Your twenties and early thirties are primarily a time of preventive skincare and what you do during these years can positively or negatively affect the health of your skin and the rate at which it ages. In our forties, skincare is preventive and corrective; this is a time when we notice more dehydration and accentuated appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots. There are effective anti-aging treatments and products that can be used to address existing signs of aging as well as prevent further deterioration.

In our fifties, fine lines and wrinkles can become more prominent and can develop into folds. This is a time when estrogen is decreasing, resulting in reduced elasticity and plumpness of the skin. Your skin tone can become more uneven and jowls can begin to develop.

Luckily, age is not the only determining factor. Lifestyle, nutrition, stress, skincare, sun protection and genetics are key factors that play a role in the speed at which our skin will age. Look for a good quality physical sunscreen that uses zinc oxide and or titanium dioxide and avoid the chemical sunscreens. The sooner we start taking care of our skin the better the results, the healthier and more long-living our skin will be, and the less money will be needed for more invasive procedures down the road. Below are the top five ways to keep your skin looking tight, bright and healthy.

1. Skin Tyte
Skin Tyte is an advanced light energy system that delivers infrared heat to the deeper layer of the skin where the collagen resides. Once the heat is delivered, it contracts existing collagen for a tightening effect, while also stimulating the formation of fibroblasts that will create more collagen. The Skin Tyte treatment is safe for all skin types.
Most individuals require a series of two to six sessions depending on age and collagen loss. The best part is that there is no downtime and you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. Visible results can be immediate, but your skin will achieve the desired optimal benefits gradually over two to three months, when new collagen has formed. We highly recommend beginning these treatments in your thirties when collagen is gradually declining, because you will obtain maximum results and stop aging in its tracks. Great results are still obtained in your forties and fifties.

2. Vitamin A Infusion Peel
The Vitamin A Infusion Peel is a one-of-a-kind peel that repairs and remodels your skin. It works at a deeper layer where the collagen and elastin reside, making it a powerful anti-aging treatment, but it is also great for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. It boosts the cell turnover rate resulting in a healthier, more youthful complexion. It is extremely safe and tolerated by all skin types. We see mild to moderate exfoliation two to three days after the peel, which usually lasts for another two to three days. The peel is gentle but the results are significant!
Here’s what you can expect from a Vitamin A Infusion Peel:
• Increase fibroblast activity (fibroblast cells are what create collagen and elastin)
• Increase capillary flow to help increase food supply to the dermis and thicken the dermis
• Calm acne and rosacea symptoms
• Lift hyperpigmentation
• Reduce fine lines and improve skin tone and elasticity
• Normalize oil production
3. Chemical and Enzyme Peels
A chemical peel is a technique that involves the application of a variety of chemical solutions to remove the damaged outer layers of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. It is extremely beneficial for many skin conditions and the aging face. By removing the build-up of dead skin cells and stimulating the regenerative process, you will notice marked improvements in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, texture and tone of the skin and hydration. You’ll also see reduced pore size, clearing of blemishes, more balanced oil production and an overall healthier skin appearance.
Some exciting advancements in chemical peels now include the blending of active natural ingredients with a variety of enzymes and acids which allows peels to be customized to specific skin needs and concerns. These treatments can really transform the look and health of the skin. They range from very mild peeling to deeper peeling depending on your preference and skin’s needs. Lactic acid is a beautiful peel that will polish and brighten up the skin by removing the dead layer on top. An added benefit is that there is no downtime or peeling.

