Articles
Lovely Leptin
Leptin. It’s the wonderful hormone that tells you that you’ve had enough to eat. We all want this hormone! It’s highest in the evening and early morning hours so the body can repair itself without getting hungry. Aren’t our bodies wonderful? Hormones are little messengers sent to different parts of the body to carry out a specific function. Leptin, a protein that functions as a powerful hormone, is made by the body’s adipose tissue (fat stores) and the gastric mucosa or adipose tissue (fat stores). Our fat is an organ all on its own and has an amazing function, it’s not just there to pack the calories away like a drawer. When energy reserves are high. Produced by the fat, leptin travels to the brain where the ‘message’ is delivered as to the state of how much fuel is available to the body, and the rate of metabolism based on the fuel stores. The brain can’t ‘see’ how much fat you have stored for fuel – it relies on leptin to report back on this score. If leptin doesn’t do its job properly, the brain gets a garbled message that fuel stores are low, so the message is then sent out to eat more to replenish these stores. The “leptinmeter” as we call it is like a fuel gauge and if the gauge is working properly and is reliable, the message is received and you don’t want to eat any more than you need. Diet-induced obesity interferes with the hormonal regulation of body weight and hunger. Very often, overweight/obese people have a malfunctioning “leptin meter” – or it could be broken. More and more food is then needed to satisfy your hunger and cravings. So how can we optimise this great hormone? Here are a few ways to normalise leptin Eat 2-3 main meals alongside 1-2 snacks (don’t snack all day – it’s really the worst thing to do for leptin) Eat smaller meals – don’t gorge and stop when you are full Ensure that you eat enough and feel full to avoid having seconds Chew your food very well Eat real food, not junk Have a high protein breakfast Try to eat 2-3 hours prior to bedtime, and never eat after dinner Use a smaller plate – it’s a clever, subtle trick to get you eating less Have more protein at breakfast than at dinner Space out your meals, eat every 2-3 hours Eggs are the best ‘brekkie’! If you are only eating protein such as eggs, you might want to add in some “quick” fibre like soaking some chia seeds (our favourite) for a few minutes and having them with or before your meal. You could also use psyllium husks – this way you get some fibre to slow stomach emptying, fill you, and provide the fibre the meal may be lacking without fibrous veggies. This also helps enhance the leptin-insulin signalling response. When you eat, you turn on hormonal switches which send messages to the body. Food is information for the body, not just something to get you to the next meal. Adequate amounts of leptin will encourage the body’s metabolism to speed up. Too little, and the body will flip into ‘famine’ mode, slow the metabolic rate and plan to store more fat. Although some people do have a fairly good “leptinmeter”, they will override this and continue eating for various reasons, eventually causing it to malfunction. Sadly the way society is programmed, food is there to be eaten anytime you like, and as much as you like without restraint. Now you know better. Did You Know? Inside your belly button are thousands of bacteria that form an ecosystem on the scale of an entire rainforest References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8651558/
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The Problem with Soy
Are you using soy milk thinking it’s healthier than dairy, or perhaps taking isoflavones for menopausal symptoms – or even eating tofu as a “healthy” alternative to animal protein? Many people today perceive soy products to be healthy, but nothing couldn’t be further from the truth. The risks to your health associated with soy are significant and worth looking at closely if you are considering soy as a dietary addition. While this article could go on for the length of an entire book, I’ll cover just a few areas to give you a good idea of the dangers you face when consuming soy products. Hormone Health Soy certainly is not a healthy alternative to HRT by any stretch of the imagination either, in fact it may worsen your symptoms. At the end of a 2-year study (published in Aug 2011 Archives of Internal Medicine) showed no improvement in symptoms or bone loss. Even a very small amount of isoflavones have the ability to disrupt hormonal balance (around 1 cup of soymilk). In fact dietary estrogens in the form of soy foods were found to have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system with the effects in women similar to taking the breast cancer drug Tamoxifen (Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 1995 Jan;208(1):51-9). Thyroid Health A study done in 1999 found that just 2 tablespoons daily of roasted and pickled soybeans for 3 months (given to healthy adults receiving adequate iodine in their diet) was enough to cause thyroid