “Many alcoholics and habitual drinkers suffer from insomnia” and it’s been shown that “suppressed parasympathetic nerve activity is the result of alcohol drinking. Thus, it is concluded that suppressed parasympathetic nerve activity is associated with insomnia, which includes difficulty getting to sleep, early-morning awakening, lack of a sense of deep sleep and difficulty maintaining sleep.”

But don’t worry – skip the nightcap!  At House of Nutrition we’ve got some incredible sleep aids that won’t break the bank!

Solgar’s – Sweetest Dreams Gaia’s – Sound Sleep Liquid Phyto-Caps

Natrol’s – Sleep n’ Restore Enzymatic’s – Fatigued to Fantastic Revitalizing Sleep Formula

Not a “pill person” – prefer a liquid?  We’ve got you covered too! Check-out:

Herbs etc.’s (Alcohol Free) – Deep Sleep Bach’s – Rescue Remedy Sleep

Michael’s – Sleeping Spray Herb Pharm’s – Relaxing Sleep Tonic Compound

And find many more sleep solutions here:  House of Nutrition – Sleep Aid

Best Health!

Jeanne Ricks, CHC, AADP

Straight from the docks – fresh evidence that Fish Oil is absolutely essential to your health – especially for cognitive brain function, as well as aging.

Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital’s Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorders Center have found positive associations between Fish Oil supplements and cognitive functioning as well as differences in brain structure between users and non-users of Fish Oil supplements. The findings suggest possible benefits of Fish Oil supplements on brain health and aging.

       The results were reported at the recent International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, in Paris, France that just wrapped-up on July 21^st; and truly provide new hope for anybody concerned about the long-range health of their brain.hmmmm, are you taking Fish Oil?

       The study included 819 individuals, 117 of them reported regular use of Fish Oil supplements before entry and during study follow-up. The researchers compared cognitive functioning and brain degeneration for patients who reported routinely using these supplements to those who were not using Fish Oil supplements.

       Lori Daiello, PharmD, lead researcher, reports that compared to non-users, use of Fish Oil supplements was associated with better cognitive functioning. However, this association was significant only in those individuals who had a normal baseline cognitive function and in individuals who tested negative for a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease known as APOE4. This is consistent with previous research.

       The unique finding, however, is that there was a clear association between Fish Oil supplements and brain volume.In other words, Fish Oil use was associated with less brain shrinkage in patients taking these supplements during the study compared to those who didn’t use them.

Hey, but before you click over to House of Nutrition to get your brain healthy product – you should probably ask – How do I chose a Fish Oil supplement? 

Glad you asked!  Here are some easy tips.

• Look for the seal. Companies including USP and NSF analyze supplements for the real vitamin level and for any impurities. The seal on the label tells you an independent company has reviewed the supplement.Also, a reputable company will also ensure that the purity, quality and your safety are guaranteed.
• Look for oil which is molecularly distilled, a process that takes place in a vacuum to avoid oxidation of Fish Oil. This is the only process that successfully removes impurities and contaminants from Fish Oil. This process also produces a more concentrated form of Fish Oil supplement with high potencies of EPA and DHA.
• Look for a product that’s “species specific,” with fish like wild Salmon, Anchovies and Sardines on the label (btw these are the specific varieties which have the highest levels and the best Fish Oil for Omega-3). This is the only way to know where the oil came from. When a supplement label just says “fish oil” or “marine lipids,” they’re hiding something and the product should NOT be considered.
• Look for supplements that have a balanced ratio of all eight Omega-3 fatty acids. Research has proven that all eight members of the Omega-3 family are vitally important to your health. The Omega-3 nutrients need to be complete and balanced, just like they are in nature, in order to be beneficial. Many people have heard of ALA, DHA and EPA – they’re the Omega-3 ‘all-stars’. But DPA, HPA, ETA, ETA and SDA are all just as important. And when the whole Fish Oil family is present, they’re much more powerful than any individual fatty acid.
• Lastly, make sure there are no unlabeled oils or strange ingredients hidden in the product. How? Take a moment to add up the individual Omega-3 fatty acids listed on the label. They should equal the total amount of oil in the product. Otherwise, you’re getting ripped off!

