Liposomal Glutathione: Your Skin's Superhero

Healthy Skin comes from within! If you are like me, you've probably spent hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars on skin care products. We try to capture that picturesque, dewy and youthful complexion! With so many different products on the market, different types of procedures ranging from facials, chemical peels, skin resurfacing and all the way to injections, the beauty industry have become popular for us women; this goes for men too. We too, try and achieve the ultimate complexion. However, it wasn’t until I became a Nutritionist did I realize that the thousands of dollars that I had spent on products and procedures were not just the only solution to clearing up my skin conditions. This is where most of these skins conditions start from within our body! WHY SHOULD WE TAKE CARE OF OUR SKIN? Our skin is our bodies largest organ measuring around 22 square feet and over 6 lbs! It is our protective casing, our insulating shield, packed with a large number of sensors filled with nerves that communicate with our brain! Our skin is also the biggest showcase for things going wrong within our body – think hives as an example. Our skin plays a vital role on the outside of our organization as well as the for the inside of our body leading us to the case that healthy skin comes for a healthy inside! Just like our kidneys and liver work to detoxify toxins, bacteria and other harmful substances out of the body, our skin also does! Generally, our skin is one of the top 3 detoxifying organs in the body, and anyone who has ever completed a cleanses can attest to having some “ skin break out” during or post-cleanse. Ever wonder why this happens? Well, it is our skin detoxifying those built up toxins inside and passing through our skin. So how does this play in daily life when we find ourselves suffering from the following skin conditions below? Eczema Psoriasis Acne Hives Skin rashes ( chicken-like bumps ) Premature ageing Cellulite WHERE DOES IT START? Our digestive tract – that is where it starts! When we think about it, our digestive tract is responsible for breaking down all the nutrients from our food, absorbing all those phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. Our digestive tract is the common link to inflammation in our body, the creation of certain hormones, metabolising foods, housing both harmful and good bacteria and excreting wastes from our collection. A healthy digestive tract is essential for so many important health factors, our skin health included. When we look at the link between the skin as mentioned earlier conditions they all have been shown to correlate “ leaky gut“, an imbalance in intestinal flora, lack of protein absorption, inflammation, celiacs disease and other autoimmune disorders. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR DIGESTIVE TRACT: Being aware of our digestive health is an excellent starting point for optimal skin health, and there are a few different ways we can support our digestive tract for healthy skin. 1) GETTING ON A HEALTHY DIET Eating a diet rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds, salmon and avoiding those foods high in refined sugar, processed, gluten-containing and being mindful of alcohol consumption. 2) WATER! WATER! WATER! Water is so essential for many functions in our body; skin and digestive health included. Water helps flush those toxins out of the body, increases motility of our bowels, as well as retains moisture in our skin making it dewy and youthful looking. 3) CONSUMING PROBIOTICS Probiotics are an essential component and game changer in my skin health! They are healthy bacteria that help fight off the harmful bacteria in our digestive tract; they assist in our digestion by keeping us regular, helping our body absorb all the nutrients from our food as well as reduces inflammatory conditions from food sensitivities. Often Dr’s have been known to prescribed “ Anti-Biotics” for acne – Think of Probiotics as “ natures anti-biotics “ as they do the same job without destroying our healthy gut flora! 4) TAKING OMEGA-3 FISH OILS Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids known for the influential role in our heart, brain and skin health! Omega 3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in our body, skin included. They are essential for the appearance of our skin as well as well as a preventive in early ageing. 5) SUPPLEMENTING WITH COLLAGEN / BONE BROTH Collagen is the most abundant form of protein in our body and makes up around 90 % of our body! We have over 28 different types of collagen in our body, and it is Type 1 collagen that we find in our skin! Collagen is what holds the elasticity and structure to our skin as wells help keep cellulite away. Not only are Collagen and collagen-rich bone broth great for skin conditions, but both of these staples in my diet are also excellent for digestive health !. Loaded with essential amino acids such as Glycine, Proline and Lysine – these amino acids help heal gastrointestinal disorders, increased our absorption, reduce inflammation in our body and assist with the health of our skin from the inside out. CONCLUSION: Following a good skin regime, both nutritionally, as well as the products that we use topically, will all lead to a more healthy looking complexion. These are a few of my favourite and daily necessities for my skin health. For more information in regards to DIY skin care products, routines and more information about my favourite tips above make sure to check out www.organika.com for great recipes, blogs and information. -RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS- Active Acidophilus Super Active Multi-Dophilus Probiotic that forms part of a natural, healthy gut flora. A comprehensive blend of probiotics that promote healthy microbial balance and supports the function of the digestive tract. Enhanced Collagen Bone Broth Chicken Promotes healthier hair, skin, and nails. Supports bone, joint, and gut health. Pure Bone Broth in a convenient to use nutrient-packed powder. – Chelan Wilkins, RHN – National Education Trainer

