Category: product

What Happens to Your Body During Sleep?

Published on by Nikken

Were you ever told not to eat too much before going to bed at night? Or to make sure you apply moisturizer at night? It’s because your body is busy repairing cells and finishing digestion while you sleep. Those are just two key activities your body performs during sleep.

Hormone production changes during sleep. Growth hormone production increases while stress hormones decrease. In fact, cortisol, known as the stress hormone, goes down when you fall asleep but then rises again, before you wake up. Melatonin, on the other hand, rises when you are ready to sleep and falls when daylight approaches. In healthy bodies, kidneys make less urine during sleep, so you don’t have to get up to use the bathroom during a good night’s rest.

Another change the body undergoes during sleep is body temperature. It goes up and down a bit throughout the day, but at night, body temperature tends to be one to two degrees lower than during the day. The lower body temperature helps you stay asleep because humans sleep better when cooler. To prepare for the next day’s activities, your body temperature starts rising as morning approaches.

“Sleep is a period during which the brain is engaged in a number of activities necessary to life—which are closely linked to quality of life,” says Johns Hopkins sleep expert and neurologist Mark Wu, M.D., PhD.1 Throughout your time asleep, your brain will cycle repeatedly through two different types of sleep: REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep.

The first part of the cycle is non-REM sleep, which is composed of four stages. The first stage comes between being awake and falling asleep. The second is light sleep, when heart rate and breathing regulate and body temperature drops. The third and fourth stages are deep sleep. Though REM sleep was previously believed to be the most important sleep phase for learning and memory, newer data suggests that non-REM sleep is more important for these tasks, as well as being the more restful and restorative phase of sleep.2

As you cycle into REM sleep, the eyes move rapidly behind closed lids, and brain waves are similar to those during wakefulness. During the day, your breathing changes a lot, depending on what you’re doing and feeling. During non-REM sleep (about 80% of an adult’s sleeping time), you breathe slowly and regularly. But during REM sleep, your breathing rate goes up again, which also dreaming time. Breathing also becomes more shallow and less regular during this sleep phase. Some of it may be due to throat muscles relaxing. It may also be due to less movement of the rib cage during REM sleep. Whenever you’re sleeping, your oxygen levels are lower and your carbon dioxide levels are higher because your level of breathing goes slightly down.3

During non-REM sleep, your brain takes a real rest; however, during REM sleep, your brain may be even more active than when you’re awake! Blood flow to the brain and metabolism in the brain increases during REM sleep, which supports activity. Your brain also uses your sleep cycles to consolidate memories. So, staying up all night to cram for a test or a special work project might be counterproductive.4. In other words, when you sleep too little, you are unable to process what you’ve learned during the dayand have more trouble remembering it in the future. Simply put, restful sleep is important so that your body can utilize the time to rejuvenate and ensure optimal levels of immunity, metabolism and brain function.

Throughout the month of October, Nikken is offering 20% off our Kenko sleep products (except for the Kenko PowerSleep Mask) plus free ground shipping. The Makura Sleep Packs are already priced with a 10% discount, but we’re adding another 10%, so you still get 20% off plus free ground shipping. Take advantage of this great sale to help your entire body enjoy the luxury of restful sleep!

1, 2 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-science-of-sleep-understanding-what-happens-when-you-sleep

3, 4 https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-happens-body-during-sleep

Why Sleep Matters in Big Ways

Published on by Nikken

Achieving deep, restful sleep is essential to maximizing our well-being and daily performance. Sleep is a personal matter and what serves as adequate sleep for one can be completely insufficient for another. Nonetheless, sleep issues can affect people of all ages and impact many parts of our lives.

The Sleep Foundation1 compiles data regarding sleep habits and performance. Some of the statistics are truly daunting:

• Insufficient sleep has an estimated economic impact of more than $411 billion each year in the United States alone.

• 4.8 of 10 workers say they are regularly tired during the day, and 7 of 10 say they are tired when their work day is done.

• Up to two-thirds of adults occasionally experience insomnia symptoms. 10-15% of people experience chronic insomnia, which persists over multiple months. Women are 40% more likely to have insomnia than men. 55% of nurses say they experience insomnia.

• One study estimates the annual cost of workplace errors and accidents linked to insomnia at $31.1 billion in America.

• Drowsy driving is responsible for more than 6,000 fatal car crashes.

