Tag Archives: vitamins

Juice Burst Launch Fruit & Veg Range

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Juice Burst are determined to stay at the top of their juice game and we think their revamped juices are a hit. With both fruit and veg in their newly launched flavours, Juice Burst have also made sure that the reformed flavours contain No added sugar, flavours and sweeteners.

Strawberry and Beetroot is a hit and perfect for a pre-workout drink. With beetroot containing properties which open up blood vessels and packed full of antioxidants, this is the perfect purple pick-me-up.

Apple and Cucumber is perfectly refreshing served over ice and an excellent source of fibre.


Our favourite flavour comes in the form of a perfectly autumnal shade. Orange and Carrot is just the tonic you need to get through the colder months. With a huge blast of Vitamin C, beta-carotene to boost the immune system and Vitamin A which supports cell rejuvenation, we are going to use this as our winter tonic to prevent any unwanted illnesses.

Juice Burst is available to buy in WH Smith, Superdrug and other good retailers for £1.25

The Fashion Week Energiser: Emergen-C Review

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emergenCreviewWe got sent Emergen-C to review whilst being reminded that fashion week is nearly upon us. Yes, it is indeed. That whirlwind of shows, people, meetings and parties. Anything that gives you more energy is sorely needed. This vitamin drink was launched in Autumn 2014 and quickly became popular.

We like the taste and the convenience of it. You can carry the sachets in your bag and you just sprinkle them in water. They do give a boost and are perfect if you have a hangover. We will make them one of our fashion week accessories. They taste pretty good too.

Perfect for busy Brits, Emergen-C is a completely new concept with a double hit of energy release and immunity support in handy fast dissolving wallet-sized sachets. Emergen-C has three fruity flavours which contain real fruit extracts: Super Orange, Zesty Lemon and Juicy Strawberry. It has an impressive mix of 15 key nutrients: Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B12 and D, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese,  Chromium and Zinc.

Find it at Boots.com and Tesco.com now. Emergen-C costs £4.99 for a pack of 8, £13.99 for a pack of 24 and 99p for a single sachet.  Adults should take up to one sachet per day.

 

 

 

The Hidden Health Risks of a Nutrient Gap: Should You Be Taking Vitamins?

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healthy, vitamins, minerals, salad, dietLate November I attended a very interesting event at The Ivy, Mind The Nutrient Gap: Hidden Health Risks. Apart from having lots of fun chatting to amazing journalists and eating an extraordinary lunch (I would not have expected anything less), I found out some interesting facts. many of which I found shocking. Leading dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton, top nutrition specialist Miguel Toribio-Mateas, and regulatory expert TC Callis, all gave excellent talks and revealed exclusive research into the growing and hidden nutritional gaps in the UK and its wider impact on health. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

  • Almost 40% of Brits admit that they do not know what nutrients can help them to support heart health, immune health, bone health, eye health, energy, nail or hair health
  • A third of Brits state that they do not have time to prepare home cooked meals
  • 77.7% of Brits reveal that they do not get their five fruit and vegetables a day
  • Over half of us say we don’t understand the benefits of vitamins and minerals
  • Obesity figures in England have more than tripled over a period of 25 years. Over 30% of children (aged 2-15) are overweight or obese
  • More than a fifth of Brits in their 40s and 50s do not know how best to adjust their eating habits to support their nutritional needs

There is some controversy on whether people should be taking vitamins but the truth is our diets are just not good enough. The evidence that some of us should take vitamins is insurmountable. We don’t all need a daily multivitamin but we all have gaps in our diet that need filled in.

The Health Supplements Information Service unveiled new research on our diets, the nutritional gap we face, and its wider impact on long-term health sorting fact from fiction. If I wasn’t convinced to take vitamins before, I certainly was after. A shocking two out of three adults don’t hit their five-a-day target of fruit and vegetables. To make matters worse, intake has actually fallen over the last four years. More than a quarter of calorie consumption comes from crisps, treats and drinks which have minimal nutritional value. Even more worryingly, 57% of people thought that children did not need to take supplements. Despite the fact that the Chief Medical Officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have repeatedly reminded parents and health professionals that all children under the age of five need supplementary vitamin D unless they get a sufficient intake from fortified formula milk.

