I am a huge proponent of healthy and safer skin care.  What you put on your skin is extremely important.  The right skin care products can help keep your skin healthy, smooth and hydrated.​ 

Over the last three years, Pellu has tested and researched their non-toxic skin care products on women of all ages with different skin types, beauty concerns, and environments. The owners listened and reformulated, ensuring Pellu provides a luxurious experience for all women.  They are even convinced that you’ll love Pellu skin care products.  So much so, that if for any reason you are not fully satisfied, let them know within 60 days and they'll send you your money back. 

I am one of the women that tested their non-toxic skin care products.  I have been using their products for about two years now and I can personally say that their latest line of products are the best yet!  Some examples of the skin loving remedies in their products are; New Zealand manuka honey, kanuka, totara, oat, cucumber & linden flower.  These ingredients help hydrate the skin and keep you looking young and healthy.  

Pellu has several facial products and has recently added a body lotion.  What initially caught my attention was their 3 step skin care system.  They formulate three products; a cleanser, toner and moisturizer specifically for your individual skin type.  I recommend starting with this 3 step skin care system.  You can get your own skin care system at 50% Off and a FREE gift by clicking HERE.  All other products use coupon code: DRSUZHEALS for 20% off at Pellu.com.  

Pellu's three step beauty system makes your routine quick and easy. The system for normal skin is designed to give a youth-enhancing zing to dull, tired, stressed out skin.  The top benefit is revitalized skin that resists the signs of aging, smooths fine lines and transforms dullness into a vital glow.  Any fragrances are 100% natural. 

I truly believe that all women should know the exact ingredients they are putting on their face and body every day.  I have honestly never used a brand of products that are this effective with such healthy ingredients.  The very minimal amount of preservative is their to make the product last but since it is so minimal the products only have a shelf life of 3 months.  Which is a good thing!  A truly natural non-toxic product shouldn't have a shelf life of a year! 

Pellu’s Normal Skin 3 Step Beauty System delivers moisture and energy.  The best part is step #3 Moisturize!  With white tea, green coffee and Australian finger limes to reduce the free radical damage associated with aging. Anti-sag formula includes vitamin E, copper, zinc and hyaluronic acid to support your dermal matrix. The products are never tested on animals, made with eco-friendly packaging, are gmo-free, contain no parabens and are dermatologist tested.  

Here is a detailed description of the ingredients in the 3 Step Skin Care System from Pellu for Normal Skin:

​1. Gel Cleanser: ​Water, Glycerine (humectant, holds water), Coco Glucoside (gentle cleanser derived from coconut fruit sugar), Lauryl Glucoside (cleanser from coconut), Sclerotium Gum (thickening gel derived from fermented sugar), Coco Caprylate (emollient derived from coconut oil), Magnesium Aspartate (mineral), Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) Leaf Extract, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Pyrus malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Zinc Gluconate (mineral), Copper Gluconate (mineral), Natural Parfum (fragrance made from essential oils), Gluconolactone (humectant, holds water), Sodium Benzoate (preservative).
2. Serene Liquid Toner: Water, Glycerine (humectant, holds water), Avena sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Coco Caprylate (emollient derived from coconut oil), Manuka Honey (New Zealand honey with antibacterial properties), Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract, Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutakawa) Extract, Phormium tenax (Harakeke) Extract, Macropiper excelsum (Kawa Kawa) Extract, Hamamelis viriginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Natural Parfum (fragrance made from essential oils), Sclerotium Gum (thickening gel derived from fermented sugar), Magnesium Aspartate (mineral), Zinc Gluconate (mineral), Copper Gluconate (mineral), Gluconolactone (humectant, holds water), Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Potassium sorbate (preservative).
3.  Passionate Beauty Moisturizer: Water, Prunus persica (Peach) Kernel Oil, Camellia oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Glycerine (humectant, holds water), Limnanthes alba (Meadow Foam) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol (moisturizing fatty alcohol, a natural emulsifier), Cetearyl Glucoside (natural emulsifier), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Hyaluronic Acid (humectant, holds water), Actinidia chinensis(Kiwi) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein PG-Propyl Methylsilanediol (skin conditioner derived from sesame proteins), Soluble Collagen (skin conditioner derived from marine sources), Coffea arabica (Green Coffee) Extract, Camellia sinensis(White Tea) Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E), VP / Polycarbamyl Polyglycol Ester (tightening agent), Sodium Acrylate / Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (emulsifier and thickener), Isohexadecane (emulsifier and thickener), Polysorbate 80 (emulsifier), Natural Parfum (fragrance made from essential oils), Magnesium Aspartate (mineral), Zinc Gluconate (mineral), Copper Gluconate (mineral), Ascorbyl Palmitate (stable form of Vitamin C), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Alcohol Denatured, Tasmannia lanceolata (Pepper Berry) Fruit Extract, Syzygium luehmannii (Riberry) Fruit Extract, Kunzea pomifera (Muntries) Fruit Extract, Gluconolactone (humectant, holds water), Sodium Benzoate (preservative).​

