As we edge into the autumn term, as it were, we begin to prepare ourselves for the seasonal changes and, as I wrote last weekend, the protection of our immunity is front and central to our health and wellbeing.  Protecting our immune system is crucial because it acts as the body’s primary defence against harmful pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria.  A strong immune system helps prevent infections, reduces the severity of illnesses and promotes our overall health and wellbeing, playing a vital role in the healing process when we are unwell.

Ongoing research has shown that the most common signs of a compromised immune system include the frequent and recurrent infections which are difficult to treat, essentially because once our immune system is weakened, it struggles to perform its vital functions, leaving us vulnerable to a range of health issues.  Research also indicates that we really do need to support our immune system throughout the year, so we are going to take a look because prevention is far better than cure, and preventative healthcare embraces the philosophy of our being, which in and of itself is a proactive lifestyle choice.

Priming our immune system is a vital aspect of preventative healthcare and there are many factors which compromise our immune system, including stress, which can disrupt the proper functioning of our immune system, sleep deprivation and nutritional deficiencies. Cutting-edge supplementation plays a key role in helping to protect against infections and we believe Daily Immunity, a formulation which also helps to ensure the optimal function of several processes carried out within our bodies, is that cutting-edge supplement. 

Containing a comprehensive blend of ingredients, Daily Immunity contains Astragalus to increase interferon and white blood cell counts, both of which are vital to detect infection, Elderberry which is rich in vitamins C and B, Oregano which contains ‘carvacrol’, one of the most potent antibacterial and antiviral compounds and Olive Leaf which contains the active compound ‘oleuropein’ which has powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.  Garlic, together with other compounds, is also included as it offers numerous benefits, including helping to enhance circulation, and it also possesses antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Daily Immunity has been formulated to address the three categories of immunity, innate, which is the first line of defence, passive, taken from another source, and adaptive which develops throughout our lives as we are exposed to different forms of viruses and bacteria. There are other forms of supplementation which we recommend as an adjunct to Daily Immunity, most specifically Triple Flu Defense (2025-2026), which will arrive within the next two or three weeks, but in the here and now we feel it is important to prime and strengthen our immunity, so I am dropping the price of Daily Immunity from £29 to £26 in support of that recommendation.
VH Editorial: A Daily Supplement That Supercharges Your Immunity; DoSe Daily Immunity £26 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

In all of this, it is often the case that we only recognise the true efficacy of any given supplement retrospectively or if we stop taking a specific formulation and there are several examples of this, including HA, NAD+ Generator, Collagen Tripeptide Complex and of course Superior Joints.  So, taking Superior Joints first, there can be no doubt of its efficacy, and this is where anecdotal evidence meets clinical evidence, that clinical evidence citing that Natural Egg Shell Membrane (NEM™) is one of the most promising discoveries in the battle against joint and arthritic pain in the past couple of decades.

With patient studies supporting clinical evidence, NEM™ has been shown to have a positive impact on joint health, including joint flexibility, within a very short period of time, although I will caveat that by saying that we are all different.  Essentially NEM™ contains proteins that help to repair the cartilage network between bones and it is the degradation of this cartilage that causes the release of acids, such as uric acid, which results in the pain and stiffness so many of us experience.

NEM™ contains elastin, a protein that supports skin, cartilage and spinal health and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) which are small amounts of polysaccharides such as glucosamine, chondroitin and HA, which are the structural components of the skeletal structure and connective tissues of the body.  NEM™ also contains collagen, a fibrous protein that supports cartilage and connective tissue strength and elasticity, and it is well established that our levels of collagen decline from our mid-twenties so, staying with joint health, decreased levels of collagen in our bones and bones tissue can often be the primary reason for brittle bones and low bone density.

Shabir takes an in-depth look at the importance of collagen for bone health in his article linked below and referencing preventative healthcare once again, it would seem appropriate to supplement with collagen to further support joint health.  Collagen tripeptides are the smallest units of all forms of collagen comprising of only three amino acids, and because of their size, they are totally absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream and it is this innovative characteristic that allows collagen tripeptides, as in Collagen Tripeptide Complex, to be absorbed by all collagen-affiliated organs including, skin, bones, cartilage and tendons.

