Life is a journey, and in so many different ways, we come together with our own stories and our own journeys.  I have always believed that our hearts, our VH hearts, beat together in unison and that people are brought together for a reason.  There are times when it can take many years to fully understand that reason and the same could be said about products.  Most especially the products that stand out in the crowd, and it is some of those products that I want to talk about today.

Throwing the focus on supplementation, the evolvement of any given supplement is nearly always based upon research.  If we take Hyaluronic Acid as an example, I still stand by the words I wrote about HA spanning more than twenty years, and I have taken HA for the same length of time.  Yet over that time, I have continually written about new research, which further determines the importance of taking HA supplementation, if you can.  The evidence is very clear.

When we launched Essential Youth L-Ergothioneine recently, we did so based upon extensive and evidenced research.  At the same time we researched several other nutrients which were claiming to be longevity nutrients, but they didn’t come close to the efficacy of Ergothioneine, the amino acid that cannot be manufactured by the body.  Supporting healthy ageing, most tissues in our bodies contain Ergothioneine and the highest concentration of this amino acid is found in cells prone to oxidative damage and inflammation. With inflammation being the multi-faceted root cause of ageing, we consider Ergothioneine supplementation to be extraordinarily important.

So with that said, a study recently published in the journal ‘Free Radical Biology and Medicine’ showed that low levels of Ergothioneine have been associated with cognitive decline and could serve as an early sign of cognitive impairment.  Results of the 496-participant study demonstrated that plasma Ergothioneine levels were lowest in patients with cognitive decline, and only intermediate levels were found in people with cognitive impairment.  In multivariate analyses, lower levels of Ergothioneine were ‘significantly associated’ with cognitive decline and cognitive impairment.

I am certain that like HA, the research on Ergothioneine will continue through the coming months and years, and as such we will of course keep you updated on published studies.  In the meantime, I will link you once again to Shabir’s article on Ergothioneine as I take the price down of Essential Youth L-Ergothioneine from £20 to £18 across the weekend.  And whilst I can never be absolutely certain of so many things, I actually think that Ergothioneine will be the single most important supplement we will launch this year.  In any genre.
VH Editorial: Is Ergothioneine The Next Longevity Nutrient; Essential Youth L-Ergothioneine by Life Extension £18 for 30 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 June); Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength £35 for 30 Capsules

Referring to my opening words, each of the Fulvic products most certainly stand out in the crowd and they have done for the longest time.  The research on Fulvic is also ongoing, but having written many words about that research, I just want to acknowledge Fulvic by saying that each of the Fulvic products are powered by Ioniplex, a patented ionic mineral complex, the efficacy of which is well documented. 

So, in that acknowledgement, let’s take the price of Fulvic Acid Shampoo down from £25 to £20, and I’ll do the same with Fulvic Acid Conditioner, as that also drops from £25 to £20.  Transformational haircare.  Yes, I honestly believe that to be true for so many of us and although I have tried and tested other haircare products over the years, in the line of duty and fairness, I always return to Fulvic for the health and wellbeing of my scalp and hair.  Which speaks volumes.
Fulvic Acid Shampoo £20 for 240 ml; Fulvic Acid Conditioner £20 for 240 ml (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 12 June)

For all they are, and for all they do, we always recommend digestive enzymes for bloating, which is such a common concern.  I’m not talking here about occasional bloating, because that is often attributable to over-eating or consuming foods that do not agree with you.  However, constant bloating could be associated with varying concerns, which include hormonal insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances and, in so many instances, high stress levels.  And it’s all connected to our digestive system and the body’s natural digestive enzyme production.

Numerous studies have indicated that the production of our natural digestive enzymes begin to decline at the age of twenty.  Those same studies further indicate that digestive enzyme production decreases by an average of twelve percent every ten years, so that by the time you reach your forties, they have declined by approximately twenty-five percent.  Additionally, hydrochloric acid production in the stomach also declines with age, and hydrochloric acid production is crucial for activating digestive enzymes.  It therefore follows that our bodies can change shape as we get older, most especially around our tummies.