• About 57% of men, 40% of women and 27% of children snore in the U.S. Up to 70% of snorers have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects around one billion adults worldwide, with 80-90% of cases going undiagnosed. A 10% increase in body weight may make us six times more likely to have OSA.

Research2 shows that what we eat and drink can make it easier or harder to get the sleep we need:

• Drinking more than two servings of alcohol per day for men and more than one serving per day for women can decrease sleep quality by 39%.

• On average, adults in North America snack before bedtime 3.9 nights each week. Adults who snack on seeds and nuts before bed sleep an average of 32 minutes more than those who snack on chips, crackers, or pretzels.

• Eating within two hours before bed is linked to later bedtimes, trouble falling and staying asleep and obesity.

• 71% of SleepFoundation.org survey respondents drink coffee every day. Of these, 70% think caffeine has an impact on their sleep. Top issues reported by caffeine-drinkers are sleepiness, fatigue and insomnia, with 30% experiencing anxiety.

Daylight Saving Time in North America has a big impact on people’s sleep patterns. Generally speaking, it’s easier to transition in the autumn when we gain an hour but our circadian rhythms still need to adjust. In the week after the November time change, people experienced 115% increase in difficulty falling asleep, 103% increase in excessive daytime sleepiness, 64% increase in difficulty staying asleep and 34%increase in sleep dissatisfaction.3

Throughout the month of October, Nikken is offering 20% off our Kenko sleep products (except for the Kenko PowerSleep Mask) plus free ground shipping. The Makura Sleep Packs are already priced with a 10% discount, but we’re adding another 10%, so you still get 20% off plus free ground shipping. Take advantage of this sale to transform every bedroom into the perfect sleep environment!

1, 2, 3 https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics#:~:text=at%20$31.1%20billion-,View%20Source%20.,almost%2020%20million%20children%20snore

Sleep the Way Nature Intended

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The closer you replicate the natural environment, the more conducive it is for sleeping well. When you sleep under the stars, you are sleeping directly under the earth’s electromagnetic field, soothed by the ground and all the elements it contains. Negative ions abound from the growth surrounding you. Nesting creatures add leaves, twigs and feathers—did you know if you leave out the fur your dog sheds, birds will come and take it to cushion their nests just as they would gather the fur fallen off a wild creature in the woods?

Since people tend to sleep indoors, creating a good sleep environment entails other basic aspects: Noise can be an impediment to sleep, but it depends on the type of noise. The trend now is for babies to sleep with a white noise machine, sometimes replicating the sounds heard in a mother’s womb. Grown people might benefit from a sound machine which plays the notes of a trickling stream, gentle ocean waves, leaves rustling in the breeze or soft music. There are always those who appreciate silence, so that can be part of their sleep environment.

Everyone has a preference when it comes to room temperature. Generally speaking, sleep experts have found that people sleep more soundly in a sightly cool environment. This again replicates what is found in nature: The air temperature cools down at night. Similarly, our body temperature dips around 4 a.m., which helps to preserve our energy.1

The Kenko Dream Comforter and its lighter partner, the Kenko Dream Light Comforter offer a cozy effect with a magnetic layer as well as ceramic-reflective fibers that help release heat to keep a comfy temperature. Innovative chitocotton contains chitosan for a breathable cover that helps with ventilation.  

When sleeping under the stars, there is darkness and possibly moonlight and starlight. The human body’s natural circadian rhythm follows the dark-light cycle, with restful sleep taking place during darkness. So, sleep experts recommend keeping your bedroom dark, with a night light peeking out if necessary. The light from a TV or any mobile device is a deterrent to restful sleep—nature does not supply electronics.

The firmness of your mattress can make a difference in your sleep. Some people prefer a soft cushion while others require the support of a stiffer mattress. When camping out, a sleeping bag provides some cushion, but the real support is the ground itself, which flexes a little but is quite firm. Find the bedding that supports your needs.

Kenko Sleep Technology provides the perfect solution to convert any mattress into one with the ideal support. The Kenko Naturest® Fit is made to fit twin, full, queen and king mattresses. Placing the Fit over your mattress will transform your sleep environment so that it replicates different parts of nature that are conducive for restful sleep. When exposed to pressure, heat or motion, tourmaline gives off electrons which can help create a calming effect; 800 gauss magnets create a magnetic field that cocoons the body for a relaxing effect; reflective and breathable fibers help regulate body temperature; and rubberthane with natural latex nodules provide massaging effects! The Fit brings nature right into your bedroom!