We can only truly talk about preventative healthcare being a proactive lifestyle choice if that choice is determined by the cutting-edge and pioneering products which have been clinically evaluated to make a difference, and both Superior Joints and Collagen Tripeptide Complex have been formulated with compounds that really do make a difference.  In supporting that difference, when you buy Superior Joints, we will automatically include the travel size Collagen Tripeptide Complex (42 Capsules) which is worth £21, because making a difference really does matter, rather a lot.
VH Editorials: Read This If You Suffer From Painful Joints; Is Collagen Vital For Bone Health; DoSe Superior Joints £30 for 60 Capsules + DoSe Collagen Tripeptide Complex (42 Capsules) Free (worth £21) (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

Having mentioned HA and NAD+ Generator above, I will complete this section by saying that I often write about the importance of NAD+, a coenzyme that is the second most abundant molecule in the body.  It is involved in hundreds of processes in the body, providing energy for the regeneration and repair of tissues, including skin.  In his article, linked below, Shabir discusses how NAD+ enhances the functions of eight cellular healthy ageing mechanisms, which may help to prevent accelerated ageing.

Referencing skin alone, we all know the benefits of HA for skin, but with a growing body of evidence supporting the importance of NAD+ for the health of skin, research indicates that NAD+ helps to provide energy for the cells involved in healthy skin regeneration.  Additionally, it is thought that one of the reasons for the decline in collagen production is a lack of energy in the cells called fibroblasts which manufacture collagen. Given this, Collagen Tripeptide Complex, HA and NAD+ Generator each play a significant, yet different, role in supporting the healthy ageing of skin, so if you buy HA Capsules, we will automatically include. NAD+ Generator (15 capsules), which is worth £16.
VH Editorials: Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid Supplements; Are NAD Supplements Beneficial; DoSe Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength £35 for 30 Capsules + DoSe NAD+ Generator (15 Capsules) Free (worth £16) (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

And there it is, so as we move on, I want to talk about migraines, which are distinguished from headaches by their intensity and duration.  The typical migraine begins with a throbbing pain, usually starting on one side of the head, before becoming wider spread, and can last for several hours.  Migraine episodes are often accompanied by dizziness, nausea and vomiting and can be triggered by stress, anxiety tension, fluctuations in hormones, light sensitivity and certain foods.  All of these factors result in abnormal electrical changes in the brain, which can trigger a migraine attack.

Based on years of clinical research, a specialised extract of butterbur root has demonstrated impressive efficacy in the prevention of migraine attacks, and it is used in Germany as a prescription remedy.  It is thought that this plant extract may help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks by 50% when used daily for three to four months.  Providing support for head comfort, Migra-Eeze™ contains butterbur root extract standardized to provide 22.5 mg of petasins, the active constituent, with each daily dose of two softgels and it drops in price from £38 to £35, across the weekend.
Migra-Eeze™ by Life Extension £35 for 60 Softgels (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

However, that is not the complete story because it is estimated that over 50% of people who suffer from migraines have a magnesium deficiency.  Magnesium’s role is thought to be linked to its role in supporting muscle function, nerve relaxation and optimal valve functions within arteries and veins.  Magnesium also relaxes nerves, preventing signals that are sent to the pain receptors in the brain.

Magnesium is often described as an anti-stress mineral due to its ability to relax both muscles and nerves, and since stress is one of the biggest triggers of migraines, magnesium supplementation is recommended, but a specific form of magnesium, L-threonate.  Neuro-Mag^® has been formulated with L-threonate and in pre-clinical trials, L-threonate contained in Neuro-Mag^® was shown to boost magnesium levels in the nervous system by an impressive 15%.  As well as helping to address migraines, Neuro-Mag^® supports the ageing brain, both of which are neurological disorders, and it drops in price from £32 to £29, also across the weekend.
Neuro-Mag^® by Life Extension £29 for 90 Capsules (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

With the summer months drawing to a close, which actually rather thrills me because I far prefer the autumn months, let’s roll into some new product launches and I will begin with some new products from Neom, which are quite wonderful.  We’ll begin with the Sleep Pen, an aromatherapy rollerball designed to create a calming bedtime ritual. The Sleep Pen is expertly blended with soothing aromatherapy oils for sleep, featuring Lavender, Patchouli and Geranium and you simply roll it onto your pulse points before going to bed to help you unwind and prepare for a restful night’s sleep. The Sleep Pen is £20 but drops to £18 for the interim.
Sleep Pen by Neom Wellbeing £18 for 12 ml

The second new product from Neom continues the pen theme, so let me introduce you to the Energy Pen which has been formulated to support busy lifestyles and moments of low energy.  Blended with Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Fir, it delivers an uplifting and fragrant energy boost whenever needed and has been designed as an on-the-go solution slipping into handbags, pockets and desk drawers.  Once again, simply roll onto pulse points, or you can inhale deeply to enjoy the uplifting aroma, letting the scent revive your senses, which works for me because I can’t use essential oils on my skin.  That aside, I am also dropping the price of the Energy Pen from £20 to £18.
Energy Pen by Neom Wellbeing £18 for 12 ml

