CHIA SEEDS OR FLAXSEEDS?

WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR SKIN?

Flaxseed has been known for it’s health benefits for a lot longer than Chia – and Flaxseed has also been studied much more. On the other hand – Chia has been reported as having more Omega 3, Calcium and Fibre. So let’s have a closer look to compare the 2.

PROTEIN

Chia - One ounce of chia seeds contain 4.4 grams of vegetarian protein – this is almost as high as meat, and higher than eggs! Chia seeds are complete protein – which is extremely rare for plant based foods.
Flax – The same amount of flaxseeds have even more protein – 5.1 grams per ounce. Flaxseed proteins are not complete. Combining with another plant based protein would be necessary to get a complete protein.

OMEGA 3

Chia – One ounce of chia seeds has around 5 grams
Flax – One ounce of flaxseed has about 4.7grams 

DIETARY FIBER

Chia – One ounce of chia seeds contain approx 10.6grams
Flax – One ounce of flaxseed contains around 7.6 grams
Things are not all down for Flaxseed though... in the vitamin department – flaxseed really takes over! See the chart below:

FLAXSEED V  CHIA

	FLAXSEED	CHIA
CALORIES	150	137
FIBRE	7.6	10.6
VITAMINS		N/A
C	0.2	N/A
E	0.1 mg	N/A
K	1.2 mcg	N/A
THIAMIN	0.5 mg	N/A
NIACIN	0.9 mg	N/A
B6	0.1 mg	N/A
FOLATE	24.4 mcg	N/A
CHOLINE	22.0 mg	N/A
PANTOTHENIC ACID	0.3 mg	N/A
BETAINE	0.9 mg	N/A
MINERALS
CALCIUM	71.4 mg	177 mg
IRON	1.6 mg	n/a
MAGNESIUM	110 mg	n/a
PHOSPHORUS	180 mg	265 mg
POTASSIUM	228 mg	44.8 mg
SODIUM	8.4 mg	5.3 mg
ZINC	1.2 mg	1.0 mg
COPPER	0.3 mg	0.1 mg
MANGANESE	0.7 mg	0.6 mg
SELENIUM	7.1 mcg	n/a

CONCLUSION:

Both flaxseed and chia seed have AMAZING health benefits! If possible, both should be included in the diet to get maximum benefit. I recommend most clients who are interested in great skin health to have 1 - 2 teaspoons of flax/chia oil per day. 

To gain the dietary fibre benefits – ground flaxseed and whole chia seeds can be included in cereal, smoothies and salads. 

For people with dry/dehydrated skin - they will generally notice a great improvement at around one month after beginning to take the oil as a supplement. Once the difference is noticed, you will not know how you lived without it!

For more advice, see your skin specialist.

Paula

WHAT ARE YOU USING ON YOUR LIPS?!

LIP CAUTION!

I have been moved to write this blog because of the large number of patients we are seeing at the clinic who are concerned with congestion around their lips and chin.... even if congestion is not of a concern anywhere else in there skin.

Most patients have one thing in common. They are using a petrochemical or highly synthetic bases product on their lips.  And some or most of these products are not designed to be used on the lips. 

What are these products? 

Listing from most commonly used:

1. Papaw ointment
2. Vaseline
3. Lip Gloss

Papaw ointment: 

The manufacturers of papaw list the benefits as:

• Minor Burns & Scalds
• Sunburn
• Gravel Rash, Cuts & Minor Open Wounds
• Nappy Rash & Chafing
• Insect Bites
• Splinters & Thorns

These are all great ways to use Papaw ointment.  Please note that 'lip balm' is not listed as a use.

Papaw ointment has 2 main ingredients - Carica Papaya 39mg/g Fresh Fermented Fruit
and Pharmaceutical Grade Petroleum Jelly.  Petroleum Jelly is a petrochemical and is also the main ingredient in Vaseline.  Although petroleum jelly is safe and inert (will not impact the body), it is an extreme comedogenic (likely to cause clogged pores/ blackheads/congestion/acne). 

Please only use this product for what it is recommended.  It is a great healer, but should only be used short term, not daily!

Vaseline:

Is a comedogenic and should not be used daily on the lips.  You may notice breakouts/clogged pores increasing when using this as a lip balm, plus you may also find your lips become dryer and need more moisturising.

Lip Gloss:

Please check the ingredients on your lip gloss.  Highly synthetically fragranced & petrochemical based.  Both of these ingredient groups are also highly comedogenic, plus the fragrance can cause added irritations.

My advice:

 Make sure you have enough omega 3 in your diet.  Drink plenty of water.  Cut down or out alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes.  Use your professional product eye balm on your lips. Wear sunscreen. Avoid excessive sun and wind exposure.

Inika do GREAT certified organic lip glosses and lip sticks.

For short term sun protection when you know you are more likely to experience sore lips, such at the beach or snow, I recommend the original Chap Stick with SPF.  Remember, this is only short term, not daily.

Visit your local skin clinic for advice on ongoing dry/cracked/sore lips to obtain the perfect pout!

Then pucker up!! 

Paula :)

3 COSMETIC INDUSTRY ADVERTISING FIBS

YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED.....