suppression with the characteristic symptoms of malaise, constipation, sleepiness and even goiters (Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi 1991, 767:622-629). It blocks the T4 to T3 conversion. Alternative to Animal Protein People eat soy to get ‘vegetable protein’ – but what they don’t realize is that the phytates in soy actually impede absorption of protein, deprive them of B12 and impede absorption of four key minerals: Calcium Magnesium Iron Zinc The phytates are deactivated when soy is fermented but how many people really eat it in the form of the traditional fermented form? Most ‘fermented’ soya is not made in the traditional method anyway. In the East very little soy is actually eaten and it’s all fermented in the ancient way. There is a dark side to soy too. In an excellent article entitled “The Ploy of Soy” by Sally Fallon and Mary G Enig, Ph.D., of the Weston A. Price Foundation – Fallon and Enig put the nutritional realities of soy consumption into perspective. Here are a few of the key points they make: Soybeans contain “antinutrients” that inhibit enzymes needed for protein digestion and amino acid uptake Soybeans contain hemaglutinin. A substance that promotes the clotting of red blood cells. Enzyme inhibitors are reduced in bean curd and tofu but not completely eliminated. When vegetarians substitute dairy products and meat with bean curd and tofu. they may risk serious mineral deficiencies. Kidney Stones Soy intake may also increase kidney stone risk. A 2001 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed how soybeans, tofu, and commercially processed soy products contain extremely high levels of oxalate. This is a compound that binds with calcium in the kidneys. It also increases the risk of kidney stone development. Genetic Modification 91-98% of the world’s soy is genetically modified. The genetic modification is done to impart resistance to the toxic herbicide Roundup. While this is meant to increase farming efficiency and provide you with less expensive soy. The downside is that your soy is loaded with this toxic pesticide. This toxic pesticide has been fingered in many cancers especially kidney cancer. There is also concern that it may cause Parkinson’s Disease. Inflammation & Allergies It’s also inflammatory. Inflammation from a soy allergy can develop anywhere in the body where there’s soft tissue. The most common places, besides in the gastrointestinal tract, are in the nose, lungs and skin. You could experience nasal congestion, sneezing, a runny nose, postnasal drip and sinus pressure pain from nasal inflammation, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The lungs can swell, leading to asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing. Hives, eczema and general itching are common skin inflammations from a soy allergy. Fattening Soy! Animals are fattened on corn and soy all over the world – it’s in the feed for every kind of animal, and is almost always genetically modified. If this fattens them, why would we think we’d not put on weight from soy? Soy is one of the most lucrative crops around. Sadly at the expense of other crops this awful bean is being grown instead of nourishing vegetables. As well as instead of putting animals back on the land. Over 350,000 farms in the United States produce soybeans. This accounts for over 50% of the world’s soybean production and $6.66 billion in soybean and product exports in 2000 (heaven knows what it is now…). Soy has a metabolic estrogenic effect in the body. If you’re male you may want to think twice before consuming processed or unfermented soy products, as these types of soy can be feminizing. Excess estrogen in men is a known cause for gynecomastia (fatty breasts in men), prostate enlargement and cancer. Women shouldn’t have excess estrogens circulating throughout the body either. Estrogen dominance is a known cause for PMS, breast cancer and other female disorders. If you can’t figure out why your stubborn fat and metabolic disorders increase the problem may well be the processed soy you are eating, perhaps without realising it. Whether it is soy milk, soy ice cream, veggie burgers, tofu or other processed soy based products, all overwhelmingly contribute to an excess of estrogen in the body. Bottom line soy is fattening for man and beast. Do You eat Soy? And in case you think you eat little or no soy – check the label. Surprise!! Soy is in everything today. From so-called health foods to cereals, breads, medications, meat products, protein bars and almost 100% of processed foods. You name it and you will probably find soy present. The only sure way to eliminate soy is to eliminate processed food completely and eat real food. It’s in everything from dog food to take-aways to baby food to vegetable oils. How to Recover from Being ‘Over-Soyed’ The gut will need healing if you have been exposed to a lot of soy. Eliminate all grains and all sources of soy. Introduce a lot of bone broths, sauerkraut, kimchi and other cultured foods, coconut oil and probiotic supplements.
