As I welcome you to another Weekend Read, I really have to thank you for your amazing response to the Repose campaign I wrote about last weekend.  To reiterate some of those words, dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and one in three people born today will develop that condition and with the Alzheimer’s Society stating that it is a crisis that cannot be ignored. Together we are raising funds, raising support and raising hope, but we are also raising awareness, which remains such an important part of the work we do.
Repose Duo by TEMPLESPA £48 (valid for the month of October)

Raising awareness is integral to our being, it allows us to share and discuss so many of the issues which impact our lives, but it isn’t only our lives, it is the lives of those who are closest to us. Life can often be so incredibly difficult, if not challenging, and often it can be the smallest of things that help to make a difference, a sentence, a song or a shared experience, but progress and positive change come from both human-centred experiences and systemic, evidence-based approaches, and that is where we are going next and we are going there with NAD+ Generator.

This might actually be construed as a podium moment because if we were to take a look at evidence-based research, it is more than apparent that implausible deniability comes into play when overwhelming research and clinical evidence is intentionally ignored to achieve other objectives, in contrast to plausible deniability where deniability is credible due to a lack of evidence.  There is no lack of evidence about NAD+ Generator, to the contrary actually, because in terms of healthy ageing, RiaGev^®, the active compound in NAD+ Generator, significantly out-performs Nicotinamide Ribose (NR) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN).

There can be no doubt that the marketing of NMN is extensive and NMN hit the headlines in November 2022 when the FDA concluded that it was no longer eligible to be sold in the US because it was being investigated as a new pharmaceutical drug.  By way of an update, the FDA’s enforcement has been paused due to various lawsuits, yet in all of this noise about NMN, and there is an awful lot of noise, the fact remains that NMN has been superseded in efficacy, so I will make my own noise by linking Shabir’s article on healthy ageing and NAD supplementation linked below, which is referenced with clinical evidence.

Taking a far wider perspective, the intentional disregard of clinical evidence is not only unjust, but it also erodes trust in health reporting which has become increasingly dependent on commercial incentives, often leading to a lack of objectivity.  So, with that said and with awareness raised, with every NAD+ Generator bought, we will automatically include the travel size NAD+ Generator (15 Capsules) which is worth £16.   
VH Editorial: Are NAD Supplements Beneficial; DoSe NAD+ Generator £32 for 30 Capsules + NAD+ Generator (15 Capsules) Free (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 October)

Onwards, and we are now going to take a look at brain health, most specifically nootropics which are a range of supplements that can dramatically improve functions carried out by the brain such as attention, focus, brain fog and the ability to recall information.  Brain fog is extraordinarily common, most especially during perimenopause and menopause, but notwithstanding that the market is flooded with synthetic nootropics, which are synthesised in laboratories and as such they lack the long-term studies that determine safety and efficacy.

Natural nootropics are formulated with compounds and herbs which have been proven to be safe and Limitless Plus has been formulated with Neumentix, an extract derived from non-GMO Spearmint which contains over fifty different types of polyphenols, protecting the nerve cells from damaging free radicals and enhancing the amount of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which is involved in learning and memory.  Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Fruit extract has long been recognised as a natural source of beneficial compounds and working synergistically with Neumentix, it contributes to normal nervous system function, helping to protect calls from oxidative stress.

In line with recent research, Shabir has updated and improved the efficacy of Limitless Plus with the inclusion of two further compounds, Benfotiamine and Zinc.  Benfotiamine is a bioavailable form of vitamin B1 which helps maintain normal cognitive and nervous system function, while Zinc contributes to cell protection and overall brain health.  Limitless Plus provides both short and long-term benefits for the brain and its effects are cumulative, so the longer you take this supplement, the more effective the benefits.

I am not quite finished because NAD+ also plays a role in improving brain function because it has been shown to improve brain function, reducing plaque in the brain which often hinders brain function, so here Limitless Plus and NAD+ Generator join together in supporting brain health.  I often write about the various roles any given supplement can play in promoting our health and wellbeing and because healthy ageing is fundamental to our optimal health and wellbeing, when you buy Limitless Plus we will also automatically include the travel size NAD+ Generator (15 capsules), which, as I wrote above, is worth £16.
VH Editorial: Nootropics For Sharper Brain Function; DoSe Limitless Plus £32 for 60 Capsules + DoSe NAD+ Generator (15 Capsules) Free (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 October)

Turning to an extraordinarily common health concern, we are now going to take a look at a simple solution for acid reflux, heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as an alternative to antacids and prescribed proton pump inhibitors and acid blockers which are not without side effects.  The most common side effect for each concern is the depletion of several vitamins and minerals, referred to as nutrient malabsorption, and the herb ‘Gentian’ can significantly decrease the incidence and severity of the above concerns.

