Valley Naturals

Naturtint - Hair Color Not to Die For!

These days, hair color "to die for" can be literal. The chemical phenylenediamine has been found to cause cancer in animal subjects, and after a recent study, there is proof that regular use of hair dyes with that particular chemical raises bladder cancer by three times. 1

But that's not all. The synthetic colors found in most over-the-counter dyes are from coal tar.  Listed as the FD&C or D&C colors, They are considered by the World Health Organization as possible carcinogens but are still allowed on the store shelves. Hairdressers who work around dye have been found to have higher incidences of several different types of cancer. 2 To find a safe hair coloring really can be a matter of life or death.

If you're like me, you don't want to add deadly toxins to your body when you dye your hair. But you would like a hair color that will last and condition the hair at the same time. Naturtint is a great permanent hair dye that uses soy and plant extracts instead of ammonia and cancer causing agents. I have used this product, and really like it. It has plenty of colors to choose from, and it met my expectations for length of color, not drying out my hair, and giving me a natural color. However, just like any dye, permanent hair color can be tricky. Here's a few ideas to help you get your best experience from this hair color.

A good rule of thumb is not to go darker, but a shade lighter than your natural color. Always follow the timetable provided. You can go shorter on the time limit, but never exceed it. If you do, you might end up with dull-looking hair and no pretty highlights because each hair is just literally one solid color.

Perms affect dyes too. If you have had a recent perm, it can tend to "grab" the color and color darker and faster than expected. I didn't know this little tidbit when trying a different product, and my perm grabbed my dark brown color and it came out deep black with no highlights. With my fair skin, the contrast was shocking. I got called "Snow White" by my teenagers longer than I want to remember. But of course, I felt more like I resembled the wicked witch!

If you dye your own hair, you are bound to have a few stories like mine. The most important story is to be healthy from the color you use! Ellen

1 Gago-Dominguez M, et al. "Use of permanent hair dyes and bladder-cancer
risk." International Journal of Cancer. 2001;91:575-579.

2 Zhang Y, et al. "Hair-coloring product use and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a population-based case-control study in Connecticut."

 

Natural Henna Hair Color - So Safe!

Henna can possibly be considered the most natural of all hair dyes. It’s a great alternative if you want to dye your hair, but avoid the extra copper and the dangerous chemicals found in many of the permanent dyes. Henna is made from the Lawsonia shrub grown in desert areas. Its leaves are dried and powdered to make the dye.  It has been used for thousands of years to dye the hair and more recently has been developed to include more of the darker colors than just the reddish hues.

The downside of henna is that users need to be aware that previous perms or coloring can make the henna color react in unpredictable ways. The hair should not be processed with other coloring or perms in order to achieve the best color. Henna is not considered a permanent hair color, meaning it will not last through several months like some dyes. It is usually labeled to last through so many washes.

Valley Naturals carries the Natural Henna Hair Color by Surya Brasil. It comes in eleven colors, and I thought it was an outstanding product when I tried it. It’s made of all sorts of rare herbs and fruits from Brazil and India, and yes, henna. There’s no peroxide, ammonia or heavy metals like so many hair dyes contain. The color looked very natural and did not dry out my hair. It even came with a conditioner that could be used after dying process. Of course, this product is not labeled as permanent color, but it lasted longer than I expected. If a person doesn't wash their hair daily, it will last even longer. It lasted about two and a half to three weeks for me, and I wash my hair about every other day.

The upside is that its ingredients are so safe, you can use it often! The ingredient list reads like something you could eat - fruit and plant extracts. Even the colors they use are not the typical ones that have been listed as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization. The toxic colors start with an “F.” These colors do not. Just remember, since the main ingredient is henna, the hair will have more reddish overtones than gold overtones.

If you want a safe, conditioning hair color that you can use often and look great, I would recommend Natural Henna Hair Color by Surya Brasil. Ellen

 

Building Muscle and Weight? Here's a Whey to Benefit Everyone!

With three bodybuilders in my house, I've seen a lot of whey come and go at our house. When fate dealt the men in our house physiques like Popeye (without the "big mus-kles"), rather than the solid looks of Brutus, I have had lots of opportunity to read plenty of protein labels. I've studied how much sugar and fillers are added to the protein, and just what the calorie count might be. Not only did my men want protein, but they wanted extra calories, too. So when I found a healthy (read NO added sugars), favorite whey, there was a very good reason.

