Head to Toe: Beauty Treatments to Help You Look and Feel Your Best

You are a goddess, but winter certainly doesn’t make you feel like one. Between itchy dry skin and scalp, acne from wearing masks, and cold toes with callouses, it’s a long, cold pandemic winter. What better time to do genuine self-care, taking care of your body from inside and out. Here are some great options for all skin types and tones while you’re hunkered down in some comfy sweaters! Hopefully, you can be prepared for the lovely spring to come.

Get Steamy

The Nordic peoples have it right: there’s nothing so refreshing or magnificent for the body in cold weather as spending time in a sauna. Saunas have been proven to relax your arteries, and help with blood flow to all the organs of the body. Those relaxed arteries can help lower blood pressure along with your stress. This includes the brain. Finnish studies show lower incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in men who use saunas once a week. Besides the help to chronic pain patients and benefits to the lungs, a winter sauna visit just feels wonderful as well.

Hair Masks

Your hair needs a mask for protection and health, just as your face does. You must have the right type of mask to use for your hair type and texture. There are many hair masks on the market for straight hair of varying textures and thicknesses, but also those for curly hair of varying textures. Make sure to read ingredients carefully and choose which ones fit your particular hair type. A mask can provide extra needed moisture in the winter cold, and help heal the hair itself to prevent breakage.

Varicose Vein Treatments

It’s common in winter for varicose veins to become more pronounced and uncomfortable due to winter chill. Besides being visibly unsightly to varying degrees, depending on whether they in need of deep vein or visible surface care, varicose veins can be intensely painful as they increase in severity. Wearing compression stockings helps minimally, but you might not want to keep wearing thick stockings in the summer. Varicose vein treatments are minimally invasive, can be done in-office, and require little to no downtime. This leaves you free to do more important things with your time.

Mani/Pedi

It’s been a long pandemic- getting a mani-pedi is more than just beauty care. Your hands and feet do a huge volume of the heavy lifting in your day. Taking care of both helps you look polished and professional as well. Your cuticles and calluses, though, can have a lot to do with how your hands and feet feel. Your manicurist also sloughs off dead skin cells and usually massages hands and feet, which can help with relaxation. Regular pedicures can help you to keep from getting painfully cracked heels as well.

Massage Therapy

Adding massage therapy to your beauty regimen can add a lot to your physical health as well as your beauty. It can eliminate toxins, and stimulate blood flow, critical in cold weather months. But, massage therapy can also lower blood pressure, and enhance your immunity. It also helps with fatigue issues and anxiety, which are both connected, and also a particular problem right now.

Dry Brushing

Far from being a magical way to heal every ailment, dry brushing is still a great way to help your skin to be healthy and clear. Your skin is your largest bodily organ and protects your body in many ways. Dry brushing gently stimulates the top layer of your skin, your epidermis, so that your dermis, just below, can be moved slightly. This keeps lymphatic fluid moving, which helps you not keep bloating water weight, keeps your skin moisturized. More importantly, your lymphatic system helps your immune system work properly, something you want to happen!

Meditation

Meditation has many known benefits, and there are many forms. Some people prefer to let their minds “zone out” during exercise or yoga. Others like to use journaling as a meditational option. Many use mindfulness apps or meditation apps to do full-body relaxation. Regardless of what you use, it’s important to make sure that you use some sort of meditational technique to help your body to release anxiety and have a good, healthy sleep. Whichever form of meditation works best for you, finding a version that helps your body is essential.

Your body has gone through so much this winter! Help your body heal and your mind relax by taking care of all of the various parts of it, including your skin and your mind! Taking care of your body is such important work, but soon you’ll be both looking and feeling your best once again. Hopefully, your spring will be particularly refreshing and lovely, with both your body and mind refreshed.

Want to find your new beauty? Check out our approach to helping you!

Five Key Benefits of Self Love through Lymphatic Facial Massage

Five Key Benefits of Self Love through Lymphatic Facial Massage

1.) Deep cleanse

Lymphatic facials provide a deep cleanse of the skin. When carried out in conjunction with the use of gentle cleansing products- specially formulated for aging skin, results are believed to be significantly improved.

