Primo Health Blog

A portal for functional health topics and news.

Posts about skin health:

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DermAvail Renew™

Supplement of the Week: Designs for Health DermAvail Renew™

Quick Overview

DermAvail Renew™ is a cosmetic cream containing a comprehensive, synergistic blend of essential skin-directed nutrients along with natural stimulating factors for optimal, natural skin renewal. It is designed to deliver science-based, skin-supportive active ingredients that are proven to be topically bioavailable due to their ability to penetrate into the epithelial and dermal layers of the skin and have positive effects on the skin’s health and metabolism.

Nutrition Tips for Cellulite Reduction

Nutrition Tips for Cellulite Reduction

Cellulite Reduction

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Cellulite is more common in women than in men. The reason for this is that a layer of connective tissue is more irregular and discontinuous in women than in men.1 The dimpled, “cottage cheese” appearance of cellulite is simply fat tissue which is pressing through connective tissue. This might be compared to wearing a button-up-the-front shirt which is too small for you, and seeing your tummy press through the shirt openings where the fabric is straining against the buttons. Nonetheless, as “unsightly” as cellulite is, it is actually no different than any other type of body fat.

This is good news for cellulite sufferers since they can apply many of the same effective strategies for losing cellulite, as they would use for losing body fat in other areas. This includes the use of natural agents such oligopeptides and chitosan which reduce dietary fat absorption, as well as thermogenic agents which help promote “fat burning.” In addition, a new dietary supplement strategy is currently being promoted in our industry which purports to enhance cellulite reduction. This strategy was originated by Dr. Gianfranco Merrizi.

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health Lipoic Acid Supreme

Supplement of the week: Designs for Health Lipoic Acid Supreme

Quick overview

This very powerful supplement contains 300 mg of lipoic acid, along with 4 mg of pure biotin and 500 mg of taurine. Research shows that lipoic acid competes for biotin-dependent enzymes. Long term supplementation of lipoic acid may reduce biotin levels, so it is recommended to supply them together. Taurine and biotin play important roles in maintaining healthy insulin function.*

The Health Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

The Health Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

AIpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, has gained considerable attention as an antioxidant. ALA combats particularly nasty free radicals such as superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorous acid, peroxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen, thereby reducing oxidative stress. ALA is a small molecule, soluble in both water and fat. This allows it to work both inside the cell and at the membrane level, making ALA a particularly valuable antioxidant.

The Health Benefits of Aloe

The Health Benefits of Aloe

Aloe (Aloe barbadensis, A. spp.)

By Art Presser, PharmD - President, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Smart SupplementationTM is a free series of educational literature created by Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS) as a public service. Although copyrighted, it may be freely photocopied and distributed, but may not be altered in any way. Smart SupplementationTM is not intended as medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition, consult your physician.

Background:

Aloe Vera is a succulent member of the lily family, originating in Africa, where most of the genus Aloe is indigenous. The name Aloe is from the Arabic alloeh, or Hebrew halal, meaning a shining bitter substance. The inner leaf contains a slimy gel used in medicines and cosmetics. The outer leaf tissue contains the yellow bitter juice which is known as aloe drug or “bitter aloe,” and is used primarily as a laxative. Today, Aloe is commercially grown in the Southwest and Mexico.

Acne: Supplements to Help

Acne: Supplements to Help

By Gene Bruno, MS, MHS – Dean of Academics, Huntington College of Health Sciences

Acne—the scourge of teenagers everywhere and an embarrassment to those adults who still suffer from this inflammatory skin condition. Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous glands of the skin. The sebaceous glands secrete sebum (skin oil) through pores and hair follicles, which are abundant on the face. Acne occurs when the pores become clogged with sebum. Blackheads, external plugs formed of sebum and dead cells, may be invaded by bacteria, which cause pus-filled inflammations, or pimples (aka, “zits”). The overlying skin may become stretched to the point of rupture, resulting in lesions and, in prolonged severe cases, eventual scarring. Adolescents are most prone to acquiring a case of the dreaded zits due to the increased production of androgens (male hormones) that occur during puberty, which causes increased activity in the sebaceous gland. In addition, certain foods (e.g., dairy products, junk food, etc.) may increase irritation in susceptible persons.