It is not just during pregnancy and childhood you need vitamins, many people start taking vitamins in their forties and fifties but by this time you can already be paying the price of a bad diet. Leading dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton notes: “The lifestyle choices you make during your middle years are incredibly important. When you’re younger, you have resilience and are physically at your peak, but by 40-50-something years you begin to pay the price for any bad habits or nutritional shortfalls. Your nutritional needs also change, and certain nutrients, including vitamins B12 and D, calcium, potassium and fibre become increasingly important.” 

The so-called sandwich generation, those ages 30-55 years, have the highest stress levels of any other age group. Sandwiched in-between their children and sick or elderly parents, they also have the early development of health problems to deal with and it is the peak time for career achievement. Women in the latter end of the spectrum also have the menopause to deal with and both genders have to maintain a home. According to Age and Ageing 2014, persistent job strain in middle age may lead to longer hospital stays later in life. Vitamins D intake is particularly important. We do not get enough sun in the UK and the evidence for vitamin D usage mounts all of the time. Dr Carrie Ruxton said that the recommended dosage was going up. Not only is vitamin D safe, it also stops infection. Women are apparently more likely to take vitamins than men and multivitamin use peaks at 30-44 years.

The truth is: our diets are just not good enough. We should eat more fruit, veg, lean red meat, low fat diary and oily fish. We should also drink healthy drinks. Any gaps should be filled in by vitamins or we will pay the price as we age. Most vitamins are safe and you would have to take a lot to overdose. Vitamin D is very safe, vitamin A becomes toxic over 3000mg, especially to pregnant women and over 5mg of copper is toxic as the body stores certain vitamins and our bodies also store minerals. It takes a lot to overdose on vitamins and keeping within the RDA and filling in our bad diet habits will pay off in the future.

What do you think?

 

 

The Five Key Supplements Every Woman Needs This Season

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The Capsule Collection: The five key supplements everyone woman needs this season.

We enlist the help of Nutritionist Cassandra Barns from www.nutricentre.com to give us the latest on what’s hot in health.

jennifergarner

 

Blue shirt, maxi dress, oversized floppy hat; our classic spring/summer wardrobe never lets us down. But what about our skin, hair, nails and waistlines? What supplement staples do we need to have in our kitchen cabinets this summer? Cassandra has developed the ultimate S/S Capsule Collection to keep us looking and feeling great….

Nowadays there are hundreds of different types of supplements available in health food stores and online, and the choice can be very bewildering. Although some may be designed for specific purposes or health goals, there are a few key supplements that most people could benefit from and that can be helpful to have at home.

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1. The Omega-3

EPA and DHA are two omega-3 fatty acids with specific health benefits that are also great for glossy hair, strong nails and supple skin. In foods, they are found mainly in oily fish and fish livers, with small amounts of DHA found in seaweeds such as nori. However the typical western diet often contains too much omega 6 in relation to omega 3, and we need a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 for optimal health.

Omega 3 fats can also help burn body fat. How? Omega 3 helps your body respond better to a hormone called Leptin. Leptin tells your brain to suppress your appetite as well as increases your metabolism. Leptin also causes your body to burn fat for energy, however if your body isn’t responding to Leptin correctly then the reverse happens, you’ll be hungrier and you’ll store more fat.

Find standard fish oil supplements too fishy? Check out the new VeryWise range of 6 fruit based Omega 3 shots providing a nutritious and tasty alternative. As well as the general fish oil supplement OmegaWise, there are 5 targeted oils JointWise, CardioWise, MetaboWise, EnergyWise and BrainWise, each of which contains added fruit sterols, vitamins and minerals relevant to that particular health goal.

VeryWise’s new range of Omega 3 oils start from £5.95, available at www.verywisenutrition.co.uk

Other health benefits include:

• Brain health, memory, learning and concentration.

