It’s another Saturday morning and by way of acknowledgement I would just like to say that I am so appreciative that we understand each other and that we are able to share the things that are so very important to us.  If we are to face the many challenges that life brings, then we have to stay real, we have to talk about who and what we are and we have to demonstrate and uphold the absolute trust and support that allows us to feel safe with each other.  And that’s no small thing.

Let’s go straight in and I want to talk about Vitamin E and its role in hair loss.  Vitamin E is not a single vitamin, but a collection of eight vitamins which include four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.  It is a powerful antioxidant which is important for reproduction, vision, skin health and the brain and whilst there are many supplements for hair loss, Vitamin E is reported to support scalp and hair health, so let’s take a look.

I think it is important to note that whilst there may be a lack of scientific evidence, there is anecdotal evidence supporting the role of Vitamin E for hair loss.  But, with that said, there is scientific evidence on tocotrienols and this relates to their ability to protect against hair loss.  In an eight-month human study, it was demonstrated that those taking tocotrienols experienced a 34% average improved hair count, which translated means that hair density was enhanced, which would make sense because tocotrienols are up to sixty times more potent than the tocopherol fractions of Vitamin E.

As ever, not all Vitamin E supplementation is created equally and, in this instance, we recommend Super Absorbable Tocotrienols which provide a patented form of bioavailable tocotrienols to address increased hair shedding (telogen effluvium), which is the most common form of hair loss.  Super Absorbable Tocotrienols can also be taken as an adjunct to DHT blockers, such as Superior Hair, for female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), which is a pattern of hair loss linked to ageing, the lowering of female hormones and genetics.  Superior Hair is our bestselling supplement for hair loss, so let’s drop the price of that from £32 to £29.  Across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Vitamin E For Hair Loss; Super Absorbable Tocotrienols by Life Extension £26 for 60 Softgels; Superior Hair £29 for 90 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 24 September)

Staying with tocotrienols and their role as powerful antioxidants, free radicals are harmful to the body and they are known to cause inflammation, leading to numerous health concerns.  The most widely accepted theory of ageing is oxidative stress from free radicals causing inflammation, which is often referred to as inflammaging.  Most of us will develop some form of inflammaging as we age because there are many systems in the body that age with us.

There are many herbs that display powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to quench damaging free radicals, but we have always believed that the best herb for reducing inflammation is Turmeric.  Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are thought to be due to its content of powerful antioxidants called curcuminoids, of which curcumin is the most clinically studied ingredient.  It neutralises damaging free radicals and it works very much like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen.

When you take Ibuprofen, it blocks an enzyme called COX-2, which sends signals of pain and inflammation, but the issue here is that Ibuprofen also blocks another enzyme, COX-1, which helps protect the stomach from acids and digestive enzymes, which is why it is recommended that you take Ibuprofen with food.  Curcumin is different in that it does not totally block the inflammatory enzyme COX-2, because it works to inhibit its formation and is far gentler on the stomach.  Additionally, it does not block the COX-1 enzyme allowing curcumin to reduce inflammation and inflammatory chemicals in the body without the common symptoms of stomach discomfort and gastric upset.

Earlier this year we launched Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex, a supplement which we believe to be one of the best supplements in its genre.  It contains a patented curcumin extract containing three of the most research curcumin compounds found in Turmeric, Curcumin, Demeth-oxycurcumin (DMC) and Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC).  Absorption of these compounds ensures that our bodies receive therapeutic amounts of these active ingredients and Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex also contains BioPerine, a patented extract derived from black pepper which has been shown to increase the bioavailability of Curcumin compounds by up to 2000%.

It remains of vital importance that the correct amount of black pepper extract is used in any given supplement, since too much black pepper can interfere with the absorption and metabolism of medications, so I just wanted to make you aware of that.  What I also want to say here is that scientists have recently discovered the biochemical switch that triggers the release of cytokines (small proteins) which generate inflammation in the body.  This biochemical compound, known as HMGB1, has allowed scientists to look at ways to control HMGB1, which allows the quenching of inflammation. 

Following extensive research, scientists have discovered two natural compounds that allow a safe and natural anti-HMGB1 treatment.  Those compounds are mung bean seed coat and EGCG from green tea.  Widely used in Asian medicine, this form of supplementation has been shown to be highly effective in shutting down low grade inflammation and chronic inflammation, both of which can be found in a supplement called Cytokine Suppress with EGCG.  Shabir discusses all of this, and more, in his article, linked below.
VH Editorial: Inflammaging; Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex £23 for 60 Capsules (drops from £26; offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 24 September); Cytokine Suppress with EGCG by Life Extension £26 for 30 Capsules

Swollen feet and ankles are really common and the medical name for this condition is oedema.  Oedema occurs when fluid is retained outside of the cells of the body, but there are many reasons why our feet and ankles swell, including gravity.  Gravity pulls fluids down to the legs and ankles and under normal circumstances the contraction of muscles in the legs compresses the veins and helps to counteract gravity by moving blood back to the heart.  Inactivity and the way you sit can contribute to fluids moving from the blood into the surrounding tissues.

