The Ancient Beauty Secret: Unveiling the Health and Beauty Benefits of Gua sha for Lymphatic Drainage and Anti-aging
In the vast realm of beauty rituals and skincare trends, a timeless secret has resurfaced, promising not only radiant skin but also holistic well-being. Enter Gua sha, the ancient practice that has taken the beauty world by storm with its remarkable benefits for lymphatic drainage and anti-aging. A natural alternative likened to “eastern Botox” and an “eastern facelift,” Gua sha is more than just a beauty fad – it’s a profound method rooted in centuries-old traditions.
Discovering the Ancient Art of Gua sha
The history of Gua sha traces back over thousands of years to ancient Chinese medicine and has since been embraced worldwide for its remarkable effects. Originally used to alleviate various ailments by scraping the skin’s surface with a smooth-edged tool, Gua sha was discovered to promote not only physical health but also radiant skin. The gentle scraping motion stimulates blood circulation, releases tension, and aids in the removal of toxins, resulting in a coveted healthy glow.
Beauty Benefits: Lymphatic Drainage and Anti-aging
One of the most significant advantages of Gua sha is its ability to enhance lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in removing waste and toxins from the body, and through gentle scraping motions, Gua sha helps stimulate lymphatic flow, reducing puffiness, and promoting detoxification. This natural detox process not only benefits skin health but also promotes overall well-being, making Gua sha a holistic beauty ritual.
As if lymphatic drainage benefits were not captivating enough, Gua sha also boasts anti-aging properties that have led it to be likened to “eastern Botox” and an “eastern facelift.” By promoting circulation, boosting collagen production, and reducing muscle tension in the face, Gua sha can help diminish fine lines, tighten the skin, and sculpt facial contours naturally. Embracing this ancient beauty secret not only revitalizes your skin but also rejuvenates your entire being.
Embrace the Timeless Beauty Ritual
In a world of ever-evolving beauty trends, Gua sha stands out as a timeless practice that transcends fleeting fads. Its roots in ancient healing traditions, coupled with its remarkable beauty and health benefits, make it a must-have addition to your skincare routine. So, whether you’re seeking a natural way to glow from within, alleviate tension, or sculpt a youthful complexion, Gua sha offers a holistic approach to beauty that resonates through the ages.
Blood sugar imbalances have become the new normal in America. An estimated 1 in 3 Americans are prediabetic, and around 80% of them don’t know they are [1]. 2 out of 3 Americans are overweight or obese.
Among many factors contributing to this problem, the Standard American Diet is far from blood sugar-friendly. It may seem normal to have cereal for breakfast, hamburgers with fries for lunch, and a few slices of pizza for dinner, but it’s not good for us
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to give up your favorite foods or miss out on festivities. In fact, many nutritionists find that their clients will more readily add something than remove when changing health habits [2]. You will find it much easier to add quick bursts of exercises or munches of algae tablets throughout your day, especially during the holidays [3]. You’d be surprised how little you have to do to make a difference.
This article will explain why Energy Bits is your best blood sugar support food. First, let’s cover the root causes of why poor blood sugar control has become the new normal.
Excess caloric intake
There are long-living and healthy populations around the world that consume a lot of carbs. So carbs aren’t necessarily evil—it’s high-carbs, high-fat, and high-calories that are the killing combo for insulin resistance and weight gain.
Perpetually excess caloric intake turns off anti-aging genes. At the same time, this turns on genes that promote cell growth and insulin resistance [4].
Here’s why most Americans are overeating:
Highly processed foods are engineered to make people overeat, such as with high-fructose corn syrup and high salt
Food portions have increased over time, leading to an obesity epidemic.
Drinking calories in the form of soda or other beverages
Decrease energy expenditure throughout the day as many of us need to drive to get around
Nutrient deficiencies leading to increased appetite
Nutrient deficiencies
Since the 1960s, the Green Revolution shifted farming to maximizing yield with plant breeding, pesticide usage, and synthetic fertilizers with only a few minerals. As a result, our soils are now more depleted in numerous key nutrients, leading to an overall lower nutrients and higher toxicity throughout the food chain .