So now that you know what to look for come by and check out some great prices on some really superior Fish Oil products like:

Futurebiotics Omega-3 Fish Oil

Schiff’s Omega-3 Fish Oil Enteric Coated

Natrol’s Omega-3 Fish Oil

Carlson’s Very Finest Norwegian Fish Oil

Best Health,

Jeanne Ricks, CHC, AADP

1. Call your mom (or anyone else who may take the place of ‘mom’ from time to time) for NO reason whatsoever. Have no motive. Just say hi. Ask them how they’re doing. Don’t talk about yourself. Moms LOVE this kind of stuff.

2. Find somewhere local that you can volunteer for one hour this week. It takes 3 minutes (Google or craigslist: 1 min + possible 2 min for email/phone call). A lot of gyms & studios (the YMCA included) will trade off volunteer hours for classes – great way for some instant Karma rewards. Go.

3. Call an old friend. Take 30 minutes out of Tumblr/Facebook/TV time and actually dial the digits. It’s not as scary as you might think. No pick up? On to the next. Speaking to a friend at least once a week can enhance friendships. Texting? Not so much (and I’m the queen of texting, I hate talking on the phone). Aside from a good thumb workout, texting doesn’t enrich. We like voice.

4. Bake something for someone else. Depending on your goals, you might not want to keep baked goods easily available, but what happens when you want ONE cookie? Make the full recipe for others. Tons of healthy recipes out there: always good to give someone something fresh. Bring them to work, school, the gym etc. (beware of allergy policies) and, if it’s healthy, print out a few copies of the recipe & nutritional content. It makes you feel good.

5. Go read. A real book, with pages. If you’re not used to reading, find something short, perhaps an old favorite. Sit under a tree. Seriously, when’s the last time you DID that? Feels good, your brain will feel alive after. (turn off your cell phone)

6. Wake up early and MAKE breakfast at home. Eggs, bacon, toast, scramble, parfait. Sit and eat your breakfast without rushing. It’s an awesome way to feel ‘weekend-y’ during the week.

7. Go for a walk. Yup, that’s it. Walk. Outside.

8. Compliment your friends on things they DO or how they make you FEEL. “I admired how organized you are”. “You make me feel calm.” “I think you’re really great at _______ “. Avoid commenting on their looks for one day. Try it.

The list could go on and on. What would you include?  What’s on your instant-karma list?

A simple drink that can keep skin healthy, erase sun damage AND reverse the signs of aging!

While there’s no shortage of products on the market that help you look younger, you can also drink nutritious Green Drinks that have scientifically documented anti-aging benefits.

It’s true: Consuming Green Drinks on a regular basis can repair damage, prevent premature aging and keep your skin taut and wrinkle-free. Green Drinks like Vibrant Health’s Green Vibranceare a specially formulated mega-concentration of grasses, green vegetables and natural fibers. They are some of the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar and most nutrient rich foods on the planet! The power of the nutrients in deep green leafy vegetables to heal and rejuvenate a body is unmatched by any combination of synthetic medicines or supplements.Green Drinks have been credited with everything from cures for cancer to super weight loss enhancers.

How?

Green Drinks infuse your body with easily absorbed vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids,chlorophyll, micro-nutrients and antioxidants in a way that is extremely easy for your body to immediately absorb and put to use. Being highly alkaline which will reduce any physicalacidosis, they also help to boost your body’s energy levels and remove toxins from yourlymph system while encouraging new cell growth.

What’s in them?

Spirulina an amazing blue-green algae, is just one ingredient commonly found in high quality Green Drinks.  According to New York University Langone Medical Center, Spirulina is high in B Vitamins, carotenoids and essential minerals and is loaded with protein. Your skin consists primarily of proteins collagen and elastin, which break down as we age. Spirulina is one of the richest sources of protein and selenium is essential for protein synthesis, states the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Several factors contribute to aging, such as inflammation, sun exposure and free-radical oxidation that damages cells and tissues. There is even some evidence that Spirulina may help fibromyalgia and there are even reports that it aids in weight loss.

At House of Nutrition we carry an assortment of high quality Green Drinks which are as refreshing as they are nutritious:

Here are a couple of Green Drinks that you can carry with you anywhere!

Nature’s Plus Source of Life Green Lightning Energy Drink (20Pkts)

Allergy Research’s ProgreensStickpack(15 packs)

Mix these with your favorite juices!

Kyolic’sKyo-Green Drink Powder

Crystal Star’s Energy Green Renewal Drink Mix

Or try a flavored Green Drink:

Garden Greens SpiruGreens Drink Vanilla

Garden Greens SpiruGreens Drink Chocolate

       You can easily pack-in a lot of nutrition with Green Drinks, but you won’t be getting any of the natural fiber, and the sugars in them will go directly into your bloodstream – so carefully check the label to make sure that you choose one with minimal amounts of sugar. Green Drinks are an extremely beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle – although it’s not a substitute for a balanced diet. So eat well and Drink Green!