Throughout the month of October, Nikken is offering 20% off our sleep products (except for the Kenko PowerSleep Mask) plus free ground shipping. The Makura Sleep Packs are already priced with a 10% discount, but we’re adding another 10%, so you still get 20% off plus free ground shipping. Take advantage of this sale to transform every bedroom into a sleep environment the way nature intended!

1 https://wellnesscenter.gatech.edu/sleep/bedroom-environment#:~:text=Silence%20or%20low%20levels%20of,deep%20sleep%20will%20be%20compromised.

Junk Food Alternatives

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Humans have had a long and beneficial relationship with salt, sugar, and fat that dates back to the origin of the species. Salt is essential for fluid balance, sugar provides the energy for physical and mental activity while fats of various types make up most of the mass of the brain.1 Salt, sugar and fat were necessities to stave off hunger and starvation.

Fast forward to contemporary times and those same magical ingredients are added into fast foods as well as packaged ready-to-eat foods that are convenient and often times, addictive. The packaged food industry spends loads of money to research the “bliss point” for general consumption, and that is how much sugar, fat and salt is added, so that we develop a habit and cravings! Scientists have a relatively new name for such cravings: hedonic hunger, a powerful desire for food in the absence of any need for it; the yearning we experience when our stomach is full but our brain is still ravenous. And a growing number of experts now argue that hedonic hunger is one of the primary contributors to surging obesity rates in developed countries worldwide, particularly in the U.S., where scrumptious desserts and mouthwatering junk foods are cheap and plentiful.2

Research has shown that the brain begins responding to fatty and sugary foods even before they enter our mouth. Merely seeing a desirable item excites the reward circuit. As soon as such a dish touches the tongue, taste buds send signals to various regions of the brain, which in turn responds by spewing the neurochemical dopamine. The result is an intense feeling of pleasure.3 That is why it is so hard to break the junk food habit.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to replace junk food with healthier alternatives!

•          Replace milk chocolate with dark chocolate, which contains antioxidants as well as magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.4 Don’t go overboard because it’s still high in calories.

•          Replace ice cream with frozen yogurt, which is lower in both fat and sugar and contains probiotics to help gut health. Again, eat in moderation to avoid too many calories.

•          Another replacement for ice cream is sorbet. It’s easy to make and you get all the nutrients from the fruit of your choice.

•          Have dried fruit for dessert or snacks. Dried fruit is actually very sweet and can take away sugar cravings.

•          Potato chips can be replaced with kale chips, any other vegetable chip, sweet potato chips and even baked potato chips. Popcorn is also a healthier alternative when you make it with less salt and butter.

•          Replace sugary sodas with sparkling water and fruit slices, or use half carbonated water and half fresh juice. Don’t drink those so-called sugar-free sodas either—they may have zero calories, but artificial sweeteners are simply bad for you.

•          Have nuts on hand for healthy snacking. Nuts have that crunch that is so satisfying, and when you choose unsalted ones, you’re getting the healthy fats without the salt. Even when salted, the high fiber and vegan protein you’re getting more than make up for the salt.

To win the battle against junk food, we have to “reengineer the food environment.” This means removing junk food from wherever we live, which in practical terms means not buying it to begin with. This also means not going to fast food outlets, because once there, the temptation may prove overwhelming. And remember, Kenzen® nutritional and dietary supplements may help you fill in the gaps in your daily regimen!

1 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-018-0020-x

2, 3 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-sugar-and-fat-trick-the-brain-into-wanting-more-food/#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20the,a%20sense%20of%20well%2Dbeing.

4 https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/lifestyle-advice/10-healthy-alternatives-to-unhealthy-food

What You Eat Affects How Well You Work

Published on by Nikken

Just about everything we eat is converted by our bodies into glucose, which provides the energy our brains need to stay alert. When we’re running low on glucose, we have a tough time staying focused and our attention drifts. This explains why it’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach.1

Our bodies react to different types of foods in different ways. In other words, not all food is processed at the same rate. High-carb foods such as pasta, bread and sugary cereals, release glucose quickly. This results in a quick burst of energy, but then there is a slump. Even worse are desserts with loads of sugar—the sugar high and ensuing crash that mothers fear from their children often come after ingesting birthday cake!