Diosmin Plus contains a comprehensive blend of herbs and nutrients that work to enhance circulation as well as strengthening the veins and the valves within these veins, preventing fluids from accumulating in the lower limbs.  It also helps to reduce inflammation within the arteries and veins which can result in the loss of fluid into the spaces between cells outside of the circulatory system.

Diosmin Plus is suitable for use with many vascular disorders such as varicose veins, spider veins, haemorrhoids, cold hands and feet and other circulatory disorders.  We further recommend that it might be prudent to regularly massage your legs and ankles with Pure Magnesium Oil Spray and the best way to do this is to spritz it into a body lotion, which will not only alleviate pain, but will help to enhance your circulation.  So, lets drop the price of both products as Diosmin Plus drops from £28 to £25 and Pure Magnesium Oil Spray drops from £14.99 to £12.99.  Done.
VH Editorial: Do You Suffer From Swollen Feet Or Ankles; Diosmin Plus £25 for 60 Capsules; Pure Magnesium Oil Spray by Life-Flo £12.99 for 236 ml

I have a few new products to tell you about, but before I do that, I just want to thank you once again for your support and recognition of NAD+ Generator. When a new nutrient is released and that nutrient conquers all that has gone before in its genre, that is quite something. And it is quite something because NMN was considered to be THE longevity nutrient, but the pathway of RiaGev®-WS™ significantly overrides NMN in terms of efficacy.

There really is nothing more exciting than launching a product that you absolutely know will have a positive and far-reaching impact on all who take it and although I write about many different supplements, there are those which are for specific health concerns and those which will benefit almost all of us.  Hyaluronic Acid falls into that latter category, as does Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex and now NAD+ Generator.  I’ll probably be talking about it for the rest of the year, but the research, studies and clinicals are exemplary and, as I wrote last weekend, RiaGev®-WS™ is one of the most important compounds to have been discovered for several years.
VH Editorial: Are NAD Supplements Beneficial; NAD+ Generator £32 for 30 Capsules; Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength £35 for 30 Capsules

Right, let’s do some new products and I will begin with a shampoo and conditioniser.  I think it’s pretty obvious that I am a Fulvic girl and nothing, but nothing, will come between me and Fulvic Shampoo and Conditioner, however there are other haircare products that deserve recognition and I’m going to tell you about two of them.  We’ll begin with Sea Magik’s Pink Salt Shampoo which is blended with three organic seaweed extracts with pink Himalayan salt granules to exfoliate your scalp and removed product build-up.  This shampoo has been specifically blended as a volumizing and clarifying spa treatment shampoo, fragranced with essential oils of lime, rosemary and cypress.
Pink Salt Shampoo by Sea Magik £12.99 for 208 ml

Onto the conditioniser, and the Pink Salt Conditioniser is a volumizing and silicone-free hair conditioner and moisturiser in one.  It has been formulated to deeply condition hair and lock-in moisture which promises to leave hair silky smooth and glossy, with natural volume. Loaded with Himilayan salt minerals and organic seaweed, jojoba and moringa oils complete this blend, together with essential oils of lime, rosemary and cypress.  You can buy each of these products as a stand-alone, but you may wish to buy the Pink Salt Shampoo and Conditioniser as a set.  The price of that set is £17.95, which means you save £8.79 when you buy them together.  I think that’s right.
Pink Salt Conditioniser by Sea Magik £13.75 for 300 ml; Pink Salt Shampoo (208 ml) + Pink Salt Conditioniser (300 ml) £17.95

Before anybody sends me an email to ask why the conditioner is called a conditioniser, I honestly don’t know and I’m not sure what it adds, other than I have to type two more letters.  Each to their own and I’m not going to dwell on it because I want to talk oral health and the fact that Georganics Dental Floss is a natural dental floss which is flavoured with organic Spearmint.  There is not a lot you can say about dental floss other than this floss has strong antiseptic properties to help eliminate germs and it promotes gum healing. I rather like the glass jar too.
Dental Floss – Spearmint by Georganics £4.90 for 50 metres

Staying with oral health, Shabir wrote an article about the benefits of tongue scraping a few months ago, so if you missed it, I am linking it again below because the art of tongue cleaning has existed for many centuries.  In Ayurveda, the tongue reflects the health and wellbeing of the heart, kidneys, spleen, liver, lungs and stomach, as the condition of the tongue is a good gauge to our overall health.  I love ancient rituals, and tongue scraping is a ritual that should be performed on a daily basis, if you can.
The Benefits Of Tongue Scraping; Copper Tongue Cleaner by Urban Veda £12