Best Health

-J. Ricks

The most common discouragement to sitting outside enjoying the evening with your friends and family is BUGS!  Many people’s response to theannoyance of mosquito bites is to slather on the insect repellent -especially on their children. Most folks reach for a DEET based repellent – reportedly a whopping ⅓ of the US population, but DEET based repellents arenot just hazardous to mosquitoes. From a human health point of view, mosquito bites are just a tinynuisance when compared to thevery serious health threat which DEET presents.Choosing a botanical based repellentfrom House of Nutritionsimply makes more sense, but let’s take a closer look.

Why You Want to Avoid DEET: DEET is short for N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide and member of the toluene chemical family, which is asolvent used in rubber and plastic cements and paint removers. Ask yourself – “Is that really something that I want to put regularly on my skin?” 

       DEET doesn’t appear to affect the insect’s ability to smell carbon dioxide, as had been falsely suspected earlier. DEET serves as a true repellent in that mosquitoes intensely dislike the smell of the chemical repellent.  A type of olfactory receptor neuron in special antennal sensilla of mosquitoes that is activated by DEET, as well as other known insect repellents such as eucalyptolhas been identified.

       The most serious concerns about DEET are its effects on your central nervoussystem. Dr. Mohamed Abou-Donia of Duke University studied lab animals’performance of neurobehavioral tasks requiring muscle co-ordination, and found that lab animals exposed to the equivalent of average human doses of DEET performed far worse than untreated animals. Abou-Doniawho has speny 30 years in the study of pesticides, also found that combined exposure to DEET and permethrin, a mosquito spray ingredient, can lead to motor deficits and learning and memory dysfunction.Still wanna slather this on your kids?

       DEET is especially dangerous for small children. Even insect repellent manufacturers’ warn – Seizures may occur in small children that are consistently exposed to DEET on their skin for long periods of time.

       DEET is absorbed through the skin and passes into your blood and directly past the blood/brain barrier. The Medical Sciences Bulletin, published by Pharmaceutical Information Associates Ltd. reports, “Up to 56% of DEET applied topically penetrates intact human skin and 17% is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.” Blood concentrations of about 3 mg per liter have been reported several hours after DEET repellent was applied to skin in themanufacturers prescribed fashion. DEET is also absorbed by your stomach lining which is why side effects from prolonged exposure include: moderate-to-severe stomach irritation; nausea and vomiting.

       For adults, Health Canada has now banned products with DEET concentrations over 30%, citing health risks and evidence that increasing the percentage does not do much more to repel insects. Health Canada has also banned two in one products which combine sunscreen and DEET, saying they create the potential for people to be exposed to too much DEET.So why should we be less safe than Canadians?!

       Which brings us neatly back to safe – effective – natural botanical based insect repellents from House of Nutrition for yourself, your kids AND your pets!

For example: Kiss My Face’s Sun Care SwyFlotter Insect Repellent 4ozwhich contains Lemon Eucalyptus. In a recent study, Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent provided 120 minutes of mosquito protection, while a repellent with 4.75% DEET (Off ‘Skintastic’ for Kids) provided only 88 minutes of protection.  And try: All Terrain’s Herbal Armor Spray.

And for quick relief from the inflammation, itching, swelling and soreness of your insect bites try:

Liddell’s Insect BitesORNewton Rx Insect Bites #38

How about your pet’s comfort?! All Terrain’s Pet Herbal Armor Insect SprayClinically proven to be 100% effective for over two hours, 95.8% effective for three hours and 77.1% effective for four hours. Unique formula w/five natural essential oils recognized by the EPA as repellent

Best Health,

-J. Ricks

Think of the word muscles. What comes to mind, maybe big biceps, tone legs, six pack abs? What about your heart? Given that the heart is the only muscle that is working constantly, it deserves its fair shareof nutrients and attention. With heart disease being the number one leading cause of death in America, it is never too soon to live a heart healthy life.

            A heart healthy lifestyle first starts with eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. These fruits provide tons of fiber, minerals, nutrients and phytonutrients. Fiber will help lower your cholesterol, but sometimes it may be difficult to get enough fiber. Flax seed meal is an excellent source of fiber that you can add to your oatmeal, smoothies or even atop your salad. Flax also provides omega-3 fatty acids that your heart will thank you for. Omega-3s are only a few of the healthy fats that help protect your heart, Omega-6 GLA and fats from fruits and vegetables like avocado, coconut and tree nuts are all there to make that heart pump like new.