High-fat meals provide more sustained energy, but require the digestive system to work harder, in effect, reducing oxygen levels in the brain and resulting in grogginess and lethargy. There’s a reason the big steak meal with all the fixings or that double cheeseburger and fries puts us into a food coma. Movement helps digestion; that’s why taking a brisk walk after a big meal can help to keep that heavy feeling at bay.

Research indicates that eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day isn’t simply good for the body—it’s also beneficial for the mind. A recent paper in British Journal of Health Psychology examined the way people’s food choices influenced their daily experiences. After 13 days of observation, the participants who consumed more fruits and vegetables (up to 7 portions daily) were visibly happier, more engaged and more creative than usual.Researchers concluded that because fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that support dopamine production, they support the experience of curiosity, motivation and engagement. Fruits and veggies are also high in antioxidants, which help to improve memory, enhance mood and support the immune system. 2

Ray Merrill, an editorial board member of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that those who opt for predominantly unhealthy food choices are 66% more likely to be less productive than those who actively make healthy choices.Professor Merrill contends that proper nutrition promotes increased cognitive function, better concentration, more energy and motivation and decreased depression and anxiety.3

Making consistently good food choices that help us perform at our highest levels requires discipline but can be made easier with a strategy. Here are a few tips on planning:

•          Make food choices early. Don’t wait until you are starving, which is when the worst food decisions are made. Plan when you are going to have your meals and decide in advance what you’ll be having.

•          The more you cook or assemble meals at home, the more control you have. So many people work remotely from their homes now that you actually have better odds of eating healthier and resorting to fast food restaurants less often.

•          Have healthy snacks at hand. A handful of nuts with a piece of fruit in between meals can be your best friend and ward off drops in blood sugar. The more active you are, the more important it is to supplement your main meals with snacks.

•          Be aware of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar, and keep them to a minimum. Rule of thumb: stay with fresh produce, lean or vegetable-based proteins and whole grains.

The more we choose to eat healthy foods—the better we’ll do in school, at work and in life. And at Nikken, we have Kenzen® Nutrition to support us every step of the way.

1, 2 https://hbr.org/2014/10/what-you-eat-affects-your-productivity#:~:text=Why?,decisions%20about%20food%20is%20essential.

3 https://www.wellright.com/resources/blog/exploring-the-link-between-productivity-and-food-in-the-workplace

Smart Nutrition the Kenzen® Way

Published on by Nikken

September at Nikken is about smart nutrition: eating healthy food, choosing nutrient-dense ingredients in cooking, committing to whole foods rather than processed ones and avoiding refined pre-packaged items that contain added sugar and salt. With our hectic multi-generational family lifestyles, dietary or nutritional supplementation can make a big difference.

Here’s a summary of what Kenzen® Nutrition is designed to do:

•          Kenzen® Calcium Complex and Kenzen BDZ® work synergistically to support bone health.* Added minerals in the Calcium Complex enhance absorption, while BDZ acts as the perfect complement with patented vitamin K and its unique marine plant complex to support bone structure and strength.*

•          Kenzen® Joint is formulated with high potency cetyl myristoleate, combined with gluosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and boswelia plant compounds—to support joint movement and connective tissue repair.* A topical version is CM Complex Cream that contains the same naturally lubricating properties.

•          Pink Collagen Complex stands out with its naturally pink color and exceptional formulation. Blood peach, rose apple and beet root combine their rosy tint with antioxidant powers and pleasant flavor, so there’s no fishy taste to the powerful type 1 collagen derived from marine peptides.

•          Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA contains heart-healthy omegas 3, 6, and 9 in one formula! The vegan formula is plant-sourced from cranberry seed oil, flax seed oil and red algae. Supporting digestive, hormonal and nerve health, it also benefits eyes and the brain.* It’s a formula chockful of omega fatty acids that even vegans can enjoy!

•          Kenzen Bergisterol® aims to support cardiovascular health and immune response.* Made with an exclusive strain of the bergamot fruit, it is rich in polyphenols and bioflavonoids.

•          Kenzen Super Ciaga® powder is a delicious way to support heart health, cellular functions and the immune system for overall well-being and natural energy levels.* It’s formulated with highly concentrated superfruits, such as maqui berry, elderberry, blackberry, raspberry and blueberry.

•          Kenzen® Immunity was providing immune support long before mushrooms became a trending topic.* Made with 14 different mushrooms, it is a standout in the market where supplements only contain single species or just a few.

