For more information on the Bob’s Army MS event, visit: http://bobsarmy.wordpress.com/about/

Bob’s Army T-shirts are available by donation:

“Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.” -MS Society

Pic by Adamsheep via StockFreeImages

For National Bike Month we want to encourage you to bike to work, both for its health benefits and eco-benefits for our world.

Want to join the thousands of cycling commuters?  Here are a few tips from BikeLeague.org

1. Follow the Rules of the Road
2. Be Visible
3. Be Predictable
4. Anticipate Conflicts
5. Wear a Helmet

Our President, Peter McMullin, regularly commutes to work via his road bike, when Utah weather permits.  His 25 mile round trip contributes to the solution of minimized emissions and also gives him a great form of exercise for someone who has such a busy schedule leading our Sibu team.

Pete is an avid street and mountain biker and has competed in bike races for the last 15 years.

Want to see his commute?  Take a look at this fun, fast action video.

Pete’s Bike Commute to Sibu from Peter McMullin on Vimeo.

For the last three years Sibu has also supported Salt Lake’s Bike4KidsUtah Stage Race, a fundraiser to raise funds to provide bicycles to disadvantaged children.

Support the Cycling Community

To expand cycling awareness, access and safety, you can support a non-profit cycling organization.

BikeLeague.org

PeopleForBikes.org

AmericaBikes.org

BikesBelong.org

Join Sibu and get on your bikes.  Enjoy the roads and trail ways this summer and make a difference for our environment and your health.

Photo Credit:   © Adamsheep

Here’s how you can get involved:

1…Purchase your Sibu favorites directly from SibuBeauty.com April 22-26.  10% of your purchases will go directly to TreeUtah.Org.  This is a great time to stock up on your Mother’s Day gifts.

2…Encourage your friends and family to purchase their Sibu skin care and supplements directly from Sibu April 22-26.

Tree…Let’s get digging.  Grab your shovels, gloves, work clothes and sunscreen and join the Sibu family at Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City, UT, April 26^th at 3pm MST.  We’ll be having some fun, getting dirty, and planting trees.  For more details and to register for this event, please e-mail us at Info@SibuBeauty.com.

Thanks for joining us in celebrating and giving!

However, there is another fatty acid that is recently receiving much more attention and accolades throughout the medical, scientific, research, and wellness communities…it is called Omega 7 also known as Palmitoleic Acid.

Omega 7 can be made, to a certain degree, by the body. However, Western diets, can cause tremendous variances in the amount of Omega 7 that is being absorbed and, it is also worth noting that as we age, the production of Omega 7 begins to decrease which is evident in outward appearances including the skin, hair and nails. Without proper amounts of Omega 7 our skin/hair/nails become dry, brittle and show noticeable signs of damage from free radicals.

Omega 7 is a healthy form of a trans-fat that is also found in human breast milk, sea buckthorn berries, macadamia nuts, fish, along with whole fat dairy products including milk, yogurt and cheese. Omega 7 is not found in low-fat dairy products. As we know, consuming too many high-fat products deliver more harm than good and pose a variety of other potential health issues including obesity.

The good news is the absolute best source of Omega 7 is from a wild-growing plant called sea buckthorn. The berries from this hardy cold-weather shrub packs the most Omega 7 found in any plant or animal source plus 10 times more Vitamin C than Orange Juice and an impressive collection of over 190 bio active nutrients including carotenoids and flavonoids. Sea buckthorn has been used for hundreds of years in Eastern civilizations and recognized for numerous medical and wellness applications.

Studies are underway throughout the US, Canada and Europe, and have recently unveiled a list of demonstrated health benefits derived from ingesting Omega 7 including improved cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and urogenital health, younger looking skin/hair and nails plus the enhancement of mucous membranes throughout the body.

Mucous membranes line the respiratory, urogenital and cardiovascular tracts along with the surface of the eyes. Mucous membranes form a protective barrier for us against harmful environmental elements. Omega 7, specifically from sea buckthorn fruit oil, taken as an internal supplement; along with sea buckthorn seed oil, applied topically; helps to keep mucous membranes healthier by promoting tissue regeneration, improving immune systems and protecting our bodies from the harmful effects of oxidation.

Additionally, sea buckthorn oils are showing impressive results in helping to lower LDL cholesterol while increasing heart-healthy HDL cholesterol.