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The Importance of Drinking Water
Many people know that humans are made up of 25% solids and 75% water. But did you know that 85% of brain tissue is water, which means we need loads of water to remain healthy. Not drinking enough water may trigger symptoms seemingly unrelated to dehydration, such as: excess body fat poor muscle tone digestive complications joint and muscle pain water-retention decreased digestive function increased bodily toxin build-up After clean air, water is our most important component for survival. An adult can last about 2 months without food, but only a few days without water. There are many reasons to drink water. Digestive and metabolic processes rely heavily on water for chemical reactions in the body, carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells through the blood. It also helps cool the body through perspiration. Water lubricates joints and gets rid of waste products via the kidneys. We even need water to breathe – our lungs must be moist in order to extract oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide, and a lot of water is lost daily just through exhaling. Dehydration can impair almost every aspect of your health. Water-retention is a symptom frequently eliminated by drinking more water (It seems counterintuitive, but it’s true). The body also cannot metabolise fat adequately if you don’t get enough water, and weight loss is hindered. Whoever thought water could make such a difference to your health? If drinking 8 glasses a day is a concern regarding frequent trips to the bathroom, don’t worry – your bladder adjusts and in a few weeks this will normalise. Dehydration may manifest as dry mouth – but this is often the last outward sign of extreme dehydration. Other signs include: Heartburn, stomach ache Recurring or chronic pain Lower-back pain Headaches Irritation and/or depression Water-retention Drinking tea, coffee, alcohol, or fizzy drinks isn’t enough. While these beverages contain water, they’re dehydrating fluids, meaning they cause further water loss from your body’s reserves. So make sure you drink to your good health all year round with delicious, pure (distilled if you can) water.
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What is a good, healthy breakfast?
Many people ask me what we eat for breakfast – well that’s a loaded question – all sorts of things! But we’ll get to that later. A healthy breakfast is really important in helping you to avoid the mid-morning crash that most people feel after eating an unhealthy breakfast. It’s all about the secret of keeping your blood sugar stable. Here are some tips and ideas of how to have a great breakfast that keeps you feeling fabulous all day. However, be cautious and bear the following in mind: Eat fruit with a low-glycaemic index– As this will help stabilise your blood sugar levels thereby minimising the crash, which can often leave you feeling irritable and hungry. Fruits with a low glycaemic index/sugar content include apple, blueberry, cherry , grapefruit, grape, orange, peach, pear and a plum. Minimise your sugar intake – Minimising sugary foods is the best way to avoid the brain fog, mid-morning sugar cravings and subsequent weight gain and inflammation that sugary food brings with it. What about that morning cuppa? Habitual intake of 3 to 4 cups of coffee is said to be safe and is associated with the most robust beneficial effects. Brews solely made with chicory will not give you the beneficial properties so rather steer from it. You know what they say, “life begins after coffee”. Reduce your intake of refined breads, cereals, breakfast bars and pastries – Eating refined starches is similar to eating sugar, as they are quickly converted to sugar in the body and have the same effect as sugar. If eating a healthy breakfast – which will give you energy, a clear mind, great mood, prevent both cravings and even hunger for most of the day – is what you’re after, here are some tips: Eat healthy fats – Healthy fats are extremely beneficial and nutritious. Think pasture-fed butter, pork lard, duck fat, coconut oil, olive oil and macadamia oil for a start. (Healthy fats won’t make you fat by the way.) Treat yourself to some real food in the form of animal protein – such as eggs, chicken livers, fatty fish (salmon, sardines, pilchards, tuna), and steak. Fry lightly in butter or coconut oil, and you will be set up for the day. Don’t be scared of having eggs every single day. Steak and eggs is a great brekkie – with a few sprigs of rocket. Mmmmm…. Add in some vegetables like rocket, spinach, watercress, a slice or so of aubergine, asparagus, even ½ an avocado – anything you fancy. Have a cup of coffee if you wish, but try it black without sugar. Avoid tea directly after breakfast as the tannins will interfere with iron absorption – save that for tea time. People often ask us what we have for breakfast, so here are OUR favourite healthy breakfasts: Avocado with smoked salmon or fresh sautéed salmon. Rocket/watercress with scrambled eggs and sometimes a little