4. Skin Needling and Needle Dermabrasion
Skin needling (roller) and needle dermabrasion (tattoo gun) are non-invasive, non- injectable skin rejuvenation treatments that target a diverse range of skin concerns. This procedure uses a roller with microscopic needles or an inkless tattoo gun to target specific lines, wrinkles or scars, cellulite, and stretch marks. It is derived from ancient acupuncture techniques and has minimal risk and long-term results. As the needles are rolled over the skin, tiny punctures are created within the epidermis and dermis that encourage the skin’s own natural healing response. There is minimal downtime and discomfort; the treatment is carried out using topical numbing cream.
Home treatment rollers are also available for use on a weekly basis. These have much shorter needles which only microscopically break the surface of the skin. When used with your regular skin care routine, this will assist with absorption of your serums. The homecare roller will also help break up the dead layer of your skin; the exfoliating effect helps prevent congestion from dead skin build-up and promotes vibrant skin.
Clinical skin needling and needle dermabrasion are used to:
• Stimulate the production of collagen
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage
• Treat acne scars and chicken pock scars
• Reduce the appearance of scarring, stretch marks
• Reduce the appearance of enlarged pores
4. Cosmetic Acupuncture
Cosmetic acupuncture is the ultimate anti-aging treatment because it balances our internal systems while simultaneously boosting the health and appearance of the skin. It is a non-surgical procedure that will help rejuvenate and revitalize your whole body. It will improve blood and energy circulation, nourish your skin and increase collagen production to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dull skin.

5. Medi-Facials
A medi-facial is a results-driven treatment that uses concentrated clinical grade, natural ingredients that replenish and repair the skin. These ingredients include enzymes, acids, and vitamins, plus potent antioxidants. Medi-facials are great for all skin types and skin conditions because they are custom blended at the time of treatment. The infusion of nutrients, acids, and enzymes results in a deep cleaning and nutrient-rich feeding of the skin, and finally a smooth polishing, leaving skin looking refreshed, radiant and healthy.

Book a complimentary consultation today to learn more about these treatments and get started on a skin health program. Healthy skin is great looking, long-living skin. www.sknclinic.ca

The shorter UVB rays do the majority of damage in the top layer of our skin called the epidermis and the longer UVA rays do the majority of damage in the second layer of our skin the dermis.  The dermis is where all our collagen and structural elements reside.   When energy of these small particles of light strike our skin (where the light wave stops), the energy released alters the chemistry of that component of the skin and damages it.  This is the initial damage.  These chemical changes also produce free radicals and these radicals continue on to cause additional damage (secondary damage) to other skin components.  When you are in the sun unprotected you are going to experience  double levels of damage; the initial energy damage and the secondary free radical damage.

In time this repetitive photo-damage and free radical damage will break down collagen it will become dysfunctional.  Your pigment cells called melanocytes become dysfunctional and produce volumes of pigment that result in age spots and other forms of pigment.  The fibroblast cells which create our collage also become dysfunctional and do not produce new collagen.  Our macrophage cells which are responsible for  the immune function of our skin will fail and our skin protection will be compromised

It is estimated that 90% of sun damage is the result of unplanned or casual sun exposures when people may not have active photo-protection.  This can include riding in a car,  or just going for a short walk with their dog without wearing proper sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens protect the skin by absorbing the light particles.   When this energy is absorbed, the molecules of the sunscreen are destroyed, rather than a skin component but this still results in chemical reactions and generates free radicals.  The same type of secondary free radical damage that unprotected sun exposure produces.  Subsequently chemical sunscreens are not the most complete or effective form of sun protection. They prevent a larger degree of the initial sun damage but allow secondary free radical damage, which adds to the speed of the skin ageing process.

Physical sunscreens on the other hand such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide work by reflecting the photons of light up and out of the skin so there is no absorption of energy.  There is no chemical reaction and no free radicals are produced.  Unlike chemical screens, the physical screen type of protection produces no free radicals and no secondary skin damage.

