Hello and as I welcome you to the Weekend Read, I am going to follow through on my words from last weekend where I threw the focus on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and with one of the symptoms of SAD being sleep deprivation, that is where we are going to begin today. Sleep deprivation is a huge concern for so many of us and insufficient sleep has a major impact on the elevation of cortisol, the stress hormone, so let’s walk through this because excessive cortisol levels have been linked to numerous health concerns and, most specifically, it is well documented that sleep deprivation compromises our immune system.

In one specific study it was shown that participants who slept less than seven hours were three times more likely to catch a cold or infection than those who slept eight hours or more, and on from that several studies have indicated that trying to catch up on lost sleep simply does not make up the ‘sleep debt’. Of course it is a vicious circle, because a lack of sleep impacts our stress levels and our stress levels detrimentally impact several processes within our bodies and it should also be noted that sleep deprivation can affect the ability to lose weight, not my favourite subject as many of you know, but weight gain and the difficulty of weight loss are factors here.

There are many strategies we can undertake to promote sleep and Shabir takes a look at some of those strategies in his article, linked below, and I will follow through with solutions to some of those strategies, but in this moment I want to talk about natural supplementation for sleep, and with Sleep Tight Plus being our bestselling supplement in this genre, let’s take a look.

It is tremendously difficult to formulate sleep supplementation, essentially because not every ingredient will work for everybody, we have always known this, so Sleep Tight Plus offers a comprehensive approach with the integration of several clinically evaluated and researched ingredients, including Magnolia officinalis. Magnolia has a long traditional use in the treatment of menstrual cramps, nausea and indigestion, but it is used here because Japanese researchers determined that ‘honokiol’, one of the active compounds in magnolia bark, has potent anti-stress and cortisol balancing properties and it is this balance which can be beneficial for sleep.

Magnolia is joined by several other compounds including Tart cherries, Ashwagandha, Theanine, Hops, Valerian and Magnesium, which is required for over 300 biochemical reactions within our bodies and here it is required for the manufacture of adrenal stress hormones and for its relaxing effects on nerve and muscle function. It is currently estimated that only four out of ten people get sufficient sleep, so as I drop the price of Sleep Tight Plus from £26 to £23, it is important to say here that natural sleep supplementation often works on a cumulative basis, which differs from prescribed medications and their inherent side effects, which are well documented.
VH Editorial: Are You Getting Sufficient Sleep; Signs And Symptoms Of Sleep Loss; DoSe Sleep Tight Plus £23 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 9 February)

I have linked two of Shabir’s articles on sleep deprivation above, and although there is some overlap, it is important to understand the implications of sleep loss, and with a lack of sleep detrimentally impacting several processes within our bodies, it should also be noted that a lack of sleep can also be responsible for the ageing of our skin. The sleep hormone melatonin is a powerful antioxidant and as such it helps protect the skin, cells and the entire body against free radical damage because as we sleep our bodies go into repair mode, so we are going to take a look at that too.

It is important to say here that melatonin, as a supplement, is banned in the UK and although it can be prescribed by a medical professional, it is classified as a ‘mother hormone’ and, on subject, so is DHEA which is classified as a Class C Controlled Drug. The term ‘mother hormone’ is used in this context because both melatonin and DHEA, often referenced as an anti-ageing supplement, can elevate the male and female hormones in our bodies, so we play safe because the side effects can be excessive and detrimental to our health and wellbeing and, most obviously, this has been extensively researched.

So, another article here, with a slight smile on my face because there is a reason why we call this newsletter the Weekend Read, because it could take all weekend to read each of the articles we share, but notwithstanding that, this article takes a look at how a lack of ‘beauty sleep’ can affect the health of our skin. Here I am referencing inflammation due to increased cortisol levels, mostly because this inflammation can break down lipids, known as ceramides, which hold our skin cells together, as they create a protective layer to retain nutrients and water.

