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We should begin by saying what I am sure you already know, that you are already beautiful, we just want to share some tips to enhance and sustain that beauty without the use of synthetics or petrochemicals. We believe a state of overall health and well being greatly enhances physical beauty. As the old saying goes beauty is only skin deep and thats where we are going with all this.
There is no way we could talk about the beauty of our skin, hair and bodies without speaking about our overall physical and mental health. I have learned that a lot of the stresses of life, illness and aging can impact the state of our skin and hair healthiness and their appearance. The impact can range from mild facial breakouts, shedding hair to severe rashes and discolorations. Since I am not a physician I will not attempt to prescribe medical care or give medical advice. See our skin health news and resources center if you are looking for in-depth health related information.
I know you have heard it many times before, but here it goes again, drinking lots of water, eating a healthy diet, moderate exercise and taking vitamin supplements can really make a difference, not only in your overall health but in the appearance of your skin and hair, which will make you feel better thereby improving your overall well-being. It actually has a pyramid effect on you emotionally and physically.
Since the skin is the bodys largest organ it could use the extra help. Everything we encounter in the environment makes contact with our skin and hair first. The harm that pollution and other things in our environs can cause to our skin is just coming to light. Combine that with the stress of job, family, social obligations, illness, etc.; and dont mention the products we use on them too, its no wondering why some of our skin and hair are having so many problems.
If you are already taking a multivitamin, do this test to see if it is actually water soluble, if its not, stop taking it and try something else. Drop your vitamin in a glass of room temperature water and observe how long it takes to fully dissolve. My vitamin dissolves in 15 minutes. This indicates if you are getting the benefits you think you are from whatever you are taking or if its just sitting in your stomach waiting to be expelled. If it takes longer than 30 minutes to an hour I would be concerned.
The next question is what vitamins and what quantities of each do you need to give the effect you desire. All vitamins are not equal and there are many different forms of certain vitamins too. I know this sounds time consuming and a bit tedious but I think youre worth it, dont you?
I have listed below the vitamins I take daily. Please keep in mind that if you have health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy, and others, you should consult your physician before adding vitamins or herbs to your health routine. As new research and science becomes available there is much debate about vitamins and their benefits. Please use caution before consuming large quantities of any nutrient. For most of us a quality multi-vitamin is adequate in addition to a healthy well balanced diet.
Vitamin A Importance: Necessary for growth & repair of body tissues; helps maintain smooth, soft disease-free skin; helps protect the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose , throat & lungs, thereby reducing susceptibility to infections; protects against air pollutants; counteracts night-blindness & weak eyesight; aids in bone and teeth formation. Current medical research shows that foods rich in Beta Carotene will help reduce the risk of lung cancer & certain oral cancers. Unlike Vitamin A from fish liver oil, Beta Carotene is non-toxic.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in night blindness; increased susceptibility to infections; rough, dry, scaly skin; loss of smell & appetite; frequents fatigue; lack of tearing; defective teeth & gums' retarded growth.
Vitamin B Complex There are many vitamins in this family of important nutrients. I take some in my multi-vitamin and I have added some as individual vitamins for specific purposes. B vitamins appear to be needed equally by every cell in the body. Unfortunately, the foods rich in B vitamins are limited. In fact, there are only four good sources of these vitamins: liver, brewers yeast, wheat germ and rice polish. I dont know about you but I am not eating any of that. Refined sugar and milled grains may not contain as much B vitamins. Each nutrient in the B-Complex performs a unique role in maintaining proper metabolic functioning and is essential to well being. This group of vitamins is vital to healthy hair, skin and nails. The difference can be amazing with the right dosage and patience, it wont happen overnight.
B-1 (Thiamin) - Importance: Plays a key role in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy; aids in the digestion of carbohydrates; essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles & heart; stabilizes the appetite; promotes growth & good muscle tone.
Deficiency Symptoms: May lead to the loss of appetite; weakness & feeling tired; paralysis & nervous irritability; insomnia; loss of weight; vague aches & pains; mental depression & constipation; heart & gastrointestinal problems.
B-2 (Riboflavin) - Importance: Necessary for carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism; aids in the formation of antibodies and red blood cells; maintains cell respiration; necessary for the maintenance of good vision, skin, nails & hair; alleviates eye fatigue; promotes general health.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in itching and burning eyes; cracks and sores in the mouth & lips; bloodshot eyes; purplish tongue; dermatitis; retarded growth; digestive disturbances; trembling; sluggishness; oily skin.