•          Kenzen® Digestion 4-20 contains 20 different enzymes within the 4 categories of macronutrients: fats, proteins, carbs and fiber. This formula helps the digestive process by optimizing absorption of nutrients, allowing the body to convert fuel into energy.*

•          Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox supports the liver, which provides more than 500 functions!* This formula helps rid the body of toxins and other wastes, utilizing natural ingredients, such as organic chicory root, milk thistle and turmeric.

•          Kenzen Lactoferrin® 2.0 supports gut health while binding and transporting iron, so the body can absorb it.* The formula has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties for overall health*.

•          Kenzen Jade Greenzymes® and Jade Greenzymes® Citrus are known as “nature’s perfect food.” That’s because organic barley grass has the full balance of enzymes needed to support healthy bones and tissue, skin elasticity and help maintain natural pH levels.*

•          Kenzen® Clarity supports cognitive function* with a fermented blend of ingredients. The formula is based on the gut-brain connection—fermentation helps absorption and digestibility of nutrients such as organic ashwagandha and organic bacopa leaf, supporting better memory, focus and concentration.*

•          Kenzen® Mega Daily 4 (in two formulas, one specifically for women and one for men) is a formulation of organic vegetables that provide the known types of water-soluble and fat-soluble antioxidants plus nutrients that support celluar function.*It offers gender-specific support for whole body renewal.*

•          Coming in October, new Kenzen Vital Balance® Meal Replacement Mix contains 30% of the recommended daily allowance for protein in vegan form. MCTs support the brain while vitamins and minerals come from natural sources, making them more bioavailable. Prebiotics and probiotics promote effective digestion and absorption.*

Try smart nutrition the Kenzen® way for overall health and well-being—easy, effective and extraordinary.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Tips for Healthy Eating

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The key to a healthy diet is to eat the right amount of calories for how active you are so you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use.1 It’s equally important to get the right amount of calories from the best food sources. Over the years, there have been so many different diets that trend—for weight loss, to go plant-based, to decrease belly fat and bloat—you name it, there’s been a diet for virtually every issue. Still, the basics for healthy eating remain the foundation of any diet you choose.

Here are eight ways to help eat healthy for the long-term:

1. Carbs can be your friends. Just be sure to focus on high-fiber, whole grain varieties rather than “white” or refined versions of potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals. Eat potatoes with the skin on, choose brown rice and whole wheat pasta. Stay away from refined starchy carbs.

2. Eat lots of fruit and veggies. Five portions daily is recommended, but it can be frozen, fresh, canned, dried or juiced. It’s not that hard when you spread the portions throughout the day, including snacks.

3. Include lean protein. Fish is a good source as they tend to be high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. You can eat two portions weekly of oily fish, including salmon, trout, herring, sardines or mackerel. If you are vegetarian, beans are your best pals, and don’t forget tofu is made from soybeans—great sources of vegan protein.

4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar. Fats are necessary in a balanced diet, but keep saturated fats low and focus on unsaturated fats. Incorporate olive oil, avocado, oily fish and flax seeds into your diet and avoid fatty meats, cold cuts, sausages, hard cheeses and the skin on poultry.

5. Sugar increases the risk of obesity and tooth decay. Many packaged foods and drinks contain high amounts of refined sugar, for example, cakes, cookies, pastries, puddings, breakfast cereals, sodas, alcoholic beverages—in fact, reading labels will help uncover “hidden” sugars in foods you might not suspect have added sweeteners!

6. Many people eat too much salt unintentionally. Again, check labels because salt is often added into packaged goods, such as cereal, soup, bread and sauces. Most adults and children older than 11 only need about a teaspoonful a day!

7. Make sure you have enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet for bone health.2 Include leafy greens in your meals, such as spinach, collard greens, bok choy and kale. Salmon and sardines are a great source of calcium. Fortified dairy or plant-based milks are high in both calcium and vitamin D.

8. Add potassium in your daily regimen, as it helps promote heart and renal health, as well as the proper functioning of muscles and nerves.3 Prune juice, pomegranate juice, bananas, beet greens, lima beans and Swiss chard are high in potassium.

