Weekend Read 2 March 2024
Glory hallelujah, we are now in March, a month which will bring daffodils, tulips and hyacinth and as our days become longer and hopefully warmer, we will soon transition into Spring. Spring is my favourite season of the year, not least because I am an Aries girl, and being the first sign on the wheel of the zodiac, Aries not only denotes the arrival of Spring, but it also brings an energy of optimism and hope, together with the promise of new beginnings, which allows each of us an opportunity to embrace those seasonal changes.
So, let me begin the product section of this newsletter with a change, and that change is that another product has just received the DoSe branding and that product is Limitless Plus. Limitless Plus is a nootropic and by definition a true nootropic must be able to enhance memory, together with the ability to assimilate and process information, it must help protect the brain tissues from chemicals and toxins, it must also help and support brain function, especially in times of extreme stress and, rather importantly, a true nootropic must not display any side effects.
Limitless Plus has been formulated combining two safe herbal extracts, Numatoes and Neurmentix, so we are going to take a look at both. Numatoes is an extract derived from the non-GMO tomato plant, a plant which is loaded with a broad range of vitamins for brain function including Vitamins C and A, as well as potent antioxidants including the extensively studied antioxidant, Lycopene. In studies Numatoes has been found to promote the function of synapses, which are complex junctions between nerve cells used to transmit signals of information to process, store and recall information.
Having high antioxidant properties, Numatoes also works to quench inflammation, which can disturb the way in which we process information and it is a consideration that this disturbance may also be responsible for the degradation of nerve cells. Sitting alongside Numatoes, Neumentix is a unique extract derived from non-GMO spearmint which contains over fifty different types of polyphenols, including Rosmarinic Acid, which also helps brain function by protecting the nerve cells from damaging free radicals, enhancing the amount of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which is involved in learning and memory. Neumentix also helps to promote new nerve cells.
As ever, I am going to have a moment because there are two forms of nootropics, the synthetic and the natural. Synthetic nootropics are synthesised in laboratories and they lack long-term studies, but there is also a question of safety, which is why we would not recommend them, so with that said, Limitless Plus is now back in stock after a rather long absence and a rather long wait list.
VH Editorial: Nootropics For Sharper Brain Function; DoSe Limitless Plus £32 for 60 Capsules
From one DoSe product to another, and we are now going to talk about Liposomal Vitamin C with specific reference to gum disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is one of the most common diseases affecting nearly half of the UK population, yet it is often missed in its early stages because it is not painful, however early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums, bad breath and the loosening of teeth.
Essentially, periodontal disease is an infection of the gums which causes inflammation and bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis, which is an early stage of periodontal disease. Interestingly, studies have been undertaken to ascertain whether Vitamin C deficiencies play a role in gum disease and there is no doubt that there is a connection. A study published in February 2021 by Nutrition Reviews concluded that low Vitamin C levels in the bloodstream were associated with an increased risk for gum bleeding with gentle probing. In conclusion, the researchers observed that increasing Vitamin C levels may help resolve the problem.
In another study, which also indicated that lower levels of Vitamin C were associated with a greater risk of gum disease, it was found that optimum levels of Vitamin C were linked to lower plaque formation on the surface of teeth. So, the conclusion here is that optimum levels of Vitamin C are important from a preventative and treatment viewpoint because of course prevention is better than cure.
There are many Vitamin C supplements available, but we believe the best form of Vitamin C is Liposomal Vitamin C because unlike most Vitamin C supplementation, Liposomal Vitamin C surrounds the vitamin with a phospholipid bubble that allows it to enter the bloodstream and subsequently it is delivered to all tissues of the body. Additionally, Liposomal Vitamin C provides two forms of this vitamin, one for immediate delivery and the other for a longer time frame, thus providing greater amounts of Vitamin C for the treatment of gums throughout the day. And throughout the weekend the price of Liposomal Vitamin C drops from £35 to £30.