• Eye health. DHA is also concentrated in the retina of the eye and has an essential role in its function.
• Heart health. Fish oils are well-known for their heart health benefits, and numerous studies back this up.

• Pregnancy and the developing child. Because of its role in brain health and development, DHA accumulates in the brain of the foetus in the later stages of pregnancy, and in the new-born baby. Studies link levels of DHA in the mother during pregnancy – and the use of DHA supplements – to benefits for the brain and nervous system in the child after birth11.

• Controlling inflammation and pain. EPA and DHA are thought to have several anti-inflammatory actions, including working against a specific omega-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid) that can encourage inflammation.

Vegetarian or vegan, or just prefer to avoid fish and fish oils? There is now an excellent Omega 3 supplement derived from marine algae, Vegamega-3, £14.95 from www.nutricentre.com This is the first supplement on the UK market to provide decent amounts of both DHA and EPA from a non-fish source: two capsules contain 310mg and 155mg respectively, an amount comparable to that in many standard fish oil supplements.

capsulecollection

 

2. The Multivitamin and Mineral supplement

A multivitamin supplement is an obvious first choice. This is principally because these products contain multiple nutrients, which can help to fill in the gaps in our diet and may benefit our health in many ways. A high proportion of the UK population is falling short of the government’s RDA of vitamins & minerals. And remember that the RDA levels are just minimum requirements, not optimal amounts. So it’s worth taking a good quality multivitamin to fill those gaps and act as a good ‘insurance policy’.

Want more energy for that Rave workout? A multivitamin can be a good choice for anyone to support energy levels and the immune system, areas where most of us need help from time to time. For normal energy production, we need to take in sufficient levels of several B vitamins, vitamin C, and the minerals iron, iodine, magnesium, calcium, copper and manganese. And for the immune system, we need to get enough of vitamins A, C and D, B6, B12 and folic acid, as well as copper, zinc, iron and selenium.

For a comprehensive, high-strength multivitamin and mineral supplement for adults, try Nature’s Plus ‘Source of Life Gold Gummies’. This food based supplement also contains plentiful antioxidants, as well as enzymes, amino acids and whole food extracts, and is a particularly popular choice for energy support. Source of Life GoldGummies available from all good health stores like Holland & Barrett

3. Co Enzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 or Co Q10 is your anti-ageing secret weapon, both inside and out. The antioxidants within Co Q10 can withstand and help reverse skin damage, preserving the collagen and elastin within your skin cells to make you appear younger. Co Q10 is a vitamin-like substance, present in every cell in our body, which is vital for energy production.But although the body makes its own Co Q10, levels have been found to decrease from the age of 20 onwards!

More and more products on the market, particularly skin-care creams, are adding Co Q10 as an ingredient because of these properties. Co Qu10 also supports brain health and helps protect against age-related memory decline as well as quenching free radicals that damage cells and age the skin; a very powerful antioxidant, decreasing the ageing process in our cells, arteries, hearts, gums and brains.

Quest Vitamin’s Ubiquinol Qu10 contains 100mg of CoenzymeQ10 in an innovative new formulation to guarantee efficacy. £18.55 for a month supply from all good health stores and www.questexcellence.com

4. The Probiotic

Probiotics are supplements of ‘friendly bacteria’ such as lactobacillus acidophilus that aim to support the populations of healthy microorganisms in our digestive tract. Probiotics are best known for encouraging good digestion, keeping you regular and helping with problems such as bloating.

Prone to summer sniffles and hayfever? You could benefit from upping your friendly bacteria. One of the most important roles of the good bacteria is its involvement with our immune system. It is thought that as much as 70 to 80% of the body’s immune cells are found in the walls of the digestive tract, and the trillions of bacteria in our gut come into very close contact with these immune cells. They are also thought be necessary for reducing or controlling the response where there is no real threat, as occurs with allergies and autoimmune conditions (where the immune system over-reacts to the wrong things).