A physical sunscreen is a critical part of anti-aging and skin health program.   Look for products that contain micronized zinc for full spectrum protection.   The best sunscreen we have found to date is Shelter by Osmosis Pur Medical it contains micronized zinc oxide plus a blend of skin nourishing moisturizers.  There are absolutely no chemicals present in this sunscreen.   Titanum dioxide is found in mineral makeup and our mineral makeup of choice is Youngblood because it is milled 16 times to allow for sheer coverage of camoflouge coverage when needed.   You can learn more about these two proudcts and purchase them at www.sknshop.com

This has everything to do with your skin’s health and it is substantially overlooked by the skincare community. All the skin’s food, immune support, antioxidant and remodeling efforts all come from the blood supply. Every time you are stressed, you drink coffee or go outside in cold weather, your skin suffers a little because all of these things restrict bloodflow to the dermis. Vitamin K, horse chestnut and caffeine in skincare products are all designed to reduce bloodflow. There is no skin condition (Rosacea, Dark Circles, etc) that is better off with less bloodflow. That is why the utilization of Retinaldehyde, Niacinamide, Camphor, and other circulation enhancing ingredients makes such a big difference in the quality and health of the skin. Bags under the eyes are the result of vasoconstriction (reduced bloodflow and the correlation between loss of blood supply and the thinning of the dermis with age are more than a coincidence. Remember, it is a thinning dermis that is the primary cause of visible capillaries. The reason capillaries return after treatment is because the skin wants adequate blood supply in the area. The best way to reduce this is to build back the collagen/elastin (in the dermis) that covers these vessels.

STIMULATION

This is an important term because it needs to be differentiated from the typical remodeling strategies employed by most skincare companies. To highlight my point, we can discuss glycolic acid. This ingredient is in most products and is touted as a rejuvenating ingredient. The skin doesn’t have glycolic acid receptors so its method of action is simply to destroy whatever it can. The reason there is any effect is only because the skin, in response to the devastation, replaces itself with new layers. The epidermis swells a little from the inflammation (temporarily reducing the appearance of lines), the new skin is less pigmented (helping hyperpigmentation superficially) but the net effect the skin’s resources were used to repair the recent damage rather than repairing the substantial damage that was the initial treatment goal. So how do you stimulate the skin without damaging it? There a few ingredients for this task but one stands out as a clear leader, Retinaldehyde. The key remodeling components in the skin are the Fibroblasts. They make collagen, elastin and GAG’s, all of which are critical to a youthful, wrinkle-free appearance. Trauma does activate them but for little net gain. Activating their receptors is the true target and Retinaldehyde does a wonderful job at stimulating Fibroblasts without trauma. Retinaldehyde is what the skin uses to make collagen by converting it to Retinoic Acid.

PROTECTION

Most people think protection is a sunscreen. Sunscreens create damage in the skin and have been shown to increase skin cancer rates. Sunblocks like Titanium and Zinc, however, do protect by reflecting UV rays before they penetrate. But the best method of protection actually comes at the cellular level. Antioxidants used in the skin include catalase, L-glutathione, L-superoxide dismutase, Vitamin C and E amongst other ones. We believe that the utilization of ingredients the skin recognizes vastly improves the protection ability. Antioxidants are constantly being used, restored and used again because we are literally in a constant state of inflammation. High dose antioxidants have proven to not only significantly reduce damage in the skin, they actually allow the skin to rebuild itself by shrinking the repair requirements, thus resulting in a thicker, healthier dermis. To make the process most effective, high percentages of these healing actives should be used and adjunctive ingredients like liposomal technology, ensures that they reach their target.

UNDERSTANDING VITAMIN A

Let us be very clear, there is no more important skin ingredient than Vitamin A. The body stores Beta Carotene and Vitamin A (aka Retinol) in the skin for activation whenever it needs to repair itself (which ends up being 24hrs/day). It converts Retinol to Retinaldehyde, which has some activity, and then it converts Retinaldehyde to Retinoic Acid (aka Retin A). Looking at this process, you would naturally think that Retin A is the answer since that is the most active of the group and has the majority of receptors in the skin. The reason that is not true is because retinoic acid requires very careful regulation. The skin has no ability to store retinoic acid so whatever is produced (or applied topically) is utilized. Unfortunately, like many processes in the body, when receptors are over-stimulated, they do not work as well. In the case of Retin A, the irritation resulting from over-stimulation reduces its effectiveness and the downregulation of receptors makes it less active over time. Retinol, on the contrary, can be stored in the skin. It is 1/500th as active as Retin A and has little independent activity outside of what is converted to Retin A by the skin (which is a very small amount). To achieve an adequate response, approximately 5% is needed topically every day. Retinaldehyde is the immediate precursor to Retin A and has been proven to have similar activity in the skin to Retin A. The big advantage is that the skin can store whatever is not converted, thus reducing irritation and maximizing effectiveness with long-term use. Maximum stimulation of collagen/elastin with minimal irritation, that is why Retinaldehyde is the best form of Vitamin A available.