I have always believed that it is important to have an understanding of the root cause of any health concern, and although we don’t have all the answers, both Shabir and I believe that Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes is another one of those ‘stand out in the crowd’ products for the replenishment of those diminishing digestive enzymes, and we have done for several years.  So, with a full understanding of the discomfort of bloating, I am dropping the price of Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes down from £23.25 to £20 across the weekend.  And breathe. 
VH Editorial: Do You Experience Bloating, Gas Or Indigestion; Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes by Life Extension £20 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 June)

I want to stay on subject because there is another form of bloating, separate to the above, and that is period bloating which is often associated with water retention, although of course water retention is, in and of itself, extraordinarily common.  I have linked Shabir’s article on period bloating below where he explains some of the probable causes.  Additionally, he has written a section on how to reduce bloating and I think that section is worth reading regardless of age or gender, as it can also be indicative of abdominal bloating.

In this instance, Shabir recommends Dandelion Tincture, which has a long history of use in traditional medicine as a digestive aid and as a natural diuretic.  In its role as a diuretic, Dandelion helps increase urine flow, rids the body of excess water and helps to relieve the discomfort of bloating.  Dandelion also has high levels of nutrients including minerals such as potassium, which helps to replenish the minerals that are lost through its diuretic properties, unlike many synthetic diuretics.  Can you, or should you, take digestive enzymes with a diuretic.  Yes, you absolutely can, and I would probably recommend doing so, unless you are taking conventional diuretics.
VH Editorial: Do You Suffer From Period Bloating; Dandelion Tincture by A Vogel £10.85 for 50 ml

And now, another new product launch from Dermelect Cosmeceuticals.  After last weekend’s launch of BounceBack Forehead Line Treatment, I am following through with Revitalite Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector.  It is no secret that I really don’t like, or use, eye-specific skincare products, which is in direct opposition to Shabir’s love of eyecare products.  If he could only choose one skincare product to use, it would be a serum or a cream specifically targeted for the eye area.  So I gave this new product to members of our team to test on my behalf because I needed a balanced opinion, and I just can’t write about products if I don’t believe in them.

Of course, I am not referring to this specific product, I am talking about an entire category of skincare, but it seems I am in the minority, once again, as Lara and Claudia have become obsessed with Revitalite Professional.  Specifically formulated to address the tell-tale signs of eye ageing, Revitalite Professional is a five-in-one advanced eye treatment and helps reduce and soothe the look of puffy eye bags, lightens the appearance of dark circles, has a tightening effect on the appearance of droopy eyelids, helps conceal damaged skin by using universal light diffusing pigments and it has a smoothing, cool-tip metal applicator, which helps increase circulation.

For the cool-tip metal applicator alone, I understand the obsession, because it has a wonderful cooling effect, calming the entire eye area.  That alone could convert me, but regardless of that, Revitalite Professional is one of Dermelect’s bestselling products in the US, so I think it best if you follow Lara and Claudia’s lead on this because they are consumed with passion about Revitalite and I’m consumed with passion for BounceBack, most especially because of its dual purpose as a forehead line treatment and as a primer for make-up.  It is no exaggeration to say that it is the best primer for foundation I have ever used.  I couldn’t love it anymore.  Even if I tried.
Revitalite Professional by Dermelect Cosmeceuticals £59 for 15 ml; BounceBack Forehead Line Treatment by Dermelect Cosmeceuticals £78 for 30 ml

Moving on, I often find myself in a dilemma when several new products are launched within weeks of each other which all focus on the same thing.  In this particular case I am talking about lip products because Aurelia have just launched a probiotic lip balm.  The one thing I am certain of is that we each have a choice of the products we use, so rather than being fickle, I will not tell you that this new product is better than the two lip products I have recently written about, because it is not, it is just different. 