slice of goat cheese. Wilted spinach with scrambled eggs in butter (or our homemade Hollandaise sauce). Eggs and bacon, cherry tomatoes and mushrooms – all done in pasture-fed butter. Chicken livers sautéed in butter or coconut oil or both, with asparagus and mushrooms. Baby mixed grill of a small pasture-fed charcuterie sausage, little piece of steak and an egg with asparagus and a few cherry tomatoes, maybe even fatty bacon and mushrooms. It’s not necessary to overeat by the way, just eat enough for a good brekkie. The variations are endless, and you need to have what you feel like that day. We need to only eat to hunger, not routine or habit. However, don’t try to avoid food – eat when you are hungry and three good meals a day will give you a wonderful array of nutrients your body needs. Not eating often deprives you of much-needed nutrition, and it’s different for everyone. So just eat when you are hungry.
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Lets talk about Sugar Alternatives!
Time to get Alternative! We are all becoming more conscious about our daily sugar intake and the amount of hidden sugars consumed. 14 November is World Diabetes Day, and a great opportunity to share about some insight into sugar alternatives. We regularly get asked about the differences between our various “sugar alternatives” especially related to concerns surrounding weight loss, dental health or pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes. Keto Sweet, Xylitol, Erythritol and are all regarded as “sugar alcohols” which are a form of reduced-calorie sweeteners and a category of sweet carbohydrates. Sugar alcohols are partially resistant to digestion and act like dietary fibre. Despite the word ‘alcohol’ being in the name it doesn’t actually contain ethanol. In fact many sugar alcohols are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Sugar alcohols have a similar chemical structure to sugar and activate the receptors in your tongue to register a sweet taste. Time to introduce you to our “Big Three” sugar alternatives! 1. Sally-Ann Creed® Keto Sweet is another South African first! Meet the amazing “Monk Fruit”! This amazing fruit got its name from the Buddhist Monks who first used it. As the monk’s meditated and lived on the misty mountains of Guilin, they discovered a fruit they treasured and cultivated for its sweetness and healing properties. To back their ancient claims up, a 2011 study showed that the Monk Fruit’s mogrosides are anti-inflammatory, keep blood sugar levels stable and may help prevent cancer. Mogrosides are compounds which taste sweet but have no glycaemic index, carbs or calories … and no lingering aftertaste! Sally-Ann Creed® Keto Sweet is an amazing product which tastes like sugar (Sally-Ann has said it tastes better than sugar!) and has a host of other benefits. It’s a 1 for 1 sugar replacement. Keto Sweet is useful for diabetics and those with Insulin Resistance. It doesn’t spike insulin and promotes weight loss. Keto Sweet is perfect to bake with and fantastic for any of the following diets: Keto, Diabetic, Candida, Paleo, LCHF, Vegan, Sugar-Free, Non-GMO, Weight loss. Keto Sweet is heat stable, delicious and is the same sweetness as sugar. It is the closest taste to sugar of all the natural keto sweeteners Directions for use: Use as a 1 for 1 sugar replacement 2. Xylitol Xylitol is a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gums and many oral care products. It is as sweet as sugar but has 40% fewer calories. The health benefits of Xylitol have been widely spoken about and may also be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Xylitol is very successfully used in tea, coffee, food and baking. It is also heat stable and very versatile. Directions for use: Use as 1 for 1 sugar replacement. 3. Erythritol Erythritol is produced by fermenting the glucose in corn starch and has 70% of the sweetness of sugar but 5% of the calories. Erythritol mostly gets absorbed in your blood stream and does not doesn’t reach your large intestine in significant amounts For this reason it is very popular and doesn’t have the same digestive side effects as most other sugar alcohols. One study suggested that Erythritol might be a preferred sugar substitute for people with diabetes. Researchers also found Erythritol may act as a strong antioxidant with a favourable effect on blood vessels. Like Xylitol, Erythritol is very successfully used in tea, coffee, food and baking. It is also heat stable and very versatile. Directions for use: You will need a little more than a teaspoon to equal the sweetness of the same amount of sugar. Sources: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/is-xylitol-safe-for-humans/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21765599/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4037362/
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How to use our Grace skincare range