Another important misconception about Retinols is there ability to penetrate the skin. They are a large molecule and often have difficulty penetrating to the dermis where they are needed. To combat this problem, some companies use doses around 5% knowing that at least some of the Retinol will make it into the dermis. The downside of this is that a large part of the retinol sits superficially resulting in over-exfoliation which compromises the skin’s defenses. To effectively penetrate ingredients like Retinaldehyde, the use of liposomal technology can be extremely important. The net result is that there is less exfoliation (irritation) because the ingredient isn’t being activated in the superficial epidermis and there is more collagen/elastin produced because of the now higher levels in the dermis.

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

It is quite common for treatments of skin discoloration to have traumatizing ingredients. Logically, knowing that trauma (inflammation) is a leading cause of pigmentation, it makes no sense to use ingredients like Hydroquinone that stimulate pigment (through inflammation) while attempting to lighten it. Ingredients like Arbutin show promise initially, but quickly oxidize in a solution making them much less effective. Additionally, because the skin wants to produce pigment to protect itself, it has shown a great ability to work around the (tyrosinase inhibiting) effects of many lighteners.

Osmosis has developed an exclusive formula that utilizes 12 of the most advanced, natural lightening agents, all of which resist the skin’s efforts to make pigment. By using multiple lightening agents, Enlighten reduces the skin’s ability to work around the tyrosinase inhibitors because each lightener uses a slightly different method on the melanocyte and they all work together with great synergy. The results are phenomenal. It quickly evens skin tone and fades hyperpigmentation while promoting skin health restoration.

The powerful activity of Enlighten is due to a skin remodeling ingredient (Retinaldehyde-liposome), multiple antioxidants and many lighteners (including Paper Mulberry) working synergistically to normalize skin tones. The nano-sized liposomes coating every active ingredient enhance penetration while protecting these delicate lighteners from oxidation. Our nano-liposome technology protects all 12 of the actives including Paper Mulberry (which was shown to be 10 times more potent than Hydroquinone) and dramatically improves penetration to their target, the melanocyte. It is also safe for use with pregnanc

ENLIGHTEN is serum created by Osmosis that dramatically lightens the skin, using liposome-coated tyrosinase inhibitors.  This serum also remodels scar tissue, restores barrier health, calms inflammation, remodels scarring from photodamage, restores dermal thickness, hydrates, protects against UV rays…one serum.

*Article credited to Dr. Ben Johnson*

“First do no harm” is associated with the Hippocratic Oath and it is a philosophy that seems to have been forgotten in traditional skincare. Sadly, skin care that uses artificial ingredients, especially colors, fragrances and preservatives, is creating inflammation in the skin that makes it harder to repair because the skin’s resources are being diverted to deal with the newly created inflammation instead of working on existing damage. Additionally, many of the ingredients used are also designed to “exfoliate” (aka “burn”) off the protective epidermal barrier which is also harmful and inflammation-promoting. Osmosis is an all-natural, artificial preservative (paraben), color and fragrance free line that is specifically designed to calm (not cause) inflammation while maintaining epidermal integrity to maximize and focus the skin’s repair efforts on pre-existing conditions without creating new ones.

Ingredient penetration is the next emphasis of Osmosis and it should be the first question anyone asks about their skin care line. There is significant research showing that most skin care has a penetration rate of 2%. Many people think that acidic creams and serums penetrate better but that is not true according to independent studies which means 98% of all of the ingredients out there are wasted if a line does not have an effective absorption strategy. Osmosis has the most advanced delivery system available, phosphatidylcholine liposomes (the same material is in our skin’s cell walls), which are proven in research to increase penetration 1000%. This is even more exciting when you read about how many remodeling and repairing ingredients we are putting into the skin. Again, we are able to do this with an ingredient that is recognized by the skin and restores barrier health while providing remarkable penetration support.