Other – perhaps surprising – areas of our health that may benefit from probiotic support include:

• Joint health – through their link to the immune system, the good bacteria may help prevent the autoimmune reactions that can inflame our joints, as well as generally controlling inflammation in the body.
• Oral health – by helping to control the populations of ‘bad’ bacteria that can cause dental caries (tooth decay).
• Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is filtered out of the blood by the liver and enters the digestive tract in the bile. Although some of the cholesterol is reabsorbed, some of it is excreted, and it is thought that the healthy gut bacteria have a role in ensuring this happens. A successful clinical trial has been carried out using the probiotic strain lactobacillus plantarumfor helping to lower cholesterol.

• Low mood and anxiety. Many nerve cells (neurons) line the walls of the digestive tract; so many in fact that the gut is sometimes referred to as our ‘second brain’.These nerve cells are directly linked to the brain itself via a nerve called the vagus nerve. This strong connection means how we feel can directly affect our digestion, but the reverse may also be true – the state of our gut could affect how we feel. Clinical trials have found that probiotics may be supportive for low mood, anxietyand ‘psychological distress.

For good quality probiotic supplements, try the new ‘ProVen probiotics’ range. All ProVen supplements are made with the ‘Lab4’ probiotic strains (of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) that have been extensively tested in UK studies. The range includes different probiotic supplements for adults, children, babies and toddlers, for women during pregnancy, a specific product for travelling abroad (to protect against bacteria and the unbalancing effects of unfamiliar foods), and even versions that combine these probiotics with multivitamins.

Try ProVen’s new Adult Probiotic Plus Total Immune & Energy Support, £8.95 from www.provenprobiotics.co.uk

5. Magnesium

Mineral Magnesium is one of the nutrients whose intake commonly falls low in the UK population, with 40% of females and 36% of males getting less than the EAR (Estimated Average Requirement).

Magnesium has many roles in the body – in fact, it is known to be necessary for over 300 enzyme reactions, including those that generate energy from the food that we eat, and those that produce DNA and RNA for normal cell growth and reproduction. It is also necessary for allowing our muscles to relax, as it blocks the flow of calcium into the muscle cells (a process that causes muscle to contract). About half the magnesium in our body is stored in our bones, and it plays a role in bone strength. It may also play a role in blood sugar regulation.21 Magnesium is also necessary for normal function of the nervous system, and normal psychological function. Because of all these different roles, deficiency in magnesium has been linked to many symptoms and conditions. These include cramping or twitching of the muscles, fatigue, insomnia, lack of appetite, confusion and poor memory.Low levels of magnesium are also associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and diabetes, migraines, PMS and even depression.

Try Quest’s Synergistic Magnesium, £4.99 from www.questexcellence.com with vitamin B6, which enhances the absorption of the magnesium.

 

Should You Take Vitamins?

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Andy_Murray becomes forst man in 77 years to win Wimbledon. It is hard to know what is the best for your health and the media always seems to be giving conflicting stories. I take a multivitamin but recent press has said this is not a good idea. So, what is fact and fiction? Let’s try and find out.

In response to an article in the Daily Mail on Thursday July 25th posing the question as to whether vitamins can take years off your life, the Health Supplements Information Service (HSIS) is reminding the nation about the many benefits behind vitamins and minerals that are needed daily to fuel our bodies and keep us healthy.

SORTING OUT THE REAL FACTS:

Vitamins and minerals perform a variety of vital functions in the body, mainly due to their participation in biochemical processes including:

ü working with enzymes to help in the release of energy from food

ü helping to maintain the health of body systems and organs such as the brain, heart, blood vessels and nervous system.

Vitamins and minerals work together to maintain our health and the body cannot function without them. They are essential nutrients and a lack of such vitamins and minerals can lead to poor health.

Vitamins and minerals can be obtained from food, but modern diets are often lacking in these nutrients due to poor food choice. This is amply demonstrated by the findings from the large UK Diet and Nutrition Surveys, which methodologically are among the most robust surveys in the world.