Eating healthy is a sustainable way to support an active lifestyle. On average, it takes about three months to develop a good habit and remember, smart nutrition goes beyond simply satisfying hunger. It’s also about understanding how different food groups impact our bodies. We can choose from a variety of nutrient-dense options to help fill in nutritional gaps. Kenzen® Nutrition is here to help you every step of the way, whether you need vitamins, minerals, a thorough cleanse or an extra lift in energy!

1 ww.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating/

2, 3 https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/healthy-eating-tips/index.html

Does Drinking Water Help Your Skin Stay Healthy?

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Drinking enough water is not the magic bullet for healthy skin, but it certainly plays an important role in maintaining it. Since skin is the body’s largest organ, keeping it healthy is critical for overall well-being. The skin protects your inner body, helps to store lipids and water, to prevent fluid loss and to balance body temperature. Even though skin covers the entire body and is exposed to the elements more than any other organ, sometimes we overlook how imperative it is to take care of it.

Our skin is made up of three layers. The subcutaneous fat layer is at the bottom; the middle layer is the dermis; the epidermis at the top layer. The stratum corneum is at the outermost layer of the epidermis and is an important membrane which keeps harmful things from entering the body, while also making sure that too much water doesn’t leave our bodies. In other words, it helps keep the skin hydrated by preventing water evaporation. This layer is not only a barrier against harm but also a conduit to absorb water. If you push against this outermost layer of skin and it doesn’t spring back right away, it means you are dehydrated. Once you rehydrate, the skin will bounce back.

With age, skin tends to lose density as collagen and elastin breakdown. The result is the sagging and wrinkling that is the target of so-called anti-aging products. Drinking more water really won’t help get rid of sagging or wrinkling but it will help prevent dehydration, especially during the hot summer months. Even if drinking ample amounts of water cannot prevent the signs of aging skin, it still helps skin to look and feel healthy.

Drinking sufficient amounts of water every day helps to flush out toxins in ther body. Water intake helps the digestive system to function efficiently when processing waste. Flushing out toxins helps to improve the skin’s health and overall health.

“Excessive hydration is unlikely to benefit the skin,” says Kathleen C. Suozzi, MD, director of aesthetic dermatology at Yale Medicine and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “The skin is hydrated from the inside out by pulling fluid from the capillary blood flow in the skin, but if there isn’t enough water to pull from — say, if you’re dehydrated — skin can effectively dry out. Skin hydration is a reflection of total-body hydration. If a person is dehydrated, there is less water being transferred to the skin from the circulation.”1

In short, it’s important to drink enough water for the skin and body to stay hydrated. Dr. Suozzi says about 13 cups of water for men and 9 cups of water for women represent adequate fluid intake, but “if a person has a lot of transepidermal water loss from sweat or heat, then this requirement increases.”2

Through the month of August, Nikken replacement water and air filters are on sale at 20% of retail, so it’s a good time to make sure you have enough filters for all of your Nikken filtration systems!

1, 2 https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-skin/can-you-hydrate-your-way-to-healthy-skin/

Aging Well vs. Anti-Aging

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“Aging well” and “anti-aging” are different approaches to aging. Aging well focuses on the positive aspects of aging, such as a healthy diet and a fulfilling social life. Anti-aging focuses on preventative measures to slow down the appearance of aging, which also may involve a healthy diet and fulfilling social life but relies predominantly on external care and less on internal care.

The two perspectives on aging often depend on cultural biases. In many Asian countries such as Japan and China, age and signs of agingrepresent knowledge, wisdom, and respect. On the other hand, in some Western cultures, beauty is intertwined with youth—a factor that contributes to ageism. A report by the World Health organization (WHO) shows prejudice towards older people hinders the process of accepting old age.1

Skin care, personal care and other beauty products have been marketed over the years as ways to cover up the signs of aging. In fact, natural aspects of aging including wrinkles, less elastic skin, discoloration marks and so forth have been called “signs of premature aging.” The question is, when is aging considered “premature” vs. time-appropriate?

British scientist and researcher Aubrey de Grey, who studies aging from a biological standpoint, coined the terms “pro-aging” and “well-aging.” He is the author of The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging as well as Ending Aging, showcasing his embrace of aging as natural and positive.

Aging well calls for skin care, personal care and beauty products to serve as tools that celebrate each stage of life rather than attempting to disguise aging.2 Aging gracefully means different things to different people. Whether you’re looking to keep that youthful glow or just to take better care of yourself as you get older, here are some tips for aging well:

•  Help to regulate your nervous system. Nerves are the pathways that carry signals to and from your brain and the rest of your body, including skin cells.3 To help the nervous system operate smoothly, practice deep breathing, be in nature as much as possible, practice grounding, get plenty of restful sleep and maintain a positive state of mindfulness.

