Different Types of Omega-3s

April 22, 2013 by ascott • Comment

It’s no secret that regularly taking a high quality Omega-3 supplement is one of the best things you can do to positively impact your health. Studies suggest regular consumption of Omega-3s may help lower the risk of heart disease, protect against depression, dementia, cancer, and arthritis—not to mention leave you with glowing skin and hair.

But did you know that there are multiple types of Omega-3’s? It’s true, and different sources confer different benefits:

DHA and EPA, which are found in fish, have been the focus of most studies and seem to confer the greatest health benefits.
Another form, known as ALA, is found in vegetable sources such as flaxseed, vegetable oils, walnuts and dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, chard etc).
Fish -derived Omega-3’s (EPA & DHA) are thought by some to be more efficiently absorbed because there is no conversion necessary, whereas ALA is converted into EPA and DHA.

What are your questions about Omega-3 supplements or foods?

4 Easy Beauty Rules to Follow

January 2, 2013 by ascott • Comment

With so many resolutions in the air, here are 4 easy beauty rules to adopt in 2013:

1. Eat more healthy fats. Contrary to popular belief, eating more of the right fats can actually help you lose weight, feel full longer and Best bets: extra virgin coconut and olive oils, raw nuts, avocados and cold water fish.

Try: Adding unsweetened shredded coconut to your morning oatmeal and a small handful of chopped raw nuts to your salads.

2. Ditch scrubs. If you can see the granule (or piece of shell) it’s too large to penetrate into your pores. Essentially you’re just scratching your skin’s surface, which can create micro-tears, leading to thinner skin over time.

Try: Blue Plasma. It’s a gentle, non-acidic daily peel that imparts a boost of hydration while removing dead skin cells.

3. ‘Boost’ your routine. Using the same routine year round? Rediscover your favorite products by layering them over Cold Plasma. Thanks to Cold Plasma’s unique delivery system, products that are layered over this incredible formulation tend to work better and faster.

Try: Cold Plasma under your favorite treatment or moisturizer.

4. Invest in a high quality Omega-3 supplement. The scientific community has weighed in again and again on this subject, and the answer is to start taking an Omega-3 supplement daily for myriad health boons, including: a healthier heart, slimmer waist line and shinier hair, stronger nails and more supple skin. Do look for Omega-3’s that are purified and cleansed for heavy metals.

Try: Omega-3 Supplements. If fat loss is a goal, Dr. Perricone recommends taking 9,000 mg per day.

What beauty rules are you following for 2013?

Fat Burners

November 26, 2012 by ascott • 2 Comments

Dr. Perricone’s selections for the nutrients in the Metabolic Formula Supplement were based on years of research, based on their efficacy to regulate metabolism and body weight. Here are a list of some of the primary nutrients contained in each packet:

CoQ10 and carnitine: work in the mitochondria to enhance energy production and efficiently convert food into energy so that it is not stored as body fat.
Omega-3 Essential fatty acids: assist in converting food into energy rather than storing it, while keeping cell membranes flexible and supple so that insulin receptors are sensitive.
Niacin-bound chromium (NBC): stabilizes blood sugar and aids in cell membrane function.
Curcumin- provides many of the anti-inflammatory benefits turmeric.

Do you take a supplement to help support weight control?

Getting the Hair & Nails

October 22, 2012 by Guest Blogger • Comment

Beauty is only skin deep – well sort of. Treating just the exterior part of ourselves is only half the battle. What we put in our bodies is just as important as what we put on the body. As a firm believer in this concept, Dr. Perricone became one of the first brands to introduce vitamins and supplements in this beauty forum, making it accessible right alongside your favorite moisturizer and eye cream. One of his newest introductions is the Hair and Nails Formula, a 30 day program with customized supplements such as Biotin, Omega 3 and antioxidants designed to replenish and strengthen your hair and nail health. There are 4 pills to take per day and it is rationed out for you in 30 packets. I do recommend being diligent to taken them every day so that you can gauge the results. Intermittent use will most likely not yield the most effective results.

As someone who has pretty good hair and strong nails (if I do say so myself), I was curious to see what effects this would have. After just 2 weeks, I noticed how white the tips of nails were looking and how shiny they were without polish. And as an avid polish lover, I reveled in my naked nails for a bit. For a bit – a nail leopard can never really change their spots right? As for my hair, I am plagued with an oily scalp and dry ends but after a month, I saw a definite change in how balanced my hair had become, how shiny it looked and how it seemed to be growing at a Rapunzel rate. Results like this simply delight me.