These surveys continue to show a lack of essential nutrients to some extent across population groups but particularly in young women whose mineral intakes may be severely compromised and in children and older people where vitamin D intakes fail to match recommendations.[1]

The most recent data from this survey[2] shows that mean intakes fell below the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for a number of minerals, in particular iron, magnesium, potassium and selenium. This was particularly the case for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 years. Mean iron intake was 58% of the reference nutrient intake (RNI), the same proportion as in the previous survey of this age group. Mean intakes of magnesium and potassium also fell below the RNI for both boys and girls aged 11-18 years, as did zinc, calcium and iodine for girls.

Substantial proportions of older girls had mineral intakes below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI; a level at which deficiency is likely); 46% of girls aged 11-18 years had intakes of iron and magnesium below the LRNI; the equivalent figure for potassium was 30% and for zinc 15%. Among boys of this age group, 26% failed to achieve the LRNI for magnesium.

Intakes of calcium were of particular concern in 11-18 year old girls, an age at which calcium is particularly important for bone development. More than one in 10 girls in this age group failed to achieve the LRNI for calcium.

Significant numbers of adults also had low intakes. One fifth of adult women failed to achieve the LRNI for iron, while one in 10 men and one in 10 women failed to achieve the LRNI for magnesium.

Intakes of selenium fell below the RNI in both older children and adults. Adult women overall achieved 72% of the RNI while adult men achieved 74% of the RNI. Around half of adult women and older girls and a fifth of men and older boys had intakes below the LRNI.

It is clear that UK dietary surveys continue to show that significant numbers of the population do not achieve recommended intakes of essential nutrients. In the light of this continuing dietary gap, it is misleading to imply that vitamin pills are unnecessary.

A 2010 report entitled “Towards a Healthier Britain”[3] found evidence that vitamin and mineral supplements boost intakes and increase blood levels of these essential nutrients with fewer people taking multivitamin and mineral supplements having intakes below recommendations.

NUTRIENT SPOT LIGHT:

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds that exhibit antioxidant activity. Antioxidants protect the body cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules that contain an unshared electron. Unshared electrons are highly energetic and react rapidly with oxygen to form reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body forms ROS when it converts food to energy. The body is also exposed to free radicals from environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, air pollution and UV radiation. Free radicals damage cells and may contribute to the development of body organ damage.

In addition to its activities as an antioxidant, vitamin E is involved in other essential functions such as immune function, chemical messaging between cells, regulation of gene expression, and other metabolic processes.[4] Vitamin E inhibits the activity of protein kinase C, an enzyme involved in cell proliferation. Vitamin-E–replete blood vessels have been shown to be better able to resist blood cell components adhering to the blood vessel surface so helping to maintain the health of the blood vessels. Vitamin E also increases the activity of two enzymes that influence fatty acid metabolism, which again helps to maintain the health of the blood circulation.[5]

Vitamin E is one of the essential nutrients for health. Several studies, including the two studies mentioned in the Daily Mail article have evaluated the role of vitamin E in large doses, often 40 times and more greater than the RDA. These studies have involved methods similar to those used in drug trials to see if vitamin E and other essential nutrients can prevent or treat disease.

However, vitamin E, like all essential nutrients is essential for the maintenance of health and prevention of deficiency. Such drug-like trials may be of interest to researchers looking for mechanisms of action but are of no relevance for the daily health maintenance of the UK population where intake of vitamin E should follow recommended amounts. Recommended daily amounts of vitamin E have not been associated with adverse effects in healthy populations. Anyone taking medication or with any disease should ask for the advice of their health care professional about their nutrient intake.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential vitamin required for the formation of collagen in bone, teeth and blood vessels. It also helps to maintain the optimal activity of several enzymes and is involved in the synthesis of several physiological compounds in the body such carnitine and noradrenaline. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and helps in the absorption of non-haem iron (iron from plant sources).