But my young athletes aren't the only ones who need whey. After 40 years, the body slows in the ability to process protein, and muscle strength can diminish (see Sarcopenia: The Mystery of Muscle Loss by Vella and Kravitz.) My husband and I often play tennis in the city tournaments, and if we are going to play against kids half our age, we have to keep our muscles in shape. It's been estimated that us "older folk" need an extra serving of protein more than the younger set needs. Of course, athletes of any age need extra protein. The California Dairy Council says that " Generally about 20-25 grams per day of whey protein is adequate to reap the benefits for body composition, weight management and immunity benefits. Athletes in training or competition may need more, 40-50 grams per day, to replace the proteins burned in exercise and to help repair and build new muscle tissue. In fact, the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that an extra 20 grams of whey protein a day plus resistance training can prevent muscle loss caused by normal aging. 2 That added protein needed each day is easier to get if it is added to a shake or breakfast cereal, in cottage cheese or even in a casserole.

Whey, one of the most easily absorbed proteins, is also great because protein is needed for every process of the body - even thinking! Ronni Chernoff, Ph.D., R.D., says "The importance of dietary protein cannot be underestimated in the diets of older adults; inadequate protein intake contributes to...increased skin fragility, decreased immune function, poorer healing and longer recuperation from illness." 3 When my kids and husband drink whey, they might be thinking "more muscles"...but I'm thinking "better immune system."

So what is my favorite whey? It's Naturade Weight Gain Whey. No added sugars, no fillers or fake stuff. It's vanilla flavored and mixes nicely into shakes, soups, puddings, cakes... you name it. With nearly ten grams of protein per serving, and 240 calories, two servings a day in milk can give you over 20 grams of protein and 1500 calories a day. If you don’t want that many calories, you can cut out the milk.

Naturade Weight Gain is also a great value. Designer wheys can break the family budget when everyone needs to dip in the pot. This product is quality whey at an exceptional price. If you can use some extra calories and protein, it's the “whey” to benefit everyone in the family! Ellen

P.S. The document Whey Protein: Nutritional Powerhouse from the California Dairy Council has a couple of neat whey recipes to try out!

1 Expert’s conclusions were taken from the article: Recommended Whey Protein Serving for Seniors, Sep 13, 2011. |Authored by Andrea Cespedes. http://www.livestrong.com/article/543089-recommended-daily-servings-of-whey-protein-for-seniors/#ixzz1tqhPQwKy

2 May 2011 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21367943

3 Chernoff, R., "Protein and Older Adults." Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 23(6), 2004, pages 627S-630S. http://www.jacn.org/content/23/suppl_6/627S.abstract?ijkey=94073964cac136994ac5cd712a60ad40f1e43190

Best-selling Synthovial Seven Hyaluronic Acid

Interested in one of Valley Naturals best-sellers for both joint health and beauty? Synthovial Seven is one of those products that is helpful for many different reasons. The main ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid (or HA,) is a collagen builder. The fluid in the eyes have strong concentrations of HA in them and the body's joints need HA to create the cushion between the bones.

The size of the HA molecule is crucial to the success of its use. It has to be small enough to get into the bloodstream through the cells. The size of Synthovial Seven's pure pharmaceutical-grade HA is the size of dalton required to be delivered straight to where it’s needed.

This HA comes in a unique liquid that is suspended in a 0.9% saline solution. Each dropperful holds 3 mg of the product. It comes in a 30 ml bottle, so each bottle is going to last 30 days.

I've been asked many times what is the best way to take this product. The manufacturer says, "Recent findings have found that administering directly into mouth and holding for at least ten seconds, then swallowing may improve absorption and benefits. Use care to avoid touching dropper tip to mouth area. Should NOT be taken with hot liquids. It is recommended to take Synthovial Seven first thing in the morning. (This is a good way of getting in the habit of taking it every day.) It is VERY IMPORTANT that it is taken EVERY DAY, especially the first bottle."

I had one customer concerned about the source of the HA since rooster comb has had some issues. The company has assured us that it is from a bacterial fermentation process that has been shown to be safe. They also said that freezing does not affect the product, but excess heat would change its effectiveness. I have had many of my customers testify to me that they wouldn't do without this important product. People who have had surgeries and live in pain really like this product. Others use it just to keep young looking and help their eyes, skin and joints have the moisture they need. If you would like to try Synovial Seven, I would recommend to be sure to get two bottles, as there is a great discount when you buy two! Ellen