2.) Accelerated healing

Lymphatic massage helps to stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid throughout the body, which has been designed to effectively move any unwanted toxins towards lymph nodes where they are removed.

The gentle movements used throughout the massage help to prevent blockages and bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells. When carried out with anti-inflammatory products such as ourOil Free Serum, visible benefits can be seen immediately.

3.) Reduced puffiness

As a gentle facial massage, lymphatic drainage can help retain a clear complexion and reduce puffiness due to its ability to disperse congestion, which may have been caused by irritants in cosmetics, illness, allergies or overindulgence in inflammatory foods.

Through a series of gentle and rhythmical movements - toxins will be moved to the lymph nodes and removed by the body.

4.) Congestion free skin

If our bodies become overly stressed or are subjected to environmental pollutants on a regular basis, the lymphatic system can become over saturated leading to an unwanted build up of toxins in the tissues, skin and joints.

Regular lymphatic self-massage can help to keep the lymph system flowing freely and aid with the removal of dead cells from the surface of the


5.) Promotes the feeling of relaxation and wellbeing

As a non-invasive treatment which is both gentle and therapeutic, lymphatic facial massage is extremely relaxing. It promotes feelings of wellbeing while reducing anxiety and stress.

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GET INTO THE RHYTHM

Create your own Lymphatic Facial Massage Routine

Use a circular motion to rub your fingers into your temples.

Use your palms and fingertips to massage the sides of your face.
Start at your chin and moving up toward your forehead.

Use your index and middle fingers to press under your cheekbones.
Start at the center of your face and move toward your temples.

Use the outside of your pinky fingers to press into your neck.
Start at the top and move downward.

For a stronger effect, use your knuckles to press into your face.
Start at your nose and move them across your cheeks towards your ears.

TOP SHELF Evoq Youth Regenerative Boosters Movement + Massage

Intensive Brightening Oxygen Serum, Ultra Hydrating Oil or our Blissed Calm Balm with CBD.

Apply to your face, temples, forehead, ears, behind the ears, and hairline.

Choosing the Right Type of Vitamin C For Brighter Skin Results

Hola, and welcome beautiful FALL BREEZE!

Fall is a great time to support yourself in the renewal taking place in and around you.

The lymphatic system and your skin are working hard to slough off the layers of stagnant skin.

Don’t have time in these cray cray times to book a facial?


I HEAR YOU, so let's chat real quick about the best two part skin ritual to add right now as we transition seasons.

I know, in a new age of beauty, women like you want to know what's in the bottle and that it meets the standards of being solution based and effective. 

As a product formulator, I love the science of skin care ingredients, and today I'm briefing VITAMIN C - and what to look for. 

Because it’s damn confusing out there - and I can almost guarantee - many women are over-paying for their brightening solutions.

Face it, research studies find it's helpful in some ways, but also VERY
OVER-HYPED in other ways.

Here we GLOW >>>

Vitamin C - The debrief.

First thing first.

Before you reach for any product, make sure you're getting the BIG C in your diet!

Our body and skin have certain enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. These protective systems also include plenty of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E.

As these antioxidants are constantly being used up, they're also constantly needing replenishment: the foods that you eat provide a consistent supply of these important chemicals.  (That's why the antioxidants in your food are so critical to healthy skin.)


These foods make their way from your digestive system, to your blood supply, and from there to the tiny blood vessels that supply your skin. They then diffuse into the epidermis and dermis, where they protect your skin from free radicals.

That's the "inside-out" approach, now here's the critical part to know when applying vitamin C to the outer.

The Proper Vit C Formulation Is Critical

Just because it contains vitamin C, doesn't mean that it will be effective. 

FACT ONE:
Vitamin C is a water-soluble molecule, and …

FACT TWO:
your skin barrier is meant to repel water.

This is why I invest in cell deep LIPOSOMAL Vitamin C Ester in each Evoq formula.  These are fatty acids that are bioavailable to enter your cellular matrix for high efficacy and performance.

Why Fatty? 

Great question!

Vitamin C is a sure bet to quickly oxidize.   

In the presence of light, heat, and even oxygen, vitamin C quickly starts to destabilize, turning your high price investment into something far less effective.