1.  The ‘pseudo-science’ marketing behind the major cosmetic companies.  These companies stock their products for easy access in supermarkets and cosmetic counters.  These product companies spend an incredible amount on advertising.  Currently the trend is to highlight the lastest "medical/scientific" ingredients which they are including in their products.  When the actual ingredients are looked into, it  has generally shown, the quantities of actual active ingredients that go into these products are so small, they cannot make an improvement to the skin.

 2.      Extravagant Packaging. Unfortunately the packing of the supermarket and cosmetic counter ‘skin care’ companies can be as expensive as - or more expensive  - than the actual product.  This packaging is used to make the product look either like it has a scientific, high end, or a natural basis.  Please beware of any company that look to be putting a huge emphasis on over packaged products.  They may have something they are compensating for.

3.     “Scientific Studies”.  Please listen closely to advertising that have ‘studies’ that back up their claims for improving the skin.  You may have noticed that most advertisements do not state the study size, what group of people they have surveyed and how they measured their results.

We are not saying that all cosmetics in supermarkets and cosmetic counters have no value.  There are some “good brands” and some “not so good brands”.

The 'not so good' brands are highly synthetic with extremely little active ingredient.   The high amount of sythetics can lead to skin becoming redder in appearance, more sensitive, increase ageing, irritations can occur and/or congestion.

If you are interested in buying your product from these places, please try to stick to brands that are certified organic.  So at least you know they are safe.   Saying ‘organic’ on the label does not mean it is organic.  The only way to ensure it is really a natural and partly organic product is to check for an organic certification. 

If this is the way you want to go, please stick to a basic creamy or milky cleanser and a light moisturiser.  Even if this is done, the problem with picking a product from the shelf, is it may not be the correct one for your skin, so you still may end up with more ageing, more sensitivities and more congestion.  Although sticking to the absolute basics should reduce this.

The best and safest option to get the correct product for your skin is to see a Dermal Therapist at your Skin Clinic. 

If price is a concern, please let your Therapist know, and he/she will work within your budget. 

If results are your interest, you will be in the best hands possible J

LED BEFORE AND AFTERS

Amazing LED results!



See our patient photos below who has had a course of 7 LED treatments this year (2012).  2 X weekly.  These photos are taken under an UV light so you can see dehydration (shown up as darker purple).

You will notice the significant reduction in creases on eye lids in the after photo.  Also a significant increase in hydration.  Products cannot be used on eyelids and other treatments cannot be carried out on eyelids, so this change can ONLY be made by the LED.

You will also notice the reduction in pigmentation and fine lines.

Before

 After

Supplements & Diet Change for Great Skin

It can be a little tricky to know where to start with supplements & diet changes.  It is often these little changes that are the key to excellent skin health.  To make it easy, we have put together this easy to use chart for anyone who suffers from skin conditions. 

Or pop in to Fletcher Brown at any time and there will always be a friendly face there to help you!  We stock Ethical Nutrients supplements, and our clients get excellent results.

Skin Condition	Supplements	Foods Best Avoided
Eczema	·         Fish oil or Flaxseed oil ·         If inflamed EPO 2 x daily until inflammation subsides. ·         Probiotics before food. ·         Zinc fix, until zinc levels are high enough – then zinc maintain ·         Vit C	Tomatoes, Strawberries, Oranges, Peanuts, Yeast, Dairy, Sugar, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Dry Skin	·         Fish oil or flaxseed oil daily	Reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Dermatitis	·         Fish oil or Flaxseed oil ·         Evening Primrose oil ·         Probiotics before food. ·         Zinc fix, until zinc levels are high enough – then zinc maintain ·         Vit C	Tomatoes, Strawberries, Oranges, Peanuts, Yeast, Dairy, Sugar, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Acne Skin	·         Zinc ·         Vit C ·         Probiotics	Dairy, Yeast, Sugar, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Rosacea	·         Zinc ·         Probiotics ·         Vit C	Red wines, spicy food, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Psoriasis	Psoriasis is linked to weight problems, psoriatic arthritis, high blood pressure, depression/anxiety & diabetes.  For best results, the underlying cause must be treated for long term results.  Topical skin treatments should be combined with help from your doctor/naturopath.
Smoking is best avoided for all skin types. Smoking dramatically impedes the skin healing ability, and the skins natural immunity.  Smoking leads to lowering of Vitamins C,E,D& A in the body.  All of these vitamins are important for skin function, health & healing – without enough of these vitamins, skin cannot be at its best. Smoking can be responsible for sensitivities in skin, premature ageing, lines, wrinkles, grey, dull and sallow skin tone & slow healing skin.

Most conditions take a month of treatment with diet & supplements for every year that the problem has occurred.  If condition does not improve with the recommendations after the required months, please see a good naturopath or medical practitioner.

Nb:  Please follow directions on supplement label unless otherwise advised by your doctor or naturopath.

Dehydration, Signs of Ageing

Dehydration occurs when skin has had insufficient moisture for a prolonged period of time. This can result in signs of ageing.  This can be treated with skin treatments, skin care, dermal fillers, anti-aging injectables & diet and nutrition consultations.