All sea buckthorn oils do not contain the same nutritional profile and it is important to check a provider’s source. It has been shown that berries grown in high elevations with extremes in temperatures provide the most nutrient dense variety.

Sibu, LLC delivers the best the sea buckthorn berry has to offer through their proprietary Himalayan source, hand-harvesting and processing methods.

Building Our Booth

Pic by Qtrix via StockFreeImages

We are what we eat is a commonly accepted adage and as new research emerges the truth of this saying becomes blatantly evident.  To keep food choices simple, be sure to eat a rainbow of colors from fruits and vegetables.  It turns out that all those pigments have their own plethora of phytonutrients nutrition science is just beginning to understand.  So what do we know?  Certain nutrients have big pay offs for skin health.

Vitamin C

A Study reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming just 4 milligrams of vitamin C daily for 3 years decreased the appearance of wrinkles by 11%.  One kiwi has 84 mg.  Other foods rich in vitamin C are:  dark leafy greens, hot peppers, sweet peppers, most fruits and berries.  Sea buckthorn berries contain 395 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams.  Sea buckthorn has 15 times more vitamin C than oranges.

Lycopene

Want smooth skin?  Current research indicates that individuals with higher skin concentrations of lycopene had smoother skin.  Lycopene also protects skin from sunburn.  This nutrient needs to be consumed from foods, supplementing with lycopene did not demonstrate the same results.  Lycopene can be found in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, carrots, red peppers and sea buckthorn.  Look for red and orange pigmented fruits and vegetables.

Isoflavones

Isoflavones, like those found in soy, may help to preserve skin-firming collagen.  The Journal of the American College of Nutrition published a study demonstrating that mice fed an isoflavone-rich diet had fewer wrinkles and smoother skin when exposed to ultraviolet light than the control group.  Try adding some tofu, miso or edamame to your diet.

Epicatechin

Chocolate lovers rejoice.  Cocoa contains a flavonoid called epicatechin.  In a study published by the Journal of Nutrition, those who consumed an epicatechin-rich cocoa beverage daily for 12 weeks showed noticeably improved skin texture.  This flavonoid increased blood flow to the skin, boosting nutrient and oxygen supply.  Tea, red wine and sea buckthorn also contain epicatechin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, a fat soluble antioxidant, protects skin from UV exposure, has an anti-inflammatory effect and decelerates the aging of skin cells. Vitamin E taken in conjunction with Vitamin C demonstrated a synergistic and more powerful affect for protecting skin from UV induced DNA damage in skin.  So, along with your vitamin C-rich foods, include foods with higher concentrations of vitamin E such as:  sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, spinach, broccoli and sea buckthorn berries.

Zinc

Want to maintain collagen and elastin fibers from the inside out?  Be sure to include zinc-rich foods.  Studies also indicate a correlation between blemishes and low zinc levels.  Vegetarian sources of zinc are baked beans, cashews and chickpeas.

Selenium

Promote elasticity and protect your skin from environmental damage with selenium.  This mineral actually has the ability to regenerate vitamin E and C in the body so they can recirculate to free radical scavenge.  It’s best to get your selenium from natural sources.  High-dose supplements can cause health problems.  Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and bran (wheat, oat and rice) are excellent vegan sources.  Selenium is even found in small quantities in sea buckthorn.

Essential Fatty Acids and Omega-7

Essential fatty acids or EFA’s are essential due to the fact that our bodies cannot produce these lipids on their own.  EFA’s must be consumed from the foods we eat.  Omega 3 and 6 are two essential fatty acids that have a significant impact on skin health.  Forming a matrix to support skin structure, EFA’s provide a moisture and insulating barrier for skin.  Skin low in EFA’s results in water loss through the skin, dermatitis and inflammation in skin tissue.  Inflammatory conditions lead to eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.  To ensure a steady supply of EFA’s choose flax seeds, chia seeds or sea buckthorn for Omega 3 and wheat germ, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, soy and sea buckthorn for Omega 6.

Omega 7 is another fatty acid that heals skin and supports the integrity of our skin’s natural lipid barrier.  While our bodies produce omega 7, this process slows down as we age.  Eating foods rich in Omega 7 supports the mucous membranes of the body, boosts collagen production, protects against oxidative damage, and rejuvenates skin cell membranes.  Omega 7 can be found in wild salmon, macadamia nuts and most abundantly in sea buckthorn.