IN FACT, some researchers are even concerned that an unstable vitamin C molecule can actually create MORE skin damage.

So, how do you protect your invested
Vit-C?  

1. Opt in for lipid based vitamin C. 

2. Then, make sure the product is protected from light, heat, and oxygen.

Get naturally BRIGHTER in just TWO STEPS  
Exfoliate and Renew with Evoq

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Sea Pearl 3-in-1 Micro-Polish

Unlike most exfoliation products on the market, Evoq's Sea Pearl Polish will not damage delicate capillaries and pores and is completely safe to use on a daily basis if needed.  I took rich sea pearls and incorporated them into a blend of isotonic sea water, food grade algae  and aloe vera gel to help soothe and protect the skin. 

FYI: Abrasive walnut and apricot exfoliators tear the skin, leaving your barrier leaking it's hydration and damaged over time.

Simply mask for 5-10 minutes, then gently scrub with your fingertips in a circular motion and to let the rich algae base do the work – in other words, no need to exert a lot of pressure. RINSE!

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Brighten and Glow with Evoq’s
O2 & Vit C Serum

With just a few drops, restore firmness and reveal glowing skin with Vitamin C Esters that repair cells, brighten dullness, and eliminate dark spots.

High Performance Ingredients

Botanical Stem Cells of Narcissus and Madonna Lily- Reduce skin discoloration by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes, which can create dark spots.

Vitamin C Esters- Gently brighten skin to reduce dark spots and scars, and regulates oil production.

Liquid Oxygen(Perfluorodecalin)- Decreases the look of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing skin’s volume.

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HOW EVOQ SKINCARE IS DIFFERENT

ORGANIC + BIOAVAILABLE  + BIOMIMETIC

Due to the mineral content and weight being identical to the human skin and blood - algae is amongst the most compatible ingredients, allowing all layers of the dermis to readily absorb high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, calcium and essential protein chains to plump and boost collagen and firm and prevent wrinkles.  Be proactive and preventative - It’s worth every drop - your skin will be left fresh, dewy, and renewed.

4 Ways to Avoid Acne Breakouts

Nothing can ruin your day faster than waking up to an acne breakout. These blemishes happen when the skin’s oil glands become overactive and the pores grow inflamed. Fortunately, there are products that can aid you in alleviating this condition. With the proper attention to your skincare regimen, you can take steps to win the battle against frequent acne breakouts. Here are four proven ways that can help you to avoid the next dreaded repetition of this problem.

Oil-free

The last thing that you want to put on acne-prone skin is an oil-based skincare product. Instead, you want to choose oil-free and water-soluble cleansers and treatments. This will ensure that the acne problem is not exacerbated by your skincare protocol. Do not use harsh cleansers that will dry the skin as this will just lead to more irritation.

Exfoliate

Exfoliant products work by stripping away dead skin cells to reveal a fresh and unblemished layer of skin. The exfoliation process prevents pores from becoming clogged with sebum and other acne-causing impurities. Choosing an exfoliant that is formulated for your specific skin type and using it as directed is a cornerstone of proper skincare.

Wash Items You Use Regularly

Even with the best cleansing routine, it is not uncommon for hair products and makeup to transfer to items such as pillowcases and phones. These impurities then seep into your skin and clog pores, leading to blemishes. Getting into the habit of cleaning your pillowcase and other items regularly will help to mitigate this problem. According to ASEA, a dirty phone or pair of sunglasses can cause your skin to break out. These impurities are transferred to your skin every time that you hold the phone to your ear or put on your glasses. Be sure to wash items regularly if you want to prevent inadvertent contact with acne-causing bacteria.

Hands Off

According to The American Academy of Dermatology Association, while it may be tempting to pick at your face, doing so can increase redness from squeezing everything deeper into your skin. Keep in mind that the tips of your fingers harbor lots of bacteria and other impurities. When you are always touching it, you can cause scarring. Be mindful of this temptation and do your best to keep your hands off of your face.

While it is impossible to completely prevent acne from taking hold, there are definitely things you can do to keep it at bay. Committing yourself to these habits will lead to clearer skin in the long run.