Now that my locks are glossy and nails long, the question is how to style them for the Fall season? Here is a look at some of the top Fall 2012 trends to take inspiration from for the next trip to the salon.

Hair Embellishments – These are not your childhood headbands and accessories. Think adornment. Think bejeweled. Think glamour. Decorative head pieces and beaded clips are a perfect way to add a bit of sparkle to any look.
A Sleek Ponytail – This trend is certainly not reinventing the wheel. Rather than simply throwing your hair up at the end of a long day, use some smoothing crème, a comb and gather at the nape of your neck to create a sleek ponytail that is actually intentional.
Style with a twist – A play on a standard braid or bun. Try twisting the hair to get an updated effect. Twist the layers that frame the face and pin back for a boho-chic look, or twist your sleek ponytail around and pin in place for a quick up-do.
Dark and Moody Nails – As the weather gets colder, nothing spruces up dry, freezing hands like a deliciously dark manicure. Standard shades of crimson and bordeaux are lovely, but try to shake things up by going for dark navy and slate grey. And once your digits are donned in the season’s hottest shade, don’t tuck them away in bulky mittens, invest in some fingerless gloves to give them the just attention they deserve.
Colored Tips – A twist on the traditional French manicure, try trading your white tips for a bold blue, red or even metallic. Keeping the rest of the nail neutral is the key to making this trend wearable and applicable to daily life.
Nail Art – For the more boldly inclined, nail art is quickly becoming quite de rigueur. Experiment yourself or visit a professional, this trend can be a fun way to edge out a look without making a big statement. And the best part of nail art is – it can come off. Temporary trends are always the best ones to try.

What hair or nail trends will you try this fall?

Fueled by her love (obsession) of all things beauty, Maree Sye writes from the viewpoint of the everyday woman. Recently transitioning from a decade long career as an executive in the cosmetics industry to her current role as sales manager for a baby goods company, Maree has turned her insider information into a spectator sport. When she is not testing out beauty products and gabbing about them on The Daily Perricone blog, you can find her ramblings on A Little Bit etc, her personal fashion/beauty blog – a blog that is a little bit fashion, a little bit beauty and a whole lot of sass. Follow Maree on twitter @alittlebitetc , Instagram @alittlebitetc, or follow her down the street if you like – most likely she is on her way to pick up a new lipstick.

Super Nutrients for Hair and Nails

September 5, 2012 by ascott • 4 Comments

Following the anti-inflammatory diet should put you on the nutritional path to great hair; however, hormonal changes, exposure to heat and other chemicals in styling products can take a toll on our precious tresses.

Some of the key nutrients needed for healthy hair and nail growth include protein (protein is necessary for all cell growth, including hair cells). Protein is especially critical, considering that hair is composed of hardened proteins called keratin. Without adequate protein to build keratin, hair growth slows and the strands that do grow are considerably weaker. Iron, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A are also vital to maintaining healthy hair. Often, women cut calories and fat (even healthy fats) which can lead to insufficient levels of nutrients that can stunt hair growth or leave hair dull, lifeless and without body.

Some of the best nutrients and super foods for hair include:

Biotin, a B vitamin essential for hair growth and overall scalp health, also found in our Hair & Nail Formula Supplement.

Find it in: Eggs, peanuts, almonds, wheat bran, salmon and avocados.

Zinc, a mineral that supports tissue growth and wound repair-including hair and nail growth. Zinc also helps to keep the oil glands around the hair follicles working properly. A deficiency in zinc can lead to dandruff and hair loss.

Find it in: pumpkin seeds, oysters and cashews.

Vitamin A is necessary for all cell growth- including those that comprise hair and nails.

Find it in: spinach, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe.

Selenium, a trace mineral used to help create antioxidant enzymes.

Find it in: Brazil nuts.

Iron, a critical component to healthy nails. Anemia or iron deficiency can cause brittle nails.

Find it in: Lentils are a particularly good source of iron-rich protein. Do remember to consume your iron with Vitamin C ester as it helps enhance absorption.

These nutrients can be found in the Hair & Nail Formula, Dr. Perricone’s new supplement regimen designed specifically to promote healthy hair and nail growth.

The Right Blend to Stay Forever Young

August 8, 2012 by ascott • Comment

The new Hair & Nail Formula supplements are created with high quality Alaska Sockeye Salmon derived Omega 3’s, custom dosed levels of antioxidants, as well as Biotin, which is a critical ingredient that assists the body’s natural production of Keratin, which supports strong, healthy nails and hair. In addition, are an exclusive blend of extracts based on Dr. Perricone’s Forever Young research.