Aging and many skin conditions are worsened by the decline in blood flow that tends to start in our mid-twenties. Blood flow is the skin’s only source of food and immune support (antioxidants, enzymes, proteins, lipids, immune cells). Osmosis uses 8 different dermal stimulators and other ingredients which work with the skin to increase circulation and nutrient supply. The other shortage that occurs with loss of blood flow is in our protective antioxidant base… as we get older, we receive fewer antioxidants to protect us. Osmosis utilizes the skin’s strongest and most active antioxidants (17 of them) to keep the focus on repair and remodeling of existing conditions by reducing free radical damage seen daily through environmental, food and sun related trauma.

Due to the large number of expensive ingredients and our patented formulas, it was necessary to form a partnership with our lab to keep the price of Osmosis very affordable. This was a huge hurdle to overcome as the skin care industry has built-in middle-man pricing that forces many lines to water-down their products. We have resolved this problem and are happy to share the savings with you.

To summarize, Osmosis is cruelty free, paraben free, artificial fragrance, color and additive free. We are water soluble, plant based and use more active ingredients per serum than any other line in the world. Our ingredients are chirally corrected (whenever possible) and heavily researched with many of them having numerous published research articles supporting their efficacy. As can be expected (when research is involved), many of our ingredients are the most expensive in the world. Osmosis innovative lab partnership brings affordability to the line. We target the dermis because that is the only place that significant aging occurs. We protect the epidermis (this is extremely rare in today’s skin care market) because that is critical to the health and efficiency of the skin. Also, better than anyone else in the world, we penetrate these wonderful ingredients into the deep epidermis and dermis so that they can go to work to restore your skin’s beauty, youth and luster.

This product line is well ahead of its time and the proof is in the results we witness everyday at SKN Clinic.   It is the only product line that we have found that can create positive change in the skin without any negative side effects.  It uses natural active substances that our skin needs and craves.  To learn more about this product line we provide complimentary one hour consultation at SKN Clinic in Yaletown.

Since I started working here at SKN, (I am the in house makeup artist, as well as working reception) I now see the light. I have always been into taking care of my skin, I wash my face every night and have tried every night cream under the sun. But until working here and being surrounded by the positive influence of the amazing and talented staff, I realize now…that I need a skin care plan too. If I want beautiful, healthy skin, I need to work at it. I need to honor a consistent plan and take action, much like I need to do with fitness. I need to protect and maintain this wonderful (yet challenging) organ.  As we age, our cell turn over slows down, thus producing wrinkles. However, along with regular treatments, (that are ever changing, depending on what the skin needs) I can keep my skin looking great throughout the years.

Now think of cosmecuticals as food for your skin. You need to feed your skin the proper nutrients it needs in order for it to fully produce the desired results. Just like fitness, you can’t expect to have an amazing body, while you eat KFC every night.  So with a little commitment and a plan, we can have strong healthy bodies, and beautiful skin, that ages with grace and dignity!

I have had the opportunity to try the cosmeceuticals lines we have here, such as Jadience, Seaflora and the newest addition Osmosis. These lines are amazing and will nicely fit into any skin care plan.

If you are looking to start a personalized skin care plan, SKN can help. Feel free to call us and make an appointment with our newest addition to the SKN team, Amy Chalmers.  Amy is a Cosmetic Dermal Specialist and Trainer as well. She just moved back to Canada after living and working in Austrailia, where she gained numerous industry qualifications, recognized at both a national and international level. Amy is beyond qualified and we are thrilled to have her here. Amy can sit down with you and address any skin concerns, head to toe…and get you on YOUR PLAN!

SUCCULENT SALMON SALAD
Serves 4-6.
Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 11 minutes.