Morning Routine Step One: Cleanser Our Daily Cleanser contains glycerine, niacinamide and squalene. Each of these ingredients has specially been included thanks to their amazing effects on the skin. Together they complement each other to produce a nourishing, age defying cleanser that leaves your skin makeup-free, and hydrated. It is a gentle gel cleanser that foams up superbly, removing makeup and impurities effortlessly. It is suitable for all skin types and you can say goodbye to tight, dried out skin along with poorly removed makeup panda eyes, and hello to a radiant, clean complexion. How to use: Apply a small, pea sized dollop onto your fingertips, gently lather onto a wet face and rinse off thoroughly. Suitable for morning and evening use Learn more about our Cleanser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-daily-cleanser-125ml/ Step Two: Collagen Serum Our Collagen Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and is an ultra hydrating, specially formulated serum to help your skin lock in moisture while reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. This serum provides instant skin radiance and rejuvenation as well as long term restorative effects. Collagen particles cannot penetrate the skin as the molecules are too large, however they are able to create an incredibly moisture-rich layer that the hyaluronic acid molecules are able to absorb moisture from to transport into the deeper layers of the dermis. This dual action results in less wrinkles and fine lines – on the skin’s surface, the outermost layer is noticeably plumper and more hydrated, while the lower layers of the skin benefit long term with increased moisture stores. If this weren’t enough, we have also incorporated rosehip oil due to its naturally high Vitamin C content, meaning it further stimulates collagen production within the skin while providing anti-ageing properties, and essential fatty acids known to support the skin and its skin barrier. How to use it: While the skin is still damp, apply 1 pump onto fingertips and gently smooth onto face. Learn more about our Collagen Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-serum-30ml/ Step Three: Vitamin C Serum Vitamin C is a phenomenal active ingredient known in the skincare industry for its antioxidant properties. It is able to stimulate skin cell renewal as well as promote collagen production within the skin. When applied topically, Vitamin C accelerates the skin turn over and promotes more plump, hydrated skin cell growth. Although it is such a powerhouse compound, it is highly unstable, meaning it is quick to oxidise. For this reason we created a Vitamin C Serum that contains Vitamin E and IntenCfy (ergothioneine & mannitol). Together these actives encourage stability while delivering a high potency, antioxidant formulation that the skin loves! It also provides amazing phyto-protection. This means that the sun’s UVA and UVB radiation will not have such detrimental effects long term, as the ingredients are able to protect the cells from this damage. If this weren’t enough, we incorporated turmeric to provide a soothing, anti-inflammatory quality to this serum, while further strengthening its antioxidant potency. How to use: Apply 1 pump onto fingertips, gently smooth onto face before applying moisturizer Learn more about our Vitamin C Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-vitamin-c-serum-30ml/ Step Four: Collagen Moisturiser Our Collagen Moisturiser is ultra hydrating, and specifically formulated to nourish the outermost layer of the skin while improving long term skin health and appearance due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid in the formulation. When applied topically, collagen is able to create a moisture rich film on the surface of the skin’s epidermis. This provides instant hydration to the outermost layer of the skin and results in a visibly plumper look and more hydrated feel. The hyaluronic acid is then able to transport the retained water on the skin to the deeper skin layers, replenishing the hyaluronic acid stores while providing more moisture on a deeper level. Together these actives create an ultra nourishing formulation, shown to have both short and long term benefits to the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Further to this, we included the aromatherapy properties of neroli. This inclusion provides the moisturiser with a natural, subtle aroma while soothing the skin due to its natural anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. How to use: Apply a small amount to face and neck area, both morning and night after serums Learn more about our Collagen Moisturiser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-moisturiser-50ml/ Evening Routine Step One: Cleanser Our Daily Cleanser contains glycerine, niacinamide and squalene. Each of these ingredients has specially been included thanks to their amazing effects on the skin. Together they complement each other to produce a nourishing, age defying cleanser that leaves your skin makeup-free, and hydrated. It is a gentle gel cleanser that foams up superbly, removing makeup and impurities effortlessly. It is suitable for all skin types and you can say goodbye to tight, dried out skin along with poorly removed makeup