K-Beauty Special - 15% Off (Selected Items)

K-Beauty is an umbrella term for skin-care products that derive from South Korea. 
The fad gained popularity worldwide, particularly in the U.S., in 2016 and focuses on health, hydration and a preferred lack of pigment.
Products used include ingredients such as snail slime, morphing masks, bee venom (an anti-inflammatory “faux-tox” alleged to relax facial muscles), moisturizing starfish extract, and pig collagen. The regimen involves a series of steps including cleansing rituals (with oil and water based products), sheet masks, essences, serums, moisturizers, cushion compacts, fermented products, and SPF 35 sunscreen. 
At night, the sunscreen is replaced by a “sleep cream”.
Each regimen is addressed differently depending on complexion factors including hormonal fluctuations and lifestyle choices.

K-Beauty Special - 15% Off (Selected Items) 

+ Take additional 5$ off with coupon welcome5

Shop Korean skin care . Discover the fun, innovative world of Korean beauty with our selection of cleansers, moisturizers, sheet masks and more. 
SHOP HERE 

New Study Shows PharmaGABA Promotes Muscle Growth!

Natural Form of GABA Receives Stronger Health Claims in Japan: New Study Shows PharmaGABA Promotes Muscle Growth!

Japan has a very interesting and practical regulatory system for food ingredients. If a food or food ingredient has sufficient clinical evidence of safety and effectiveness, it may be registered as a Food for Specified Health Use or FOSHU by the Japanese equivalent of the FDA. One of the stars of the FOSHU status in Japan is the natural form of the amino acid GABA, known in the United States as PharmaGABA.

I was recently in Japan to participate in a major media event and conference celebrating the expanded FOSHU status of PharmaGABA for the relief of stress and anxiety. The conference highlighted some of the recent clinical studies on PharmaGABA .

New study was presented showing a rather remarkable effect in promoting muscle growth when combined with whey protein and resistance training. The results showed PharmaGABA produced a dramatic increase compared to those subjects who simply took whey protein and participated in resistance training. These results are discussed more fully below.

Background Data:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major neurotransmitter that is abundantly and widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Low levels or decreased GABA function in the brain is associated with several psychiatric and neurological disorders, but primarily anxiety, depression, insomnia and epilepsy.

PharmaGABA is manufactured via a fermentation process that utilizes the probiotic Lactobacillus hilgardii. This natural form has been shown to produce effects not achieved by the synthetic form of GABA, which is produced from pyrrolidinone – an industrial solvent. PharmaGABA has been shown to produce relaxation as evidenced by:
• Increasing the alpha to beta brain wave ratio.
• Preserving salivary antibody production during stress.
• Reducing markers of stress including cortisol levels.
• Improve sleep quality as noted by an ability to decrease the time required to go to sleep, promote proper sleep rhythm, and increase the time spent in both deep sleep stages and REM sleep.
Once ingested, it is absorbed easily and binds to GABA receptors outside the brain that ultimately lead to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. This arm of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for producing what is referred to as the “relaxation response,” a physiological response that is in direct contrast to the stress or “fight or flight” response. This activation of the parasympathetic nervous system by PharmaGABA is measurable within 5 to 30 minutes after ingestion.

New Data:
There is evidence that PharmaGABA may increase growth hormone (GH) secretion in response to weight lifting exercise. Since GH is an important regulator of body composition including muscle protein synthesis, GABA may enhance the muscle building effects of protein ingestion after weight lifting exercise. To test this hypothesis in a double-blind clinical trial conducted in Japan, 26 healthy male volunteers were divided into two groups: whey protein 10 g/day (WP group), or whey protein 10 g/day + GABA 100 mg/day (WP+G) group.
After 12 weeks, change in whole body lean mass was significantly higher in
WP+G group compared to that in WP group. The difference in whole body lean mass in the WP+G compared to WP alone is substantial.

