Anti wrinkle device

US brand LightStim has announced the launch of its LightStim for Wrinkles Mini device, available in the UK from 10 November on QVC and QVCuk.com, priced at £75. The smaller device boasts half the LED lights (36) compared to the bigger, original LightStim for Wrinkles, which has 72 lights. Although smaller in size, the device contains four different colours of LED light: amber, light red, dark red and infrared, which plump up the skin to leave the complexion looking visibly younger and more radiant. In addition, using LightStim for Wrinkles can help to improve the skin’s moisture retention and overall skin tone, reduce pore sizes and diminish puffy eyes. 

Will definately be looking in to this, they also do one for acne. The LightStim uses LED light therapy to deliver light energy in a similar way plants absorb light energy from the sun. LightStim emits UV-free, beneficial light rays that energize cells and stimulate the body's natural process to build new proteins and regenerate cells.Each LightStim product uses different wavelengths, or colors, of light. When this beneficial light is applied directly to the skin it helps to increase collagen and elastin production, reduce inflammation, speed healing, increase circulation, and destroy acne bacteria.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

I have just done a short course by the Rowlett institute at University of Aberdeen as I am constantly wanting to build on my nutritional learning.
One very important reason to eat a healthy balanced diet is to increase our gut health.
Probiotics and Prebiotics are very important for gut health. I have blogged about this before, but it always good to remind ourselves how we can eat ourselves healthy.

Probiotics are living microorganisms and are healthy bacteria living in our foods. When administered in adequate amounts can have health benefits and keep our gut healthy. They can help stop IBS and forms of Diarrhea.
Probiotics are found in live yoghurts and drinks like Yakults and can be taken in capsule form.

Prebiotics are a form of dietary fibre that already live in the gut and feed the live bacteria in our large intestine.They are a selectively fermented ingredient that results in specific changes in the composition and activity of the gastro intestinal microbiota giving a healthy gut. They are responsible for the growth of healthy bacteria and also help to bulk faeces and slow down the exit from the body.

Prebiotics can be found in some foods that we eat Leeks, artichokes, green bananas, garlic, onions and are supplemented in some cereals and yoghurts.

So get eating your way to a healthy gut.

Nutrition coach trains for off shore

This is a strange one:

 I have been very fortunate over the years as a make up artist to travel the world and visit all sorts of places I would probably never had the chance to go if it wasn't for the diversity of my profession. I have done a shoot at the Stock Exchange, at a Jeans factory in Glasgow, a fashion show in a theatre in Warsaw Poland, up mountains, on beaches and worked in China and Australia and much more besides.

The last 2 years I have been training and working as a nutrition and weight management coach and building a portfolio of skills to bring a holistic approach to diet health and wellbeing. I have been working with a company providing healthy eating advice for their health awareness days along with many other health professionals. The company have decided to take the awareness days to their employees off shore and you've guest it that includes me. So this has to be the most diverse place yet.

However to do this you have to undergo a rigorous safety training and me being a bit of a girly girl have been completely terrified. I can now breath as I have completed the training and am as you probably guess still alive.

 I have been submerged in this simulated helicopter (as in picture) 6 times flipped upside down and escaped from the window -yes really. I have re-breathed my own air vigorously,

I have huddled and jumped into life rafts with 15 burly men ,I was the only women. I was winched up, I put out fires - I now know what different fire extinguishers do, and can you believe went in to a smoke filled building blacked out so couldn't see a thing. I Also underwent 2 days of Health and safety in the classroom. So I am now well and truly ready to land on that rig - bring it on...Infact I was  suppose to go out on the rig today, but they have postponed till October, when the weather will change the wind will blow and my terror will be right back where it started.

British Vogue launches video channel

Beauty News

The Body Shop has announced the launch of its Spa of the World collection. Aimed at creating a spa experience from home, the collection comprises: African Ximenia Scrub, which gently exfoliates skin to leave it feeling smooth; Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay, to purify skin across the whole body; Egyptian Milk & Honey Bath, a powder-to-milk bath formula of skin-softening milk and honey; French Lavender Massage Oil, offering relaxing properties; Japanese Camellia Cream, which leaves skin soft and subtly fragranced; Dead Sea Salt Scrub, an enlivening scrub with high mineral content and course crystals; Moroccan Rhassoul Body Clay, to firm and tighten skin; Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil, traditionally used in Thai massage to feel revitalised and uplifted; Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil, a scented blend of coconut oil and tiare flowers and designed for both body and hair; Hawaiian Kukui Cream, a rich nurturing body cream to restore skin's suppleness; and Tahitian Orchid Massage Oil, offering notes of vanilla orchid blended with ylang ylang and patchouli. Two new accessories are also included in the range: Body Mask Brush, which allows ease of product application for clay masks; and The Thai Wooden Massager, ideal for use with oils and rich creams. Each set can be packaged as a specific ritual gift with the gift box.

