As I welcome to you another Weekend Read, I think it is important to say that although I write about varying health concerns each week, not every concern will apply to everybody.  That much is obvious, yet it is a given that we need to protect ourselves and we also need to support concerns such as stress and the ongoing implications of stress, which are so prevalent in the world we are living in. 

It has always been our responsibility to help keep you safe, which is why protecting our immunity and community at this time of year is so important.  We released Dr Nenninger’s Triple Flu Defense for the 2023-2024 flu season last weekend and I really do need to thank you for your overwhelming support and belief in this product.  We have so much trust in Triple Flu, a simple liquid formation that is re-formulated each year to help target current virus strains as they challenge our immune system.  And as the winter months begin to draw in from next weekend, Triple Flu will be there to help support and protect us through the long, dark winter months. 
Triple Flu Defense for the 2023-2024 Flu Season by Dr Nenninger £30 for 30 ml

It would seem that many of us are taking the same approach to protecting our immunity by taking Daily Immunity, which I also wrote about last weekend, and using Triple Flu as an adjunct to Daily Immunity.  If I was to choose two of the most important products to protect our immunity, it would most definitely be Daily Immunity and Triple Flu, but there are other products too which can support us at this time of year and one of them is Night Time Immunity Drink, but before I write about that, let me just say that I am lowering the price of Daily Immunity this weekend too, in case you missed it last weekend.  And it drops from £29 to £26.  Reiterating its importance.
VH Editorial: A Daily Supplement That Supercharges Your Immunity; Daily Immunity £26 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 October)

So, Night Time Immunity Drink.  Best taken an hour before going to bed, Night Time Immunity Drink delivers a high-strength dose of vitamins and minerals to help support the immune system.  What I really love about this product is that it also includes Magnesium, Chamomile Extract and Montmorency Cherry to help prepare you for a deep, restful sleep.  And as I wrote above, we need to support the ongoing implications of stress, and lack of sleep is certainly one of them.
Night Time Immunity Drink by Tonic Health £8.99 for Ten Sachets

Taking a closer look at sleep deprivation, we are often unable to sleep because we are stressed and insufficient sleep has a major impact on the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol blocks the production of our sleep hormone, melatonin, and excess cortisol levels have also been linked to numerous concerns within our bodies, such as inflammation.  It is interesting to note that sleep deprivation is also responsible for the ageing of skin as melatonin is a powerful antioxidant which helps protect our skin, our cells and our entire bodies against free radical damage.  Sleep Tight Plus offers a potent solution to each of these issues.

Shabir formulated Sleep Tight Plus using traditional herbs and nutrients which are known to aid sleep.  These ingredients include Magnesium, Valerian Root Extract, Passion Flower, Magnolia Bark Extract, Hops and Theanine which is believed to help stimulate the production of alpha waves, creating a deep sense of relaxation.  With Shabir’s article on sleep issues linked below, I am dropping the price of Sleep Tight Plus from £26 to £23 and we would recommend using Night Time Immunity Drink as an adjunct to Sleep Tight Plus.  It is perfectly safe to do so.  
VH Editorial: Are You Getting Sufficient Sleep; Sleep Tight Plus £23 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 October)

I usually wait until the end of each newsletter to write about seasonal gifts, but I’m doing it now because I want to tell you about two seasonal gifts, which may also help to promote sleep.  The first is Silent Night from TEMPLESPA and it is a sleep aid kit containing five different products, including ‘In The Stillness’, which is a duvet for the eyes.  It blocks out light and it is ergonomically shaped for maximum comfort leaving the eye area relaxed to help induce peaceful sleep.  The other four products are Drift Away, Quietude, Repose and AAAHHH!!! for heavy and tired legs.  This is a really beautiful collection.  Worthy of self-gifting?  I think it is.
Silent Night by TEMPLESPA £25

And in the middle of the newsletter, the second seasonal gift and it is a cracker.  The Soothe & Sleep cracker from This Works contains a relaxing duo of mood and sleep managing aromatherapy sprays for calmer days and peaceful nights.  It includes Stress Check Mood Manager (5 ml) blended with Ylang Ylang, Neroli and Patchouli to help promote a sense of calm together with Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (5 ml), the award-winning blend of Lavender, Camomile and Vetivert to help calm the body and mind as it helps soothe you to sleep.
Soothe & Sleep Cracker by This Works £10

Right, back to supplementation we go and having written about the ageing of skin above, I would like to talk about Skin Restoring Ceramides.  The barrier of our skin is held together by ceramides and lipids and their role is to prevent moisture loss and free radical damage.  It follows that a loss of moisture will leave the surface of our skin dry and free radical damage can lead to inflammation, which affects collagen and elastin production.  It would therefore make total sense to replace those lost ceramides with supplementation.