Here’s another article you might like: 5 Surprising Skincare Slip-Ups Causing Complexion Damage

CORTISOL: THE LOW DOWN ON STRESS, AGING & FREQUENCY

Cortisol is in charge of your bodies response to stress. ⠀ 

In healthy adults, cortisol is at its highest in the morning, giving you the drive and energy to begin another internal cycle within the body at the start of a new day. It is also released whilst we exercise. Well balanced cortisol levels are vital for basic human survival, but when these levels fall out of whack it can have unfavourable side effects. 

Cortisol is a natural steroid hormone created in the adrenal glands, where it then gets into the bloodstream and travels around the rest of your body.

Due to the very nature of the hormone and the fact that there are cortisol receptors within most of your body cells, it can effect everything: Skin, temperature, blood pressure, appetite, memory processes and many other things. Too much cortisol can overload natural body processes, and cause inflammation. 

 Stress & Your Skin
Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. This is mainly down to cortisol preventing the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation, and we all know what unwanted issues chronic inflammation can bring. ⠀
⠀
High levels of perceived stress and increases in cortisol have been found to lengthen the wound-healing time in healthy adults. It also interferes with the testosterone pathway, making sebum sticky and therefore more likely to trap any bacteria build-up in the pores and cause breakouts. 

Your emotions and mental health are so closely connected to your skin and in order to try to keep those levels of inflammation down, its important to take note of what might be causing those cortisol levels to rise, as well as looking into any topical treatments or products. ⠀

Stress is proven to weaken the immune system, which is essential to keeping us healthy! The stress hormone, corticosteroid, suppress the immune function so that our infection-fighting white blood cells are less able to battle the antigens that enter our body. So, you may notice in particularly stressful times that you’re more prone to getting a sniffly nose or adrenal fatigue.

The body’s response to stress increases your heart rate. The stress hormone, adrenaline, that’s triggered by the natural “fight or flight” response, causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to increase. So, constant stress puts your internal self into overload –damaging effects on your health, skin and hair, too! 

HOW STRESS AFFECTS YOUR SKIN HEALTH

ACNE

There are a few reasons why you might notice breakouts on your skin, whether that be in the form of acne, psoriasis or eczema. The release of the stress hormone, Cortisol, throws your other hormones off balance, causing imperfections to appear on the skin. Stress can also affect your gut, by outweighing the good and bad bacteria that sits in it. Uneven bacteria in the gut can cause rashes and hives, as well as unwanted pimples.

There’s the added factor of diet when you’re experiencing stress. When working long hours, it’s not uncommon for you to choose quick and easy food, as well as energy drinks or coffee to keep you going. These dietary choices can show up as pimples and blemishes on the skin, and exacerbate existing skin conditions.

UNDER EYE BAGS

Under-eye bags are far from ideal – they make you look tired and ill, and there’s only so much concealer you can cover them with. When you’re experiencing stress or burnout, there’s a high chance that you’re lacking the sleep you need, which in turn makes you feel more stressed. Sleep deprivation results in higher levels of Cortisol itself, so it antagonizes the body even more!

Bags under the eyes are caused by the pooling of fluid to the area around the eyes, and the best way to fix them is by getting more sleep and staying hydrated. You can also apply serums, which can improve the appearance of under-eye bags. Evoq’s Eye and Lip Cream is proven to encourage the renewal of skin health, reduced inflammation and stagnation and tighten and hydrate the skin so it looks firmer.

DARK CIRCLES

When we are stressed, we can actually break the fragile and vulnerable capillaries under your eyes. The blood can leak into the epidermis and become oxidized, which will result in a dark purple hue and a discoloration of the skin, creating the dark circles – giving that tired appearance.

Not only this but when your body is dealing with stress, blood will be distributed to different, more important areas of the body, which doesn’t include the face and skin. The more stress your body is under, the more likely you are to look pale and drained as the blood is focused on the organs; making sure they keep working correctly. This, in turn, will make the appearance of dark circles more noticeable against the paler skin.

DRY FLAKES & FINE LINES

When we are stressed, our body can react in different ways. We may feel more emotional, lose our appetite, experience mood swings or it can affect our sleep – resulting in difficulty to function throughout the day.

