Hello, good morning and today is a celebration, a celebration that the winter months are behind us and soon it will be spring, but we are celebrating something else today because it is two years since we launched DoSe skincare, so we celebrate together.  A wardrobe of skincare solutions dedicated to the health and integrity of our skin, each product in the range has been formulated with purpose, a purpose determined by the ongoing research and clinical evaluation which is core to our philosophy.

Writing last weekend about the evolution of products, we began the infinite journey of discovery with twelve serums and oils and today we have nineteen curated products in the range.  In all of this, Ergothioneine Serum remains the bestselling product and referencing my words from last weekend, there is a depth of research indicating that Ergothioneine has one of the widest range of benefits of any single skincare ingredient or technology and just perhaps Ergothioneine defines our committed approach to substance over marketing optics.

Embracing a consumer-first approach, our curation of skincare brands has always been exceptionally tight, prioritising evidence-based formulations.  Aligning with ethos, DoSe was founded upon the integrity of extensively researched active ingredients and pioneering delivery systems, platformed alongside brands such as iS Clinical, which I still believe to be the global leader for immaculate cosmeceutical formulations, a belief held for almost twenty-five years.

I have always accepted that we each have a choice, yet in a saturated marketplace it is apparent that the sheer volume of skincare products has created a paradox of choice, where consumers feel overwhelmed rather than empowered, often unable to distinguish marketing hype from clinically proven benefits.  I am, and always have been, tremendously vocal on this subject, but surely we must uphold our core values and because each of you have enabled us to do just that, we collectively celebrate this second anniversary with a 15% discount across the DoSe skincare range, but actually I’m not quite finished, so please read on.
DoSe Skincare (offer ends at midnight GMT, Monday 9 March)

As you will note above, I am holding the DoSe skincare offer until midnight GMT, Monday 9 March, but in a twist, a celebratory twist, if you spend £40 or more on any of the discounted DoSe skincare products, we will automatically send you Fulvic Face Cream (30 ml), which is worth £15.  As so many of you know, I tend to ‘dose’ my serums into Fulvic Face Cream, so this serves as an invitation to join a communal dosing experience where we create personalised, high-performing active cocktails for the changing needs of our skin.  A moment.
Fulvic Face Cream (offer ends at midnight GMT, Monday 9 March or whilst stock lasts)

Life is a collection of moments, moments which define our journey and there is no doubt in my mind that Hyaluronic Acid defines and represents a transformative force in the journey of skin health for so many of us.  Having written about, and taken HA, for almost three decades, I really wanted HA to be the first supplement launched on the DoSe branding, however the logistics didn’t stack and others came before, but notwithstanding that, HA remains our bestselling supplement, although two or three others are pretty close and chasing.

As a naturally occurring substance found in skin, joints and eyes, our levels of HA decline with age, with significant decreases often starting around the age of forty. With many studies indicating that by the age of seventy-five we may only have approximately 25% of HA in our skin, compared to when we were younger, we have always considered HA supplementation to be crucial for healthy ageing, but on from that, levels of HA have been found to be lower than normal in those suffering from dry eye syndrome, and with efficacy determined by bioavailability it is important to take the correct form of HA, which is Sodium Hyaluronate.

Sodium Hyaluronate is the active form of HA, it is the only form we recommend and using 300 mg of this pure form of HA in our formulation, it is joined by BioPerine^®, a patented, standardised extract of Piperine, a compound found in black pepper which supercharges Sodium Hyaluronate to significantly improve the bioavailability of this compound.  We have long considered Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength to be best-in-class in its genre, we know it makes a difference, as it should, and so when you buy HA, we will automatically send you the 45-day supply (45 Capsules) for the same price as a 30-day supply (30 Capsules), so that’s fifteen days of HA free, which is worth £17.50.
VH Editorial: Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid Supplements; DoSe Hyaluronic Capsules High Strength £35 for 45 Capsules (15 capsules free, worth £17.50) (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 8 March)

Following through, and having referenced dry eye syndrome, it is important to say that HA is present in the vitreous humour, a jelly-like compound in the eye, which helps to encourage lubrication, but it also helps to remove inflammatory compounds.  Dry eye syndrome is considered to be an inflammatory associated concern, so we have always recommended HA for this concern together with Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn Oil, which is where we are going next.