More than a decade ago, scientists explored the potential of wheat-derived ceramides for oral skin hydration and studies indicated that these ceramides were able to reach the outer cell layer from the bloodstream, significantly improving skin moisture levels and reducing the discomfort of dry, ageing skin. I’ll include our legs in that statement because so many of us seem to have dry legs, so with a recommendation to take Skin Restoring Ceramides if you have dry or compromised skin concerns, I am dropping the price of Skin Restoring Ceramides from £25 to £23 and a mention also for Deep Skin Dry Leg Oil.  Helping to transform dry and dull skin.
VH Editorial: Beauty Supplements To Boost Your Skin; Skin Restoring Ceramides by Life Extension £23 for 30 Liquid Capsules; Deep Skin Dry Leg Oil by This Works £41 for 150 ml (drops from £44) (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 22 October)

Urinary tract infections are extraordinarily common and although it is a given that cranberry extracts can be a solution to this health concern, it is crucially important to take the correct form of supplementation.  Cranberries contain fructose, a carbohydrate called mannose and also a group of very specific antioxidants called proanthocyanidins (PAC’s).   Recurring urinary tract infections can result in damage to the bladder walls, encouraging bacteria to attach to the walls of the bladder, where they can proliferate and cause an infection.  PAC’s have the ability to block the receptors existing on the bladder walls, helping to prevent infection.

Cysticlean has undergone pre-clinical and clinical studies which have demonstrated that it has an anti-adhesive effect on E.coli, the bacteria responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections.  Containing PAC’s derived from North American Red Cranberries, Cysticlean has one of the highest contents of PAC’s available, which is a key factor for best-in-class supplementation.  Furthermore, clinical studies have proven that Cysticlean breaks the cycle of recurring urinary tract infections when used for between three and six months, so to enable that recommendation, I am dropping the price of all Cysticlean products by 20% across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Is Drinking Cranberry Juice A Myth; Cysticlean Products (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 October)

Staying with bladder issues, losing control of your bladder can be hugely embarrassing and people who experience bladder control problems have trouble stopping the flow of urine, which is classified as urinary incontinence or an overactive bladder.  In other instances, it may just be a case of a constant urge to urinate, which is often termed as having a sensitive bladder.  Whatever the issue, two of the largest studies determining the cause of an overactive bladder show that one in six adults report signs of an overactive bladder, defined as having an urgent need to empty the bladder, along with incontinence.

The emotional and psychological effects of this concern must not be under-estimated because studies also indicate that those who have to go to the bathroom frequently or leak urine into their clothes, report feeling depressed, stressed and sleep deprived.  So, we need to take a look at water-soluble pumpkin extracts which have achieved impressive results in studies.  In Germany, pumpkin seed extracts are officially approved for the treatment of an irritable bladder and as early as 1578, a European herbal encyclopaedia mentions the use of pumpkin seeds to treat urinary problems, which is really interesting.

I know I am forever banging on about best-in-class supplementation, but it is important to note that many supplements in this genre use pumpkin seed oil as opposed to water-soluble pumpkin extracts and there is a difference in efficacy.  We therefore recommend Life Extension’s Water-Soluble Pumpkin Seed Extract.  Organic Angelica Leaf Extract is also interesting as this extract has been the subject of several small studies for incontinence and nocturia.  Nocturia refers to the frequent need to urinate during the night because of the inability of the bladder to hold large volumes as we age.  This extract can be found in Viridian’s Organic Icelandic Angelica Leaf Extract.
VH Editorial: Treating An Overactive Bladder; Water-Soluble Pumpkin Seed Extract by Life Extension £18 for 60 Capsules (drops from £20); Organic Icelandic Angelica Leaf Extract by Viridian Nutrition £31 for 30 Capsules (drops from £34) (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 22 October)

All for one and one for all, I am dropping the price of Daily Multivitamins One-A-Day from £30 to £27 because I feel like I want to do this.  The song at the end of this newsletter relates rather well.  And perhaps this is one of the shortest paragraphs I have ever written.
VH Editorial: Are All Multivitamins The Same; Daily Multivitamins One-A Day £27 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 22 October)