To make matters worse, the government subsidizes cash crops like corn and soy, making processed foods and meats fed with these crops the more affordable option. These processed foods are higher in calories and lower in nutrients. When families rely on these foods for the long-term, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Being nutrient deficient contributes to weight gain, as many of these nutrients are essential to our general health. For example, vitamin D is linked with the development of type 1 diabetes as it plays a vital role in immune system development [6]. Serum vitamin D levels are also typically lower in populations with diabetes than in people without [7].
Zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D are crucial for blood sugar regulation. Additionally, vitamin K2 plays a role in glucose metabolism, cholesterol, and triglycerides, making it an essential vitamin when addressing blood sugar [8].
Interestingly, vitamin K2 can help diabetic rats by increasing the readouts from the osteocalcin gene. This leads to elevated adiponectin, an essential hormone for glucose control, and increases insulin sensitivity [9].
We still don’t know if vitamin K2 can reverse diabetes in humans, but it’s a beneficial vitamin to consume for healthy blood sugar and metabolism. A serving of Energy Bits provides 23 mcg of vitamin K1 and 3 mcg of vitamin K2.
Sedentary lifestyle
Unfortunately, with the typical work/life balance we see today, a sedentary lifestyle is quite common. Most people will sit at a desk throughout the day, drive everywhere, and get minimal steps in when they have the time.
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor blood sugar control, as physical activity can increase insulin sensitivity. It can also lead to weight gain and a decrease in glucose tolerance over time [10].
A sedentary lifestyle can directly affect metabolism, bone density, and vascular health, increasing metabolic disease risk [11]. With a decrease in muscle density, you will also see a reduction in lipoprotein lipase (LPL), an enzyme that breaks down fats in the body. Inversely, with increased physical activity, you can see an increase in LPL and a positive effect on blood sugar metabolism [12].
Poor mitochondrial health
The mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells. They help convert carbohydrates and fats into cellular energy as ATP. In your pancreas, the mitochondria produce the energy necessary to produce insulin.
When our mitochondria do not function optimally, this can lead to poor glucose metabolism, poor insulin response, and poor insulin production [13].
Age-related muscle loss
Age-related muscle loss is a fairly normal phenomenon. Most people lose 3 – 5% of their muscle mass per decade after around 30, and faster after age 60 [14]. Your muscles are responsible for 90% of insulin-related blood sugar control. So, this muscle loss alone can contribute to age-related weight gain and decline in insulin response as early as in your 30s.
This speaks to the importance of providing your body with enough nutrients and resistance training exercises to maintain your muscles.
Feed lean and blood sugar-friendly bacteria
Clinical trials find that spirulina and chlorella can improve blood sugar and insulin response partly by feeding and increasing the healthy gut flora, especially with raw spirulina like Energy Bits [15],[16]. There is even a meta-analysis of 8 studies confirming the finding [17].
Another clinical trial also found that chlorella improved the gut flora in people with dysbiosis, and thus helped with their blood sugar [18].
A clinical trial in 62 obese people for 12 weeks suggests that spirulina, even 1 gram/day, can significantly reduce appetite by 4.16% [19].
Spirulina may also protect the gut flora against a suboptimal, like a SAD, diet. In rats fed with a high-fat diet (which is unhealthy for them and their gut bacteria), the spirulina group had less fat gain and leaky gut compared to the control group [20].
Provide whole food sources of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3
Chlorella and spirulina are packed with vitamins, minerals and omega-3s. As we addressed previously, having optimal levels of vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy blood sugar.
These vitamins and minerals are found in algae tablets:
Magnesium is important for over 300 biochemical reactions, several of which are important for blood sugar control.
Folate is a B vitamin that can improve glycemic control [21].
Omega-3s: Chlorella contains omega-3s, which are essential for insulin response and mitochondrial function [22],[23]
Vitamin K helps with blood sugar. Chlorella provides high levels of vitamin K2 per serving [24].