In one specific double-blind trial, various measurements were made for the stability of the tear film and tear secretion, carried out on over one hundred participants.  These measurements were carried out at the start of the trial, after one month and at the end of the three month study with scientists concluding that Sea Buckthorn supplementation positively helped to counter the multiple symptoms of dry eyes, but we also recommend HA and Omega 7 Buckthorn Oil for vaginal dryness.
VH Editorial: Dry Eye Syndrome

Vaginal dryness is a tremendously common concern attributed to declining female sex hormones and it is estimated that one in four women experience vaginal dryness during menopause.  Typical symptoms include itching, painful intercourse as well as urinary discomfort, but vaginal dryness is just not confined to the menopausal years as it can occur several years before the onset of menopause and, for many, well beyond menopause.

It is well established that a lack of essential fatty acids is a contributing factor to vaginal dryness, most specifically a lack of Sea Buckthorn.  Containing beta carotene, trace minerals, omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsules are the richest source of omega 7 essential fats, with omega 7 forming the important structural components of mucous membranes.  These mucous membranes form the protective lining of internal organs such as the vaginal, digestive and respiratory tracts, as well as the surface of the eyes and mouth.

In a study conducted by The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Finland, it was concluded that Sea Buckthorn Oil was a natural and effective solution for vaginal dryness, contributing to the health of mucous membranes.  Functioning as an internal lubricant, we recommend Sibu’s Omega-7 Sea Buckthorn Oil, but we also recommend two topical products, Sylk^® Bliss, a gentle, water-based lubricant formulated to help relieve dryness, which is pH balanced to match the body, together with Prescriptive Intimate Wash which supports vaginal dryness without stripping the delicate skin of its natural oils.  All three products drop in price by 15% across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Menopause And Vaginal Dryness; Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn Oil Softgels; Sylk^® Bliss; Prescriptive Intimate Wash (offers end at midnight GMT, Sunday 8 March)

I often write about how any given supplement can help to resolve several different health concerns as many compounds rarely do just one thing, usually acting as multitaskers within the body’s biochemical pathways.  One such compound is Milk Thistle, primarily due to its active complex, silymarin, a group of flavonolignans, notably silybin, which interacts with several distinct biochemical pathways to address a wide range of health concerns simultaneously.

I recently wrote about the importance of Milk Thistle for liver health because silymarin helps to stabilise liver cell membranes, helping to prevent toxins from entering, but it also accelerates the regeneration of damaged liver tissue, boosting the production of glutathione, often considered to be the body’s master antioxidant.  With that said, I am throwing the focus on digestive problems after gallbladder removal, which is an extraordinary concern, the issue here being that the gallbladder is often removed due to pain and digestive discomfort, yet in rather a lot of cases, that digestive discomfort continues after the gallbladder is removed.

In his article linked below, Shabir takes an in-depth look at the function of the gallbladder, a small organ located on the underside of the liver, and how to achieve healthy digestion after gallbladder removal.  It is important to say that gallbladder problems often arise as a result of compromised liver function, but reverting to digestive problems after gallbladder removal, Milk Thistle supports bile production, bile being essential for helping to ease digestive problems and here we recommend Milk Thistle Complex which drops in price from £20 to £17, also across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Digestive Problems After Gallbladder Removal; DoSe Milk Thistle Complex £17 for 30 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 8 March)

Staying on subject, Taurine is an amino acid which is often recommended alongside Milk Thistle after the removal of the gallbladder.  Taurine helps to support fat digestion by improving bile production and flow, but it also helps to improve the quality of bile as well as helping the liver to manufacture bile.  Interestingly, Taurine was once labelled as non-essential simply because it is manufactured by our bodies, except that assertion was incorrect, as research has indicated that Taurine is an essential amino acid which is vital for many of the processes carried out within our bodies, including the protection of the liver and supporting cardiovascular health.
VH Editorial: The Multiple Benefits Of Taurine; Taurine by Life Extension £14 for 90 Capsules

Given that we are heading towards British Summer Time (BST), it would seem appropriate to write about seasonal rituals to mark the change of the season, so we are going to talk about intestinal parasites, mostly because it is thought that over 80% of us have parasites in our gut.  Parasites are a life form which thrive within another organism and they can cause havoc within our bodies as these microscopic organisms invade the gastrointestinal tract where they live alongside good and bad bacteria, as well as fungi. 