You have heard it before, and I am going to say it again: we are what we eat! That means we should think about food for clear skin, and not just creams you can buy on a shelf. When it comes to the health of our skin, there are foods we should consider eating that will contribute to healthy, beautiful, and glowing skin. Our skin is one of our largest organs, and keeping it well fed is essential in keeping it healthy. So what types of food for clear skin should you include? Building blocks: starting with the essentials Protein is essential in our diet. It is important for building tissues and organs all around our body including our skin! Protein is made up of hundreds of smaller units called amino acids. When it comes to the proper building of our skin we need to obtain certain amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, tyrosine, and proline among others. We must obtain these amino acids from the diet because we are unable to make them ourselves. These amino acids work together to build up the collagen and elastin in our skin and tissues, giving us that firm, plump look. Sources of foods you can find these amino acids in are: Complete proteins such as eggs and fish Collagen powders Combining protein sources such as whole grain rice and beans may be a good option for vegetarians and vegans. Vitamin C This powerful vitamin has loads to do with skin health! Vitamin C is an important tool that your body uses to build collagen. Collagen production in your skin would just not happen without vitamin C; it really is that important! This vitamin is also a very powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are great at preventing oxidative damage within our cells, which can lead to skin damage. Vitamin C is a MUST in your daily eating regimen/routine! Foods that contain high levels of vitamin C include: Kiwi fruit Red bell pepper Parsley Broccoli Lemons Acerola If you are looking for an easy source of antioxidants, and to include nutrients from some of the foods listed above, check out Organika's Plant-Based Collagen Booster. Removing toxins When it comes to the health of your skin, the health of your internal organs can drastically impact what shows up on the surface. Many common skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and chronic dry skin, begin in the gut. When our body does not agree with certain foods we eat, or life stress we face, it can eventually show up on our skin. This has to do with how our body rids itself of toxins and other chemical burdens that can build up in times of stress and poor diet choices. Our intestinal track has an important job of absorbing vitamins, minerals and food as an energy source, as well as in eliminating waste. If the health of your gut is compromised, then it will not be able to perform these tasks efficiently. Eventually, this can appear in the health of your skin. Another major contributor to the detoxing process is through the actions of our liver. Think of the liver as a big filter! If that filter is not working properly, we will see issues in other body systems such as the skin. Our liver plays a major role in our skin health, as it is one of the ways our body gets rid of toxins. Gut and liver health play such a vital role when it comes to the look and health of our skin. There are many foods that can help support these two important systems, such as: Artichoke Garlic Grapefruit Oatmeal Broccoli Cabbage Sprouts (alfalfa, radish, mung bean) Turmeric Hydrate! Our skin loves some good hydration. When your skin is properly hydrated it will appear more firm and plump, as well as show a nice little glow. Dehydrated skin can show more signs of aging and may produce more oils in defense of the dryness. Besides drinking lots of filtered, clean water, there are many foods that are packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as water. These foods are a great way to hydrate during the upcoming warmer months. Some great hydrating foods are: Watermelon Spinach Cucumbers Lettuce Tomatoes A well-balanced diet goes a long way when it comes to the health of our skin. Besides the diet alone, there are many other avenues to tackle when it comes to skin health. Stress can wreak havoc on our skin. Finding a way to mindfully meditate can help to reduce consistent stress. Exercise is an amazing way to help promote healthy glowing skin. Increasing your heart rate and getting that circulation going will do wonders for your skin. Minimizing exposure to air pollutants. This includes smoking and harmful cleaning products and is important so that your skin and pores can breathe freely. Stay away from antibacterial products. Your skin has loads of friendly bacteria that not only keep you healthy internally but keep your skin healthy too. Antibacterial products are beginning to leave the shelf and more natural alternatives are becoming more readily available to the consumer. Check out your local health food store for more natural beauty cleansing products to promote the health of your skin. Feed your body right and your skin will thank you. These are just a types of food for clear skin that you can include in your diet. You can speak with your Naturopathic Physician to help you with a more customized skin care regimen. Stay hydrated, eat your veggies, be healthy, be happy! Amy Wilson Amy is a certified nutritionist with over 7 years of experience working in the health and fitness industry. She is currently in her third year as a Naturopathic Medical Student and has a special interest in gut and brain health. Find her on Instagram: @amy_kwilson