Ingredients
(Stir-fry)
4 oz. Atlantic Salmon (fresh) cut into cubes
2 Tbsp. finely grated or chopped ginger
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 red pepper (cut into squares)
1 cup fresh green beans (cut in half)
1/3 cup of honey garlic sauce (Oriental brand)
(Salad)
1 iceberg lettuce head (chopped into bite size squares)
1 English cucumber (cut into quarter pieces)
2 large Roma tomatoes (cut into squares) or 20 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
Salad: Cut all ingredients into a bowl, toss and set aside.
Stir-fry: Heat large skillet/pan over medium heat, add oil, garlic and ginger. Once ginger and garlic are brown, add cubed salmon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Salmon is cooked once it is firm, flaky and a light pink color. Add red pepper squares to stir-fry. Cook for 3 minutes. Add sauce, satay for 2-3 minutes. Add green beans, cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Immediately remove from heat. You want the red pepper and green beans to be somewhat crunchy when it is plated. Plating: Plate fresh salad from bowl into bowl or plate. Add salmon stir-fry onto salad, drizzle salad with sauce and serve immediately.

*So after you try this delicious salad, incorporate these food into your diet and your skin will thank you:

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli,Fortified cereal, lean meat, pork, poultry, oysters,
Sunflower seed, almonds, Dark orange, leafy green and red vegetables, Wild salmon, Atlantic mackerel, walnuts.

Thanks to my dear friend Sanna for the inspiration:) If you want to follow her blog, check out
http://freshandfabulousfood.blogspot.com/

“Your skin is like a mirror – it reflects everything that is going on within your body and mind. Pay attention to keeping your mind, body and emotions balanced, and the results will show up as a clear, glowing complexion.” -This is a quote I recently heard and I really liked the message. It’s so true, we get so caught up in the hussle and bustle of our daily lives, we don’t even realize that our stress levels are affecting our immune system, AND the body’s biggest organ-SKIN!  Stress  puts a damper on the body’s digestive system and interferes with the ability to absorb proper nutrients. So we need to reduce our stress levels and work on staying positive,  But if you don’t have time to meditate the stress away for 3 hours at a budist temple (which I’ve done and is amazing btw). There are small, day to day steps you can do to help achieve and maintain that glowing skin…oh and stress levels too:)

1. DIET: A balanced diet and proper eating habits help keep the body and mind performing at optimal levels. I try to eat unprocessed foods. I am also aware of the eat for your skin diet, which includes foods like Salmom, blue berries, nuts and seeds, leafy greens, sprouts, wheat grasses,etc.

2. SLEEP: We hear it all the time, but it is so important. Do whatever you need to do to get relaxed so you can sleep better. I try to do a quick half hour yoga session before bed. Check out www.eoinfinnyoga.com He has a “quickie” lesson you can download for free.

3. EXCERCISE: Here too, it’s whatever works for you. I love running, yoga, hiking. I do some at home workout videos if i’m really inspired. I find morning  to be the best time to excersise, you wake up, get it done and feel great all day.  Being outside, in nature at least a few times a week will definitely help with stress. We live in such a beautiful city, we have endless outdoor adventure possibilities.

4. DE-STRESS. Deep breaths, all is well in your world. Life really is a gift. Take some time for yourself and de-stress. It could mean a yoga class, a walk by the beach, a glass of wine with a girlfriend, popcorn and movie, or buying a new pair of shoes.

Here at SKN, we want to aid in your quest for a zen state of mind, we want you to radiate the light that you are. Book a facial this Good Friday (april 2) and receive a  complimentary Seaflora product of choice. Give us a call at 604-568-6333

HAPPY DE-STRESSING!!

It has played a very important role in the ancient Maori tribes of New Zealand. Often call Greenstone, it was considered to be a treasure. They also made tools, weapons and ornaments of it.

It was used in Mesoamerica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Grenada, Montagua valley of Guatemala among others. To the ancient Mayans it was considered to be an elite gem, and used in rituals. It was often inscribed with hieroglyphics, and made into figurines.

The largest piece of Jade known in the world is in India, where there is a 5 ft tall stature of Mahavira.

