Living healthy hacks: Hyaluronic Acid + Electrolytes and Enhanced Collagen

Make a refreshing Bellini to beat the summer heat and radiate fabulousness, inside and out. Made with our award-winning Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen, not only does this mocktail taste delicious, but you are getting essential nutrients to keep you hydrated and a boost of collagen to meet your skin, hair and nail health goals. Now that’s something to drink to! Makes 2 drinks

As we age, our skin wrinkles, thins out, and may lack that ‘youthful lift’. Our joints become stiff and wear and tear can occur with any activity. Although aging is inevitable, thanks to research we continue to find more ways to add ‘grace’ to the aging process. Nowadays, fillers and Botox are a pricey, and sometimes a risky route many individuals will take to sustain youthful looking skin. Creams, lotions and serums can be priced in the thousands, with promises to reverse aging. It can all add up and become not only incredibly expensive, but in some cases not as effective as promised. What if I were to tell you that beyond a balanced daily diet and lifestyle, certain supplements can have a HUGE impact on the way your skin ages and your joints feel? Collagen is an important component of our skin and other tissues, and it needs a few key ingredients to stay strong, plump and glorious. Hyaluronic acid is one of those key ingredients! Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid (HA), is a naturally occurring substance in your body. HA attracts and holds onto water molecules, and in turn, acts as a natural lubricant for the joints and an internal moisturiser for the skin.1 More than half of our natural HA is found in skin tissues,2 and the rest is abundant in our joints, blood vessels, eyes and more.1 As we age, our natural stores of HA decrease, and this is seen in features of our skin such as wrinkles, which become more noticeable due to the loss of moisture.1 Supplementing with Hyaluronic Acid Taking a HA supplement daily is a targeted way to help with the health of your skin while aging, as well as keeping our joints in tip top shape! HA, alongside collagen supplementation, is a dynamic duo that will promote growth and stability in your tissues. The collagen in your skin needs to be well hydrated to maintain good flexibility, which allows it to avoid being easily broken down. Supplementing with HA is a good daily practice as it degrades quickly in our body3, so replacing it is key. Shop Hyaluronic Acid Summing it up Adding HA alongside a collagen supplement is a great way to boost the overall health of your skin and joints. Eating a diet rich in nutrients, and low in processed foods/sugar, will only compliment this process further. Just like any other supplement regime, it is always a great idea to talk to your healthcare provider before making any major changes. Be happy, be healthy and age gracefully! Amy Wilson References Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-endocrinology. 2012 Jul 1;4(3):253-8. Reed RK, Lilja K, Laurent TC. Hyaluronan in the rat with special reference to the skin. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica. 1988 Nov;134(3):405-11. Fraser JR, Laurent TC, Engström‐Laurent A, Laurent UG. Elimination of hyaluronic acid from the blood stream in the human. Clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology. 1984 Feb;11(1):17-25.

You may have heard of electrolytes in sports drinks, and even be aware of some of the natural options available out there. But what do electrolytes actually do and what should you look for in an electrolyte drink or electrolyte supplements? What do electrolytes do? Electrolytes are a group of minerals – including magnesium, sodium, and potassium – that help conduct electricity around the body. They are essential for basically every activity in your body: muscle contraction (like your heart), regulating pH balance, keeping you hydrated and controlling your nervous system function. Why are electrolytes important? Electrolytes are essential to our survival, yet we can easily lose electrolytes through urine and sweat. Overconsumption of diuretic drinks such as coffee, alcohol and caffeinated teas can also reduce our electrolyte levels in the body. This becomes especially problematic when we are sick, as we also lose electrolytes when we vomit or experience diarrhea. Symptoms of low electrolytes levels It can be more common to see extreme symptoms of low electrolyte levels in those who are athletes or practice a ketogenic diet (hint: the keto flu can be better managed with electrolyte supplementation). However, there are common symptoms that many of us experience, that may indicate dehydration or low electrolyte levels, including: Fatigue Headache Dizziness Nausea (with or without vomiting) Trembling Dry mouth and skin Muscle weakness Stiff and aching joints More severe symptoms of electrolyte deficiency include: Change in mental status, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations Poor skin elasticity Rapid heart rate Sunken eyes If you experience these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. When to take electrolytes In general, electrolytes can be helpful to keep up with your daily hydration goals, especially on those busy days where remembering to drink water can be a challenge. You can skip that third cup of coffee and reach for some electrolytes – you may even find it more energizing! Some other times you may want to consider taking electrolytes include: When you have been in the heat for an extended period (think summertime adventures!) If you drank a little too much alcohol one night If you are engaging in high-intensity exercise If you are following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, or regularly practice fasting If you are experiencing the flu or a severe bout of diarrhea If you have been feeling more muscle fatigue than usual with no changes to your daily water consumption How to replenish electrolytes First, start with food. Lots of vegetables and fruits can supply you with magnesium and potassium, as well as sea salt to support sodium production. But for many people, this isn’t enough. Supplementing with an electrolyte mix, like Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™, can provide you with these essential minerals. What is the best electrolyte drink? For years, we reached for electrolyte drinks packed with sugar – anyone else remember the days of choosing your favourite colour sugary sports drink for the soccer tournament? However, a few tips to ensure you pick the best electrolyte for your health goals include: Make sure it's sugar-free While glucose is important for many professional athletes, many average fitness folks can get away with consuming their carbs from whole-food sources pre- and post-workout. Look for a higher sodium content Many people shy away from sodium as we’ve been told it can lead to cardiovascular issues. However, studies show that low sodium intake can have the same effect. Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™ powder contains 440 mg of sodium per serving, which is known to support sore muscles. As previously mentioned, this is especially important for those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, whether they exercise regularly or not. Check the magnesium content Magnesium is always beneficial to have in an electrolyte mix to help with post-workout recovery. Magnesium citrate can be ideal, especially if you deal with muscle cramping. Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™ powder contains 60 mg of magnesium per serving. No added colours or preservatives Look for natural colouring, especially ones that add to the nutritional value of the product, like red beet powder! Today, electrolyte drinks are savvier than ever, not only supporting your mineral needs, but taking a whole-body approach. Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™ combines nutrients like vitamin C, which is excellent to support tissue repair, plus 5 g of hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen per serving for additional joint support. In addition, you get all the benefits, without the less ideal ingredients like sugar, preservatives and artificial colours.