Hello, good morning and as I welcome you to another Weekend Read we are heading into British Summer Time (BST) and with the clocks going forward one hour at 1 am tomorrow, Sunday 29 March, we lose an hour of sleep, but we gain longer, lighter evenings. So, as we roll into warmer, brighter days we are going to take a look at some of the seasonal products which support our health and wellbeing at this time of year, together with some common health concerns.

In all of this, seasonal colds and viruses remain prevalent during the spring and summer months and although often driven by different viruses than those in the winter months, several of these viruses thrive and peak in warmer conditions. It has become apparent in recent years that we need to protect our immune system throughout the year with a shift from reactive, season-specific care to a proactive, year-round approach.

With research indicating that the immune system benefits from consistent habits, rather than short-term fixes, Daily Immunity has been specifically formulated with a comprehensive curation of compounds required to prime our immunity. There are several factors that affect the immune system, including high sugar diets, dehydration, sleep disturbances, stress and a poor diet. Sugar decreases the ability of our white blood cells to kill pathogens almost immediately, which is why it is often recommended to cut out sugar if you feel that you are coming down with an infection.

The immune system is unlike any other system within our bodies with a complex interaction between several glands, proteins, tissues, chemical compounds, hormones and gut bacteria. Each interaction is involved in helping to achieve optimal immunity and to protect the body against pathogenic bacteria and viruses and it is the optimal working of the immune system that helps destroy these organisms in order to prevent further damage and infection.

This process is referred to as the immune response and Daily Immunity supports that response with ingredients such as Astragalus, Elderberry, Oregano, Olive Leaf, Garlic, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and Zinc, with vitamins C, D3, together with Zinc, contributing to the normal function of the immune system, as well as helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue, which is common with infections, so on subject some more words about tiredness and fatigue, together with a solution.

We often recommend NAD+ Generator as an adjunct to Daily Immunity essentially because Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) is one of the most important coenzymes present in all the living cells in our bodies, benefiting the body in multiple ways. Our immune system relies on sirtuins, which are proteins that help repair our body every minute of our lives. Sirtuins consume NAD+ for energy, giving them the ability to repair and it is well established that without NAD+ our repair processes cease to function, DNA repair is decreased and the body is less able to fight diseases and infections.

I have been writing about the benefits of NAD+ Generator for the longest time, most specifically because its patented compound, RiaGev®, outperforms Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), NADH and NMN, but also because NAD+ enhances the functions of eight cellular anti-ageing mechanisms which support healthy ageing. Given the critical role NAD+ plays in supporting our immune systems, with every Daily Immunity bought across the weekend, we will automatically include NAD+ Generator (15 capsules), which has a value of £16.
VH Editorial: A Daily Supplement That Supercharges Your Immunity; DoSe Daily Immunity £29 for 60 Capsules + DoSe NAD+ Generator (15 Capsules) Free (offer ends at midnight BST Sunday 29 March); DoSe NAD+ Generator £32 for 30 Capsules

Taking a look at some of the factors that affect the immune system, and having written about sleep deprivation last weekend, some words now about dehydration. Electrolyte imbalances can wreak havoc in our bodies and one of the most common causes of electrolyte imbalance is dehydration, so we need to address that lack by maintaining healthy electrolyte levels in order to stay hydrated and here we recommend Electrolyte Fix Liquid, which contains four essential minerals, sodium, magnesium, potassium and chloride to enhance our hydration levels and it drops in price from £14.25 to £13 for the interim.
VH Editorial: Recharge Your Body With The Benefits Of Electrolyte Liquids; Electrolyte Fix Liquid by Viridian Nutrition £13 for 100 ml

A compromised immune system can often lead to infection, albeit there are other factors, so we are now going to take a look at Candida overgrowth, which can be problematic for rather a lot of people. There are approximately 150 known species of Candida, a yeast-like group of fungi that exist in over 80% of us. Typically, they exist in the body without being harmful, however an abnormal overgrowth can lead to infection, often referred to as Candidiasis.

The common symptoms of Candida overgrowth include gastrointestinal disturbances, allergies, food intolerances, headaches, constant fatigue and tiredness, sugar cravings, oral thrush and genitourinary tract infections. The list is long and problems increase if too much sugar is eaten and/or antibiotics are taken for a long period of time and under these circumstances Candida can proliferate and increase the symptoms.