As most of you know, I am drip-feeding seasonal gifts into each Weekend Read, but before anything please know that we will do our very best to honour all orders placed for these gifts, even though some of them are limited edition offers.  So, let’s begin this section with Truffle Treat from Temple Spa, which contains a luxury mask, Trufflesque (15 ml), together with a Brush Gift.  Trufflesque is a power-packed luxury mask dedicated to transforming skin.  Formulated with a unique skin boosting Hydra-Plump complex it also contains black summer truffles, gold and silk peptides, natural plant extracts and a fruit and amino acid cocktail. 

The mask also contains a combination of diamond powder and gold photo-reflective particles which convert UV light to blue light which injects luminosity and radiance.  This mask should be applied with the luxury mask brush, which is of course included in this set. The Truffle Treat is £12 and although I don’t think I can bear to talk about stocking fillers in September, I’ve just done it.  I honestly don’t know what will happen here, but if this rolls into a pre-order status over the weekend, I will do my very best to honour all orders.  It shouldn’t be an issue because we are going early with this.
Truffle Treat by Temple Spa £12

Each year Temple Spa release Restitude Relax & Unwind Shower & Bath Luxe, which is a wonderful gel that transforms into creamy, aromatic bubbles.  It is with us for a few weeks and it is one of their bestselling products.  It contains soothing Mediterranean essential oils, included patchouli, geranium, sweet orange and vetiver, all of which are blended into a coconut and sunflower oil base.  It also includes muscle-easing properties of ginger and turmeric for warmth.  I must ask Temple Spa why they release Restitude only at this time of year. I really don’t know, and it always sells out, so when I know, I will let you know.
Restitude Relax & Unwind Shower & Bath Luxe by Temple Spa £20 for 300 ml

Skincare.  Sarah Chapman skincare to be precise and let’s make this simple.  If you spend £80 or more on any Sarah Chapman products, we will automatically include a free gift.  That free gift is called the Iconic Duo Gift and comes in a travel pouch which includes Overnight Facial (5 ml) and Icon Night (5 ml).  It has a value of £42.50 and as we only have a limited number of gifts, there is only gift per customer and if the gift fails to go into your basket, that will mean that the offer is over.  And over is over.
Sarah Chapman Products

Most obviously we are now in treat territory, so this is just to say that we are offering a 15% discount across all the Ameliorate products this weekend.  There are no rules, no exceptions and no minimum spend, just a straightforward discount for those of you who love and use the Ameliorate products.  And that’s rather a lot of you actually.  Nothing to add, except to say your discount will not show up on the product page, but will be on your order confirmation.
Ameliorate Products (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 24 September)

The final fling, and it’s a candle fling.  Neom’s Cosy Nights Travel Candle contains a rich blend of pure essential oils including sandalwood, frankincense and nutmeg.  The aroma is one of blazing embers and smoky firewood reminiscent of snuggling by an open fire on a cosy, winter night.  We are not quite at the cosy, winter night scenario yet, but never mind that, as I take down the price of Cosy Nights Travel Candle from £19 to £16, whilst stock lasts.
Cosy Nights Travel Candle by Neom Organics £16 for 75 grams

Into the Saturday only treat and having written about two Temple Spa products, with every order placed for £35 and over, excluding p&p, we will automatically include a Temple Spa treat* with your order.  Whenever I do something like this, I never know what that gift will be because they are computer generated and although somebody once thought I was a robot and not a real person, I am not a robot and I don’t have any control over the gift you will receive.  All I will say here is that I hope you enjoy it.
Temple Spa

As we come to the end of another Weekend Read, I really do have to thank you once again for your amazing emails.  The love and support we share really is something else and although it often makes me emotional, I absolutely know that you have my back as I have yours.  I truly cannot say much more than I have already said about the ongoing litigation I have been writing about, but I will share more when I able to.  And trust me, I won’t hold back, most especially because nobody should be allowed to wrongfully jeopardise the health and wellbeing of others for their own financial gain.  They don’t own that right.

As I’m writing these words, the song True Colors comes to mind, but actually if you listen to the words, they speak of who and what we are in a truly beautiful way. There are many times in all of our lives when darkness descends over us, but the very core of who and what we are remains.  So, although I have shared this song before, I would like to share it again because we must never forget that light will always prevail over the darkness which infiltrates our lives, often through no fault of our own.  This world can make you crazy, but we have each other, we really do.  And that too is at the very core of the work we do together.  Again, no small thing.
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper; The VH Playlist

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.