Fight Stress and Adrenal Fatigue Naturally

Summer is here! Even for folks living in more seasonal climates, the sun is finally shinning down warm and plentiful. So it's time to get out there and make some vitamin D3 that can be lacking during winter. By soaking in the sunshine safely, we also support overall health, stronger bones and a stronger immune system, as well as boosting energy as vitamin D3 is known to do. But is your excitement to enjoy the outdoors still tempered by a lack of energy, feeling washed out and tired?

What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Do you recognize any of these symptoms:  feeling tired but can’t fall asleep at night, feel bloated, , lack drive, feel stressed out, scatter brained, can’t focus, have little interest in sex, gain weight easily? You might be experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue.

Many health professionals including Dr. Christiane Northrup call this condition “adrenal exhaustion”. Some call it “adrenal fatigue”. The condition is caused when the body over produces the stress hormone cortisol on an ongoing basis, and does not produce enough DHEA to counterbalance the negative effects of cortisol.

Especially prevalent in adults between the ages of 35-65, adrenal fatigue can be a chronic condition that gets worse and worse as we get older; and it requires more than just a cup of coffee or an energy drink to fix it. Consider taking Dr. JamesWilson’s Adrenal Fatigue Questionnaire  from his book Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, to recognize the possible presence and degree of adrenal fatigue you may have.

If you want to learn more about adrenal fatigue and the many benefits of using a properly made bioidentical DHEA cream, check out 'The Kat James Show’ radio episode on this topic. Hugh Woodward, President of Health2Go, the source of Twist 25 DHEA Cream, was invited by Kat James, the show host, to share research that’s been done on adrenal fatigue and why a bioidentical DHEA cream called Twist 25 can have “dramatically-transforming head-to-toe rejuvenating effects”.

As always, it is important to see a physician to be sure you’re thyroid and iron levels are O.K., and that nothing else is going on that may need attention. Have your hormone levels checked. Often people discover their DHEA levels are low.

Be Sure to Drink Plenty of Water

About 60% of the human body is water. If you are not drinking enough water, you will probably feel thirsty; but by the time thirst is noticed, which is an obvious sign you need water, there are usually lots of other effects happening like feeling tired or dizzy, foggy thinking, lack of concentration headache, very yellow urine, bad breath, or muscle cramps.  Amy Goodson, a sports dietician, says that “2% dehydration in your body causes a 10% decrease in your athletic performance; and the more dehydrated you get the worse performance gets.”

A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. So, for example, if you weigh 160 lbs. then you need to drink about 80 oz. of water per day. An easy way to tell if you’re drinking enough water is you should drink enough so that your urine is light colored yellow, not dark yellow. If plain water doesn’t appeal to you, remember it’s a much better way to stay hydrated than drinking sodas or fruit juices that are unfortunately usually loaded with high fructose corn syrup and other chemicals.  A better option is to drink coconut water as an alternative. Coconut water is an electrolyte-balancing beverage that has fewer calories, less sodium, and more potassium than a sports drinks. Or you might like to experiment with infusions …

Infusions – A Refreshing and Healthy Recipe for Summer Hydration
Sometimes it’s nice to add a healthy zing of flavor to drinking water. What you can do is add a few slices of lemon, lime, or orange to the water to give it some flavor.  Some other tasty and healthy options are slices of cucumber, apple or celery; or a sprig of mint, cilantro or basil … In short, you can ‘infuse’ water with a single flavor or any combination that turns you on. Feeling adventurous? How about adding some watermelon and kiwi? …or pineapple and basil? What’s your favorite flavor ?

A simple search will turn up myriad recipes, but really all you need is a glass jug, some fresh healthy filtered or bottled water and one or more of the delicious fruit or herbal options listed above. Allow some time for the flavor to get into the water and enjoy the summer freshness that’s good for you.  Stay well hydrated because drinking plenty of water is key for good health! 

From Health2Go, the makers of Twist 25 DHEA cream, we wish you a healthy, happy summer of looking and feeling your best!