In ancient Egypt, Jade was admired as the stone of love, inner peace, harmony and balance.

However no other place on earth has honored the Jade stone like that of ancient china. Jade was placed in the tomb with buried royalty and became associated with high status and royalty ever since.

In ancient East Asian medicine, Jade was used to heal stressed organs and discharge toxins. Pumiced Jade was applied to the cheeks for beauty and absorbed into the skin for health.

In Modern times we now know that Jade helps to slow down the process of aging as it has the ability to strengthen the body’s natural defenses and healing abilities. It contains vital elements the human body needs for health and vitality such as calcium, magnesium and water.

Jade also transmits FIR (far infrared rays) in the same wavelength of the human body and emits negative ions, both necessary for ultimate health and vitality.

The FIR reaches the body the same as light does and heats the body, dilating the blood vessels, and increasing chi, which allows the red and white blood cells to carry nutrients and oxygen to circulate through the body faster. Helping to remove toxins, damaged cells and tissue faster. It then returns to the kidneys and lungs to regenerate and allow the filtration process to occur faster.

When heated Jade also emits negative Ions, also known as the vitamins of the air, and are essential for human health. All of nature, plants, trees, and the ocean all emit negative ions. Which is why we feel so rejuvenated when out in nature. Whereas objects such as computers, TVs, and most electronic equipment emit positive ions, which can often leave us feeling tired and drained. 85% of Negative ions are absorbed through the skin, whereas only 15% is absorbed through the lungs. Making Jade a perfect deliverer of skin health and general well being. It is no wonder that Jade has been valued and honored by almost every culture in the world for thousands of years.

Kirsty

SEVEN DANGERS OF COKE & PEPSI (SOFT DRINKS)

For those of you who LOVE Coke/Pepsi. Just when you thought you knew everything.

1) To clean a toilet:

Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl.
Let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean.
The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
No scrubbing, no sweat – guaranteed.

2) To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers:

Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foils dipped in Coca-Cola.
Much economical than the stuff from Smart Shop.

3) To clean corrosion from car battery terminals;

Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

4) To loosen a rusted bolt;

Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

5) To remove grease from clothes;

Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle.
6) The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

Hey, what do we have here?

The world’s first soft drink disguise as a multi-purpose cleaner? Or should it be a multi-purpose cleaner disguise as a soft drink!!!

Besides that, If you pour Coke (yes, the soda) on a slab of pork, wait a little while, you will SEE WORMS crawl out of it.

AND WE DRINK THIS STUFF! Coke & Pepsi ALARMING FACTS!!!

The average pH of soft drinks, e.g. Coke, Pepsi is pH 3.4. This acidity is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones! Our human body stops building bones at around the age of 30. After that it’ll be dissolving about 8-18% of the bones each year through the urine, depending on the acidity of the food intake (acidity does not depend on the taste of the food, but on the ratio of potassium / calcium / magnesium / etc. to phosphorus).

All the dissolved calcium compounds accumulate in the arteries, veins, skin tissue, and organs. This affects the functioning of the kidney (kidney stones). Soft drinks do not have any nutritional value (in terms of vitamins and minerals). They have higher sugar content, higher acidity, and more additives such as preservatives and colourings.

Some people like to take cold soft drinks after each meal, guess what’s the impact? Our body has an optimum temperature of 37 degrees for the functioning of digestive enzymes. The temperature of cold soft drinks is much less than 37, sometimes quite close to 0. This will lower the effectiveness of the enzymes and put stress on the digestive system, digesting less food. In fact the food gets fermented. The fermented food produce bad smelling gases, decays and forms toxins, which are absorbed in the intestines, get circulated in the blood and is delivered to the whole body. This spread of toxins can lead to the development of various diseases. Think before you drink Coke or Pepsi or any another soft drinks.

Thanks to http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-810.0.html for posting these dangers. There is a whole host of information out there to support the health risks associated with coca cola, Pepsi and all other soft drinks. Have a glass of water your body will love you for it.