The study also looked at resting GH levels throughout the study and results confirmed a positive effect with PharmaGABA on GH levels. At the 4 week checkup the GH concentation in the WP+G was 689 compared to 387 in the WP group. These results have significant ramifications for not just athletes trying to maximize performance, but also aging baby boomers seeking to preserve or perhaps even build muscle mass.

Commentary:
There is another explanation to the benefits to PharmaGABA in supporting exercise-induced muscle growth besides raising GH levels. Poor sleep quality is a big problem in athletes and may inhibit some of the muscle-building benefits of weight training. As PharmaGABA definitely improves sleep quality, this effect may turn out to be the major factor for the observed effect of increased muscle mass in response to weight training exercise.

For stress relief, PharmaGABA can be taken at a dosage of 100 to 200 mg up to three times daily. To promote a better night’s sleep take 100 to 200 mg at bedtime. PharmaGABA is completely safe and without any known adverse drug interaction. As a general guideline, it is recommended to take no more than 600 mg within a 6 hour period and no more than 1,200 mg within a 24 hour period.

The key to getting results with GABA is to utilize the natural form, like PharmaGABA. The synthetic form derived from a chemical solvent has not been shown to produce the same benefit.

You can find PharmaGABA here IHERB.COM

Use coupon code welcome5 in shopping cart for 5$ OFF.

Reference:
Sakashita M, Nakamura U, Maru I, et al. Combined oral intake of GABA with whey protein improves lean mass in resistance-trained men. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016 May;48(5 Suppl 1):54. doi: 10.1249/01.

NEW Smoothie Ingredients

Here are some surprising, but healthy ingredients that you can add to your smoothies!

Smoothies are instantly refreshing, satisfying, and delicious. We sometimes use them as a way to ingest foods that our bodies need that may not be so pleasant on their own. You should add the following ingredients to the list.

Green tea is a catechin and an antioxidant, so it packs a lot of benefits. Research shows that it may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 50 percent. It could also reduce the risk of several other cancers. Green tea might help fight heart disease and stroke, and studies in 2011 showed that it significantly reduced cholesterol levels. The best type to add to your smoothies is matcha tea in brewed or powdered form.

Collagen occurs naturally in the body and is what's responsible for giving our skin elasticity. It also helps improve the quality of your hair, nails, muscles, and bones. Reap all the benefits from collagen powder by pairing it with an ingredient containing vitamin D or A.

Seaweed is high in fiber and loaded with beneficial minerals and trace elements. It also increases gut health and makes you feel full longer. Keep the flavor of this sea veggie from overpowering your smoothie by only using a teaspoonful of kelp powder, dulse flakes, or dried, soaked seaweed.

Some of these items can be purchased from iHerb's Grocery Page!

Beauty From Within

How olives, green tea, hyaluronic acid, and silicon can make your more beautiful

Radiant and vibrant hair, skin, and nails have long been associated with good health. While most people try and improve the appearance of these tissues from the outside, the real secret to healthy skin, beautiful hair, and strong nails comes from within. And it starts with good nutrition and key dietary supplements.

A deficiency of any essential nutrient, including vitamins, minerals, fat, or protein, can cause impaired manufacture of new skin cells. A healthy diet is therefore crucial for hair, skin, and nail health and overall appearance. Taking key supplements is equally as important. Start with a high-potency multivitamin/mineral formula and a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil—these two supplements offer a balance of essential beauty nutrients for people of all ages.

Preventing Wrinkles

Why does skin wrinkle? The main culprit is free radical damage from external (sun, pollution) and internal (cigarette smoke, poor diet) causes. Over time, the amount of fat stored in the layers just below the skin also diminishes, causing the skin to sag. And as we age, the collagen in skin loses its ability to hold its shape. We can blame this on decreased hyaluronic acid production: By age 70, most people will have lost approximately 80 percent of the hyaluronic acid they had at 40. As a result, the collagen fibers become fewer and farther between. As the network of collagen and hyaluronic acid shrinks, the skin becomes thinner and less elastic. Glands that secret natural oils also wither away, causing skin to become dry and itchy.