Low vitamin C intake has been associated with conditions such as stroke[6] and periodontal disease.[7] Studies in which people have taken vitamin C supplements on a regular basis indicate that vitamin C may reduce the duration of colds.[8] Vitamin C may be useful for reducing the development of colds in people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise.[9]

Calcium

Calcium is an essential nutrient that plays a whole host of vital roles for health in the skeleton, blood and neuromuscular system. The essentiality of calcium for bone health is indisputable and as many as one in 10 young women in the UK have an intake which falls below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI),[10] an intake at which deficiency is likely with consequences for bone health throughout life.

The Journal of the American Medical Association study[11] mentioned in the Daily Mail article in which calcium was linked with cardiovascular disease (CVD) was not a randomized controlled trial (RCT) but a prospective study from which a cause and effect cannot be established with certainty. There was also no information in the JAMA paper on the duration of supplement use and a lack of information on family history of CVD. Calcium intake was self reported by the study participants and therefore subject to error. In addition, calcium intake was only measured at baseline; so change in dietary or supplemental calcium intake could not be assessed during follow-up.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace mineral which functions as a part of several seleno-proteins and enzymes involved in essential metabolic processes. However, In the UK, intakes of selenium are low. Data from the 2006 UK Total Diet Study showed that the mean intake of selenium is 48-58 micrograms a day which is below the UK reference nutrient intake of 75 micrograms a day for men and 60 micrograms a day for women.[12] Similar findings emerged from the latest UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) [13] in which intakes of selenium fell below the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) in both adults and older children. Adult women overall achieved 72% of the RNI while adult men achieved 74% of the RNI. Around half of adult women and older girls and a fifth of men and older boys had intakes below the Lower Reference Intake (LRNI). Such low intakes are associated with reduced blood levels of selenium and significantly increased risk of mortality in both Europe and the US.[14],[15]

Summary:

Overall, there is ample evidence to suggest that many people in the UK have a poor diet with below recommended intakes of essential nutrients. Though these nutrients should ideally be obtained from the diet, it is clear that this is not happening. A multivitamin and mineral supplement in recommended amounts represents a useful means of helping to bridge this dietary gap.

[1] Bates B, Lennox A, Prentice A et al. (2012) National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Headline Results from Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009-2010/2011). Department of Health

[2] Ibid

[3] Mason P, Ruxton C. Towards a Healthier Britain. Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) 2010

[4] Traber MG. Vitamin E. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins R, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006;396-411.

[5] Ibid

[6] Myint P, Luben R, Welch A et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2008 ;87 :64-69

[7] Leggott P, Robertson P, Rothman D et al. J Periodontol 1986 ; 57 :480-485

[8] Hemila H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jan 31;1:CD000980.

[9] Ibid

[10] Bates B, Lennox A, Prentice A et al. (2012) National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Headline Results from Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009-2010/2011). Department of Health

[11] Xiao Q, Murphy R, Houston D, et al. Dietary and Supplemental Calcium Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality. The National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Stud. JAMA Intern Med. Published online February 4, 2013. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.3283

[12] Food Standards Agency. Survey on measurement of the concentrations of metals and other elements from the 2006 UK total diet study. Food Survey Information Sheet 01/09. London: UK. FSA 2009:16-17, 37-45

[13] Bates B, Lennox A, Prentice A et al. (2012) National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Headline Results from Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 (combined) of the Rolling Programme (2008/2009-2010/2011). Department of Health

[14] Bleys J, Navas-Acien A, Guallar E. Serum selenium levels and all-cause cancer and cardiovascular mortality among US adults. Arch Intern Med 2008;168:404-10

[15] Akbaraly NT, Arnaud J, Hiniger-Favier I et al. Selenium and mortality in the elderly: results from the EVA study. Clin Chem 2005;51:2117-23.

Vichy Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream Review

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vichy idealia reviewIt is not common for me to be upset when a moisturiser runs out. There is always something else to try. But when my Vichy Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream ran out I felt forlorn. It is just that good.

It smells delicious, which is probably the Kombucha tea extract, the packaging is stylish and the texture of the pink cream is light and not too heavy, but, importantly, it really works. I used this religiously twice a day, except for once or twice when I went to bed late. When I did not use it I could see the difference in my skin. I just looked less fresh, less ‘illuminated’. The overall tone of my skin is greatly improved. It evens skin tone and smooths out wrinkles.