This is when the fine lines and wrinkles can form as a result of your body choosing to produce more cortisol. This stress hormone has been known to break down collagen in your skin, so the more stressed you are, the more the hormone will attack your skin regeneration, resulting in a few new fine lines and wrinkles.

With lack of sleep, you will begin to show signs of fatigue; Fine lines and wrinkles will appear as the elasticity weakens, with your eyes falling victim first.

Dehydration can be dangerous for your inner organs as well as your skin, which is itself an organ. Hydration is a key factor in the body’s production of collagen, which is what keeps your skin looking bright, youthful and plump. Without collagen, wrinkles and fine lines are more visible, and skin may start to sag.

Staying hydrated will also keep your skin from looking dry and flaky – you should moisturize on the outside and stay hydrated on the inside to avoid dry skin! Try Evoq’s Ultra hydrating Youth Renew Oil or Pro-Collagen Cream for full-face hydration – taking the time to quiet your mind and relaxation time you need!

HOW IT AFFECTS HAIR HEALTH

Stress has been linked to hair loss and thinning, but the causes could differ! The same way stress can damage the appearance and feel of your skin, it can also be detrimental to the health of your hair.

HAIR LOSS

There are three stages to the hair growth process: The Anagen stage (growth), the Catagen stage (transition), and the Telogen stage (rest). Stress can trigger what’s known as Telogen effluvium, which occurs when the hair growth cycle stops at the Telogen stage, and the follicles don’t grow any new hairs.

Telogen effluvium is a reversible condition and is just a temporary disturbance to the cycle. With changes to lifestyle, you can stop it.

Alopecia areata is a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing patches of hair to fall out at one time. It’s often associated with experiencing high levels of stress for an extended period. The cause of it is likely to be a weakened immune system, so once you lower stress levels, the hair will stop falling out and in most cases grow back.

If you are experiencing hair thinning, try the powerful Root Revival Hair Health program. It’s proven to promote hair growth using actives that strengthens hair and encourages high cell turnover for new hairs to grow. So powerful, its two times stronger than minoxidil.

Not to forget all negative thoughts low in frequency literally dump maladaptive frequencies and stress producing hormones your body - effecting your health by lowering your immune system.

Is meditation or a cup of hot caffeine free herbal tea calling you?

Net Net:Today’s Epidemic of STRESS is Real - dangerous.  

-  This is mission-critical -

When it comes to your wellness and beauty, do you seek the right techniques that will help you work smarter, not harder - yet you still find yourself stuck in complete overwhelm wanting to cut through the crap and get crystal clear on what’s really going on and what’s really draining you from achieving your deepest desires, goals & dreams? 

Your Mission should you choose to accept is to learn how to master your energy and time on a daily basis so that productivity, serenity, and clarity become a way of life for you. Complete each day having accomplished what you set out to do, feeling fulfilled, at peace and with joy.    

What to learn more about how you can address your stress at the deepest level by integrating quantum health and beauty biofeedback?

CONTACT ME TODAY | kassieannk@gmail.com

Taking Care of Your Skin When You’re out in the Sun

People love warm weather and sunshine. Whether you’re vacationing in Florida or a resident in California, the sun is a close friend. With too much exposure, ultraviolet rays can quickly become an issue. Your health is a priority, and as your biggest barrier, the skin is especially important. As such, it’s crucial to always remember that your skin needs to be protected.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen can be your best friend when it comes to providing protection for the skin. Consumers never realize just how often the sun reaches your body; it happens all day. Exposure even happens through glass windows while you’re driving. So, you should always apply sunscreen. If you’re preparing for outdoor activities, cover potentially exposed areas at least 20 minutes before heading out. For optimal protection, reapply every two hours.

You’ll need to purchase a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF amount. While the levels of SPF range, professionals recommend between 30 and 50 for most people. Of course, your skin tone and genetic history make a difference in the best SPF. Lighter skin may need SPF 50+ while darker skin may be covered with SPF 30.