Infuse your skin from the inside out with these 9 nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seed.  Seven of these 9 nutrients are found naturally in sea buckthorn.  To get your daily dose of sea buckthorn try Sibu Sea Buckthorn Liquid Supplement.

Resources:

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/4/1225.abstract?sid=7530ba9d-6509-4b7a-85cf-d6d0caaa64ba

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-buckthorn

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/vitamin-c-benefit-skin.htm

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Study-supports-lycopene-protecting-skin-from-within

http://www.jacn.org/content/23/2/157.abstract?sid=6c550f64-b177-4f04-ba35-6318c9bb68fa

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/healthy_aging/foods_for_beautiful_skin?page=5

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/6/1565.abstract?sid=d066e34b-b2bc-4a79-915d-c2cd1b64a9d2

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/skin/vitaminE/index.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/zinc-benefit-skin.htm

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-selenium.php

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/selenium-cancer-benefits-health/2010/11/11/id/371344

http://www.bioriginal.com/services/files/file_42.pdf

https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/66646/Larmo_DISS1.pdf?sequence=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-buckthorn

Pic by Bivni via StockFreeImages

Expose It

More than 80% of the signs of skin aging are the result of sun exposure. Repetitive sunbathing damages skin cells, leading to early wrinkling and hyperpigmentation.  Take a look at the skin under your arms and compare that with the skin on top of your arms and you’ll get a good idea of how sun exposure ages skin.  UVA rays go through clouds and windows, so sun protection is a daily and year round commitment.  Hats, gloves, sunglasses and mineral-based sunscreens provide the best protection.

Lay In The Wrong Bed

UVA and UVB light emitted from tanning beds can triple your risk of skin cancer.  Indoor tanning damages collagen and elastin fibers and dermal blood vessels, increasing skin blotchiness and skin discoloration.  Skip the tanning bed and eat your fruits and veggies to develop a natural healthy glow.

Smoke

Smoking damages your skin from the inside out as badly as the sun does from the outside in, depriving skin of oxygen and nutrients.   Many of the 4000+ chemicals in tobacco destroy collagen and elastin, which leads to sagging and wrinkling.  Repetitive puffing on cigarettes also leads to deep wrinkles around the lips. So save your pucker for kisses and kiss your cigarettes goodbye.

Stress Out

When life turns up the pressure, stress can wreak havoc throughout our bodies, including our skin.  When we experience stress our bodies produce excess cortisol, a stress hormone that leads to excess oil production, which can aggravate or increase acne.  This hormone also worsens rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.  Stress has a negative effect on the barrier function of skin, inhibiting the skin’s ability to repair itself after injury.  Give you and your skin a break and take time to de-stress.

Deprive It

We’ve all experienced a bad night’s sleep now and then and often wake up with bags and dark circles under our eyes, but chronic sleep deprivation can cause permanent skin damage.  Along with stress, we release excess cortisol when we don’t get enough sleep, resulting in the break down of collagen.  Sleep deprivation also inhibits the natural release of human growth hormone during deep or slow-wave sleep, which is responsible for tissue repair and the maintenance of our skin’s thickness.  Your mom was right when she told you to get your beauty sleep.

Junk It

Diets high in processed foods, saturated fats, and sugar deprive your skin and body of nutrients and free-radical fighting antioxidants.  Even worse, refined-sugar consumption leads to a process called glycation , which causes protein fibers (think collagen and elastin) to become stiff, weak and discolored.  Yes, that sweet tooth causes wrinkles, sagging and loss of radiance.  Eat a rainbow of fruits and veggies throughout the day to get a wide variety of skin loving antioxidants and phytonutrients.  Beat your cravings by prepping for healthy snacks.  Being prepared ahead of time really helps when hunger strikes.

Irritate It

Chemicals in skin care products can irritate skin and lead to DNA damage.  According to The Environmental Working Group (EWG), the chemicals in common skin care products can not only irritate and damage skin, but can lead to hormone disruption and cancer. EWG has a Skin Deep resource guide to review the safety of the ingredients in your skin care and cosmetic products.  Choose natural skin care and skip parabens, sulfates and phthalates.

Sibu Beauty formulates natural skin care products and supplements from omega-7 rich sea buckthorn berries.  Infuse your skin with over 190 nutrients from the inside out and outside in with our Total Beauty System, which includes our Sea Buckthorn Liquid Supplement, Cellular Support Capsules, Face and Body Bar, and Nourishing Facial Cream.

