VitaBlog The Vitacost Blog: Views and News on Vitamins, Supplements and Herbs

Emu Oil: Seeing is Believing

Oprah Winfrey recently gave rave reviews to a skin care product made with emu oil. It is professed to decrease the appearance of eye puffiness,  fine lines and bothersome crow’s feet. I decided to investigate emu oil a little further…

Emu Oil is natural oil derived from the fat of the emu, a flightless bird indigenous to Australia. Sounds kind of strange, doesn’t it? It has been used by native Australians for hundreds of years to treat minor skin irritations.

Emu oil is rich in essential fatty acids. EFAs are necessary for the formation and maintenance of cell membranes—including those of skin cells, which are continuously formed and replaced by the body every 21 days. EFAs may also help support a healthy inflammatory response, which may help with minor skin irritations. Emu oil contains vitamin E, which is full of moisturizing properties and powerful antioxidant protection against free radical damage.  So check out what Oprah is raving about… treat your skin wrinkles with emu oil!

 

Should I Take A Multi-vitamin?

I have to admit that I am a chronic worrier. I recognize that I take a daily multi-vitamin primarily for psychological reasons.  I have always wondered if it is really necessary to take a daily multi-vitamin. So I did a little internet research…

I discovered that all multi-vitamins should be approved by your doctor. You should not take more of a multi-vitamin than is prescribed for you or is directed on the package because large doses of multi-vitamins can be dangerous. I also learned that eating a complete and balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains minimizes the need for a multi-vitamin.

But I know for a fact that there are days that when I do not have the time or energy to eat a complete and balanced diet. I sometimes skip meals or eat junk food, and I do consume more than my share of chocolate. I try to eat healthy, refrain from alcohol consumption and exercise five times per week. But no one is perfect, and I will admit that my diet is not always the greatest. So I will continue to take my multi-vitamin… and try to stop worrying so much!

 

Pass the Honey!

I like honey in my tea and on toast…but would I apply it to my skin? Sure, why not! 

Raw honey, when applied topically, may help soothe minor skin irritation.  Raw honey contains many vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as sugars, all of which may have skin-soothing properties.

 

Numerous beauty products and soaps also contain honey because it contains superb cleansing and moisturizing properties. So do a little investigating and check out the amazing health benefits of honey. Millions of hardworking bees can’t be wrong!

 

 

 

 

All-Natural Soaps: Good for Your Body and the Environment!

Did you know that one of the main ingredients used in many body soaps is lye? Lye (sodium hydroxide- a corrosive alkaline substance) may be dangerous and cause burns in high concentrations. Other common ingredients found in soaps include perfumes, dyes, fats and acids.

In contrast, there are many plants, roots and herbs that can help to clean our skin in natural, gentle ways. These natural ingredients are rich in vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and proteins which support overall skin health and vitality. Sounds pretty good, you may be thinking, but how much do all-natural organic soaps cost?

The answer is not as much as you may think. In fact, many products’ prices are comparable to their chemically laden counterparts, with pleasing ingredients and scents such as chamomile, lavender, avocado, apricot and vitamin E. So go all natural…your skin will glow with pleasure!

 

An All-Natural Deodorant that Really Works!

Since the 1990s, there has been a lot of controversy over the use of antiperspirants and deodorants that include aluminum.  While aluminum is not considered a heavy metal, it has been found to be toxic in large amounts.  Aluminum permeates our air, water and soil, and small amounts are present in our food.  The average person consumes between three and ten mg of aluminum a day.  Should we really use an antiperspirant laden with element that may be harmful to our bodies?
 
Aluminum chlorhydrate is the active ingredient in antiperspirants that prevents your body from sweating. But do you need to sweat? The answer is yes! Sweating is the natural way the body cleanses itself of toxic substances. Sweat glands help our bodies excrete waste materials that we definitely don't want sealed up inside of us!

Now, although sweating is natural and necessary, we certainly don’t want to smell unpleasant! But there is a solution. There are many organic deodorants available that will control body odor while also letting your body naturally expel toxins. Many of these products include natural ingredients, such as mineral salt, lavender and willow bark, which effectively neutralize odor. So try an all-natural, organic deodorant that will keep you smelling and feeling great!