As you’re searching for the best option, consider what’s inside. Be mindful of the ingredients in your sunscreen and avoid sunscreen that contains avobenzone. Sunscreen with avobenzone absorbs the UVA rays which can lead to aging and even skin cancer. These sunblock products typically only work for around 30 minutes; other harmful ingredients are typically added to boost protection time. Alternatively, choose natural sunscreens that have no chemicals. Some protectors have minerals, like zinc oxide, so your skin is protected and safe from harmful long-term effects. Remember to check the ingredient list before putting it on your skin.

Cover-Ups

Another easy way to protect yourself against sun damage is by simply covering up. A hat keeps your head and scalp protected. Long-sleeved shirts and pants provide your extremities with coverage too. Even the colors and fabrics in your clothing can make a difference. For example, dark clothes provide more protection than light clothes. Fabrics that are tightly woven, like denim and polyester, are ideal choices for UV avoidance. Of course, if you like to sit outdoors, an umbrella is also an ideal situation.

Shade

In most situations, the sun is at its highest intensity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. During these hours, it’s especially important to stay out of harm’s way, if your schedule allows. If you find yourself outside during these times, head for the shade. Structures such as trees and awnings are great for briefly hiding from the sun. Remember, though, it’s not 100% protection. Rays can still bounce and hit you from other reflective objects. Even still, it’s a free way to avoid constant sun rays.

Catching some rays sounds great but be mindful of the long-term effects of sun exposure. Your skin is critical to your overall health, so protect it as best you can. Always take precautions by wearing sunscreen, staying in the shade, and covering your skin from harmful UV rays.

Does your skin need some more TLC? Consider getting an organic facial treatment.

How Removing These Key Food Items Can Offer Clear Skin + More Energy

Hi and welcome back!

Today we shine more light on the potential hidden dark side of certain foods that could be causing a myriad of symptoms we experience every so often, and even daily (fatigue). Miss the intro to nightshades? Get that here, or just review below!

I’m going to pose the possibility that a food reaction may be a culprit of fatigue,  bloating and skin flare ups. One culprit has hit the google stream as of late, so let’s focus on one of the most commons hidden food triggers, nightshades. Let’s explore what happens when the body “perceives” itself being attacked and it’s damage over time.

NIGHTSHADES CONNECTION TO COMMONS SKIN REACTIONS

Have you ever been on an elimination diet?  Even if you haven’t, many have at some point experienced how frustrating it is to figure out skin flare ups or fatigue based food triggers.

I think for many women, we seem to have pinpointed a problem only to discover it’s not what you think or you just opened the outer layer of an onion.

As a natural skincare formulator and having done my share of facials, I see firsthand how the rise of low grade inflammatory conditions affect women’s energy - and their skin.

Many women experience low grade puffiness due to water retention, eczema flareups to name a few, and the nutritional world is now connecting to nightshades as a often underlying factor for people with chronic inflammatory conditions.

In Fact: A very telling study from 2017 found that 52% of psoriasis sufferers saw an improvement by removing nightshades from their diet.

So with a conclusion of 50% of people suffering from really, a inflammatory response in the body, it’s a high enough number to test out what the triggers are by simply removing items from your diet.

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• Tomatoes

• Tomatillos

• Chili Peppers

• Bell Peppers

• Eggplant

• Potatoes (not Sweet Potatoes)

• Gogi berries

• Huckleberries

• Chili powders

• Cayenne pepper

• Paprika

• Red Pepper Flakes

• Tobacco

• Ashwagandha (an adaptogenic herb)

• Sorrel

• Gooseberries (also known as Goldenberries)

• Belladonna (typically found as a homeopathic remedy)

Circling back, the primary reason that nightshades could trigger skin specific ailments and other symptoms are due to naturally-occurring phytochemicals called Lectins that are there to protect the food from its natural environment and pests.

The problem is, unlike pesticides, we cannot rinse them off because they grow within the plant.   

Other than Lectins, here are three additional tagalongs to look for:

• Salicylates

• Histamines

• Glycoalkaloids (most notably Solanine)

Salicylates
Salicylates can certainly be tricky to identify. Many “prescribed” low-salicylate diets are give to calm eczema or atopic dermatitis. A salicylate sensitivity is a reflection of liver detoxification issues versus relation to the gut.