Given that it is imperative to reduce the levels of the infection causing fungi in our bodies, most specifically because Candida set their roots in the gut and are difficult to eradicate, we recommend Candipure®. Candipure® contains clove powder, which naturally contains clove oil, which has been found to have strong anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus and other fungi. Candipure® also contains Black Garlic, a herb with powerful antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, so with two articles linked below, Candida Overgrowth and treating vaginal thrush, Candipure drops in price across the weekend from £18.95 to £17.
VH Editorials: How To Treat Candida Overgrowth; Treating Vaginal Thrush; Candipure® £17 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 29 March)

One more thing here, because Candida overgrowth is associated with an imbalance of bacteria in the gut, we recommend Mega Probio. Actually, we recommend that everybody should take a broad spectrum probiotic, but most specifically the imbalance of bacteria in the gut allows pathogens, including Candida, to thrive. Restoring balance helps re-populate the intestinal tract, preventing Candida from thriving. When the gut has sufficient beneficial bacteria, pathogens cannot thrive because beneficial bacteria produce lactic acid which inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. And so, with that said, Mega Probio drops in price from £25 to £23.
DoSe Mega Probio £23 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 29 March)

Following through on fungal infections, fungal toenails are a very common infection and often starting in one toenail, they are contagious and can spread to several others. They are difficult to treat because although the infection arises at the nail bed initially, it can spread within the nail which is difficult to reach, and although conventional treatment involves the use of powerful antifungal drugs, they are not without side effects and re-infections can happen because antibiotic resistance occurs due to prolonged use.

I recently wrote about treating intestinal parasites recommending Clove and Oregano Complex, and we also recommend it to help treat fungal toenails, with the exception of those who are taking Candipure® because you don’t need both. Clove buds contain volatile oils which display powerful antifungal properties and because fungal toenails should be treated internally and topically, we also recommend Fulvic Nail Cream. Fulvic Acid is a potent anti-fungal compound, it is also a heroic compound, so Fulvic Nail Cream drops in price from £14 to £12 and I am also dropping the price of Clove and Oregano Complex from £23.80 to £20.
VH Editorial: Fungal Toenails Treatment; Clove & Oregano Complex by Viridian Nutrition £20 for 60 Capsules; Fulvic Nail Cream £12 for 30 ml (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 29 March)

Moving on, I want to talk about oral vitamin A for acne, a nutrient that is often recommended for acne, but it also provides numerous other health benefits. Vitamin A is often found in supplements, but there are two different types, provitamin A and preformed vitamin A, and this often leads to confusion as to the correct form to take and given that vitamin A is a fat-soluble group of vitamins that are essential for many processes within the body, it is important that we take the correct form.

In his article, linked below, Shabir deep dives into the two forms of vitamin A, and although Roaccutane is often prescribed for acne, it contains a synthetic form of vitamin A and its mode of operation can often cause inflammation, but there are of course natural solutions and we recommend preformed vitamin A. Preformed vitamin A is the active form of vitamin A which the body utilises daily, and we recommend this over and above provitamin A carotenoids because although carotenoids may be converted into retinol, this process may not occur effectively for people with digestive and inflammatory gut concerns, gall bladder disease and in diabetics.

By way of supplementation, we recommend Nutrisorb® Vitamin A, a liquid supplement that provides the accepted therapeutic dose for compromised skin concerns, including cystic acne and nodular acne, recommended with the caveat that the benefits increase when combined with a healthy and varied diet. Topically, Tretinoin is the generic name for a derivative of vitamin A and most dermatologists consider Tretinoin and Retinol to be transformative in the treatment of acne, with studies indicating that retinoids work by exfoliating dead skin cells, enhancing cell turnover to produce healthy new cells.

