Omega 3s for Healthy Hair, Nails and Skin

Written by USANA Health Sciences

Editor’s Note: The following was written by Amy Chalmers, dermal health practitioner (DHP), health coach (CHC), medical intuitive and founder of Mother of Skin. She also worked with USANA’s designer, Taylor Romney to create the infographic below.

I’m sure by now most of us know how important Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are for our daily lives. But do we know why that is? The average diet provides plenty of omega-6 fatty acids but tends to be lacking in Omega-3 fatty acids. Today I’ll give you a new outlook and perspective on Omega 3s and how, when implemented in the right way and at the right times, they can help our hair, skin and nails flourish.

First, we must understand that we are responsible for the health of our hair, skin and nails. Picture Omega 3s as essential building blocks for the foundation of our cellular health. Our cells are at the root of all our functions, communications and health. Our bodies have an innate capacity to try to regenerate and heal if given the proper environment, nourishment and timing.

As a dermal health practitioner, I have seen over and over that Omega 3s are an essential key to our skin’s barrier health (epidermis—the top layer of skin). It is important to understand that people of all ages, regardless of their skin conditions and aging concerns, may experience visible improvements if Omega 3s are included in their diet on a daily basis.

Here’s a fun diagram to deepen our understanding of a healthy cell’s journey and how Omega 3s play an important role in creating the health of the cell and its functions.

Click to View Larger

As we can see from the diagram, a deficiency in Omega 3s can cause a system breakdown, leaving us with dull, weak and lifeless hair, skin and nails. So, what makes a cell membrane healthy?

Essential fats do, with Omega 3s being the center of nourishment. They play a major role at the very core and heart, supporting healthy cellular function.

When cells are being optimized daily, we can support strong, healthy and glowing hair, skin and nails. Daily accumulation is essential, which is why these particular fats have the word “essential” in front of them. They are necessary for human health but the body can’t make them – you must get them through your diet. Other healthy types of fats like avocados, coconut oil and jojoba would be good on a daily or weekly basis, but the cell membrane is dependent on EFAs (such as Omega 3s) found in essential fats, making daily consumption of these crucial. Although healthy fats are beneficial in many ways, they do not replace the role or benefits Omega 3s have. Without daily intake of Omega 3s, we may never achieve the health that is possible for our hair, skin and nails.

Dietary Fats – The Shift in Expert Recommendations by Russ Barton

Science has come a long way since the simplistic admonition in the 1980’s for Americans to eat less fat.

It has taken nearly 30 years to officially reverse some recommendations about cholesterol and fat intake, even with relatively strong evidence that the recommendations were not based on current scientific evidence. Also, contrary to our thought process in the 1980’s, it isn’t as simple as “saturated fats are bad” and “unsaturated fats are good.”

It was that exact overly simplistic thinking that resulted in the near extinction of tropical oils from the food supply and the explosion of hydrogenated vegetable oils (think trans-fat). The truth of the matter is that not all polyunsaturated fats are healthy, nor are all saturated fats unhealthy.

There has also been a shift in what most experts agree is a healthier macronutrient ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The long-time recommendation to eat low fat and high carbohydrate has now been adjusted to slightly increase fat and decrease carbohydrates to a more moderate level of both.

Although most experts would still agree with the fact that fats derived from plant sources, which are primarily unsaturated fats, should comprise the majority of fat intake, some research has indicated that replacing all saturated fat with polyunsatured fats or carbohydrates may actually worsen heart health and disease risk.

So, as it turns out with most nutrition and health related subjects, the best advice is balance and moderation.

The most recent evidence indicates that saturated fatty acids do not negatively affect endothelial function nor do they increase coronary heart disease risk. Endothelial cells are cells that line the inner vascular system that mediate coagulation, platelet adhesion, immune function and control vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a key event in the development of atherosclerosis.

Saturated fats have a big advantage over polyunsaturated fats when it comes to stability. They are much less prone to oxidation and rancidity. Even the healthiest of polyunsaturated fats becomes unhealthy once it is oxidized. This is a real potential concern in processed products that require a fairly long shelf-life.

Not only are saturated fats much less prone to oxidation, newer research also indicates that saturated fats have a more positive effect on HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) than polyunsaturated fats.

