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The Skin Game

Everyone knows the dangers of sunburn even in a normal British summer, exercise caution and build up exposure gradually. Most people, including many doctors, don’t realise that the quality of the fats that you consume can be a trigger to the development of some skin cancers and has little to do with the amount of sun exposure.1 Omega-3 oils have an inhibiting effect on melanoma – an Australian study found people who ate the most fish were 40% less susceptible to melanoma.2

Do sunscreens do more harm than good?

You may have read in the press of warnings that some popular sunscreen lotions contain nano-sized submicroscopic particles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Apparently these may trigger immune responses and inflammation in some people.

One of the most common ingredients is PABA which can cause an itchy rash and other allergic reactions. In addition to those nasties, you can also find benzophenone-3, homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), and 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC). These last four mimic oestrogen in the body and so can upset the delicate hormone balance in women throughout the monthly cycle. They also damage the environment where people swim in lakes where there are also fish.
 
Some latest research finds that sunscreens and blocks could actually increase risk of melanoma3 or at least encourage fair skinned people to stay longer in the sun.

Supplements can help

We all need sun exposure for the synthesis of vitamin D by the skin to help prevent osteoporosis, obesity, arthritis, depression, diabetes and autoimmune diseases, and even some cancers4. UV exposure uses up beta-carotene in the body so it’s worth supplementing 25mg daily of mixed carotenoids plus 500iu of natural vitamin E to help skin repair itself5. High doses of omega-3 oils are a must for skin health. The latest vegan-friendly DHA/EPA oils come from marine algae. Take 2 V-Pure Omega 3 capsules a day – 60 for £16.95. www.water4.net

The Nutrition Coach likes to use natural organic ingredients that gently stop damaging UV sunrays from burning you and also benefit your skin - not poison or harm you! So we always recommend products that we would want to use on ourselves.

Kate loves using Energys Sun Love from Higher Nature with melanin (the body's own tanning agent) from date palm to promote a tan - the skin's natural protection against sunburn. With sun-protective antioxidants Green Tea, Rutin, Vitamins A and E and Co-enzyme Q10, highly protective Argan oil, MSM and Aloe vera. She says begin with short exposures, use sparingly and reapply frequently. 100ml is £22.90 www.highernature.co.uk

Helen and her whole family love the sun and the Green People range of suncreams. Helen can enjoy the sun happily knowing there is a minimum of synthetic chemicals in this excellent range for all the family. Edelweiss Sun Lotion SPF8 £13.99 for 200 ml.  www.greenpeople.co.uk

Lynn finds Weleda Suntan Cream protection factor 8 made from natural waxes, essential oils and herbal extracts suits her – having shied away from the sun for years. This is not a high-protection cream but stops burning even for fair-skinned people. £4.50 for 75ml www.weleda.co.uk

Dr Hauschka Sunscreen Lotion SPF15 is a must for Averil who loves its luxury feel. It’s ideal for sensitive skin, containing horse chestnut and jojoba oil. Avoid if you are allergic to peanuts as it contains peanut oil. £10 for 100ml www.drhauschka.co.uk

 


Be on your TravelGuard™

International travel is now more affordable, exotic locations are popular for holiday and business destinations. Travellers are exposed to foreign foods with different standards of hygiene and water quality to what they have at home.
Holiday food should be enjoyed, but sometimes digestive sensitivities can turn a wonderful holiday into a memorable misery. It's not easy to avoid food you're not used to with questionable preparation.

The answer is to ensure the best nutritional protection available. One capsule of BioCare TravelGuard™ taken daily, may help maintain the normal balance of friendly gut bacteria as well as support intestinal health and wellbeing.

BioCare TravelGuard™ – your perfect travel companion

TravelGuard™ uses the unique DuoCap™ Process:

Stage 1 - Oils of Coconut, Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, Ginger and Rosemary are released into the stomach.

Stage 2 - Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria with Garlic are released directly into the small intestine, protecting them from stomach acid and the plant oils.

Take one capsule daily with food or as professionally directed.
 
Ingredients for TravelGuard™ Probiotic

POWDER INNER SHELL: Garlic concentrate 200mg, Extra virgin cold pressed olive oil 100mg. 4 billion viable organisms of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum.
OUTER OIL FILLED SHELL: Coconut oil (lauric acid) 60mg, cinnamon oil 35mg, oregano oil 35mg, clove oil 25mg, ginger oil 20mg, rosemary oil 5mg.
NON-ACTIVE INREDIENTS: Silica & Vegetable Magnesium Stearate.
CAPSULE COMPOSITION: Cellulose, Shellac, Sodium Alginate, Sodium Citrate & Water.

Free of yeast, sugars, mannitol, sorbitol, polysorbates, rice maltodextrins, citrus bioflavanoids, lactose, artificial preservatives, artificial colours, citrus pectin. Free of talc, soy lecithin, peanuts, corn flour, gluten, soy flour, rice flour, alfalfa, potato starch, acacia gum. Free of bovine glandular, bovine extracts, porcine enzymes, yeast-grown polypeptides, dolomite, sulphates, orotates, oyster shell, synthetic amino acid chelates, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, coral calcium, phosphates. CAUTIONS – Inner shell contains shellac from insect source so may be unsuitable for vegans. Not suitable for use during pregnancy or for individuals with gastritis or colitis.

1. Cancer Research 2000 Aug 1;60(15): 4139-45
2. Ann Epidemiol. 1993 May;3(3):235-8. Diet and melanoma. An exploratory case-control study.
3. Int J Cancer, 2000; 87: 145–50; Ann Epidemiol, 1993; 3: 103–10; J Invest Dermatol Symp Proc, 1999; 4: 97–100; J Natl Cancer Inst, 1999; 91: 1269–70)
4. Cancer, 2002; 94: 1867–75
5. Am J Clin Nutr, 2000; 71: 795–8

Interested to find out more about how Nutrition Coaching can help you?


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