Sun-Loving and Safe Skin Health

With summer finally here, it’s hard to resist the sun’s warm invitation to soak up your daily dose of vitamin D3.  It feels good, it looks good and, better yet, it's good for your health too, right? But too much of a good thing, could be harmful with sun exposure being associated with dangerous skin cancers like melanoma.

Sun-Blocking Solutions

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and covering up with UV-protective clothing are wise choices, but what about sunscreens? Recently, sunscreens have taken some heat for containing toxic ingredients that get absorbed into the skin. So while you’re trying to protect from UV-generated free radicals, you may be soaking up radicals of a different kind when you apply sunscreen creams.

You’re probably thinking, “Oh great, if sunscreen is bad, now what do I do to stay safe in the sun?” Well, keep in mind these concerns about sunscreen creams are based on new science, so it is not altogether clear yet whether these sunscreen creams are causing more harm than good. From what we do know now, it does make sense when looking for a good sunscreen to watch out for the ones that use many synthetic chemicals and opt for a more natural mineral-based filter like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

Consider eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to supply many of the vitamins and minerals your skin needs for optimal health. Vitamin K2 found in foods like egg yolk, cheese and butter, supports bone health, cardiovascular health and the skin. Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene and vitamins C, E, and A, found in colorful fruits and vegetables, aid in blocking the sun’s UV free radicals that can harm skin cells and lead to sun spots or age spots, and skin cancer.

Get to Know the Skin You’re In

Skin is the body’s largest organ - the dermis. The pro-hormone DHEA has been found to be produced and metabolized in the skin. According to medical research done by Dr. Fernand Labrie, it was found that most hormones in post menopausal women are metabloised from DHEA in the skin. DHEA is also a base for skin oil or “sebum.” The body’s derma layer is constantly regenerating and quite absorbent which means it can take in both nutrients and toxins. Did you know that when you apply DHEA cream to your skin the risk of both chemical and UV carcinogens is reduced? Furthermore, the combination of coconut oil, vitamin E and co-enzyme Q-10 (found in Twist25’s DHEA cream) helps skin look and feel hydrated and helps fade keratoses, also known as “age spots” or “liver spots.”

Vitamin D3 is the Sunshine Vitamin.  It is the only vitamin the body produces in the skin or dermis from exposure to sun light (UVB).  Yet with today’s indoor living, clothing that covers most of our skin surfaces, and the use of sunscreens to reduce the risks of skin cancer, many people are deficient in Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 has many hormone-like functions.  It is an important pro-vitamin helping the body to utilize other nutrients. 

According to MedicalNews Today, “the energy from the sun changes a chemical in the skin to vitamin D3, which is then carried to the liver and the kidneys where it is made into active vitamin D.” But what if practicing sun-loving skin safety means you’re not getting enough? Per Medical News Today, “The Vitamin D Council states that the vitamin is important for muscle function, the respiratory system, cardiovascular function, brain development, and it even has anti-cancer properties.” Additionally, vitamin D3 increases the absorption of calcium–crucial for good bone health, especially as we get older. So if you think you’re not getting enough vitamin D3 from sun exposure, consider a vitamin D3supplement. But remember, sunshine on the skin in moderation is good for you!

Find the Right Skin Care Routine

You may have a regular skin care routine for your face, but consider a whole-body skin care routine. It doesn’t have to be complicated or long. To make it easy, try these four steps:

1.     Cleanse – Use an exfoliating sponge or loofa to wash with a paraben-free gel cleanser.

2.     Moisturize – Consider using coconut oil as a hydrating moisturizer. Read more about the wonders of coconut oil for the skin here.

3.     Protect – Find a mineral-based sunscreen that is right for your skin type.

4.     Supplement – Include Twist 25 DHEA cream,  Vitamin D3 and vitamin ADK capsules in your regime to lessen the appearance of “age spots” and assist in balancing derma layer hormones. To read more, checkout this article about Healthier Skin with DHEA Cream.

Have a safe and healthy summer. Remember, it’s the little things we do each day that all add up to make a big difference!