To prevent wrinkles from forming, be sure to eat a diet rich in antioxidants and do your best to avoid free radical exposure. There’s also more you can do: Consider taking the following innovative supplements to help restore collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

Olive Fruit Extract and Green Tea

An interesting antioxidant for skin health is olive fruit extract. Population-based studies have shown a negative correlation between the consumption of olives and wrinkle formation. In other words, a higher intake of olives can mean fewer wrinkles. Olive fruit (but not the leaves) contains verbascoside, a polyphenol molecule that has shown exceptional antioxidant effects specific to skin health. In studies conducted by Japanese and Italian researchers, olive fruit extract standardized to contain 10 percent polyphenols (Opextan) was shown both to prevent free radical—mediated degeneration of the skin—a process that can lead to wrinkle formation—and to protect the skin from other signs of damage.

The same can be said for green tea extract and its chief polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This healthy elixir also has an ability to protect against free radical damage to the skin, particularly damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.

How much do you need? The dosage of olive fruit extract (or Opextan) is 60 to 120 mg daily. The dosage for green tea extract is based on polyphenol levels, with a typical dosage of 150 to 300 mg daily.

Hyaluronic Acid

A major component of skin, hyaluronic acid is heavily involved in promoting and enhancing the skin’s collagen matrix (or structure). When skin becomes damaged by free radicals, it gets inflamed and the skin cells start producing less and less hyaluronic acid. This leads to wrinkle formation. And as mentioned earlier, your skin’s hyaluronic acid content also naturally decreases with age.

Hyaluronic acid injections are used in medical spas to fill in wrinkles. But taking hyaluronic acid supplements may actually be a more effective solution. For one thing, hyaluronic acid supplements may have a longer-lasting effect than injections. Plus: hyaluronic acid supplements are more natural, and offer a less invasive way to deliver this important compound into the skin.

Clinical studies have shown that hyaluronic supplements have the ability to increase the skin’s moisture content, resulting in a dramatic improvement the skin’s appearance among patients with dry and rough skin.

How much do you need? The dosage used in the clinical trials was 120 mg daily. Look for supplements that offer “highly bioavailable” hyaluronic acid.

Silicon

Silicon is an essential element needed for the normal growth and development of skin, hair, and nails—which require healthy collagen formation. Studies show that BioSil, a highly bioavailable and stabilized form of silicon, increases levels of hydroxyproline, an amino acid involved in collagen and elastin production.

Scientists from the University of Brussels in Belgium conducted a 20-week double-blind study involving 50 women (ages 40 to 65) with signs of sun damage and premature aging. Half received 10 mg of BioSil and the other half a placebo. The BioSil group experienced a 30 percent improvement in shallow, fine lines, a 55 percent increase in skin elasticity, and a significant reduction in brittle nails and hair.

How much do you need? A typical dosage of silicon is 5 mg twice daily.

Aging gracefully

Bestselling health author and Better Nutrition columnist Michael T. Murray, ND, shares his personal health secrets

BN: You’re a vibrant looking 53-year-old. To what do you attribute your youthful looks?

Murray: I think it’s the result of everything that I’ve done consistently for my entire adult life—my diet, attitude, lifestyle, and supplement program for the past 25 years. When you study what causes people to age prematurely, you start to see how everything is connected and why it’s so important to address every facet.

BN: What do you think are some of the most important steps you have taken to slow down the aging process?

Murray: About eight years ago, I started using PGX supplements—a special dietary fiber matrix. A key aspect of fighting the effects of aging is to enhance your body’s sensitivity to insulin and stabilize your blood sugar levels within a narrow range. Nothing does that better than PGX. I credit it for the fact that my lean muscle mass and body fat percentage in my late 40s and 50s are better than any time in my adult life.

BN: What about other supplements?

Murray: In addition to PGX, I take a high-potency multivitamin/multimineral, a “green foods drink,” and a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, as well as a variety of specialty antioxidants like CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, and flavonoid-rich extracts. If you look at cultures where long lives are common, a high intake of flavonoids is one of the common features.