Our algae tablets also contain a large amount of antioxidants, which are also crucial for blood sugar and cardiovascular health [25],[26].
Support mitochondrial function
Spirulina and chlorella are chlorophyll-rich foods. These microalgae are also very similar to mitochondria, so they have numerous nutrients for the mitochondria. In fact, there’s a cell study that suggests that chlorophyll pigments might help the mitochondria harvest light for energy [27].
As a source of antioxidants, chlorophyll, and omega-3, algae tablets can powerfully support mitochondrial function [28]. These antioxidants help manage the oxidants that may interfere with mitochondrial function and protect your mitochondria from oxidative damage. In a cell study, a spirulina polysaccharide helped restore mitochondrial function, making it a great supplement to support your mitochondria [29].
Next to water, fiber is the most important element needed to cleanse the body. Fiber is both a sponge we need to soak up toxins and a scouring pad we need to scrub the colon free of debris. Without adequate fiber, toxins we are releasing from tissues through the action of other cleansing herbs can be reabsorbed and recycled through the system instead of being eliminated from the body. A blend of fibers is best, which may include fibers such as psyllium hulls, oat bran, apple pectin, slippery elm or flax seed. I have four that I recommend for different needs for different people: Nature’s Three, Everybody’s Fiber, Psyllium Hulls Combination and LOCLO. Let’s compare:
Nature’s Three is a blend of these fibers- psyllium hulls, apple fiber and oat bran. This makes it a good “broom” for sweeping the colon clean, but it doesn’t do much to tonify the colon or deal with the issue of leaky gut syndrome. It’s a good choice for serious colon cleansing in situations where there is ballooning in the bowel or a need to clean out bowel pockets (diverticuli).
Nature’s Three is a stronger fiber blend, containing psyllium with licorice and hibiscus for flavoring. It is a good fiber for people with ballooning and slugish bowels.
Nature’s Three is a blend containing fibers such as psyllium hulls, apple fiber, acacia gum, guar gum, flax seed and oat bran in a base of vegetable powders, broccoli, carrot, red beet, cabbage, Chinese cabbage and tomato. It also contains the herbs rosemary, turmeric and cinnamon. These vegetables and herbs provide an antioxidant efect which reduces intestinal irritation and inflammation. Grapefruit and orange bioflavinoids, hesperidin, citric acid and malic acid have a gentle tonifying action on the mucus membranes of the colon. This is a gentler fiber blend, more suitable for spastic colons and long term use.
Nature’s Three is the gentlest of the fiber blends and the one best suited for irritable bowel, inflammatory bowel disorders, spastic colons and long term use. It contains the gentle fibers of slippery elm, flax seeds, marshmallow and apple pectin. These are combined with herbs which improve digestion, reduce inflammation and tone the bowel to reduce gut “leakiness” including peppermint, fennel, chamomile, una de gato and asparagus. Most importantly, Everybody’s Fiber contains polysaccharides that act as food for friendly bacteria, which encourages a healthy intestinal flora.
As a health coach, I teach a transformational habit of health that meets my clients where they are. After years of not so great habits, it’s very unrealistic to think the average person is going to culture foods , have daily smoothies and drop sugar right off the bat. Like any worthwhile endeavor, it is a process. I come from a background in Pharmacy and firmly believe a good portion of our current health crisis is due to over-reliance on popping a pill for every ill. I do, however, believe there is tremendous healing power in the foods we eat and the herbs that grow in our garden. The point is, there is a good size learning curve between the decision to pursue a healing lifestyle and bringing that commitment into a daily fruition. I, along with the new frontier of functional medicine practitioners, believe that mindful, strategic supplementation is key to a significant improvement in health. Part of that strategy is a QUALITY supplement.
Is the dose correct?
Is it the correct part of the plant?
Some leaves are healing yet their stem or root is poisonous.
Is it free of toxins?
Is it pure and unadulterated?
Was it handled properly?