Launch date: 11 August
Prices: £10-£23
Stockists: nationwide
Twitter: @TheBodyShopUK

Little Mix Fragrance

Girl band Little Mix have announced the launch of their debut fragrance, GOLD MAGIC Eau de Parfum. Opening with a burst of fruit, the heart comprises notes of powdery violet and watermelon, while the base is musky and warm. The bottle has been created to be both modern and classic in shape, while an initialled charm hangs around the neck of the bottle. Each of the girls appear on the four faces of the box, which is designed in subtle tones of gold and bronze.

Launch date: 24 June
Prices: £19.95 (30ml), £26.95 (50ml) & £36.95 (100ml)
Stockists: nationwide
Twitter: @LittleMix

Coconut oil and sat fat

Oh my goodness what a turn around it seems that the powers at B have decided there is not enough evidence to link saturated fats with coronary disease and no significant evidence that omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats protect the heart.

However, some of the studies involved people with cardiovascular risk factors or with cardiovascular disease, so the results may not necessarily apply to the population at large.

 

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Medical Research Council, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Bristol, Erasmus University Medical Centre and Harvard School of Public Health. It was funded by the British Heart Foundation, Medical Research Council, Cambridge National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Gates Cambridge.ases 

My belief has always been to avoid too much red meats and full fat dairy,
It seems the saturated fat myth wasn’t proven in the past and still isn’t really proven today. It does suggest that not one food group can be held responsible for coronary disease and high cholesterol and only emphasizes the importance of a varied balance diet to remain healthy. Which is what we should all strive for.

I have always used Coconut oil in beauty, but have in the past been a bit wary of coconut oil in the diet because of it's is 90% saturated fat content. So with this new revelation on saturated fats I thought I would look into the use of coconut oil in cooking.

Firstly, it appears that the fatty acids in Coconut oil are different to fatty acids from animal fats they are Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) – which are fatty acids of a medium length.

Most of the fatty acids in the diet are long-chain fatty acids, but the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized differently.They go straight to the liver from the digestive tract, where they are used as a quick source for energy.

Coconut oil is made up of fatty acids:

§ Saturated fatty acids: Most of them are medium chain triglycerides, which are supposed to assimilate well in the body’s systems. Acids include Lauric acid representing more than forty percent of the total, followed by capric acid, caprylic acid, myristic acid and palmitic.

§  Polyunsaturated fatty acids: Linoleic acid.

§  Monounsaturated fatty acids: Oleic acid.

§  Poly-phenols: Coconut contains Gallic acid, which is also known as phenolic acid. These polyphenols are responsible for the fragrance and the taste of coconut oil and Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in these polyphenols.

§  Certain derivatives of fatty acid like betaines, ethanolamide, ethoxylates, fatty esters, fatty polysorbates, monoglycerides and polyol esters.

§  Fatty chlorides, fatty alcohol sulphate and fatty alcohol ether sulphate, all of which are derivatives of fatty alcohols.

§  Vitamin E, vitamin K and minerals such as iron.

Secondly, Coconut oil has many benefits and uses.Making it a healthy choice to include in your diet and beauty routine. However it is always a good idea to use a variety of oil products to get the benefit from all and keep a healthy balance.

• The medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil can increase 24 hour energy expenditure by as much as 5% and reduce appetite which can aide in long term weight loss
• The fatty acids and breakdown products in coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens, potentially helping to prevent infections.
• Studies in both humans and rats show that coconut oil improves important risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, which may translate to a reduced risk of heart disease.
•  Coconut oil can be applied topically as well, studies showing it to be effective as a skin moisturizer and protecting against hair damage. It can also be used as a mild form of sunscreen and as mouthwash.

Uses and the types of Coconut oil to use

Cooking————–Refined Coconut Oil

Weight Loss———Virgin Coconut Oil

As a Carrier Oil—–Virgin Coconut Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil

Good Health———Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Coconut Oil

Massaging———–Pure Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil

Hair——————–Pure Coconut Oil, Refined Coconut Oil

Medicinal uses—–Virgin Coconut Oil, Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

Like all oils it is best to get oils that are coldpressed so no nutrient value is removed.

My conclusion after researching the use of coconut oil in cooking is that the oil seems to contain many benefits to your health and should definitely be used, but not to use it as your only source of oil. Keep your diet varied and balanced and keep rubbing into your skin and hair to get the most out of the oil.