VH Editorial: Vitamin C For Gum Disease; DoSe Liposomal Vitamin C £30 for 240 ml (48 days supply) (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 3 March)
I cannot write about oral health without mentioning Clinisept+ Mouthwash. I have always believed, and written, that Clinisept+ is probably one of the most effective products in its genre, basically because it is a hypochlorous mouthwash and it doesn’t contain Chlorhexidine, alcohol or peroxide, all known to cause oral irritation. It effectively and efficiently kills and inhibits the growth of bacteria found in our mouths which can lead to numerous oral hygiene problems. So, let us complete the oral health section of this newsletter by dropping the price of Clinisept+ Mouthwash from £7.95 to £6, also across the weekend.
Clinisept+ Mouthwash £6 for 400 ml (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 3 March)
Rather a lot of you know that there are certain subjects I really don’t like writing about and weight loss is one of them, probably because it is such a subjective issue. However, I do recognise that it is a concern for many, so all I am going to do here is to link Shabir’s article on the benefits of Yacon Syrup for weight loss and drop the price of both sizes of Yacon Syrup as below. And that is that.
VH Editorial: Can Yacon Syrup Help You Lose Weight; Organic Yacon Syrup £6 for 170 ml (drops from £7.49); Organic Yacon Syrup £14 for 425 ml (drops from £15.99) (offers end at midnight GMT, Sunday 3 March)
With the advent of Spring, perhaps this is a good time to spring clean our bodies, as such. I have never understood why anybody would want to undertake any form of detoxification in the months of January or February, yet every single year we are bombarded with campaigns advocating abstinence and deprivation during two of the darkest months of the year. So, let us now take a look at the principle of double cleansing our bodies, the first being a gut cleanse and the second being a liver cleanse.
As we all know, the gut or intestines are exposed to a host of pollutants, chemicals and toxins and it is estimated that the average person is carrying between 500 and 700 toxins in their blood, skin, fat tissues, liver, brain and of course the intestines. The gut is incredibly complex and numerous studies have demonstrated a link between gut health and the immune system, mood, cognitive function, skin conditions and autoimmune diseases. That aside, stress, sleep deprivation, high sugar foods and antibiotics can create havoc within the gut and its beneficial bacteria.
Complete Fibre Cleanse contains soluble and insoluble fibres that help cleanse the gut and colon gently, but efficiently. The insoluble fibres help to scrape the gut of residue build-up which can often harbour pathogens, but this residue also hinders nutrient absorption. Complete Fibre Cleanse also contains Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm to help soothe inflammation, together with a probiotic blend to help repopulate the gut with friendly bacteria, vital for many bodily functions. And with that said, I am dropping the price of Complete Fibre Cleanse from £25 to £22 across the weekend.
Complete Fibre Cleanse £22 for 168 grams (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 3 March)
The second part of the equation is focused on removing toxins from the bloodstream before they deposit in our tissues as it is inevitable that even with the cleansing of the gut, some toxins will pass through the intestines into the bloodstream and ultimately to the liver. The liver is the second largest organ of detoxification, skin being the largest, and it is also the workhorse of the body as it converts toxins, chemicals, pollutants and metabolic waste products into compounds which can easily be eliminated from the body.
The subtle signs of poor liver function include fatigue, complexion problems, itchy skin, frequent mood swings, sensitivity to chemicals and medications, as well as weight gain. Milk Thistle Complex is a supplement which contains three of the most important liver cleansing herbs which are Milk Thistle, Dandelion Root and Artichoke Leaf Extract. And as I drop the price of Milk Thistle Complex down from £14.99 to £13, I will just say that double cleansing should be carried out two or three times a year to optimise our health and wellbeing. Now might be good.
VH Editorial: Double Cleansing The Body; Milk Thistle Complex by HealthAid £13 for 60 Tablets
It remains of the greatest importance that we talk about some of the most common health concerns and excessive flatulence after eating is one such concern. WindAway Activated Charcoal contains steam activated charcoal which is derived from coconut shells and it not only has a natural ability to absorb trapped wind, but it is also a natural aid for good digestion. Activated charcoal is capable of absorbing three to four times more gas than regular charcoal and this fast-acting product also helps to alleviate colic, another common concern. A vegan product, WindAway also helps to neutralise body odours, another concern for many.