• Practice positive thinking. This seems like such a simple thing to do, but how many times do you catch yourself thinking poorly of yourself? Positive thinking begins with the self.

• Eat whole, nutrient-dense, mineral-rich foods focusing on antioxidants, fiber, greens, omega-3 fats and quality protein. Focus on foods that help to balance blood sugar levels, support a healthy and diverse microbiome and enhance efficient digestion. In other words, eat a wide range of colorful fruit and veggies with a healthy dose of lean protein.

• Drink filtered, mineral-rich water for effective hydration.

• Use natural skin care and personal care products as much as possible. This will help to decrease the number of chemicals you are exposed to. Try to incorporate natural alternatives to your cleaning products as well, for example, lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda and mineral salt.

• Your sense of touch helps keep you feeling youthful. This is why petting a dog or cat can help reduce blood pressure. Rocking a baby, hugging a family member or friend—these acts are sensory aids that tend to foster feelings of well-being—similarly to massage.

Nikken products are inspired by nature, so whether you need to supplement your diet through Kenzen® nutrition, stay hydrated with PiMag® water or pamper yourself with True Elements® Marine Organic Skin Care, you can feel confident as you embrace aging well.

1, 2 https://shopsimpleorganic.com/blogs/simple-blog/pro-aging-well-aging-and-anti-aging-what-are-they-why-does-it-matter

3 https://sandythinnesbeautyflow.com

Skin Care From the Inside Out

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Healthy skin is often a sign of overall well-being—what you see on the outside can be a good indicator of what is on the inside—from a vigorous circulatory system to an efficient digestive system. In fact, what you eat and drink can affect not only your overall health, but it can also affect the appearance of your skin.

Here’s a sampler of what might prove beneficial not only to your nutritional intake but also to your skin:

• Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring supply omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and help keep the skin supple. You can obtain a healthy dose of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids from Kenzen® Omega Green + DHA.

• Honey, walnuts, blueberries, nutritional yeast, kale, collard greens, spinach, sweet potatoes, organic root vegetables, and avocados help skin to function properly and may aid in healing wounds.1

• Eat fermented foods—such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, olives, sourdough bread—because they contain probiotics, vitamins, minerals and lactic acid in addition to breaking down food into small particles that are more easily absorbed.

• Reduce sugar in your diet. Digested sugar permanently attaches to the collagen in your skin through a process known as glycation. Refined sugars and simple carbohydrates lead to insulin spikes that cause inflammation, and inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.

• Cut back on alcohol. Excessive amounts of alcohol disrupt gut health, which in turn shows up directly on the face as dull, aging skin. If you choose to drink moderately, wine is made with fermented grapes, so that would be a better choice.

• Cut back on dairy. Dairy products are known to trigger acne. There are so many plant-based replacements for dairy products that it is now much easier to replace them. Try soy, nuts, oats, coconut and other non-dairy products.

• Drink green tea. It contains polyphenols that are plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There have even been studies that show drinking green tea helps the skin retain moisture.2

• Take your vitamins. You can obtain them through food or you can take Kenzen® Mega Daily 4 with specific formulas for Women and for Men. Here are a few specific vitamins that are beneficial to overall health and the skin:

-Vitamin A is known to support skin cell regeneration while suppressing the oil-producing gland. Vitamin A is found in abundance in red and orange colored fruit and vegetables.

-Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports collagen production and tissue repair and growth. Eat plenty of citrus and leafy greens.

-Vitamin E is another antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage caused by free radicals that can lead to premature aging. It’s easy to get vitamin E from a variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds and plant-based oils.

-Vitamin D plays a role in determining your skin tone, as it helps create healthy cells. Salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms, tuna and mackerel are great sources of vitamin D.

• Collagen supports skin elasticity for a more youthful look. Include Pink Collagen Complex as part of your daily regimen!

Improve your diet, remember to include exercise daily, and get enough beauty sleep! See the difference in your skin within a few months or even earlier!

1 https://www.coloskin.com/dermatologists-in-denver/healing-your-skin-from-the-inside-out/

2 https://www.nutrisense.io/blog/green-tea-benefits-for-skin