Some tips for healthy skin care from the inside out:

1.  Sleep Better
2.  Stay Hydrated by Drinking Plenty of Water
3.  Eliminate Toxins like Alcohol and Endocrine Disruptors 
4.  Eat Your Veggies
5.  Heal Your Gut and Digestive Tract

Valentines day is just around the corner! Although it is true that we should celebrate each other and show our love every day, there is still something exciting about having a day that takes you out of your routine and reminds you to show that someone special a little more attention. Everyone likes to celebrate differently, but whether you decide to have a simple romantic dinner or a thrilling encounter on a rooftop bar with a glass of champagne and a city skyline view, below are the 7 ways in which acupuncture can help to make it an unforgettable night.

1. Gift an acupuncture session – when you give a gift of acupuncture, you give a gift of love. Who would not want to give their special someone the chance to relax and get rid of his or her
ailments?

2. Try cosmetic acupuncture – Cosmetic acupuncture is a healthy alternative to botox and involves insertion of tiny hair thin needles into the face. It increases collagen production, improves skin tone and complexion, and reduces puffiness. Even celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Gwenyth Paltrow incorporate it as part of their skin care routine. Cosmetic acupuncture will give you a healthy glow and make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for your date.

3. Try acupuncture to improve your posture – Nothing shows more confidence and sex appeal than a straight back and beautiful posture. Acupuncture is great for treating stiff neck and hunched shoulders that so many of us have these days due to increased phone and computer use. Acupuncture helps to relax tight muscles and correct inhibitions causing postural changes.

4. Try acupuncture to boost your libido – Whatever the cause might be, acupuncture is a safe and effective way to increase the blood flow down below to enhance arousal and sexual response. It also helps to restore balance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems to facilitate that spark when you’re with that special someone.

5. De-stress – Who would think that needles can actually be relaxing, but studies in fact have shown that acupuncture increases secretion of endorphins, regulates nervous system, and blocks production of stress hormones. People usually feel euphoric and experience deep states of relaxation after treatments. As a result, acupuncture can also give you a good night’s sleep.
Feeling calm and rested will allow you to better focus on your partner and give them your
undivided love and attention.

6. Try acupuncture to take away your bloat – Worried about digesting that fancy meal or
decadent whipped cream topped dessert? Acupuncture can help! Acupuncture has been shown to improve digestion and nutrient assimilation by balancing the nervous system and thus creating a favorable parasympathetic state, which allows the digestive complaints to heal. By beating the bloat, feel confident and free to indulge for the evening.

7. Don’t have a Valentine? – Not a problem! Who else is going to give you more love or have the skills to treat you right than your acupuncturist?! Regardless of whether or not you have that special someone to celebrate with, you should not forget to show love for yourself. Schedule an acupuncture session and get the treatment and care you deserve!

Mila Mintsis:  
6 E 39th St, Ste 504
New York, New York 10016
Get Directions
(212) 317-8303
www.milamintsisacupuncture.com



​

A major health concern worldwide is the continued increase of people with prediabetes and diabetes. There are estimates of more than 470 million people developing prediabetes by the year 2030, and each year 5-10 percent of people with prediabetes will progress to diabetes mellitus.  With proper detection and treatment of prediabetes the onset of diabetes can be delayed and even prevented.  ​

Prediabetes can be reversed with the proper nutrition, weight loss, exercise and healthy lifestyle as we have discussed in previous posts.  Additional factors in reversing prediabetes are prescription medications, supplements and meditation.  