For centuries, we’ve relied on topical products to enhance beauty — but in more recent years we’ve bridged the gap between topical and ingestible beauty products. 2019 was a big year for the topic of gut-brain-skin connection — and for good reason. Research has shown time and time again that your skin is a major indication of what’s going on in your gut. As more research comes out showing that what you put IN your body shows up on the OUTSIDE, more ingestible beauty products are hitting the shelves. We’ve seen companies come out with beautiful potions and elixirs aiding with healthy, glowing skin. It’s a magical time for those wanting a little extra help with their skin! But what exactly are ingestible beauty products? What other lifestyle factors can ensure glowing skin? Don’t worry beautiful, I've got you covered! What is ingestible beauty? Ingestible beauty is the term used for products that have a focus on ingredients that aid in cell regeneration and gut health; they’re packed with magical things like ashwagandha, schisandra berries, collagen, and goji extract, to name a few ingredients. They’re not topical, but instead are taken orally so that they make their way to the gut for absorption and utilization in the body. Oh, what an exciting time to be alive! I’m fully supportive of these products as long as: they have good quality ingredients they’re used in conjunction with a holistic diet full of whole, unrefined foods they’re used in conjunction with mindful lifestyle practices they don’t break the bank Enter Organika, a family-owned and operated Canadian company dedicated to natural supplements. Their new venture includes ingestible beauty drops, and in my opinion, they really cover all the above points. The Detox Drops include chlorophyll, a known detoxifying agent that works as a cleansing tonic in the body. It’s high in antioxidants and a natural internal deodorizer — which in my books is super cool! The BEAU-T Drops contain trace minerals and fulvic acids, which aid in the transportation of other vitamins and minerals in the body. Simply add these ingestible beauty drops to your daily dose of water— they're super effortless to include in your day-to-day routine. I personally love adding a few drops to my morning lemon water and sipping while I get ready to tackle the day; it really makes me feel like I’m giving my body that extra love and attention it needs. And speaking of extra love and attention, I make sure to include a few mindful lifestyle choices to support my hardworking body. After all, our bodies serve us unconditionally — so let’s show them unconditional love back! Redefine beauty. Focus on your internal workings rather than your external appearance. Your body is more than just a simple vessel; it’s incredibly resilient and giving. Treat is with respect and honour and appreciate all that it does for you — because let’s be honest, it takes a lot of abuse. *sigh* Hone in on self-love practices. If self-care were a book, self-love would be the encyclopedia. It’s really the basis of life; the foundation on which we build happy, healthy lives and more importantly, strong relationships with ourselves and others. Self-love isn’t a one size fits all approach. It’s incredibly unique to each individual — but overall it’s all about mindful holistic practices that nurture the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies. These can range anywhere from daily meditation to committing to non-negotiables. Slow down and honour the signs your body gives you. Listen to what your body is telling you. Learn to be in tune. If you’re exhausted and your body is craving sleep, cancel that gym session and go to bed early. If your stomach is growling and you have intense hunger pangs, finish what you’re doing and give it fuel ASAP. Give your body what it wants when you have the choice, otherwise it won’t give you a choice later on down the road. Be gentle on your body. I always tell my clients that I’d much rather they do 15 minutes of consistent daily movement than sporadic HIIT sessions. This allows for gentle, mindful breathing, and also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) VS. the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response). Be slow, be gentle. Stick to a diet full of whole, unrefined foods - but treat yourself once in a while. Try to predominantly eat items that are as close to their natural state as possible, but don’t be afraid to treat yourself once in a while. Your trillions of cells need raw fuel for optimal function, but your soul needs a little love too. Eat that donut from time to time and wholeheartedly enjoy it! The worst thing you can do is eat something while feeling guilty about it. Please remember to be gentle with yourself. This is a lot of information, it's easy to get overwhelmed. So please, if you can take ONE takeaway from this blog post, it is to honour your body and start slow. Try out one or two of the above points and see whether they feel authentic to you. Adjust as you go, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you need a helping hand to guide you. I’m here. xo