I have sensitive skin and this hypoallergenic cream was gentle with it. It did not irritate it at all. It is also paraben-free. I really love this moisturiser and so did my skin.

Vichy say,

– Enriched with Kombucha 3%, AHAs, Vitamins, Probiotics and Polyphenols
– Skin feels more even, smoother, supple and refined
– The complexion is more radiant
– Skin is replumped with moisture
– Skin looks more youthful, fresher and healthier

The ingredients

vichy ingredients

It is quite pricey at £22 but I think it is definitely worth the money and a little goes a long way. It is like youth in a pot.

Available from Superdrug or Selfridges.

 

Spring Clean Your Body

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Christmas may be a mere memory now but some of us are still in need of a spring clean for our body. I know I certainly do. So with spring on the way I started to finally detox myself and get in the best shape of my life. Here are some of the things I kick-started the spring clean with.

Pukka Wheatgrass Juice Powder

Wheatgrass?! Yes, I know it is very LA, but not only did it make me feel energised and healthy, but I also liked the taste. Wheatgrass is one of the most nourishing foods in the world and you can tell when you are drinking it. It just makes you feel instantly better. It is health in a glass.

Wheat Grass Juice naturally supports the body’s ability to cleanse itself due to its high chlorophyll content. It is one of the most nourishing foods in the world containing an easy to digest broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins and antioxidants, but daily juicing can be a real pain – who really has time to pick and juice fresh Wheat Grass every day!?

Why not try Pukka Herb’s easy-to-use Wheat Grass Juice Powder instead? Unlike many other wheat grass products available, to ensure optimum potency, we use only concentrated fresh cold dried organic wheat grass juice, and now, for the first time, it is even available in a hand handbag friendly sachet for juicing on the go!

Pukka Herbs’ Fibre Plus

The fibre plus, like the wheatgrass, is in a handy sachet. You just add it to 250ml to water and you are good to go. It doesn’t taste as good as the wheatgrass but still leaves you feeling cleansed. It is a brilliant idea and has a lot of goodness in a condensed form.

Overindulging rich foods and alcohol can often result in indigestion. Pukka’s powerful new Fibre Plus sachets can help alleviate your digestive dramas. Containing a powerful blend of soluble and insoluble organic fibre blended to support and maintain a healthy and regular digestive system, its high fibre content lubricates the bowels, heals inflammation, and replenishes gut flora.

Clean Greens

Drinking this just gave me energy. Instantly. It made me feel healthy. I am inspired to buy these in bulk along with the wheatgrass. You can read below to find out exactly what it does, but I swear by these now. They just leaves you feeling cleansed and healthy. I have been trying to find a natural way to get more energy and I really think I have found it. They get the Frost thumbs up.

Alkalises & Oxygenates: Helps carry oxygen to the blood.

Mineralises: Minerals in these super-green foods help reduce food cravings.

Detoxifies: Removes unwanted substances causing stagnation, congestion from the body channels, organs, tissues and cells.

Reduces inflammation: Reduces inflammation throughout the digestive tract and liver.

The chlorophyll rich ingredients in Clean Greens helps carry out all of these vital functions and acts as a potent food based antioxidant that is intended to reduce premature ageing and bring you lasting vitality.

Pukka Herbs are available from Amazon UK and health stores.

After looking after your insides it is time to give your skin some attention.

 

As Jameela Jamil lands her dream job presenting the Radio One chart show, she also reveals the secret to her glowing skin and guess what?… It doesn’t cost a bomb!

Jameela credits the Dr Organic Manuka Honey Skincare range to her glowing skin and when asked what her top beauty tip is, she describes how “I throw on my Dr Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream, and go about my day”. She also loves the Dr Organic Manuka Honey Skin Lotion stating: “It smells so delicious I could eat my face!”