Finally from Neom, the Wellbeing Pen Discovery Set, featuring three rollerballs, and this is where the Sleep Pen and the Energy Pen are joined by the Calming Pen which has been formulated with Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Orange, to help relieve stress and anxiety.  With a value of £60, the price of the Wellbeing Pen Discovery Kit is actually £50, but I’m taking that down to £45 with a note to say that this would make a wonderful gift, a Christmas gift perhaps, if you can bear to give it away.  There we are, I’ve said the ‘Christmas’ word.  In August.  Well the 30 August. 
Wellbeing Pen Discovery Set by Neom Wellbeing £45 (3 x 12 ml Pens)

Right, just a few more things and the first is to say that Shabir has tweaked another skincare formulation, this time it’s Salicylic Acid 2% Serum, which has been formulated for oily, blemish-prone skin to help target signs of congestion.  Now enriched with hydrating and soothing ingredients including Panthenol, Allantoin and Glycerin to improve skin comfort, it retains all the benefits of the original formulation and drops in price across the weekend from £15 to £12.  The other formulation which has been tweaked is 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil, which I wrote about recently, but having mentioned it, that too drops in price, from £24 to £21.
VH Editorials: Using Salicylic Acid For Blackheads; Beauty Benefits Of Prickly Pear Oil; DoSe Salicylic Acid 2% Serum £12 for 30 ml; DoSe 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil £21 for 30 ml (offers end at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

And a reminder that the TEMPLESPA offer for August will also end at midnight BST tomorrow, Sunday 31 August.  This is where Eye Truffle drops in price from £75 to £40, so that’s a saving of £35, so just to recap, Eye Truffle is a complete rejuvenation cream for the eye contour, designed to penetrate the dermal layer where wrinkles originate and it contains several key ingredients to support the health of skin in the eye contour area.  And next weekend it will be the first Weekend Read in September, with another new offer.
Eye Truffle by TEMPLESPA £40 for 15 ml (offer ends at midnight BST, Sunday 31 August)

Nearly there, but before we head into the Saturday only treat, a final fling, and this is a fully transparent final fling because I have literally just found out that the expiry date on a specific consignment of Fulvic Body Lotion is the end of October.  So, I am taking the price down from £20 to £12, whilst stock lasts, and I honestly don’t know how long that will be, but it will be over when it is over and I have nothing more to add except to say that I totally love Fulvic Body Lotion, but that’s such an obvious statement, so I’ll leave it there.
Fulvic Body Lotion £12 for 200 ml

And so we arrive at the Saturday only treat, and with every order placed for £35 or above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include the Super Shiner Buffer* from Margaret Dabbs.  I often write about the Margaret Dabbs products because I think they are exceptional, and the Super Shiner Buffer is certainly exceptional as it is composed of tiny crystals which sit on the buffer’s surface, turning rapidly as it moves to help achieve shiny, healthy nails.  Full product details linked below.
Super Shiner Buffer

Going Back

The year is 1967, and often described as a landmark year for music, key events include the rise of psychedelic rock and the first full scale rock festival in Monterey, California, organised by John Phillips of The Mama’s & the Papa’s.  The three-day event in June included performances by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Otis Redding and Janis Joplin.  Prior to the festival, ‘San Francisco’, was released to promote the festival, a song written by John Phillips and performed by Scott McKenzie.  Widely recognised as the anthem for the ‘Summer of Love’, it became a cultural icon with San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district being a focal point for the hippie movement.
San Francisco by Scott McKenzie

1967 was also the year that the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine was published, with the inaugural issue featuring John Lennon on the cover. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the eighth album from The Beatles, was released on 1 June 1967, often considered a landmark album in the history of music, it became a defining moment in pop culture, also heralding the ‘Summer of Love’.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

Having performed at the Monterey International Pop Festival earlier in the year, Otis Redding was tragically killed, together with several members of his band, on 10 December 1967 when their plane crashed into a frozen lake in Madison, Wisconsin. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay was released posthumously in 1968, becoming the first posthumous single to reach Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and was recorded by Otis Redding shortly before his death.
(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding; VH Playlist

As we end this Weekend Read, I would just like to share a quote, often attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato, which was sent to me to share with each of you, describing music as a powerful force that transcends the physical world:

‘Music is a moral law.  It gives a soul to the Universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything.  It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good and just and beautiful’

Have a wonderful weekend.

With love

Gill x