Gentian is one of the best herbs for digestion as it enhances the body’s natural digestion process and in his article, linked below, Shabir walks us through the digestive process and the reasons why Gentian, which is a bitter herb, helps to counter acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.  Yarrow Complex has been formulated with wild-crafted Gentian extract together with digestion enhancing and soothing herbs such as Centaurium and Angelica.  Angelica contains volatile oils that have an anti-inflammatory action on the digestive system, easing colic, wind and reducing flatulence, and so Yarrow Complex drops in price from £12.99 to £11, across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Try Gentian Tincture For Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD; Yarrow Complex Drops by A. Vogel £11 for 50 ml (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 October) 

And straight into another common health concern, blocked sinuses.  The medical term being sinusitis, it is a condition where the sinuses become infected or inflamed. The most common symptoms include headache, pain in the ear, neck, jaw and between the eyes, a stuffy nose and tenderness around the nasal passages and sinus infections usually occur as a result of being infected by a virus or fungi. Fungal spores in the air are thought to be one of the main causes of sinusitis and there are over forty types of airborne fungal spores and sufferers of sinusitis have been found to have an average of two within the sinus cavity.

Taking a natural approach, we recommend two products, the first being Horseradish and Garlic Complex, a combination of two herbs with a long history of use for sinus and respiratory concerns.  Horseradish contains astringent volatile oils that rapidly increase circulation to the nasal passages, helping to unblock the nasal and sinus cavities to eliminate congested mucus.  Horseradish also has natural antibiotic properties, helping to fight infection and Garlic contains over 300 natural active compounds, including allicin, which have been extensively studied and found to possess potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. 

Topically, Sinol-D Decongestant Nasal Spray contains oil of Eucalyptus, Aloe Vera and Sea Salt and this combination has a soothing effect, easing breathing by breaking down mucus and helping to reduce irritation.  It should be noted here that Sinol-D is suitable for long-term use, unlike antihistamine nasal sprays which tend to dry out the nasal passages.  A clinically proven homeopathic formulation, Sinol-D drops in price from £14.95 to £12 and Horseradish and Garlic Complex drops from £28.25 to £25.
VH Editorial: How To Relieve Blocked Sinuses; Horseradish and Garlic Complex by Viridian Nutrition £25 for 90 Capsules; Sinol-D Decongestant Nasal Spray £12 for 15 ml (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 12 October)

Finally in this section, we are offering a 20% discount across all products in the Terranova range and here I am going to throw the focus on the bestselling product in the range, Life Drink which has been formulated with fresh freeze-dried botanicals, concentrated whole foods and other natural actives.  Providing an array of naturally occurring phytonutrients, micronutrients, balanced protein and fibre, it is deeply nourishing and offers a synergistic and beneficial approach, most especially for those recovering from illness.
TerraNova Products (offer ends at midnight BST, Monday 13 October)

Skin Health

I am just going to talk about one product this weekend and that product is PHA Exfoliating Serum.  Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA’s) are the next generation of Alpha Hydroxy acids (AHA’s) and the background story is that PHA’s were discovered by the two scientists who also discovered AHA’s and as a result of them patenting PHA, the inclusion of PHA’s into skincare became prohibitively expensive.  However, those patents have now expired and although PHA’s are similar to AHA’s in that they perform the same role of exfoliation, they are far gentler on skin causing less irritation than AHA’s.

I can’t use AHA’s, and because they often cause itching, burning and tingling sensations, they can also cause skin to become dry which is why they are not recommended for sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin or skin prone to inflammation.  However I can use PHA’s, and I do, and PHA Exfoliating Serum provides two types of PHA’s, namely gluconolactone and lactobionic acid, together with phytic acid which targets hyperpigmentation, each in therapeutic concentrations providing the multiple benefits of gentle exfoliation, antioxidant protection and the removal of dead skin cells.  In a wrap, or actually in a bottle, PHA Exfoliating Serum drops in price from £22 to £19.
VH Editorial: What Are Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA’s); DoSe PHA Exfoliating Serum £19 for 30 ml (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 12 October)