It may take many more years for the official recommendations to catch up with science when it comes to saturated fat, but the evidence is mounting. Until then, our mission is to provide the healthiest and best quality products based on current science. Currently, the science says get a variety of fats from healthy sources such as nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables (avocados, olives), and that our avoidance and fear of saturated fats (especially from tropical plants) has been largely exaggerated and unnecessary.

One Spot You Always Miss When You’re Applying Sunscreen by Camille Fletcher

After months of being blanketed by snow or pelted with rain, it’s finally summer! The sun is shining and it’s time to get out and play. Do you have big plans?

Whether you like to golf, swim, bike, climb, participate in team sports, or competitively barbecue with your neighbors—there’s plenty to do and see. Personally, I’m newly excited about backpacking. There is such breathtaking beauty out there in the wilderness, and I am so grateful to be able to get out there and see it.

One of the sights I saw on my last backpacking adventure in Coyote Gulch, Utah.

Which brings me to the importance of protecting one of our most valuable assets—our eyes.

All that summer sun can do a number on our poor little eyeballs. It really can be our friend or our foe.

USANA® Visionex® Helps Keep Your Eyes Strong*

The sun shines a full spectrum of colorful light on us. Our eyes are especially sensitive to ultra-violet (UV) and blue light, which can damage the retina. Blue light also comes from indoor work light sources—like computers and fluorescent lights.

If your life is anything like mine, you sit in front of a computer (or phone) screen many hours a day under fluorescent lights then drive with the sun in your eyes to your home that is now full of those energy efficient CFL or LED light bulbs (yep, also blue light). Then you spend hours in the yard, at the beach or in the mountains on the weekend, soaking up the sun’s rays. So your exposure to blue light is probably pretty high.

So, why should you care? Well, cumulative exposure to UV and blue light over the years may eventually damage our eyes if we aren’t careful, eventually even robbing us of our clarity of vision.

Good UV-blocking sunglasses will help when outdoors, but yellow macular pigment is the secret to helping defend our eyes from UV or blue light anytime, anywhere, by acting as a filter that lessens its impact.

Yellow macular pigment comes from dietary carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Good sources of these carotenoids include spinach, brightly colored bell peppers, and egg yolks. But most folks don’t eat enough of the foods to get the full benefit.

It’s important to supplement the carotenoid-rich foods in our diet to ensure we are getting enough lutein and zeaxanthin. USANA’s Visionex supplement provides levels shown in studies to support positive benefits, plus added vitamin C for additional antioxidant protection.*

So, get out there and play to your heart’s content. Just be safe. Protect your eyes with USANA’s Visionex and you’ll be able to keep seeing all the amazing sights summer has to offer for years to come.*

See you on the trail!

Want more eye health tips? Learn more at the National Eye Institute’s Healthy Vision Month website.

Why You Need to Embrace Digital Communications Written by Tim Haran

For today’s business owners, one thing is certain: You need to wholeheartedly embrace digital communications to not only thrive, but also to simply survive.

Don’t take that to be gloom-and-doom if you haven’t yet integrated this sort of communication into your business plan.

I had the opportunity to share some blogging strategies at the 2015 Digital PR Conference. Above all: Your blog is about people and their stories. Photo credit: PR News

Instead, see it as an opportunity to implement some digital tactics into your overall strategy and take your business to the next level.

Top digital communicators and public relations experts shared their knowledge and insight at the recent PR News Digital PR Conference in Miami.

Over the course of three days, hundreds of pieces of actionable items were delivered by more than two dozen presenters.

Here are five takeaways that resonated with me, and I hope you’re able to start building them into your business.

1. Build a Strong Storyline

Jeremy Miller, author of “Sticky Branding: 12.5 Principles to Stand Out, Attract Customers, and Grow an Incredible Brand,” emphasized that “sticky” brands—companies that draw people to them—work to build meaningful relationships with their customers.

Even more, they are determined to tell a strong story by implementing the following formula:

• Demonstrate expertise (without it, you’re simply ranting)
• Offer strong opinions (without them, you’re boring)
• Create a point of sharing (without that, you’re talking to yourself)

If you do that, chances are you’ll hear the five magical words you want to hear: “That’s interesting. Tell me more.”