There are some 3200 species of parasites and they can be found everywhere in our environment, in the air that we breathe, in the water we drink and in the food we eat, so perhaps it is unsurprising that so many of us have parasites in our gut.  The most common parasites are round worms, pin worms and tape worms, the latter of which are often found in contaminated water.  Whilst we don’t always display the symptoms of infection, some of the most common symptoms include abdominal cramping, repeated diarrhoea, indigestion and bloating.

A natural, and understandable, reaction would be to recoil in horror at the thought of intestinal parasites invading our gastrointestinal tract, yet most of us carry intestinal parasites which is why we have long recommended taking anti-parasitic supplementation once or twice a year and here we recommend Clove & Oregano Complex to spring clean our bodies, as it were, which addresses many of the symptoms of parasitic infections.

Clove buds have a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections as they contain a powerful eugenol, which has been extensively studied and found to help in the eradication of numerous pathogens in the gut.  It helps dissolve the eggs left behind by worms and it is considered to be the only oil that destroys almost all parasitic eggs.  Clove is joined by Thyme which contains natural volatile oils which also help to eradicate and eliminate the growth of many parasites, so with all of that said, Clove & Oregano Complex drops in price from £23.80 to £20 for the interim.
VH Editorial: Most Of Us Have Intestinal Parasites; Clove & Oregano Complex by Viridian Nutrition £20 for 60 Capsules

Right, with a note to myself to write about intestinal parasites before the onset of winter, which would make sense, we move on and into the March offer from TEMPLESPA and this month three of their Truffle Moisturisers, Skin Truffle, Truffle Noir and Truffle De-Light, drop in price from £100 to £60 respectively.  With a saving of £40 on each of the products, I am linking each product below and this offer will end at midnight BST, Tuesday 31 March.  BST.  At last.
Skin Truffle £60 for 50 ml; Truffle Noir £60 for 50 ml; Truffle De-Light £60 for 50 ml

And before we head into the Saturday only treat, an offer from Weleda, which looks like this.  When you spend £15 or above on any Weleda products, we will automatically include the Weleda Deodorant Stick Sensitive, which is worth £8.95, as a gift with purchase.  Ideal for sensitive skin, it offers 24-hour protection against body odours, leaving a light, delicate scent on your skin.  Product details are linked below and as this is a limited offer, if the gift fails to go into your basket, that will mean that the offer is over and in order to be equitable, there is only one gift per customer.
Weleda Products; Deodorant Stick Sensitive by Weleda

Into the Saturday only treat, and with every order placed for £35 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include Fulvic Conditioner (60 ml)*.  Staying neat, this complements last weekend’s Saturday only gift, which was Fulvic Shampoo, with a suggestion that you may wish to use Fulvic Conditioner as an intense hair mask, I am linking the product details below.
Fulvic Conditioner

Finally, some words about the music we share each week because in recent weeks I have reverted to sharing just one or two pieces of music.  I totally loved researching and writing the ‘Going Back’ section each weekend, but the Weekend Read became exceptionally long, which became problematic.  It became problematic because if any given written communication is too long, that communication is often rejected by email servers, imposed by email providers.  Sigh.

Notwithstanding that, the music we share is an integral part of our being and an extension of the lives we lead, so this weekend I am getting around this issue by linking two hours of classical music for the month of March, which I hope you enjoy.  All that is left is for me to wish you a restful weekend and to thank you, as ever, for your ongoing loyalty and support.
March Classical Music; The VH Playlist

With love

Gill x