This breakdown can result in dehydration, which can lead to excessively dry skin and because we need to replace our ceramides, which are the tiny oil particles that moisturise skin, we recommend Skin Restoring Ceramides, which contain a patented extract to help prevent dehydration. Yet solutions are often multi-faceted, and that is certainly the case here, so as I drop the price of Skin Restoring Ceramides from £25 to £22, I am also dropping the price of Peptide Rescue Serum from £22 to £19, which contains Neurophroline, a clinically evaluated extract derived from Wild Indigo, which helps break down cortisol production by reducing inflammation.
VH Editorial: Does A Lack Of Beauty Skin Affect Skin; Skin Restoring Ceramides by Life Extension £22 for 30 Liquid Capsules; DoSe Peptide Rescue Serum £19 for 30 ml (offers end at midnight GMT, Sunday 9 February)

As we continue to address the implications of sleep deprivation and stress, a few words here about immunity because a lack of sleep, and of course stress, compromises our immune system, which I have referenced above. And having referenced that point, we have long recommended that immunity boosting supplementation should be taken throughout the year, so as I drop the price of Daily Immunity from £29 to £26, this comprehensive formulation helps protect the body from seasonal infections, so an article of relevance linked below.
VH Editorial: Winter SOS Survival Guide; DoSe Daily Immunity £26 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 9 February)

I often write about hair loss and of course it is well documented that stress causes hair loss, but most specifically we know and understand that stress causes inflammation in the whole body, and that includes the hair follicles where the process of keratin manufacture occurs. There are numerous factors which can lead to hair loss and the thinning of hair, including menopausal hair loss, and of course there are any number of topical solutions available, but I stand by the efficacy of the Fulvic haircare range because Fulvic provides nutrients to the scalp and nerves, removing excess toxins and transporting vital keratin to our cells, optimising scalp health.

It is important to say here that many haircare products contain harsh chemicals, which can of course be damaging to hair follicles and exacerbate hair loss, so as I tell you that Fulvic delivers 65+ minerals, including trace minerals, which are necessary for the cycles of hair growth, it should also be noted that these minerals also provide antioxidant support to the scalp. I wrote about the benefits of Fulvic Elixir last weekend, so this weekend the spotlight is on the Fulvic haircare range as I drop the price of Fulvic Shampoo from £25 to £20, Fulvic Conditioner from £25 to £20 and Fulvic Mist from £25 to £20, across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Menopausal Hair Loss; Fulvic Shampoo £20 for 240 ml; Fulvic Conditioner £20 for 240 ml; Fulvic Mist £20 for 120 ml; Fulvic Hair Trio (Fulvic Shampoo 240 ml; Fulvic Conditioner 240 ml; Fulvic Mist 120 ml) £60; Fulvic Elixir £30 for 480 ml (offers end at midnight GMT, Sunday 9 February)

I’m not quite finished because although each of the Fulvic products are bestselling products, it is important to acknowledge that there are those who have yet to experience the efficacy of Fulvic, so here I am dropping the price of the Fulvic Travel Trio from £25 to £15, whilst stock lasts. In many ways this is an introduction to the products, but it also serves as its name suggests, as a Travel Trio. And one more thing here, I really do need to reference another common health concern, so I’m linking an in-depth article about treatments for dry scalps, because dry scalps can often be itchy, sore and extraordinarily uncomfortable. And that is that.
VH Editorial: Dry Scalp Treatment; Fulvic Travel Trio (Fulvic Shampoo 60 ml; Fulvic Conditioner 60 ml; Fulvic Mist 60 ml) £15 (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 9 February or whilst stock lasts)

I think it is more than obvious that I am dedicating this entire Weekend Read to sleep deprivation and stress, so as we roll through the solutions, I want to talk about Magnesium, because it plays a key role in relaxing our muscles and nerves, but more than that studies have indicated that Magnesium regulates the release of melatonin. The other interesting thing here is that in addition to Magnesium’s ability to influence melatonin for sleep, it also regulates GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) production, which is a neurotransmitter that relaxes the body and mind.

Clinical evaluation has shown that Magnesium deficiencies are a contributory factor to sleep disturbances, but studies have also indicated that a deficiency may worsen stress symptoms, which is far from ideal, but we have known this for the longest time. Of course, Magnesium has numerous other benefits, which we have explored together across the years, but with the focus on sleep deprivation, we often recommend Magnesium Complex to be taken as an adjunct to Sleep Tight Plus at a dosage of one capsule each evening, and it is perfectly safe to do so, so let’s also drop the price of Magnesium Complex, a blend of eight Magnesium compounds, from £22 to £19.
VH Editorial: Can You Take Magnesium For Sleep; DoSe Magnesium Complex £19 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 9 February)

For clarity, there are six other articles on the Magnesium Complex product page, all of which outline the importance of Magnesium, but with that said we are now going to talk about Magnesium bathing, not least because I have always believed in therapeutic and ritualistic bathing, a subject which has always fascinated me. There is a longer conversation to be had about ancient civilisations and the significance of spiritual bathing, but for the purposes of this subject matter, we are going to acknowledge, and explore, the therapeutic benefits of Magnesium bathing.

