Clover Power - In Honor of St. Patrick's Day

Red clover (trifolium pratense) is a wild, perennial herb commonly grown in meadows throughout Europe and Asia, and North America. It is a phytoestrogen (mimics and supplements the body's own estrogen hormones) and a powerful antioxidant containing four primary isoflavones (plant based chemicals that produce estrogen like effects in and on the body) present in soybeans - daidzein, biochanin-A, formonetin, and genistein.  It is said to reduce symptoms of menopause, have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties capable of reducing inflammation and softening the skin, increase the synthesis of collagen and elastin, heal infections and skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema, and improve blood circulation to nourish the skin. 

Tocopherol, a type of vitamin E, is present in red clover offering great antioxidant properties. Red Clover, a source of vegetable/herbal estrogen, is often used for menopausal women who are experiencing hormonal imbalances that greatly contribute to adversely altering the skin and hastening the aging process, i.e., wrinkles, dryness, age spots, lack of elasticity, hair loss.  It is also a source of many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. 

Warning - the estrogen phytochemicals found in red clover are generally unsuitable for women diagnosed with breast cancer as well as those who are pregnant or breast feeding.  

Valentines Day - Chocolate - Ooey, Gooey, Good

Valentine's Day is around the corner offering us all a perfect excuse to immerse ourselves in chocolate. Literally. Eat it, smell it, bathe in it. Ooey, gooey, chocolate. A decadent menu of luxurious chocolate skin care treatments are popping up in spas across the nation. Beauty experts claim the fatty cocoa butter hydrates and softens the skin, the cocoa bean husk acts as a gentle exfoliant to break down harmful free radicals, and the caffeine stimulates the circulatory system and firms the skin. Oh, and get this, . . . there is an anti-cellulite treatment using chocolate. Just sounds wrong, doesn't it?

Spas offer whipped cocoa baths (mmm), chocolate facials, body scrubs, massages, and pedicures. During your spa visit, chocolate treats are served alongside the treatments. Go ahead, indulge. Here are a few facts to ease your conscience. High quality chocolate has twice as many anti-oxidants as green tea and has more flavonoids (anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant) than any other anti-oxidant rich food, including wine or blueberries. Wow, who knew? And, (brace yourself), Vitamin A, B1, C, D, & E, Iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Phew! I mean, really, who cares whether it is one of the best kept beauty secrets around or not? Soon it will be Valentine's Day and complete euphoria is just a bonbon away. Now you can truly have your cake . . . and eat it too.

Blueberries: The Jewels of Beauty Food

The Department of Agriculture crowned blueberries as the number one rock star in the world of powerful antioxidants. These blue jewels go straight to work and protect the skin against free radical damage that destroys collagen and connective tissue. A recent study also found that blueberries support the health of the skin's elastin, and if that isn't enough, have the ability to "reverse brain aging."

Blueberries are high in Vitamin C and contain fibre, folate, iron, manganese, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, zinc, copper, B vitamins, vitamin E, and silicon. They also contain a power packed list of phytochemicals with the potential to inhibit the growth of tumors while offering anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Talk about the power of blue! Stock up . . . these blue beauties are in season. Buy them in bulk and freeze them for off-season luxury. Yum!

Dermed Anti-Oxidant Rich Cream

DerMed is known for its high quality cosmeceutical ingredients. This cream is a great product for preparing the skin’s defence before a medical procedure, or for expediting the healing process after a procedure. Its focus boosts the anti-oxidant arsenal in the skin by helping the skin defend itself against free radical damage and repair damage that has been caused. Whenever the skin is traumatized in any manner, free radical activity is promoted, resulting in cellular damage and aging or degradation of the skin. Not exactly a desired effect, particularly after undergoing cosmetic enhancement surgery to improve one's appearance. Sun damage is another example of trauma that negatively affects the skin.

The active ingredients in this cream offering anti-oxidant properties are extracts from Black Tundra Moss, and of course, Vitamin E. The Vitamin A promotes new, healthier cell renewal and has receptor sites on almost all of your body cells, which means it is well received and utilized in cellular functions. The allantoin and lecithin are anti-inflammatory ingredients that minimize any potential irritation to the actives, allowing better reception and results. Hyanluronic Acide has been included in this skin boosting cream to control the dehydrating properties Retinol (Vitamin A) sometimes causes. All in all, Dermed has offered a cosmeceutical cream that is one to seriously consider.

JANSON BECKETT Derma Excel 7

This anti-wrinkle specific serum is loaded with three of the most sought after anti-wrinkle peptides in skin care (Argireline, Snap-7, Leuphasyl). These peptides have different actions on the cells, proteins and muscle receptors that are involved in wrinkle creation, and will collectively interrupt the muscle contractions that contribute to wrinkle formation. They block some of the neurotransmitters that trigger the muscle to contract, and when the contraction is avoided, there is less degradation and less likelihood of wrinkle formation. Argireline is often thought of as having Botox-like effects.

To compliment these highly efficient peptides, Derma Excel 7 also contains DMAE (dimethylethanolamine), a naturally occurring substance proven to promote the synthesis of neurotransmitters, encourage healthy cell membrane function and nourish the longevity of cells. DMAE is a nice anti-age ingredient that also kicks in a firming, tightening action on the skin. There are also the hydrating benefits of shea butter, the soothing effects of allantoin, and the superb anti-oxidant action of ALA (alpha lipoic acid) . . . an antioxidant that is both water and oil soluble making it effective in both environments. The olive and soya oil provide another antioxidant, Vitamin E, while promoting the absorption of the active ingredients into the skin. All in all, Derma Excel 7 is a results-oriented, effective weapon to use in the war against time.

Antioxidants: The Leader of the Pack

I have been reading your post for sometime now and have learned so much. Thank you! I would like to see a list of antioxidants that I should be eating to begin the beautification process from the inside out.


Great question. The highest level of antioxidant foods generally found in supermarkets are, in order of strength: undutched cocoa powder (twice that of red wine/three times that of green tea); bittersweet chocolate; white tea; green rooibos tea; green tea; red rooibos tea; oolong tea; and black tea. Some studies claim that the blueberry (especially wild blueberry, a.k.a. bilberry) contains more antioxidants than any other mainstream fruit or vegetable, when compared on the basis of equal calories. Others give the top award to Montmorency cherry juice—which does have more calories than blueberries, but is accessible year-round. Other fruits and berries that are high in antioxidants include the blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, cherry (especially the Montmorency, also known as the tart or sour cherry), dried plum (prune), dark grapes (including raisins, purple grape juice and red wine), crowberry (a North American berry that looks similar to a blueberry), kiwi, pomegranate, papaya (a source of vitamin E, lycopene and beta-carotene, three very powerful antioxidants), citrus fruit such as orange and grapefruit (the highest concentration of antioxidants are in the pulp, where the pectin is found); and leafy, dark green cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, daikon radish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard/chard greens, parsnip, rutabaga, turnip and watercress). The latest star of the antioxidant show is the Brazilian acai berry, a true superfruit.

FYI - One cup of green tea has antioxidant effects greater than a serving of broccoli, an antioxidant-rich food. A 2006 study showed that elderly Japanese people who drank more than 2 cups of green tea a day had a 50% lower chance of cognitive impairment than those who drank less green tea, or who consumed other tested beverages. The high amount of catechins in green tea are believed to be responsible.*