That means it’s not actually a food issue, but your liver struggling to process salicylates through Phase Two Detox.  For this phase its critically important to support the pathway with healthy fats and protein so the body can convert toxins - out of the liver channel.  

Histamines
As far as histamine is concerned, nightshade foods can create a higher histamine burden than your body can handle.  For myself, I also found bone broth consumption put me over the edge due to the slow ferment process.
High histamine responses often manifest into hives, itchiness, swelling, nausea, heart palpitations, elevations in blood pressure, anxiety, and other GI symptoms.

If you suspect histamines, I suggest adding support  so you can better breakdown of histamines in your diet by supplementing with the DAO enzyme about 10 minutes before eating every meal.

Glycoalkaloids

As far as the Glycoalkaloids like solanine, the information is newer to the nutrition and health community.  Dr. Gundry has done a incredible job of pointing out his one to one findings on all kinds of flares due to phytochemicals.

He notes  glycoalkaloids —  much like lectins, are the plant’s first line of defense against bugs, viruses, bacteria, animals, and even humans, which might even cause digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain.

They grip onto cholesterol in your body’s cell membranes. The cholesterol is there to strengthen your cell membranes so they’re less permeable to molecules that may want to pass through and cause damage to the cell.

Without cholesterol, your cell membranes wouldn’t be strong enough to keep out these molecules. It’s the perfect place for glycoalkaloids to strike because once the cholesterol is attacked, your cells could split or leak.

One of the things to note about glycoalkaloid toxins is that they take your body a long time to process — more than a day in some cases.

Removing the Triggers

Just the words “food elimination diet” harbors a feeling of fear and restriction. Suggestions here are meant for exploration so you can heal and feel better.

Removing too many items can lead to both micronutrient and macronutrient deficiencies and nightshades are not a problem for everyone.

Nightshade Reduction

To test out if nightshades and the three tagalongs of salicites, solanines and glycoalkaloids are an issue, try completely excluding them from your diet for 3 weeks. See if you notice any improvement in your health and skin. Nightshades can be hidden in the products, so read labels carefully. One biggy here fiding and staying clear of potato starch and spices.

There are great replacements for these foods, like avocado, Brussels sprouts, and Jerusalem artichokes. Here’s a quick guide on how to replace!

FREE your mind from restriction! Here’s great recipes free of nightshades!

Here’s 31 Quick & Easy Lectin-Free & Nightshade Free Snack Ideas

Tell me!

Have you tried eliminating Nightshades before and what was the result?

If you haven’t given it a try yet, are you considering this elimination?

Till next time ….. Love n’ Light! - Kassandra

Shedding Light on Nightshades + What You Need to Know

Hola Chica!

As naturalista’s, we often already play the role of our own health detectives out of the love for truth.

Have you ever had a trigger response from a food you’ve eaten? I know that when I eat gluten, or too much of one food type over time - I feel it! It may be a pleasure reward in the moment, but boy do I pay for it later.

Sometimes we have no idea where a ‘reaction’ comes from, nor does it always show up in your gut. Other common reactions can be foggy brain, insomnia and commonly - our skin.

There are common foods that cause allergies such as egg and dairy, but one heavy hitter the health industry is starting to recognize more than others are NIGHTSHADES and the active agitator within it called “Lectin.”

Later, I’ll help us connect the dots to how nightshades potentially affect our skin, but today’s dialog is breaking down the basics of new nutritional science I deem highly valuable to know for yourself, or someone you know.

Nightshades are a family of plants known as Solanaceae. The family includes some pretty popular veggies like:

• Potatoes

• Tomatoes

• Eggplant

• Peppers (including bell, cayenne pepper, and paprika)

WHY NUTRITIONISTS SUGGEST AVOIDING NIGHTSHADES

Many health experts believe you should avoid the nightshade family altogether. Why? There are a couple of reasons.

I’ve already mentioned an alkaloid called solanine. But nightshades also contain the alkaloids capsaicin and nicotine (yes, nicotine — tobacco is part of the nightshade family, after all). And all of these alkaloids may have irritating effects on the body.

Solanine has been linked to aggravated joint pain and inflammation. Though no scientific studies currently support this finding, The Arthritis Foundation reports that many patients do find this to be the case.