B-3 (Niacin) Importance: Improves circulation and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood; maintains the nervous system; helps metabolize protein, sugar & fat; reduces high blood pressure; increases energy through proper utilization of food; prevents pellagra; helps maintain a healthy skin, tongue & digestive system.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in pellagra, gastrointestinal disturbance, nervousness, headaches, fatigue, mental depression, vague aches & pains, irritability, loss of appetite, insomnia, skin disorders, muscular weakness, indigestion, bad breath, canker sores.
B-5 (Pantothentic Acid) Importance: Participates in the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats & protein, aids in the utilization of vitamins; improves the body's resistance to stress; helps in cell building & the development of the central nervous system; helps the adrenal glands, fights infections by building antibodies.
Deficiency Symptoms: May lead to painful & burning feet, skin abnormalities, retarded growth, dizzy spells, digestive disturbances, vomiting, restlessness, stomach stress, muscle cramps.
B-6 (Pyridoxine) Importance: Necessary for the synthesis & breakdown of amino acids, the building blocks of protein; aids in fat and carbohydrate metabolism; aids in the formation of antibodies; maintains the central nervous system; aids in the removal of excess fluid of premenstrual women; promotes healthy skin; reduces muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, nausea & stiffness of hands; helps maintain a proper balance of sodium & phosphorous in the body.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in nervousness, insomnia, skin eruptions, loss of muscular control, anemia, mouth disorders, muscular weakness, dermatitis, arm & leg cramps, loss of hair, slow learning, and water retention.
B-12 (Cobalmin) - Importance: Helps in the formation & regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemia; necessary for carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism; maintains a healthy nervous system; promotes growth in children; increases energy; needed for Calcium absorption.
Deficiency Symptoms: May lead to pernicious anemia, poor appetite, growth failure in children, tiredness, brain damage, nervousness, neuritis, degeneration of spinal cord, depression, lack of balance.
Choline - Importance: Very important in controlling fat & cholesterol buildup in the body; prevents fat from accumulating in the liver; facilitates the movement of fats in the cells; helps regulate the kidneys, liver & gallbladder; important for nerve transmission; helps improve memory.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in cirrhosis and fatty degeneration of the liver, hardening of the arteries, heart problems, high blood pressure, hemorrhaging kidneys.
Folic Acid Importance: Necessary for DNA & RNA synthesis, which is essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells; essential to the formation of red blood cells by its action on the bone marrow; aids in amino acid metabolism.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in gastrointestinal disorders, anemia, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, pre-mature gray hair.
Biotin Importance: Aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12, promotes healthy hair.
Deficiency: May lead to extreme exhaustion, drowsiness, muscle pain, loss of appetite, depression, grayish skin color.
Inositol - Importance: Necessary for the formation of lecithin; aids in the breakdown of fats; helps reduce blood cholesterol; helps prevent thinning hair.
Deficiency: May result in high blood cholesterol, constipation, eczema, hair loss.
Vitamin C - Importance: Essential for healthy teeth, gums & Bones; helps heal wounds, scar tissue, & Fractures; prevents scurvy; builds resistance to infection; aids in the prevention & treatment of the common cold; gives strength to blood vessels; aids in the absorption of iron. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, the intercellular "cement" which holds tissues together. It is also one of the major antioxidant nutrients. It prevents the conversion of nitrates (from tobacco smoke, smog, bacon, lunch meats, & some vegetables) into cancer-causing substances. According to Dr. Lines Pauling, the foremost authority on Vitamin C, Vitamin C will decrease the risk of getting certain cancers by 75%.
Deficiency Symptoms: May lead to soft & bleeding gums, swollen or painful joints, slow-healing wounds & fractures, bruising, nosebleeds, tooth decay, loss of appetite, muscular weakness, skin hemorrhages, capillary weakness, anemia, impaired digestion.
Vitamin D - Importance: Improves absorption and utilization of Calcium and Phosphorous; required for bone and teeth formation; maintains a stable nervous system and normal heart action.
Deficiency Symptoms: May lead to rickets, tooth decay, softening of bones, improper healing of fractures, lack of vigor, muscular weakness, inadequate absorption of calcium, retention of phosphorous in the kidneys.
Vitamin E - Importance: Major anti-oxidant nutrient; retards cellular aging due to oxidation; supplies oxygen to the blood which is then carried to the heart and other organs; thus alleviating fatigue; aids in bringing nourishment to cells; strengthens the capillary walls & prevents the red blood cells from destructive poisons; prevents & dissolves blood clots; has also been used by doctors in helping prevent sterility, muscular dystrophy, calcium deposits in blood walls and heart conditions.