Let’s take a closer look at this blend of extracts:

Watercress- excellent for its anti-cancer and detoxification properties.
Dark cocoa- potent anti-inflammatories and anthocyanids, which are beneficial for skin, heart and overall health.
Chili pepper- excellent for increasing circulation and supporting metabolic function.
Turmeric- powerful anti-cancer, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Purple cabbage- Cruciferous vegetables are the source of perhaps the most effective natural cancer-fighting compounds.
Tomato concentrate- great source of the antioxidant lycopene.
Broccoli- another cruciferous vegetable thought to inhibit cancer.
Garlic bulb- a member of the allium family, the compounds in garlic support heart and immune system function. Also, garlic is a potent anti-microbial substance.
Eggplant- deep, dark pigments in the flesh of the eggplant help support skin’s plump texture.
Alfalfa leaf and stem- thought to help slow down balding and hair thinning.
Tumeric root- an ancient root used in Ayurevedic and Asian medicines for centuries that benefit circulation and combat a host of systemic diseases such as certain types of cancer and heart disease.

Hair & Nail Formula Q&A

August 6, 2012 by ascott • Comment

“What are the benefits of the new Hair & Nail Formula? Do I take them instead of my regular Perricone MD supplements or in addition?”

The Hair & Nail Formula are high performance, customized supplements that make up the essential building blocks for hair and nail health. Formulated with Biotin, an essential nutrient that plays an important role in the formation of keratin to support healthy, strong nails, these supplements contain high levels of antioxidants to protect hair and nails from environmental damage. Dr. Perricone formulated these with his exclusive Forever Young blend of extracts (watercress, dark cocoa, chili pepper, turmeric, and more) to give a high level of antioxidant protection. The Omega 3’s in these supplements are sourced from the highest quality wild Alaskan sockeye salmon for overall health and radiance. There are no artificial colors, flavors and dyes. These are designed to compliment your existing supplement regimen and specifically target the Hair & Nails. Dr. Perricone always recommends checking with your primary physician first before starting any sort of new supplement regimen.

What are your questions about the new Hair & Nails formula?

How To: The Metabolic Shake

May 23, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 2 Comments

Claire shares her tips on how to make the best tasting Metabolic shake from Dr. Perricone’s Forever Young

The basic recipe for the Metabolic Diet shake can be found here.

Metabolic Formula Shake Tips:

If you’re doing the Metabolic Diet, I highly recommend the Metabolic Formula supplements. They cut cravings and help keep me energized.
I use frozen blueberries from Vital Choice. I defrost them for 45 seconds in the microwave and add 2-3 teaspoons of water to help them blend more smoothly.
For the egg whites; just make sure they’re pasteurized. I like Eggology.
Thoroughly mix the blueberries before you add the egg whites. Once I add the egg whites, I only do a quick blend, so it’s not too frothy in texture.
Add some chia seeds to the shake to help keep you full
I also add coconut oil for EFA benefits. I microwave the coconut oil for under 10 seconds, so its liquid. Then I slowly add it to the shake to prevent clumping.

How do you make your shake?

Help! This Test was Scary

February 24, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 4 Comments

Amanda is an avid Perriconista.

February’s focus on heart health is significant for personal reasons. My father was my age (43) when he had his first triple bypass surgery and both of my grandmothers had heart disease. I’ve made a commitment to myself and to my family to break this cycle. I received these test results that showed my cholesterol levels were high and I realized I had to make some changes.

Perricone MD anti aging supplements for beauty and heart health

Amanda's cholesterol levels before (top) and after (bottom) she found the Perricone lifestyle

I’m proud to share the results (note the significant decrease) I’ve experienced by following the anti-inflammatory diet and taking Dr. Perricone’s Omega-3′s and Health & Weight Management supplements. Not only is my cardiovascular health improving, but as a bonus, my skin is vibrant and glowing as well.

What lifestyle changes have you made for health reasons?

Help! My Hair is Thinning

February 17, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 5 Comments

Harmony is a Perriconista and hairstylist at Hush Up Salon in Manhattan Beach, CA

As a hair stylist for over 13 years, I can tell you that concerns around hair thinning are one of the most common questions I get. In addition to following the anti-inflammatory diet, and getting plenty of healthy fats, I tell all of my clients to start taking Skin & Total Body if they want fuller, thicker and shinier hair. I’ve been on Skin & Total Body for several years and I can tell you, it makes such a difference! I also wanted to share my other tips to age-proof hair-including my DIY mask that can be found in your fridge.

What are your healthy-hair secrets?