Featured Topic: Acne (4 slides)

Featured Topic: Acne (4 slides)

What really causes acne Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States Acne doesn t happen because skin is dirty Acne occurs when sebum (the oil that keeps our skin from drying out) and dead skin cells plug a hair follicle (pore). If the plug is infected by bacteria, it creates a red, swollen, pus-filled acne pimple. In other words, acne involves: abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles/pores increased oil (sebum) production bacteria inflammation

3 Acne Triggers High carb diets Eating foods high on the glycemic index make acne worse Foods that spike blood sugar can also increase hormones and cause inflammation. The hormones can stimulate oil production, which in turn, can trigger acne. One survey found that 86% of participants who began a low carb diet saw improvements in their skin Stress High cortisol levels aggravate acne; one study found that college students had more severe acne during exams than at other times of the school year Changing Hormone Levels Women may experience acne flare-ups before their menstrual cycle

Nutrients to Prevent and Reduce Acne Sulfur a natural acne fighter Antibacterial activity in the gut to prevent buildup of toxic bacteria Helps stop overproduction of oil to prevent pored from becoming clogged Potassium Keeps toxic bacteria and fungi in the intestines in check Promotes liver and kidney detoxification Vitamin A as retinyl acetate Stops the buildup of dead skin cells which can clog pores Required for the immune system; stops the bacteria which is linked to acne Zinc is important to building healthy skin One study found that people with the lowest zinc levels were most likely to have acne flareups Also: vitamin C, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, chromium, burdock, boswellia

Other Steps to Minimizing Acne Eat a low carb diet In a study of teenage boys, those following a low carb diet had a 50% reduction in acne breakouts versus those eating an unrestricted, high carb diet Manage stress Adaptogenic herbs including rhodiola and ashwagandha keep cortisol levels in a normal range Hormone support, especially for women Diindolylmethane

More Vitamin D to Prevent Preterm Births (1 slide)

Vitamin D is critical during Pregnancy Previous research found that higher blood levels of vitamin D (more than 40 ng/ml) lowered risk of preterm birth by 60% versus lower vitamin D levels (20 ng/ml or less) In a new study, researchers tested blood levels of pregnant women at their first prenatal visit and gave additional vitamin D if their test level was less than 40 ng/ml 90% of women over all had low D levels and needed additional vitamin D Result: women whose vitamin D levels increased to 40 ng/ml or more at their follow up visits had a 6% risk of preterm birth a 60% reduction versus the normal population, confirming the findings of the original study

What is worse for you than smoking? (3 slides)

Obesity causes more cancer deaths than smoking? Inactivity and obesity might soon account for more cancer deaths than smoking As smoking-related cancer deaths have decreased, cancers related to obesity and inactivity have increased A study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine linked obesity to 13 different types of cancer If current trends continue, by 2030 the percentage of overweight and obese Americans will be 86% or more

Obesity and Cancer Risk Versus people of normal weight, being overweight Doubles or quadruples risk of endometrial cancer Doubles risk of esophageal cancer Doubles the risk of liver cancer Increases risk of colon cancer by 30% Increases risk of brain cancer by 50% Increases risk of breast cancer 20-40% Why? Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, which can lead to DNA damage, which leads to cancer Fat tissues produces more hormones, which can stimulate cancer cell growth

Pick up a healthy habit and reduce your cancer risk Up to 50% of all cancer deaths could be prevented by following the basics of a healthy lifestyle For example, a little exercise gets you a 26% lower risk of lung cancer 23% lower risk of kidney cancer 22% lower risk of stomach cancer 21% lower risk of endometrial cancer One apple per day reduces risk of Lung cancer by 20% (in non-smokers) Breast cancer 17% (animal model) Liver cancer 57% (animal model) Add curcumin, boswellia, and grape seed to your supplement regimen for additional cancer-prevention protection!

Magnesium for Blood Pressure Reduction (2 slides)

Reduce blood pressure with magnesium New analysis looking at 34 clinical trials involving over 2,000 participants found that in just one month supplemental magnesium reduced blood pressure as well as blood flow Reduced blood pressure by about 2-4 points Just a 2-3 point drop in blood pressure can reduce stroke risk by up to 12% Results were most noticeable in people who are magnesium deficient BUT - up to 80% of Americans do not get the daily recommended intake of magnesium

Forms of magnesium Magnesium, as a dietary supplement, is found in many forms Magnesium citrate (magnesium + citric acid) Magnesium oxide (magnesium + oxygen) Magnesium hydroxide ALSO known as Milk of Magnesia These forms of magnesium are poorly absorbed and in fact some of them have laxative effects Magnesium glycinate chelate is bound to an amino acid Very well absorbed No laxative effects Combine with Vitamin B-6 as pyridoxal-5-phosphate and zinc for blood pressure and heart benefits (and more!)

Mental Health in Kids (3 slides)

Kids may struggle with mental health problems, too About 13% of kids between 8 and 15 have a diagnosable mental disorder ADHD is the most common, followed by mood disorders (such as depression) A 2013 study found that diagnosis of ADD/ADHD had risen 24% - ADHD used to be quite rare From 2005 to 2014, the percent of teens who reported a major depressive episode increased 37% Up to 25% of teens experience problems with anxiety, and about 6% of teens have severe anxiety disorder

3 kid friendly natural mood medicines 1. Echinacea angustifolia DOSAGE: 20 mg, twice daily, for 6 weeks Results: in clinical trials, 25% decrease in anxiety scores, with significant results after just a few days of use No significant side effects 2. Curcumin DOSAGE: 375 to 750 mg of enhanced absorption curcumin with turmeric essential oil Four clinical studies have found that curcumin can relieve depression symptoms as effectively as prescription anti-depressants without the side effects In the most recent study, 65% of people with atypical depression receiving curcumin saw at least a 50% reduction in their symptoms versus 35% of the placebo group 3. Omega-3 fatty acids from salmon Omega-3 supplementation was associated with up to a 10% reduction in hyperactivity and inattention in a 16 week trial