What is the difference between d-alpha and dl-alpha? Both work exactly the same in the body. There is some evidence that d-alpha is about 20% more powerful, but it costs about 400% more. In other words 800 I.U. of d-alpha would work as well as 1000 I.U. of dl-alpha. But, the 800 I.U. d-alpha would cost 4 times as much as 1000 I.U. of dl-alpha. The best buy by far is dl-alpha.
Deficiency Symptoms: May lead to a rupture of red blood cells, loss of reproductive powers, lack of sexual vitality, abnormal fat deposits in muscles, degenerative changes in the changes in the heart and other muscles; dry skin.
Calcium - Importance: Builds and maintains bones and teeth; regulates heart rhythm; eases insomnia; helps regulate the passage of nutrients in & out of the cell walls; assists in normal blood clotting; helps maintain proper nerve and muscle function; lowers blood pressure; important to normal kidney function and in current medical research reduces the incidence of colon cancer, and reduces blood cholesterol levels.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in arm and leg muscles spasms, softening of bones, back and leg cramps, brittle bones, rickets, poor growth, osteoporosis ( a deterioration of the bones), tooth decay, depression.
Zinc - Importance: Is an antioxidant nutrient; necessary for protein synthesis; wound healing; vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate functions and male hormone activity; it governs the contractility of muscles; important for blood stability; maintains the body's alkaline balance; helps in normal tissue function; aids in the digestion and metabolism of phosphorus.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in delayed sexual maturity, prolonged healing wounds, white spots on finger nails, retarded growth, stretch marks, fatigue, decreased alertness, susceptibility to infections.
Magnesium - Importance: Plays an important role in regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart; maintains normal heart rhythm; necessary for proper calcium & Vitamin C metabolism; converts blood sugar into energy.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in calcium depletion, heart spasms, nervousness, muscular excitability, confusion; kidney stones.
Selenium - Importance: A major antioxidant nutrient protects cell membranes and prevents free radical generation thereby decreasing the risk of cancer and disease of the heart and blood vessels. Medical surveys show that increased selenium intake decreases the risk of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. Selenium also preserves tissue elasticity; slows down the aging and hardening of tissues through oxidation; helps in the treatment and prevention of dandruff.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in premature aging, heart disease, dandruff, loose skin.
Manganese - Importance: An antioxidant nutrient; important in the blood breakdown of amino acids and the production of energy; necessary for the metabolism of Vitamin B-1 & Vitamin E; Activates various enzymes which are important for proper digestion & utilization of foods; is a catalyst in the breakdown of fats & cholesterol; helps nourish the nerves and brain; necessary for normal skeletal development; maintains sex hormone production.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in paralysis, convulsions, dizziness, ataxia, loss of hearing, digestive problems, blindness and deafness in infants.
Potassium - Importance: Works with sodium to regulate the body's waste balance and normalize heart rhythms; aids in clear thinking by sending oxygen to the brain; preserves proper alkalinity of body fluids; stimulates the kidneys to eliminate poisonous body wastes; assists in reducing high blood pressure; promotes healthy skin.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in poor reflexes, nervous disorders, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, muscle damage.
Chromium - Importance: Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels; cleans the arteries by reducing Cholesterol & Triglyceride levels; helps transport amino acids to where the body needs them; helps control the appetite; medical research has shown that persons with low levels of Chromium in their bodies are more susceptible to having cancer and heart problems and becoming diabetic.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in glucose intolerance in diabetics; arteriosclerosis, heart disease, depressed growth, obesity, tiredness.
Iodine - Importance: Aids in the development and functioning of the thyroid gland; regulates the body's production of energy; helps burn excess fat by stimulating the rate of metabolism; mentality, speech, the condition of the hair, skin, & teeth are dependent upon a well-functioning thyroid gland.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in an enlarged thyroid gland, slow mental reaction, dry skin & hair, weight gain, loss of physical & mental vigor.
Iron Importance: Its major function is to combine with protein and copper in making hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the tissues which need oxygen to maintain basic life functions. Iron builds up the quality of the blood and increases resistance to stress and disease. It is also necessary for the formation of myoglobin which is found only in muscle tissue. Myoglobin supplies oxygen to muscle cells for use in the chemical reaction that results in muscle contraction. Iron also prevent fatigue and promotes good skin tone.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in weakness, paleness of skin, constipation, anemia.