One more supplement before we return to seasonal gifts, Zooki have released a high-absorption iron supplement that contains iron bisglycinate which has been shown to be more efficiently absorbed than iron sulphate.  Iron is an essential mineral nutrient required by the human body for various functions, working primarily by carrying oxygen around the body and into our cells.  Iron Zooki arrives in a ready-to-drink sachet which is infused with pomegranate juice and wrapped in lipids for efficacy.  Iron Zooki has a retail price of £24.99, but it launches at £20 for the interim.
Iron Zooki 14 x 10 ml Sachets £20

So, as we return to seasonal gifts, please let me tell you about the Sea-Scape Revitalising Salts by TEMPLESPA.  I would like to make it all about the tin, because I love tins and this one is gorgeous, but the product is important too and these wonderful salts are blended with magnesium, potassium and calcium to hydrate the skin.  Additionally, Arnica eases overworked limbs, Mediterranean seaweed and maritime pine extracts soothe the skin and the salts are infused with Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Thyme, Grapefruit and Bergamot.  Inhale and relax for at least ten minutes.  Or more.
Sea-Scape Revitalising Salts by TEMPLESPA £25 for 500 grams

Some time ago, I introduced you to the Wellbeing Pod Mini Diffuser by Neom which was designed to use in small spaces.  At the touch of a button, you can experience a wellbeing boost as the pod uses cold diffusion technology meaning that essential oils are converted into micro fine vapour without using heat or water.  I know that most people use it in their bedrooms to help achieve better sleep, but you can use it anywhere to help lower your stress levels and boost your mood and once charged, the mini pod will hold power for up to fifty hours.  And, of course, it makes the perfect gift.

The thing about this diffuser is that it is so easy to use and you can switch fragrances as and when you wish.  Neom have developed their own range of fragrances to be used with the diffuser and there are six of them, Christmas Wish Essential Oil Blend, Cosy Nights Essential Oil Blend, Happiness Essential Oil Blend, Perfect Night’s Sleep Essential Oil Blend, De-Stress Essential Oil Blend and Perfect Peace Essential Oil Blend.  I think I know which blend will be the most wanted, but I could be wrong so I’m not going to make a declaration other than to say that each of the blends are £22 for 10 ml and I’m taking the price of each of the blends down to £19.  For the interim, once again.
Wellbeing Pod Mini Diffuser by Neom Organics £55; Christmas Wish Essential Oil Blend £19 for 10 ml; Cosy Nights Essential Oil Blend £19 for 10 ml; Happiness Essential Oil Blend £19 for 10 ml; Perfect Night’s Sleep Essential Oil Blend £19 for 10 ml; De-Stress Essential Oil Blend £19 for 10 ml; Perfect Peace Essential Oil Blend £19 for 10 ml

One more to go and it’s not a gift as such, it’s a gift card, a VH e-gift card to be precise.  Available in denominations from £10 upwards, you can choose the occasion and we will do the rest for you. It really is that easy, but please note that a blank gift card image will be displayed in your basket, but your chosen themed gift card will be mailed to the gift card recipient as an email.  Simple, yet thoughtful, most especially if you want to support somebody who is feeling a little low.  And rather a lot of us are.
Gift Cards

Finally, and for the third week in a row I am doing an oversized serum, which means you get 45 ml for the price of 30 ml.  This week it is the turn of C-Deep Vitamin C Serum, which contains highly stable, fast absorbing form of Vitamin C, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which provides antioxidant protection against oxidative damage from UV and pollutants.  This powerful Vitamin C serum penetrates deeper than comparable formulations, which is the way we like it.  Read all about in Shabir’s article, linked below and as ever this is a limited edition offer and is only available whilst stock lasts.
VH Editorial: Is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate The Best Vitamin C Serum; C-Deep Vitamin C Serum £20 for 45 ml

Into the Saturday only treat we go and with every order of £35 and over, excluding p&p, we will automatically include a gift from TEMPLESPA*.  This could be one of several gifts and I am unable to differentiate which gift you will receive because these gifts are computer generated and allocated.  All I know is that TEMPLESPA are having a moment because their seasonal gifts are really fabulous this year, which is why I am constantly writing about them.  And just to say that I am not shouting by putting TEMPLESPA into capitals, it is the brand’s preference and so I’m conforming to that preference.  As a non-conformist, I must be going soft in the head.

Finally, as we come to the end of another Weekend Read, this song and the words within.
All For Love by Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting; The VH Playlist

Stay safe.

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.