            If you are currently dealing with heart disease or perhaps there is a familial history of heart disease, there is an extra step that you can take to make sure your hardest working muscle gets the attention it deserves. Here are three main nutrients that have been shown to assist with heart health:

1. Co-Enzyme Q10: CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone and ubiquinol. CoQ10 is a co-enzyme that is used in the production of ATP in the mitochondria. Basically, this co-enzyme is used to produce energy, which the heart benefits from directly. However, when taking CoQ10 it is important to get the correct type. In the body, CoQ10 ubiquinone is converted to its reduced form, ubiquinol, yet after the age of 40, adults have difficulty with this conversion. Thus, it is best to take a reduced CoQ10 as ubiquinol.
2. D-Ribose: This 5-carbon sugar is not your average table sugar. D-Ribose is a sugar that is readily available for ATP energy production. This is another fuel source for the heart.
3. L-Carnitine: This amino acid is naturally occurring in the body, yet commonly people with heart disease may be lacking with this amino acid. Carnitine is used by the liver to turn fat into energy, which then the heart takes advantage of.

Whether you are currently fighting heart disease or fighting to keep it away it is important to keep your fiber, fruit and vegetable intake up and your fat intake down. If you are dealing with heart failure, high cholesterol or any other heart issues, it is important to take the condition seriously. Don’t forget your omega-3s, D-Ribose, L-Carnitine and CoQ10 for optimal heart health.

Here are a few supplements that may help you:

Jarrow D-Ribose poweder: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/790011010258.html

JarrowQh-Absorb Ubiquinol: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/jaqh1060.html

Now’s L-Carnitine: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/733739000651.html

Health From The Sun’s Super Sprouted Fipro Flax: http://www.houseofnutrition.com/010043050399.html

Referens:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002
3. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/coenzyme-q10-000295.htm
4. http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/jan2007_report_coq10_01.htm
5. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-827-RIBOSE.aspx?activeIngredientId=827&activeIngredientName=RIBOSE
6. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/carnitine-l-000291.htm

HEAT!!  OK, you’ve heard it again & again but, it’s worth repeating…Drink Plenty of Fluids, because you lose more water when you’re out in the heat and sun. Dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue.

Is your skin getting a little over exposed?  Mild sunburn can cause redness, pain and slight swelling for about three to seven days. Skin may peel and be pretty itchy. But don’t worry!  We’ve got some great remedies that may provide relief from mild sunburn.

A useful natural sunburn treatment is Aloe Vera. The gel, which is found within the aloe vera plant, has been renowned for its healing properties for millennia. Ancient Egyptians used it regularly in healing and beauty treatments. Aloe Vera will have an immediate cooling and calming effect on the skin, and it forms protective layer that will seal valuable moisture into the skin, preventing dehydration and promoting faster healing. To use the gel directly from the plant, snap off a stalk from the plant and gently squeeze out the gel. Spread this gel in a thin layer over your sunburned skin. Because sunburn tends to affect a large area of skin, you might prefer to have a prepared Aloe Vera product to use and we’ve got you covered – literallywith Lily of the Desert’s Aloe Vera Gel currently on sale.  Also, take a look at our low price onJason’s Deodorant Roll-On Natural Aloe Vera which contains no Alcohol, no Aluminum Chlorohydrate or Propylene Glycol. Formulated with Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Vitamin E, Lavender, Corn Starch and Chamomile this deodorant delivers soothing freshness.Try it!

Even if you don’t have sunburn, it’is important to care for your sun after sun exposure. After a day at the beach, re-hydrate skin with moisturizer, preferably one without alpha-hydroxy acids, which will cause your skin to peel. Something as simple as our Cocoa Butter stick can keep your skin hydrated and improve your tan!

If you do have a touch of sunburn, soak in a cool tub with an oatmeal-based soak (and Rainbow Research’s Oatmeal Soap Bar) to cool your skin.Consider takingthe herbWhite Willow Bark to reduce swelling (unless you have a sensitivity to aspirin products), and apply an aloe-based lotion to moisturize the skin. You can also use products containing LindenFlower to help speed healing & prevent peeling like the amazing preparation Burt’s Bees Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother.

Oh, and don’t forget – Drink Plenty of Fluids!!

Best of Health!

-JR