Seasonal Gifts

As we continue our exploration of seasonal gifts, the first thing I need to say is that Neom’s Scent The Season Discovery Set is now back in stock.  It went out of stock after I wrote about it on an Addicts Bulletin, and it was meant to be on the Weekend Read the following Saturday, but we didn’t have any left, so I took it off. Scent The Season Discovery Set partners well with the Ceramic Star Natural Diffuser, and staying with Neom, Moment of Calm, which includes a Real Luxury Scented Candle (Travel Size) and Multi-Mineral Body Milk (30 ml), a nourishing body milk, is quite fabulous.  Moment of Calm is £24, and it has a value of £30.
Ceramic Star Natural Diffuser by Neom £6; Scent The Season Discovery Set by Neom £35; Moment of Calm by Neom £24

Let’s do TEMPLESPA and let’s begin with The Wellness Lab which offers a series of aromatherapy journeys with six carefully curated products, including two new products, Quiet Time De-Stressing Shower Gel (50 ml) and All Is Calm Soothing Body Lotion (50 ml).  Love new products, but onwards and ‘Do Not Disturb’ is a rather decadent Peace and Relaxation Collection, which includes some of TEMPLESPA’s best-loved products, including Drift Away, Quietude, Duvet and Repose, together with a Do Not Disturb pillow.  Do Not Disturb is £55, it has a value of £95 and it represents a luxurious TEMPLESPA experience with aromatherapy, botanicals and calming scents.
The Wellness Lab by TEMPLESPA £30; Do Not Disturb by TEMPLESPA £55

Each year TEMPLESPA release Restitude, an exquisite, precious bath and shower gel that transforms into creamy, aromatic bubbles which is blended with Mediterranean essential oils and enriched with Winter Cherry extract, to help soothe the skin.  As an adaptogen, Winter Cherry Extract helps the body to ease stress and soothe our tired bodies when we need to unwind.  Restitude is a limited edition offering and making an annual appearance this time each year, it always sells out before the festive season begins and I know why, it’s because so many of you choose to buy several bottles to ease the way through the cold, winter months.  And it’s gorgeous, of course. 
Restitude Relax & Unwind Shower & Bath Luxe by TEMPLESPA £25 for 300 ml

Right, let’s do the Saturday only treat and we may as well continue our love for TEMPLESPA, so with every order placed for £35 or above, excluding p&p, we will automatically send you Peace Be Still (50 ml), a potent and calming skin balm containing plant extracts, essential oils and aromatherapy ingredients to help your body relax.  Full product details linked below.
Peace Be Still

Going Back

Following through from last weekend where we took a look at the singer songwriter genre, on March 11 1970, Crosby, Stills & Nash released Déjà Vu, their first album as a quartet with Neil Young (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) and the second album featuring David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. Neil Young re-joined Stephen Stills, his partner in Buffalo Springfield, yet he only appeared on some of the tracks on the album.  ‘Teach Your Children’ was a song written by Graham Nash in 1968 when he was a member of The Hollies, and ‘Helpless’, written by Neil Young, was first recorded with Neil Young’s band, Crazy Horse, in early 1969.
Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills & Nash; Helpless by Neil Young

Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ was released on 26 October 1970 in the US, although it wasn’t released until 8 January 1971 in the UK.  It had been written in 1967 and was one of the first songs to be co-written with Bernie Taupin and it became the first international hit song for Elton John, reaching Number Four in the UK charts.  Later that year, in October 1971, Rod Stewart reached Number One with ‘Maggie May’, a song taken from the album ‘Every Picture Tells A Story’.  Co-written with Martin Quittenton, Maggie May was the B-side to ‘Reason To Believe’, however Maggie May received more airtime and it launched Rod Stewart’s solo career.
Your Song by Elton John; Maggie May by Rod Stewart; Reason To Believe by Rod Stewart

The American Pie album by Don McLean was also released in October 1971, with the title track issued as a single a short time later. The repeated phrase ‘the day the music died’ referenced the plane crash in 1959 that killed early rock and roll stars, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.  The following year, ‘Time In A Bottle’ was featured by singer-songwriter Jim Croce on his album ‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’.  Written as a reflective song the night that he found out his wife was pregnant, ‘Time In A Bottle’ was released as a single following Croce’s death in September 1973, posthumously reaching Number One in the US charts three months later.
The VH Playlist; American Pie by Don McLean; Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce

As I leave you, I need to say that I totally love ‘Reason To Believe’ and preferred it to Maggie May, but that’s just me and we are all different.

Have a restful weekend.

With love

Gill x