Often times clients will come to me for a session and just want to know what they need to take for an ailment. They then take that recommendation and find it for the most rock bottom price on the internet or local pharmacy outlet. It drove me crazy because I know how questionable many products are. I have been a Nature’s Sunshine Consultant for almost a decade now. I have studied their manufacturing practices and they are second to none. I believe in their products so much that I often waive or refund my consultation fee when a client commits to a 90 day trial…long enough to lay a basic foundation for a lifelong habit of health. I’m happy to do it. Here’s why:
In our modern world, most people rarely get the opportunity to relax and “unwind”. As a result, they are often plagued by stress-related health problems. Chronic stress can contribute to problems like fatigue, anxiety, nervous tension, muscle pain, stiffness, and depression. Over time, it can contribute to digestive weakness, immune weakness, chronic inflammation, restless and disturbed sleep, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and weight gain.
Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce your stress levels while improving your overall health. An effective means of stress reduction is now available in the form of adaptogenic herbs. “Adaptogen” is a word coined by Russian scientists to describe the effects of eleuthero root (also known as Siberian ginseng). Scientists in Russia discovered that eleuthero root improved athletic performance, enhanced energy and immune function, and even reduced the number of mistakes made by clerical and office workers. They found the plant accomplished these feats by reducing the output of stress hormones and improving the body’s ability to cope with physical and emotional stress. They even learned that eleuthero root helped prevent Soviet cosmonauts from getting space sickness due to weightlessness, a fact later shared with American astronauts.
Since the benefits of eleuthero root were discovered, other herbs around the world have also been found to possess adaptogenic effects. AdpataMax combines several of these herbs into one formula. It also contains herbs that enhance circulation, glandular function, and the immune system. AdaptaMax also has antioxidant and blood sugar regulating properties.
AdaptaMax can be taken by anyone who desires to improve physical endurance, immune function and the ability to cope with the stresses they face in life. It contains eleuthero root and twelve other adaptogenic and tonifying herbs, as follows:
Rhodiola rosea is another herb from Russia shown to possess powerful adaptogenic properties. Russian studies show that it enhances both mental and physical performance. It is an antidepressant and has a cancer-preventing effect.
Korean ginseng has long been prized in the Orient for its ability to enhance overall health, especially in the elderly. It improves digestive function and glandular activity, while increasing energy and stamina. It is warming and stimulating.
Ashawaganda, also known as Indian ginseng, is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic because of its tonifying and restorative properties. It helps restore vitality to people who are suffering from overwork and nervous exhaustion. It also helps with recovery from long term stress.
Rosemary has a tradition in western herbalism as a tonic for the brain, improving cognitive function and memory. It contains powerful antioxidants that help protect the body from free radical damage.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum is an adaptogenic herb from China. It balances the energy system of the body.
Schizandra is a powerful adaptogenic herb used in Chinese medicine to balance and harmonize the organs of the body. Schizandra helps with many of the health problems brought on by chronic stress, including disturbed sleep patterns, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of concentration, forgetfulness and irritability.
Astragalus is considered a general tonic in Chinese medicine and is often used in place of Korean ginseng in formulas. Modern research shows that it enhances immune function, increases endurance, lowers blood pressure, and balances body fluids.
Reishi mushroom enhances the immune system, aid liver and cardiac function, and reduce allergic responses.
Suma has been called Brazilian ginseng. It is an adaptogenic herb that regulates blood sugar, enhances energy, and aids the immune system. It also has anticancer properties.
Ginkgo has been researched extensively in Europe as a circulatory aid and an anti-aging herb. It enhances cognitive function and circulation to the brain. It also aids general and peripheral circulation.
Alfalfa is a nutritive herb and a rich source of trace minerals. It is used as a general tonic. It aids pituitary gland function.
Kelp is a seaweed that is rich in iodine and trace minerals. It is known for its ability to feed the thyroid gland.
A final ingredient in AdaptaMax is the mineral chromium, which is very important for balancing blood sugar levels and for preventing cardiovascular disease.
If you are having issues with sleep and/or ongoing stress, You may find this adaptogenic complex gives your body what it needs to find its way back to normal. As always, if you have any questions, fill out a contact form and get the conversation started.