panda eyes, and hello to a radiant, clean complexion. How to use: Apply a small, pea sized dollop onto your fingertips, gently lather onto a wet face and rinse off thoroughly. Suitable for morning and evening use. Learn more about our Cleanser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-daily-cleanser-125ml/ Step Two: Collagen Serum Our Collagen Serum contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and is an ultra hydrating, specially formulated serum to help your skin lock in moisture while reducing the skins of fine lines and wrinkles. This serum provides instant skin radiance and rejuvenation as well as long term restorative effects. Collagen particles cannot penetrate the skin as the molecules are too large, however they are able to create an incredibly moisture-rich layer that the hyaluronic acid molecules are able to absorb moisture from to transport into the deeper layers of the dermis. This dual action results in less wrinkles and fine lines – on the skin’s surface, the outermost layer is noticeably plumper and more hydrated, while the lower layers of the skin benefit long term with increased moisture stores. If this weren’t enough, we have also incorporated rosehip oil due to its naturally high Vitamin C content, meaning it further stimulates collagen production within the skin while providing anti-ageing properties, and essential fatty acids known to support the skin and its skin barrier. How to use it: While the skin is still damp, apply 1 pump onto fingertips and gently smooth onto face. Learn more about our Collagen Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-serum-30ml/ Step Three: Retinol Serum Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that is known in the beauty industry as the ‘holy grail’ of skincare. The reason for this being that it is able to stimulate skin cell turnover while reducing collagen breakdown and prompting collagen production. As we age our collagen production naturally decreases, and the constant sun exposure and day-to-day wear and tear accelerates this breakdown. Retinol is like a skin cell-communicator that encourages growth, revealing new skin cells that are rich in collagen resulting in a smoother, firmer and tighter skin appearance. How to use: At night, apply 1 pump onto fingertips, and gently smooth onto face If new to retinol, limit use to two times per week. Thereafter increase use to every second night for two weeks, building up to nightly application. Always use retinol after water serums but before heavier treatments Important to note: Do not use in conjunction with other retinoid treatments. Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Always ensure that you make use of sun protection while incorporating retinoids into your skincare regime. Acne prone skin may experience an increase in acne during the first few weeks of application. This is known as ‘purging’ and should clear with time. When pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended to avoid any skincare products that contain retinoids. When it comes to retinol, it is important to remember two things. Firstly, patience is key. Build up your skin tolerance slowly as it can take 3 – 6 months of consistent use before improvements are apparent. Secondly, Vitamin A (regardless of the derivative form and application) increases skin sensitivity and in particular sun sensitivity. Always use sunscreen when incorporating this product into your regime. Learn more about our Retinol Serum here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-retinol-05-serum-30ml/ Step Four: Collagen Moisturiser Our Collagen Moisturiser is ultra hydrating, and specifically formulated to nourish the outermost layer of the skin while improving long term skin health and appearance due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid in the formulation. When applied topically, collagen is able to create a moisture rich film on the surface of the skin’s epidermis. This provides instant hydration to the outermost layer of the skin and results in a visibly plumper look and more hydrated feel. The hyaluronic acid is then able to transport the retained water on the skin to the deeper skin layers, replenishing the hyaluronic acid stores while providing more moisture on a deeper level. Together these actives create an ultra nourishing formulation, shown to have both short and long term benefits to the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Further to this, we included the aromatherapy properties of neroli. This inclusion provides the moisturiser with a natural, subtle aroma while soothing the skin due to its natural anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. How to use: Apply a small amount to face and neck area, both morning and night after serums Learn more about our Collagen Moisturiser here: https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/sally-ann-creed-collagen-moisturiser-50ml/
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Meet Grace - our new skincare range