2. People are Powerful

Several presenters (including me) emphasized the importance of making connections with real-life people in today’s business landscape. We’re more connected than ever, but in some ways we’ve become more distant.

Brush up on your interpersonal communication skills (even online) and remember to show what your brand represents (#USANAlifestyle, anyone?), rather than telling your audience what you’re selling.

3. Look at Missteps as Opportunities

Chevrolet’s nationally televised “technology and stuff” blunder following the 2014 World Series could have been disastrous.

An obviously nervous and less-than-TV-ready representative fumbled his way through an award presentation for the Series’ MVP. Instead of distancing itself from the individual or biding its time until the story fizzled, Chevrolet (and its PR team) jumped into action quickly and decided to own it.

The result, as explained by Jody Sunna, executive vice president of Havas PR North America, became a case study for how an organization’s departments can come together to produce digital magic.

4. Become a Student of Surprisology

If you follow me on Twitter, this is the part of the program in which Pop Rocks were introduced to the room. The delightful candy that explodes in your mouth, not in your hands was used as a prop so a dignified group of communications professionals could create the world’s first (as far as we could tell) Pop Rocks Orchestra. The deeper meaning: Never underestimate the value of surprising and delighting an audience. There’s a reason Tania Luna‘s exercise stuck with me. 

5. Tell Your Story Visually

Ekaterina Walter calls it the age of “infobesity”—so much information that it’s difficult to cut through the noise (especially when the average adult attention span is lower than that of a goldfish).

One way to set yourself apart is by exploring the art of visual storytelling, which is more tactile and has the potential to be more meaningful.

“People never forget how you made them feel,” she says.

Exactly.

We’re proud to bring you the freshest content on the web! Follow USANA on Twitter, like our USANA Facebook page and enjoy the latest videos on the official USANA YouTube channel.

Learn what USANA is doing to make the world a better place.

The future of personalized health and nutrition is now available with USANA’s True Health Assessment.

Omega 3s for Healthy Hair, Nails and Skin Written by USANA Health Sciences

Editor’s Note: The following was written by Amy Chalmers, dermal health practitioner (DHP), health coach (CHC), medical intuitive and founder of Mother of Skin. She also worked with USANA’s designer, Taylor Romney to create the infographic below.

I’m sure by now most of us know how important Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are for our daily lives. But do we know why that is? The average diet provides plenty of omega-6 fatty acids but tends to be lacking in Omega-3 fatty acids. Today I’ll give you a new outlook and perspective on Omega 3s and how, when implemented in the right way and at the right times, they can help our hair, skin and nails flourish.

First, we must understand that we are responsible for the health of our hair, skin and nails. Picture Omega 3s as essential building blocks for the foundation of our cellular health. Our cells are at the root of all our functions, communications and health. Our bodies have an innate capacity to try to regenerate and heal if given the proper environment, nourishment and timing.

As a dermal health practitioner, I have seen over and over that Omega 3s are an essential key to our skin’s barrier health (epidermis—the top layer of skin). It is important to understand that people of all ages, regardless of their skin conditions and aging concerns, may experience visible improvements if Omega 3s are included in their diet on a daily basis.

Here’s a fun diagram to deepen our understanding of a healthy cell’s journey and how Omega 3s play an important role in creating the health of the cell and its functions.

Click to View Larger

As we can see from the diagram, a deficiency in Omega 3s can cause a system breakdown, leaving us with dull, weak and lifeless hair, skin and nails. So, what makes a cell membrane healthy?

Essential fats do, with Omega 3s being the center of nourishment. They play a major role at the very core and heart, supporting healthy cellular function.

When cells are being optimized daily, we can support strong, healthy and glowing hair, skin and nails. Daily accumulation is essential, which is why these particular fats have the word “essential” in front of them. They are necessary for human health but the body can’t make them – you must get them through your diet. Other healthy types of fats like avocados, coconut oil and jojoba would be good on a daily or weekly basis, but the cell membrane is dependent on EFAs (such as Omega 3s) found in essential fats, making daily consumption of these crucial. Although healthy fats are beneficial in many ways, they do not replace the role or benefits Omega 3s have. Without daily intake of Omega 3s, we may never achieve the health that is possible for our hair, skin and nails.