Dr Organic’s Manuka Honey Rescue Cream provides deep nourishment to skin leaving it feeling protected and intensely hydrated. Apply a small amount to the face, gently work into the skin and enjoy the gorgeous scent of Manuka Honey that will leave your skin silky and soft. Available from Holland & Barrett.

White Tea

Super healthy white tea is best brew for 2013 detox

Health-conscious shoppers have began searching for healthier alternatives to the morning caffeine hit or post-work pint.

This ‘detox January’ trend has driven brands like Tetley to launch green tea ranges, plugging the health benefits that the lower-caffeine and antioxidant-rich alternative to black tea is known to possess.

But east London tea entrepreneur Joe Kinch is backing a different, whiter horse – he knows that white tea is the perfect way to kick-start a healthy 2013.

Packed with antioxidants that boost the immune system, improve brain function, and can help prevent diseases like cancer and heart disease, and with very little caffeine, white tea is green tea’s healthier younger brother.

Both white and green teas come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis, but white tealeaves are harvested at a younger age than green tea leaves.

Because white and green teas are treated gently and not overly processed, they retain most of their beneficial antioxidants. White tea is the least processed of the two, as it isn’t fermented at all, but is simply steamed and dried. Since white tea is less processed, it retains a higher amount of antioxidants.

The antioxidants found in white tea have many health promoting properties from boosting cardiovascular health, helping to lower cholesterol, and enhancing weight loss.

In fact, a 2009 study by Kingston University and Neal’s Yard Remedies, found that white tea not only boosts health but can also combat age-associated wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

While green tea contains around 20g of caffeine, white has around 15g, making it perfect for people trying to avoid the less pleasant side effects of too much caffeinated stimulation.

White tea is considered rare and is usually more expensive than green, as it can only be hand picked during a few days of early spring and has to be handled with such care. But Joe’s Tea Co’s is set be the first tea company to make the health benefits of white tea available to the average Joe. Health-conscious shoppers can get a box of ‘Whiter than White’ online or in Harvey Nichols’ stores across the UK for less than a fiver.

Joe Kinch, owner of Joe’s Tea Co, said:

“I’ve been drinking white tea this January as I returned to work after a few days of over-indulgence – I hope people embrace it for its great flavour and super health benefits!”

Pharmacy-assured bespoke vitamins at the click of a mouse

A new way of taking vitamins has been launched which will change the way millions of people can access this important part of the health market, using innovative new daily vitamin pouches.

thrivevitamins.co.uk tailors the supply of vitamins to the user’s own lifestyle and brings pharmacy assured service to the online marketplace.

The service, established by retail expert Alan Beesley and pharmacist Brian Duggan, with support from Peter Batty, the chief executive of one of the North of England’s largest pharmacy groups, provides a personalised 28 day supply of vitamins unique to the customer’s own lifestyle and health and wellbeing needs.

The daily pouches instil a regimented approach to taking vitamins, which is both convenient and portable.

Using state of the art robotics, alongside the company’s professional experience in pharmacy and e-commerce, the vitamins are sealed in convenient teabag sized daily pouches, each printed with the customer’s name and the contents.

Brian Duggan said: “Prior to the launch of Thrive Vitamins, the marketplace could not cope with the requirements for individualised vitamin programmes, but we have developed a system which learns about the customer and recommends vitamin plans to suit their lifestyle.

“Rather than a bottle of one specific supplement, such as Zinc, the bespoke packs contain the mix of vitamins needed at regular intervals, meaning the service is efficient, removing the over-selling of products, which are in excess of the customer’s needs.”

Alan Beesley, who created the Thrive Vitamins brand, said: “We wanted to provide a more convenient, personalised service to compliment a customers lifestyle. So, we created an easy way to ensure customers receive the supplements they need, when they need them and in handy daily dose pouches.

“Our team includes pharmacists, retailers and even has a former member of the Royal Logistics Corps, whose organisation skills were utilised for 13 years ensuring the British Army had the equipment it needs. All together, we have developed an unique, professional and simple system which we believe will be popular with individuals and families alike.”