WindAway Active Charcoal by LifePlan £9.59 for 90 Capsules
Right, let’s talk about scalp health. A few months I wrote about Derma E’s Scalp Relief Rinse, a powerful blend of therapeutic botanicals, including Apple Cider Vinegar, to help soothe and improve scalp health, treat an irritated scalp and help boost volume to limp hair. The Scalp Relief Rinse has now been joined by Derma E’s Scalp Relief Treatment, a water-based scalp treatment in a serum which deeply cleanses the scalp.
Formulated with Tea Tree Oil and cooling Menthol, it also includes Aloe Vera, Sea Kelp and Amla oil, combined with a proprietary herbal blend of Neem, Burdock and Bearberry, to help promote a balanced and hydrated scalp. Helping to address scalp issues such as dry scalp, flaky scalp and compromised scalp concerns, Scalp Relief Treatment can either be used after washing your hair, without rinsing and before styling, or it can work well as an overnight pre-shampoo scalp treatment. Any new product from Derma E always excites me, so let’s drop the price of Scalp Relief Treatment from £17.95 to £15.95 for the interim.
Scalp Relief Treatment by Derma E £15.95 for 30 ml; Scalp Relief Rinse by Derma E £15 for 120 ml
And because it’s March and because we do a different TEMPLESPA treat each month, the treat this month is Exalt Firming Neck Gel, which is a luxurious formulation to help firm and tone skin around the neck, and most of us have a thing about our necks as per the late, great Nora Ephron. Blended with Mediterranean Red Pepper, Mangosteen, Quince, Olive and Oats, Exalt can also be used as a décolletage treatment, so with that said, Exalt Firming Neck Gel drops from £46 to £34 for the entire month of March.
Exalt Firming Neck Gel by TEMPLESPA £34 for 50 ml
On a roll, so let’s talk about Soapsmith again and this time I want to talk about one of my most favourite bath treats, which surprisingly I am not allergic to. I am of course talking about Bloomsbury Bath Soak, which I have loved forever and will probably love forever. If ever there was a bath treat which talked Spring to me, Bloomsbury Bath Soak does just that as it is an indulgent bathing experience with the most divine scent which lingers long after bathing. And rather fabulously, there is now a Mini Bloomsbury Bath Soak, which is £5 and it is a limited edition, so if you haven’t tried Bloomsbury Bath Soak, you may wish to do so now. Before they disappear.
Bloomsbury Bath Soak by Soapsmith £5 for 60 grams; Bloomsbury Bath Soak by Soapsmith £30 for 500 grams
On the subject of limited edition products, Weleda have just released two limited edition products, Summer Boost Aroma Shower Gel and Summer Boost Hand Cream. It would seem that Weleda have gone straight into Summer, bypassing Spring, but never mind that, the Summer Boost Shower Gel is a refreshing blend of lime, orange and cardamom and the Summer Boost Hand Cream carries the same aromatic blend in a base of vitamin-rich sesame oil. Limited edition products, limited edition pricing as Summer Boost Aroma Shower Gel and Summer Boost Hand Cream both drop by 15%. And over is over.
Summer Boost Aroma Shower Gel by Weleda £7.01 (drops from £8.25) for 200 ml; Summer Boost Hand Cream by Weleda £11.48 (drops from £13.50) for 50 ml
One last thing before we head into the Saturday only treat, and this is where I announce the death of product. So as MSM & Silver Solution now resides in product heaven, it has been replaced with Silver Eye Drops which are made of pure, microscopic silver suspended in ultra-pure water. Containing colloidal silver, Silver Eye Drops help to soothe dry eyes and the itching effects of allergies, such as hay fever. And soon it will be the hay fever season, so I might as well also mention another new product, which is the Hay Fever Eye Compress from The Eye Doctor, details of which I have linked below, and it is also £9. Neat.
Silver Eye Drops by Good Health Naturally £9 for 30 ml; Hay Fever Eye Compress from The Eye Doctor £9
And into the Saturday only treat we go, so with every order placed for £35 or above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include a gift, which could be one of several gifts* we have to share with you. As ever these gifts are computer generated, so I cannot say anymore, other than I hope you enjoy the gift you receive.
So, as we come to the end of another Weekend Read, I will leave you with a song and a smile as I wish each of you a restful weekend.
Tulips From Amsterdam by André Rieu; The VH Playlist
With love
Gill x
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