Ageing is a natural part of life, and at Sally-Ann Creed we believe it is something worth celebrating. While we cannot stop this process, we can help our body age in the best possible way – we like to think of it as ageing with grace. Sally-Ann Creed has always believed that everyone can achieve holistic wellness through nutrition, and that by eating clean, healthy foods and supplementing where necessary, we can optimise our body’s natural processes. Today we’re about to begin a new journey. A journey where we focus on our biggest organ – our skin. The first step on this journey begins with the launch of our new skincare range – Grace. Consisting of a Collagen Moisturiser, Daily Cleanser, and 3 incredible serums – Collagen Serum, Retinol Serum, and a Vitamin C Serum. Grace has a single purpose – allowing all of us to age with grace. This incredible new range is specially formulated using the best possible ingredients to provide your skin with intense, hydrating moisture, while stimulating targeted skin cell renewal to produce a smoother, more even-skin-toned appearance, and a revitalised glow. Our skin is made of 3 layers – the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that serves as a protective layer to lock in moisture and nutrients, while keeping out harmful pollutants. It also provides protection against the sun and its UV rays. The dermis is the middle layer where you will find nerves, proteins, glands, enzymes and blood vessels. Finally we have the hypodermis, also referred to as the subcutaneous tissue. This is the base layer of our skin where you will find fat cells, nerves and blood vessels. When we’re young, our skin is naturally plump, hydrated, and has a noticeable ‘youthful glow’ as we so often hear. Our skin is made up of collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, moisture, and many other intricate elements. As we age, our natural collagen stores decline, collagen and hyaluronic acid production decreases, and elastin starts to break down, resulting in a less supported dermis, with saggy skin and less hydration. In the epidermis layer, lines and wrinkles start to develop, and skin hyperpigmentation may occur due to this natural ageing process, as well phyto damage caused by UV ray exposure. We all know the wonderful benefits of supplementing with Pure Hydrolysed Collagen and Vitamin C, so why would we need a topical option too? The benefits of collagen may take time to physically manifest as our body first directs the collagen to areas that need it most, which in many cases is our joints, muscles, and digestive system, leaving us waiting for it to take effect on our skin, especially as we fight the effects of sun damage, stress, and general ageing. By applying collagen topically, we are able to quickly and safely provide intense hydration and moisture to our outer epidermis layer. A topical Vitamin C application allows for direct absorption by the skin, resulting in quicker, more visible benefits. Over the past couple of months, we have consulted with many skincare experts and industry manufacturers on our quest to formulate the perfect skincare range. We wanted to develop a range that not only provides lasting results, but also supports our ethos of only using the purest and cleanest of ingredients. We insisted on alcohol-, paraben- and fragrance-free formulations. This is why we deliberately decided to exclude a skin protection factor from the moisturiser, we will leave that up to you to decide how you wish to protect your skin from the sun. Where applicable, we included essential oils for their incredible scent and effective medicinal properties. Each product in this range has been specially formulated to provide amazing results, and to work in conjunction with one another. From the specific active ingredients to the overall formulations, we developed a range specifically designed to provide your skin with intense moisture, while increasing collagen production and skin cell turnover. These key driving factors are instrumental in the overall health and appearance of your skin. By using this complete range you will find your skin is more nourished and healthy, with fewer wrinkles and a radiant glow! We know how daunting it is to try any new skincare product, so we’ve put together a wonderful trial set consisting of sample sizes of all 5 of these incredible products. While we’ve taken every measure to ensure that our products are as pure as possible, it’s always best to make sure that your unique skin is compatible with all of them before you make the move. Available immediately through our online store, and in our wonderful little shop in Westlake, this range of products are the perfect complement to our wide range of existing wellness products. View the full range at sallyanncreed.co.za/grace Sally-Ann Creed’s care and passion for her clients are the cornerstones of Creed Living. Her tireless work over the last 30 years has made Sally-Ann Creed® one of South Africa’s most-loved brands and the embodiment of best practice, innovation, purity, and trust. The Creed Living team are obsessively committed to preserving Sally-Ann’s legacy and she is the inspiration that guides us forward.