*About the author: Amy Chalmers, DHP/HC, is an internationally qualified dermal health practitioner, certified health coach, medical intuitive and the founder of Mother of Skin, located in the heart of beautiful downtown Vancouver, Canada. She is recognized as an international speaker, writer, spokesperson and educator on “the new paradigm” in cellular health. With her extensive background as a product formulator, clinical trainer, researcher, consultant and USANA skin care expert, she offers health coaching services in conjunction with her exclusive signature skin rehabilitation, age optimization and skin banking systems.

USANA Test Kitchen: Veggie Pasta Salad by Missy Bird

Barbecue season is officially in full swing and cookouts are notorious for featuring unhealthy food.

Instead of picking up another bag of potato chips or plate of cookies from the store, make a delicious, fresh veggie pasta salad.

Growing up, my mom would make boxed pasta salads. Over time, she began to branch out and put her own spin on them by adding in fresh vegetables, meat, and cheese. Now, she’s perfected it into this fantastic pasta salad — something I look forward to every summer.

The secret is Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning. For some reason this seasoning — combined with the chilled pasta, veggies and herbs — creates a pleasant blend of flavors.

Next time you’re tasked with bringing a side dish to a family barbecue, try making veggie pasta salad.

Veggie Pasta Salad (serves 8)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Veggie Rotini Spiral pasta
• 1 c. cucumber
• 1 c. zucchini
• 1/2 c. bell pepper
• 1 c. grape or cherry tomatoes
• 1 c. mozzarella pearls
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. fresh parsley
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp. fresh thyme
• 1 tsp. fresh oregano
• 1 Tbsp. Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning

Directions:

1. Cook veggie pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, cut cucumber, zucchini and bell pepper into bite-size pieces.
2. Drain pasta and allow it to cool — but don’t rinse. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Add cucumber, zucchini, bell pepper and tomatoes, along with olive oil and half of the mozzarella pearls, and mix gently.
3. Add chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano and Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning to the pasta and top with the other half of the mozzarella pearls.
4. Cover and chill in refrigerator for about an hour before serving.

Note:

You can swap out zucchini for squash or add in other vegetables like olives. You can also include cut-up meats like salami or ham, or take out the mozzarella pearls to make this a vegan dish. I use Johnny’s Garlic Spread & Seasoning because it’s great on just about everything, but you can use any garlic seasoning.

Nutritional information (per serving):

• 141 calories
• 5.3 g fat
• 21.8 g carbohydrates
• 0.9 g dietary fiber
• 0.8 g sugar
• 5 g protein

We’re proud to bring you the freshest content on the web! Follow USANA on Twitter, like our USANA Facebook page and enjoy the latest videos on the official USANA YouTube channel.

Learn what USANA is doing to make the world a better place.

The future of personalized health and nutrition is now available with USANA’s True Health Assessment.

Infographic: 6 Ways to Live Like an Entrepreneur by Emily Alaniz

At one time or another, many have fantasized about owning their own business. The freedoms, the challenges, and the thrill of pursuing our passions for a living definitely have an appeal.

Who wouldn’t love to turn their hobby into a real job? Why spend your free time baking, or gardening, or throwing pottery when you could make a career out of it?

Plus, when you think about it, owning a business would get you out of the day-to-day drudgery of a traditional job. Instead of working toward someone else’s goals, you can work toward your own dreams.

Of course, not all of us can ditch our full-time jobs and start a brand new business, no matter how appealing it may sound.

But even if you aren’t an entrepreneur, you can still take the principles of successful business owners and apply them to your life. You’ll find that strong leadership skills and being self-motivated can make a big difference both at work and in your day-to-day relationships and activities.

If you want to learn how to apply the values of an entrepreneur to your own life, check out the infographic below — designed by USANA’s own Erik DeWaal.

Share Away

If you enjoy the infographic, share it on Facebook (here’s a horizontal version to share), Twitter, or Pinterest.

Some of your friends and family might appreciate living their lives more like an entrepreneur.