Nicotine is found in tobacco plants (also a nightshade family member) as well as these common nightshade vegetables. Amounts of nicotine in the veggies can range from 2-7 microgram/kg (a cigarette averages about 12 milligrams) but decrease with the fading of “green” coloring. So when a tomato ripens it does decrease in nicotine.

The bottom line with alkaloids is: Though they may not affect everyone, some people are very sensitive to them because they can’t digest them properly.

According to Dr. Gundry, lectins are toxic proteins found in certain plants.

Lectins are part of a plant’s natural defense system. The problem with lectins is:

• They can bind to cells on your gut wall

• Damage the gut

• Preventing you from properly absorbing nutrients.

Lectins are found in their highest concentrations in legumes, grains, and — you guessed it — nightshades.

Research has begun to show that – though some people are more sensitive to lectins than others – lectins are:

• Toxic, inflammatory, or both

• Resistant to your digestive enzymes

• Able to cause major discomfort if consumed in high concentration
  

BEWARE! LECTIN CONTENT IS MOST POTENT IN THE PEELS AND SEEDS

If you suffer from a leaky gut, an irritable bowel, or any other gastrointestinal sensitivity you should definitely think about cutting lectin-rich nightshades from your diet to see if you notice any difference.

THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF A NIGHTSHADE SENSITIVITY

Nightshade sensitivity can be very similar to a host of other conditions but generally appear as:

• Diarrhea

• Heartburn / Reflux

• Nausea

• Irritable Bowel

• Joint Pain and/or swelling

TUBERS

Funny word, I know. Tubers include sweet potatoes, yucca, and taro root. The sweet potato is particularly wonderful with health-promoting antioxidants like β‐carotene and anthocyanins — both of which have been shown to protect against certain health issues.

LEAFY GREENS

The following leafy greens are incredibly high in nutrients (like vitamins A, C, E, and K).

• Romaine

• Red & green leaf lettuce

• Kohlrabi

• Mesclun

• Spinach

• Endive

• Butter lettuce

• Parsley

• Fennel

• Seaweed/sea vegetables

CRUCIFEROUS VEGGIES

Like leafy greens, cruciferous veggies like the ones below are also high in important carotenoid-antioxidants (like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) as well as vitamins C, E, and K; folate; and fiber.

• Broccoli

• Cauliflower

• Brussels sprouts

• Arugula

• Kale

• Cabbage

• Collard greens

• Bok choy

AVOCADO

Hello chipotle or avocado toast (minus the gluten for me). Avocado is actually a fruit, but because it’s a first-class choice when it comes to gut-friendly veggies.

Avocados are full of healthy monounsaturated fats and soluble fiber. As well as plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research has even found the avocado may also lower “bad” LDL cholesterol which is a huge contributor to cardiovascular diseases.

How to Test for Nightshade Sensitivity

The best way to test for a nightshade sensitivity is to go through an elimination diet. You’ll want to remove all nightshades from your diet (including culinary spices such as red pepper flakes, chili powder, and curry powder) and see if your symptoms resolve. If you do not experience any GI issues, fatigue, or joint pain after successfully removing nightshades from your diet, then you probably have a nightshade sensitivity.

So does that mean you can never eat salsa again? Not at all! The next phase of the elimination diet is the reintroduction phase. One at a time, you will begin to reintroduce each food you removed to test how your body reacts to it.

I suggest waiting two weeks before re-adding. Some people have only a very minor intolerance to nightshades, which means you may be able to tolerate some foods in the nightshade family depending on the amount of glycoalkaloids they contain

That’s it! Whether you sense a sensitivity, brain fog, digestive issues - or not, removing nightshades may be an interesting exploration.

Next I’ll dial in on how nightshades may be causing skin issues of all kinds.

I have to acknowledge just how frustrating it is to figure out triggers that confuse our inner health and outer skin issues.

Though nightshades can be an issue for people with chronic inflammatory conditions, the reason it affects skin isn’t so clear cut.

I’ll cover that in my next dialog with you.

Thanks for informing yourself, beaute! Questions? Contact me at hello@evoqbeauty.com.

Love n’ Light,

Kassandra