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Candida 101
Candida albicans is a yeast/fungus that is found in all of our digestive systems. When kept in balance with our good bacteria, Candida doesn’t cause any problems. But Candida is “opportunistic” – which means, given the opportunity, it can, and will, grow out of control. When we have an overabundance of this yeast in our bodies we can develop issues. There are many strains, with Candida albicans being the most common. What causes Candida to grow out of control? It can start with just one course of antibiotics. Antibiotics wipe out bacteria both the good and bad. When our good bacteria levels are down, this can set up the perfect environment for Candida to take over. That is why it is absolutely essential to rebuild your good bacteria after a course of antibiotics. If you have had multiple courses of antibiotics, without replenishing with a high quality probiotic – the likelihood of you having a Candida overgrowth is quite high. Other things that contribute to Candida overgrowth include: • A high sugar diet: in order to survive, yeasts need sugar. So high sugar diets feed yeasts. That is why many people find relief from many issues from ketogenic diets (higher fat, low carb) – they literally starve the yeasts. • Antibiotics – in addition to taking antibiotics for infections, we are exposed to antibiotics in our food supply – when we eat animal products that have been treated with antibiotics, it could be affecting our gut bacteria balance. • GMOs/Pesticides – did you know that Roundup (the top pesticide used on our food and environment) was patented as an antibiotic before it found it’s purpose as a pesticide? So when we eat foods treated with Roundup – it could be affecting our bacteria balance. The top foods treated with Roundup are soy, corn, and wheat – see a pattern here? These are some of the top foods people are reacting to. • Medications – many medications can impact our gut bacterial balance including birth control pills, NSAIDs, and many others. COULD YOU HAVE CANDIDA? • Digestive issues – such as bloating, “beer belly”, constipation and/or diarrhoea • Toenail fungus • White coating on tongue • Hormone imbalances • Autoimmune conditions • Skin issues/rashes • Food intolerances • Recurring urinary tract and yeast infections • Chemical sensitivities, allergies • Depression, anxiety, mood swings • Brain fog, forgetfulness • Headaches, migraines • Stubborn weight gain • Fatigue • Frequent infections • Alcohol intolerance (get drunk easily, poor recovery) – Candida releases a toxin called acetylaldehyde, which is the same chemical that makes us drunk from alcohol. So those with Candida overgrowth may already be “pre-drunk” from the Candida. • Sugar cravings (yeast needs sugar to survive, so you crave it) WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT IN A NUTSHELL Follow a very clean-eating diet where you remove all the sugary, carbohydrate-rich foods for a month, eating vegetables, protein and fat – the yeast cannot survive on these. Anything remotely sugary like fruit, sugars, honey etc must be removed. You can use a good Candida-killing supplement programme too – and together this will sort it out. Here are our recommendations: 1. Eat fresh veggies, animal protein and healthy fats ONLY for a month – no rubbish 2. No dairy – make your own almond milk (NEVER buy it, the bought ones are all full of other nasties 3. No grains or seed oils – stick with the healthy fats like butter, olive oil, lard etc 4. Take Olive Leaf and MaxiProbiotic daily 5. Use Pure Hydrolysed Collagen daily too – as if you have Candida you will have leaky gut as well, and this is a marvellous way to very quickly heal leaky gut 6. You can use Keto Sweet – the new sweetener sweeping South Africa which has no carbs, no calories, no sugar – but tastes exactly like sugar 7. Try to have a relaxing time during the month while dealing with this. You’ll find these products above in our online store here
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