Resources

http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/ss/slideshow-sun-damaged-skin

http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/audrey-kunin-md/ugly-and-deadly-side-tanning

http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/ss/slideshow-ways-smoking-affects-looks

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071109194053.htm

http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/stress-and-skin

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss?page=2

http://www.numaderm.com/advanced-glycation-endproducts-and-aging-skin/

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/top-tips-for-safer-products/#pick_safer

Which One Should I Use?

Facial serums work well for all skin types but for different reasons. Oily skin may find that a serum is all it needs to deliver nutrients to skin without adding oil. Dry and mature skin types struggle with maintaining moisture in their dermis and a serum will penetrate to this level to plump skin from within. Combination skin will notice that serums help with the normal to dry patches and won’t add oil to the t-zone.

What facial serums cannot do is create a lipid barrier to retain moisture within the skin. This is where natural facial moisturizers come in. Except for the oiliest skin types, moisturizers are an essential part of a regular skin care routine.

Should I Use Both?

If money is no object, then yes, using both a serum and moisturizer will deliver nutrients deeper into skin and a moisturizer will keep it there and protect your skin’s natural lipid barrier. Oily skin can usually get away with only using a serum and the skin’s natural oil production will provide an adequate lipid barrier. A moisturizer may not be necessary.

All other skin types need the assistance of a moisturizer to keep the outer layer of skin hydrated and to maintain the moisture that is already in the deeper layers of skin. Combination skin will benefit from a serum over the entire face and may only need a moisturizer on normal to dryer areas of the face like cheeks and temples.

However, dry and mature skin really needs nutrients and moisture in the dermis and assistance with forming a lipid barrier on the top layer of skin. These skin types will see greater improvement in skin tone and texture by using both a serum and moisturizer.

Which Goes First?

In order for facial serums to be effective, they need to be applied to the skin after cleansing. Once they have penetrated and the surface of the skin is dry, that’s when the natural facial moisturizer is applied. If moisturizer is applied first, the barrier it creates will prevent the serum from absorbing into skin.

Sibu Beauty’s Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum with hyaluronic acid will nourish deeper layers of skin keeping collagen hydrated. Sibu’s Nourishing Facial Cream is a light, non-greasy formulation making the perfect daytime moisturizer. The Replenishing Night Cream from Sibu provides a richer formulation for evening application.

Pic by Bobasik via StockFreeImages

Hypoxia or hypoxiation is a disorder in which all or part of the body is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen. One of the most common causes is when a person, who is not acclimatized, ascends to higher elevations, which results in high altitude sicknesses including possible pulmonary edema and cerebral edemas. In both of these conditions the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply and fluids leak from protected areas to areas that are not meant for additional unwanted fluids. When this happens, these fluids can leak into areas of the brain, lungs and surrounding tissues that can cause life-threatening edemas, which are often times fatal in humans. Hypoxic stress can also occur in numerous medical disorders related to cardiopulmonary diseases, anemia and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Recent studies have shown interesting and positive results of ingesting sea buckthorn as a protective measure against hypoxic stress. Concluded from the testing; the sea buckthorn plant, specifically the extract from the plant’s leaves, which contain notable amounts of flavonoids, provide protection against oxidative stress. Additionally, the flavonoid-rich sea buckthorn oils and leaf extract also have anti-inflammatory properties, which concluded that there was less leakage of fluids into areas of the body that had the potential to result in permanent damage or death.

The notable positive attributes of supplementing a diet with sea buckthorn supplements, recommended at 300 mg. per day, continue to show numerous positive health and wellness benefits. Although the sea buckthorn plant has been used in Eastern Civilizations for hundreds of years for dozens of medicinal implications, it is fairly new to the United States, Canada and Europe. However, studies recently completed and currently underway are uncovering results which are positioning the sea buckthorn plant to be, quite possibly, the most nutrionally superior plant on earth.

Sibu Beauty provides three ingestible sea buckthorn products:  Sea Buckthorn Liquid Supplement, Sea Buckthorn Cellular Support Capsules and Sibu RAW Sea Buckthorn Puree.

Written by Bruce McMullin, CEO and Founder of Sibu, LLC. Bruce has identified and sustainably harvests the most nutrient-dense sea buckthorn available and continues to travel the world in search of additional resources. He is responsible for forming the United States Sea Buckthorn Association and encouraging studies and research on sea buckthorn throughout the United States.