However, due to its side effects, which include burning, itching and the reddening and discolouration of skin, Tretinoin is only available on prescription and Retinol, a retinoid for acne, can also display similar side effects dependent on the strength used. Granactive Retinoid 5% Serum offers a far gentler approach and is equally effective in helping to combat acne and spot-prone skin without irritation and is well tolerated by most. Often described as the next-generation retinoid, Granactive Retinoid 5% Serum drops in price from £22 to £19, also across the weekend.
VH Editorials: Vitamin A For Acne; How Does Granactive Retinoid Work; Nutrisorb® Vitamin A by BioCare £13.69 for 15 ml; DoSe Granactive Retinoid 5% Serum £19 for 30 ml (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 29 March)

With the focus on seasonal products, Easter arrives next weekend so for those who are travelling, and actually even if you are not travelling, let’s talk about Alfresco and many of you will remember me writing that Lara loves and adores the fragrance of Alfresco Power Anti-Bug Bite Spray. Alfresco Power Anti-Bug Bite Spray is a natural insect repellent that features fourteen sustainably sourced essential oils, providing effective protection against bug bites.

Crafted in London in collaboration with a 300-year-old British perfume house, Alfresco Power Anti-Bug Bite Spray is suitable for use on the face and body, taking care not to spray it near eyes, and I know I am always writing about caveats, but the caveat here is that bugs are attracted to most normal fragrances, so please avoid using the Alfresco fragrances with other perfumes as this could cancel out the anti-bug properties. With that said, if you buy any of the Alfresco products, with the exception of the Power Anti-Bug Bite Spray (10 ml), we will automatically send you the Power Anti-Bug Bite Spray (10 ml) which is worth £11.50.
Alfresco Power Anti-Bug Bite Spray £40 for 50 ml; Alfresco Products (Limited Offer Whilst Stock Lasts; If The Product Fails To Go Into Your Basket, The Offer Will Have Ended)

Right, some new products from Neom, so please let me introduce you to Neom’s Body Wash Wardrobe and there are five products in the collection, so let’s take a look. Each of these body washes have been categorised into three pillars, the More Energy pillar, the Mood Boost pillar and the Less Stress pillar, so we’ll begin with the two products which sit in the More Energy pillar and they are Squeeze The Day, fragranced with Grapefruit, Mandarin and Eucalyptus and Super Shower Power Body Wash which is fragranced with Spearmint, Rosemary and Eucalyptus.

The Less Stress pillar also embraces two products, Feeling Grounded, fragranced with Black Pepper, Ginger and Orange Leaf and Real Luxury Creamy Body Wash which is fragranced with Lavender, Geranium and Cedarwood. Just one product in the Mood Boost pillar and that is Great Day Exfoliating Body Wash which is fragranced with Wild Mint and Mandarin. I rather like having product wardrobes, and I have long written about the DoSe skincare products being a skincare wardrobe, but this is about Neom and we are dropping the price of each of these products for launch from £32 to £28 whilst stock lasts.
Squeeze The Day £28 for 500 ml; Super Shower Power Body Wash £28 for 500 ml; Feeling Grounded £28 for 500 ml; Real Luxury Creamy Body Wash £28 for 500 ml; Great Day Exfoliating Body Wash £28 for 500 ml

Before we head into the Saturday only treat, a reminder that the March offer from TEMPLESPA ends at midnight BST, Tuesday 31 March, that offer being that three of their Truffle Moisturisers drop in price from £100 to £60. They are Skin Truffle, Truffle Noir and Truffle De-Light, each linked below for ease.
Skin Truffle £60 for 50 ml; Truffle Noir £60 for 50 ml; Truffle De-Light £60 for 50 ml

Into the Saturday only treat and with every order placed for £35 or above, we will automatically send you one of three different patches from Ross J. Barr and although I cannot be specific because these gifts are electronically generated, they include the Healing Patch, the Calm Patch and the Sleep Patch, with each linked below for further information.
Healing Patch; Calm Patch; Sleep Patch

Finally, as we head into longer days and lighter evenings, this song always reminds me about those happy moments when we could drive fast, with the windows down, singing songs. I’m not too sure that it feels quite the same crawling along at 20 mph, but nevertheless the memories remain and this song is an anthem to those moments, the nostalgic, fast-paced, carefree driving moments where we really did Take It Easy.
Take It Easy by The Eagles; The VH Playlist

As ever, I wish each of you a restful weekend.

With love

Gill x