Back to Basics...Importance of Ingredients

Ok...first is first. Step one to being able to take control of your body is knowing what you put in it (or on it). If any of you already know me, then you would know that I am an ingredient freak. It probably takes me twice as long as the average person to go grocery shopping because I am always looking at the ingredients of EVERYTHING I put in the cart. So rule #1 is...know what is in everything you put in and on your body. In order to do that you need to know what certain ingredients can provide for you. You need to think of it as if you are "interviewing" every item you wish to eat, drink, spread on your body, or put in your hair. When you interview someone for a job, you need to know what they can bring to the table and how they can benefit your business. You try and get all the information you can about them (the good, the bad, and the ugly) so that you can make the best decision you can for who is best for the job at hand. Well...knowing every ingredient that is in the foods you eat, the beverages you drink, and the products you put on your skin is very similar. You first need to know what to look for or stay away from.

So from here on out, in every one of my blogs, I am going to dedicate a paragraph or more on introducing two items (a food/beverage product and a health/beauty product). For each item I will give all the ingredients and what they can do (or not do) for you. It will give you insight to something you have probably never thought about before. Don't you want to know what you put in your body? I know I sure do! You wouldn't take a pill that some stranger gives to you, would you? It's because you don't know what it is or what's in it.

I think a lot of us just go to the grocery store and will pick out packages of food that have nice pictures on them or will buy one bottle of shampoo over another because its packaged nicer. They make the food look good on the front of the package (or make the model for the shampoo advertisement prettier)...but you need to figure out what the heck it is and where it came from! Ok...here are my first two examples...

1. Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask

Ingredients:
-Purified Water

-Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Used to soothe and can reduce redness.

-Vegetable Glycerin: An emollient and emulsifying agent from vegetable oil. Helps product spread smoothly.

-Laminaria Digitata (kelp) Extract: Stimulating, Revitalizing, and Nourishing. Has tissue renewal, anti-inflammatory properties.

-Carica Papaya (papaya) and Papain: Is a gentle exfoliant that dissolves keratin.

-Bromelain: Enzyme similar to papain but found in pineapples.

-Cucurbita Pepo (pumkin) Seed: Puritive properties. For acne it has medicinal/antiseborrheic value.

-Zingiber Zerumbet (ginger): Softens and conditions the skin.

-Vanilla Plantifola: Mainly for a pleasant scent.

-Ahanas Sativus (pineapple): An anti-inflammatory. Includes amino acids, minerals, flavanoids, and enzymes.

-Panthenol (pro vitamin B5) moisturizer: For cellular proliferation and tissue repair. Also a humectant (which means it holds water).

-Polysorbate 20: A solubilizer, emulsifier, viscosity modifier, and stabilizer of essential oils in water.

-Xanthan Gum: For texture...stabilizes and thickens. Good carrier agent. Don't be surprised to see this in nearly everything.

-Benzyl Alcohol: Preservative against bacteria.

-Phenoxyethanol: Preservative with fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, and germacidal properties.

-Ethylhexyl glycerin: Emollient and emulsifying agent.

-Chlorophyll: Soothing and healing properties.

2. Naked Juice Orange Mango Motion Drink

Ingredients:
-Orange Juice: Comes from nutrient dense fruit; Source of Vitamin C (great antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative stress...deficiency can cause scurvy), Potassium (helps with kidney function), Thiamine (aka: B1...it's in all cells...severe fatigue can occur if deficient), Phosphorus G (plays a role in all biological molecules, such as DNA and RNA), Folic Acid (aka...B9...assists in cell division and growth and helps produce red blood cells...cancer can develop if you lack this), and B6 (nesessary for enzymatic and metabolic functions).

-Mango Puree: Rich in phytochemicals (chemical compunds such as beta carotene occuring naturally) and nutrients; High in prebiotic dietary fiber, Vitamin A (very important for vision), Vitamin E (good for immune function and fighting free radicals), Polyphenols (aka...vitamin p...reduces cardiovascular disease and the risk for cancer), and 17 different amino acids.

-Apple Juice: Contains minerals and nutrients (has boron for bone health!), Polyphenols, and increases Acetylcholine in the brain (for increased memory).

-Banana Puree: Has Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Potassium. Helps reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.

-Guarana Extract: A natural stimulant that can give you a perk (should stay away if a doctor advises you to stay away from caffeine intake).

-Green Tea Extract: Source of Polyphenols, Caretenoids (prevents chronic illness), Tocopherols (Vitamin E), and Vitamin C.

-Natural Caffeine

-Ascorbic Acid: (a sugar acid...vitamin C is a form of ascorbic acid).

-Niacinamide: A water soluble B complex vitamin that can help prevent diabetes.

-D-Calcium Panthothenate: Helps metabolize nutrients and is critical for sex/stress hormones secretion in the adrenal glands.

-Cyanocobalamin: For of B12 (helps functioning of brain and nervous system).

-Pyridoxine Hydrochlorine- (aka...B6).

-Riboflavin (aka...B2...required for variety of cellular processes, energy, and metabolism). Note: B vitamins in general can increase metabolism, give you healthy skin and muscle tone, enhances immune function, and promotes cellular growth!!

I realize that looking at ingredients like this for every item you ever purchase can seem like an overwhelming task, but as you get familiar with them and what they are, you can skim the ingredients and know what you are looking for and what to stay away from. It really does get easier. So with that said...just begin taking your time at the grocery store to really understand what your doing for your body. It will really pay off!! Until next week...

God Bless,

~Michelle~