Metformin
Metformin is the primary prescription medication recommended for treatment of prediabetes.  Metformin was recommended by the American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care in 2013 and is still recommended in the latest 2016 edition.  Check out the ADA 2016 recommendations and more information on preventing diabetes: 2016 ADA Recommendations.  
​
The ADA suggests metformin therapy for prevention of type 2 diabetes should be considered in those with prediabetes, especially in those with BMI (Body Mass Index) >35, those aged <60 years, and women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus.  Additionally, metformin has been shown to be safe long-term as well as have secondary health benefits such as reductions in body mass index (BMI) and light density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) or bad cholesterol.   

Vitamin D
Some studies have suggested that vitamin D helps prevent the progression of prediabetes to diabetes, however, a recent study showed that vitamin D 20,000 IU per week for five years, did not prevent progression from prediabets to diabetes. This study came from the journal of clinical endocrinology.

The reasoning behind the importance of vitamin D supplementation originally came from studies such as those published by the Journal of Endocrinology from 1988.  These studies suggested that vitamin D deficiency in experimental animals leads to reduced insulin secretion which may be restored with vitamin D supplementation.  

​More recently, studies with vitamin D supplementation for improving glucose tolerance or prevention of Type II Diabetes, have not shown very positive results (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism 2014).   One reason may be that the effect of vitamin D on glucose metabolism is small, and that the duration of the published studies where short term.

Because type II diabetes develops gradually over many years through a prediabetic stage, it is possible that an effect of vitamin D supplementation on prevention of type II diabetes may take years to become evident.  In short, if you do have a vitamin D deficiency it is important to discuss the best way to increase your level with your primary physician.  Vitamin D deficiency is detected in the blood and your physician can recommend the correct supplemental dosage based on your lab results.  

Vitamin K1

​Those with pre diabetes have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be considered full onset diabetes.  Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, has been shown to provide beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin health in prediabetics.  

A 4 week study showed that those who took 1000mcg of vitamin K1 significantly increased insulin sensitivity and improved blood sugar control compared to the placebo group. Blood samples were studied to measure osteocalcin, a hormone that is thought to affect blood sugar health.  Osteocalcin is a protein hormone found in bone that depends on vitamin K1 for production.  Basically, by getting enough vitamin K1 in your diet, more osteocalcin can be produced in the body helping to release insulin from the pancreas and prevent diabetes.  Additionally, osteocalcin administration in mice has been shown to decrease fat pad mass and serum triglyceride levels.  

Foods that contain vitamin K1 include kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, swiss chard, broccoli, brussel sprouts and asparagus just to name a few.  There are vitamin K supplements that are available as well.  Many of these include vitamin K1 and K2.  Vitamin K also helps support healthy bones and arteries.  

Meditation

The final section in this three part series on reversing prediabetes is about the benefits of meditation.  I recommend beginning with an easy 10 minutes per day.  There are easy to use meditation apps like Headspace and Stop, Breathe & Think that will help teach and guide you through the basics.  

Meditation will help you to relax and deal with stress in a new way.  At times, life stresses us all out! However, for those with prediabetes or diabetes, stress presents additional problems.  Stress can directly effect blood glucose levels.  Also, we are more likely to participate in behaviors that are unhealthy when we are stressed. We may tend to eat more high-carbohydrate foods like chips and cookies, or sit on the couch and watch TV instead of exercising. 
​
Research studies suggest that regularly practicing meditation helps people reduce their response to stress by slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, reducing oxygen intake, and changing the brain waves to a more relaxed state. Controlling your response to stress is also likely to lower blood glucose levels. Regular meditation will help you think clearly before acting. You will be able to handle stress more easily and make better decisions.  

There are so many ways to get started meditating.  As I mentioned above, meditation apps are an easy and inexpensive way.  Also, youtube has several guided meditation videos.  Take a look at these youtube channels; The Honest Guys and Jason Stephenson.  Take an extra 10 minutes or so out of your day to focus on yourself, it is well worth it!

Cheers to your health!