Magnesium Flakes contain a highly concentrated form of Zechstein Magnesium Chloride helping to increase cellular Magnesium levels when exposed to the skin and given that Magnesium plays an essential role in the normal psychological function and health functioning of the nervous system, its therapeutic benefits include helping to relieve muscle tension and spasms and promoting restful sleep. There are varying forms of Magnesium flakes, but relative to this conversation, I am now going to recommend three forms, with the first being Magnesium Sleep Flakes.

Magnesium Sleep Flakes provide a relaxing blend of Zechstein Magnesium, Lavender and Chamomile to help soothe tired and aching muscles in preparation for sleep, and Magnesium Relax Bath Flakes also contain Zechstein Magnesium, but here they are blended with Rose Geranium and Bergamot to help ease tension and clear the mind. Finally, Magnesium Oil Original Flakes because this is where it all started and if you have sensitive skin, this would be my recommendation. I’m not quite finished, because if you spend £15 or more on any of the products listed below, we will automatically send you Magnesium Sleep Body Spray (100 ml), which is worth £13.99.
Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes by Better You £10.95 for 1 kg; Magnesium Relax Bath Flakes by Better You £8.45 for 750 grams; Magnesium Oil Original Flakes by Better You £10.95 for 1 kg (offer subject to availability and whilst stock lasts)

Onwards to sleep masks, and to be precise the Drowsy Silk Sleep Masks because they have been designed for deep sleep in total darkness and I know I have written this before, but they are the most talked about sleep masks by UK beauty editors. They are totally amazing, they were created to reclaim lost sleep and they offer a luxurious antidote to our stressful lives, but of course they are not solely for night-time use because they can also be used when travelling, or when you want to relax during the daytime and here they provide instant relief to weary eyes.

The story began with the two original masks which were, and are, available in Midnight Blue and Damask Rose, but on from that Drowsy released the Eyelash Protecting Masks to help keep lashes perfectly protected, which are also available in Midnight Blue and Damask Rose, but the story continues. And it continues with the Breakfast At Drowsy Silk Sleep Mask and this is where we can live out our Breakfast At Tiffany’s fantasy, allowing us to capture the essence of Audrey Hepburn’s iconic and effortless glamour as this limited-edition sleep mask becomes a symbol for next-level beauty sleep and iconic style. The full range linked below. A girl can dream.
Drowsy Silk Sleep Masks From £69

We are nearly at the end of this Weekend Read, so before we head into the Saturday only treat, I would just like to revert to our discussion about cortisol levels and skin health, primarily because, as previously referenced, cortisol breaks down the proteins that help support skin health. Being the ‘flight or fight’ hormone, elevated levels of cortisol translate into blood being sent to our muscles rather than to our skin and this deprives our skin of oxygen and vital nutrients. On from that a lack of sleep often results in puffy eyes, and dark circles may also be associated here because the dilation of the blood vessels in the under-eye area can result in a deeper tint.

And so the final fling, and this is where I drop the price of Vitamin C Eye Cream, and it drops from £29 to £26 essentially because it is powered by seven advanced active ingredients, which each play a role in targeting fine lines, under eye dark circles and puffiness. Formulated with Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, a stable, oil-soluble Vitamin C ester, it also contains Ergothioneine to protect against oxidative stress together with high and low molecular weights of Hyaluronic to help target multiple layers of skin. The icing on the cake, as it were, is the precise cooling tip, which serves as a soothing massage tool in and of itself. Voila. We’re done.
VH Editorial: The Ultimate Guide To More Youthful And Refreshed Eyes; DoSe Vitamin C Eye Cream £26 for 15 ml

Into the Saturday only treat we go and this is an obvious gift, but it fits. So, with every order placed for £35 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically send you a single Spacemask (original)* which offers fifteen minutes of warmth, allowing you to unwind either at the end of the day or whenever you need to relax, and just perhaps this brings another dimension to therapeutic bathing. Product details linked below.
Spacemasks

There are no more words, just this movie clip from Breakfast At Tiffany’s. To share.
Moon River: Breakfast At Tiffany’s; The VH Playlist

With love

Gill x