Copper - Importance: Necessary for the absorption & utilization of Iron; helps oxidize Vitamin C and works with Vitamin C to form Elastin, a chief component of the Elastin muscle fibers throughout the body; aids in the formation of red blood cells; helps proper bone formation & maintenance.
Deficiency Symptoms: May result in general weakness, impaired respiration, skin sores.
Phosphorus - Phosphorus is a mineral that makes up 1% of the total body weight. It is present in every cell of the body, but 85% of the body's phosphorus is found in the bones and teeth. The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of the bones and teeth. It plays an important role in the body's utilization of carbohydrates and fats, and in the synthesis of protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.
Phosphorus works with the B vitamins in their functions in the body. It also assists in the contraction of muscles, in the functioning of kidneys, in maintaining the regularity of the heartbeat, and in nerve conduction.
Trace Minerals - Minerals that occur in tiny amounts or traces. They play a major role in health, since even minute portions of them can powerfully affect health. They are essential in the assimilation and utilization of vitamins and other nutrients. They aid in digestion and provide the catalyst for many hormones, enzymes and essential body functions and reactions. They also aid in replacing electrolytes lost through heavy perspiration or extended diarrhea and protects against toxic reaction and heavy metal poisoning.
Co-Enzyme Q10 - The nutrient Coenzyme Q10 is found in every cell in the body, thus its other name, ubiquinone (from the word ubiquitous and the coenzyme quinone). Ubiquinone is a naturally-occurring substance with a molecular structure that is similar to vitamin K. Because the body must have energy available to perform even the simplest operation, Coenzyme Q10 is considered essential for the body's cells, tissues and organs. Even though the body has the ability to produce Coenzyme Q10, deficiencies have been reported in a range of clinical conditions.
Known results of using Coenzyme Q10 as an oral supplement are energy increase, improvement of heart function, prevention and cure of gum disease, a boost to the immune system and possible life extension. AIDS is a primary target for research on coenzyme Q10 because of its immense benefits to the immune system.
The greatest amount of the coenzyme (and, therefore, the greatest need for the enzyme) is contained in the heart and liver, which accounts for its positive results in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, angina pectoris, coronary disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroid heart failure, mitral valve prolapse and hypertension.
Coenzyme Q10 may prove of benefit to those who are overweight because it improves the efficiency of energy production at the cellular level. It has also demonstrated excellent results in clinical trials on periodontal disease by speeding up healing time, reducing gum pockets, and improving other factors associated with gum disease.
L-Cysteine - L-Cysteine is an amino acid Supplement. L-Cysteine functions as an antioxidant and is a powerful aid to the body in protecting against radiation and pollution. It can help slow down the aging process, deactivate free radicals, neutralize toxins; aids in protein synthesis and presents cellular change. It is necessary for the formation of the skin, which aids in the recovery from burns and surgical operations. Hair and skin are made up 10-14% Cysteine.
L-Methionine - is an essential amino acid that is not synthesized by the body and must be obtained from food. It is one of the sulphur containing amino acids and is important in many body functions. Through its supply of sulphur, it improves the tone and pliability of the skin, conditions the hair and strengthens nails. The mineral sulphur also protects the cells from airborne pollutants, such as smog, slows down the aging process in the cells, and is involved with the production of protein. Methionine is essential for the absorption and transportation and bioavailability of selenium and zinc in the body. It also acts as a lipotropic agent to prevent excess fat buildup in the liver, and is an excellent chelator of heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium and mercury, binding them and aiding in their excretion from the body.
Pycnogenol Is a natural plant product made from the bark of the European coastal pine, Pinus Maritima. It is the most powerful antioxidant today and acts as a protector against environmental toxins.
Benefits: Improves joint flexibility, and fights joint inflammation and pain from arthritis, low back and neck problems and sports injuries. Dramatically relieves ADD/ADHD. Improves skin smoothness and elasticity. reduces prostate inflammation and, other inflammatory conditions. Reduces diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy. Improves circulation and enhances cell vitality. Improves skin disorders such as eczema. Reduces the effects of stress. Reduces allergic reactions.
PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid) This is a compound that helps in the formation of Folic Acid and is also involved in many important processes in the body. Your multi-vitamin may have it.
Importance: Aids healthy bacteria in producing folic acid; aids in the formation of red blood cells; contains sun screening properties; aids in the assimilation of Pantothenic acid; returns hair to its natural color.
Deficiency: May cause extreme fatigue, eczema, irritability, depressions, nervousness, constipation, headaches, digestive disorders, hair turning prematurely gray.
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