Specifically formulated for dry lips, Aurelia’s Probiotic Lip Balm is infused with rich oils to help keep lips soft, moisturised and plump.  Its ingredients include Mongongo Oil, Kalahari Melon Seed Oil and Rich Shea Butter and I am dropping the price for launch from £18 to £15.  For the record, those other two lip products are. Good Health Naturally’s Lysine Lip Balm, which has been specifically formulated for those who are prone to cold sores, as well as dry, chapped lips, and Coola’s Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen, which is the lip product I am currently loving and using, mostly because I am somewhat besotted with its subtle universal glow.  It was on a wait list, but thankfully it is now back in stock.
Probiotic Lip Balm by Aurelia London £15 for 15 grams (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 June); Lysine Lip Balm by Good Health Naturally £5.95 for 5 grams; Liplux Hydrating Lip Oil Sunscreen SPF 30 by Coola £18 for 3.2ml 

And talking about wait lists, we have just received our third consignment of Flooid, the intoxicating Extrait de Perfum from Non Gender Specific, so we have cleared that wait list too.  I am honestly so surprised at the success of this fragrance, but that success is relative to that fact that, together with NGS, we are quite niche, so we are not competing in the world of conglomerates, which is just how I like it.  As such this fragrance is extraordinarily rare and a hymn to a deliciously seductive experience, which blends with our very own unique characteristics.  Pure fragrance.  Pure intention.
Flooid by Non Gender Specific £92 for 100 ml

One more wait list conquered and this time it is Vizulize Eye Wash.  This is of course the product that provides gentle and effective relief for tired, irritated and sensitive eyes and is pH balanced to the eye’s tear fluid.  As I have already mentioned, it is perfect for soothing eyes irritated by pollen, grit and dust, so having repeated that, all that remains is to invite you to wash your eyes, if you haven’t already done so.  It seems to have become a thing.
Vizulize Eye Wash £4.20 for 300 ml (includes eye bath)

Right, let’s do two beauty treats and I’m going to begin with three products from Aromatherapy Associates, which form their De-Stress Trio.  Those three products are De-Stress Mind Bath & Shower Oil (55 ml), De-Stress Mind Roller Ball (10 ml) and their De-Stress Votive Candle (85 grams).  Together these products have a value of £99, but because I know that so many of you find these products extraordinarily therapeutic, I am offering you an opportunity to purchase the De-Stress Trio for £45.  I’m really not sure how long this offer will last, but if it goes completely wild, I will do my very best to see if I am able to fulfil all orders, so please bear with if it goes on pre-order only.
De-Stress Trio by Aromatherapy Associates £45 (products as described above)

Another mention for Aurelia here, as in a limited edition offer I drop the price of their Cell Revitalising Night Moisturiser from £32 to £19, whilst stock lasts.  Fusing probiotic and peptide technologies with plant and flower essences to help soothe dull and dehydrated skin, all further details are on the product page.  And I think I will leave it there. 
Cell Revitalising Night Moisturiser by Aurelia London £19 for 30 ml

Before I tell you what the Saturday only treat is, a few words.  Giving back as much as we can is at the very core of who and what we are and I was so very touched, and somewhat emotional, when I received an email from Ross J. Barr saying that he wanted to give back to as many of you as he could.  As such, the Saturday only treat, which we will automatically include with all orders for £30 and over, excluding p&p, is a gift from Ross of his three different patches, The Healing Patch (one patch), The Calm Patch (two patches) and The Sleep Patch (two patches)*.  It comes with his personal love for the support each of you have given him over the past two years.  For which we both thank you.

I really don’t think I have anything left to say, except that a very special person was taken from my life this week.  He lived his life giving and sharing, but his light shines on, so in dedication to another shining star in the sky, and all the stars who have aligned with him, this song.
If Not For You by George Harrison

With love, always with love.

Gill x

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Prices and products advertised at times of sending and publishing are subject to change and availability. 

*Free gifts will only be granted if the items purchased are physical products and your total basket value exceeds the required amount noted.  Saturday only treats are subject to change should the specified gift run out prior to your purchase and are only included in orders placed between 7.45am (GMT) and Midnight (GMT) on the Saturday the Weekend Read is sent.  VH Addicts membership is a digital product and therefore will be excluded from the basket value.  Some gifts are blocked from international shipping due to local limitations imposed based on the country destination.  If this is the case, we will replace the gift with one that is able to be shipped to your destination.