BellaSugar

In Which Mr. Bella Guzzles a Beauty Juice

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:00:39 PDT

I'm not going to lie. I, short-haired Bella, do not like the taste of any flavor or variety or juice. That's why I had Mr. Bella sample Votre Vu's SnapDragon Beauty Beverage ($26 for two). A blend of pomegranate, mango, and acai berry juices, the anti-aging drink also contains seven daily vitamins; green, white, and red teas; collagen; and ginkgo biloba. But did he like it? Was his skin better than ever? To find out, just keep reading.

Take Your D With Dinner

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:15:26 PDT

When it comes to vitamins, most folks I know take them in the morning. Something about the breakfast ritual makes it easy to remember to pop that multi. But when it comes to vitamin D, switching up the routine will make the supplement more effective. Research from the Cleveland Clinic found that taking the D vitamin supplement with dinner, generally the largest meal of the day, boosted absorption by as much as 50 percent. Considering that the majority of Americans are lacking in this powerful vitamin that boosts immunity, supports with weight loss, and even helps take care of your lady business, you might want to start taking a vitamin D capsule with your evening meal. The fact that dinner starts with the letter D should help you remember, too.

Carmindy Gets Her Glow on With a New Deal

BellaSugar — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:00:27 PDT

When you have your own line of cosmetics, amazingly clear skin, a makeup and beauty book, you're part of a successful show that's been on the air for eight years, and you have one of the most effervescent personalities around, what's your next logical step? For Carmindy Bowyer of TLC's What Not to Wear, it's a partnership with dietary supplement Glowelle.

"Women always ask me, 'How can I get that healthy-looking glow?' Well, the answer is start from within," she told WWD. While I wasn't such a fan of Nestlé's Glowelle ($28-$89), Carmindy says the results were good enough to make her ditch her bimonthly facials.

Have you tried Glowelle, or would you consider making the Carmindy-endorsed purchase?

Why Tanning's Tempting (and How to Feel Good Without It)

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Despite being told over and over again about the dangers associated with tanning, it's well known that many people still find this activity hard to resist, and it's not just because they worry about looking pale. Tanning releases endorphins and helps people synthesize vitamin D - which basically means that it puts you in a good mood and makes you feel healthy. But before anybody goes justifying their lack of sunscreen, tanning definitely isn't the only way to trigger either of those benefits. You can get a big rush of endorphins (along with tons of other benefits) from eating dark chocolate in moderation, doing light exercise, having a loved one give you a quick shoulder massage, chowing down on something spicy, or just laughing. And as for getting your vitamin D, eating foods like salmon, cheese, and eggs can all give you a good dose - and supplements are widely available at drugstores. So if you're having a hard time resisting tanning, just watch or read something funny, have a piece of chocolate, and eat some cheddar.

Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:09 PST

With claims that they improve digestion, bolster immunity, and fight acne, it's no wonder that probiotic supplements are big business. Newsweek reports that sales of these supplements have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. I will admit, I'm a fan these friendly bacteria found in yogurt and miso, but it's the quality of the supplements that's raising eyebrows.

Many popular probiotic supplements were tested by Consumer Lab, an independent agency that monitors vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements not regularly tested by the government. The lab's findings are a bit startling. Some of the products contain as little as 13 percent of the amount of "viable bacteria" claimed on the products' labels, although most products do contain one billion organisms - the amount needed to register some health benefits.

When it comes to misleading marketing with these supplements, much of the problem stems from the fact that the term probiotics has no legal definition and can be used loosely by manufactures. Of the supplements tested, ConsumerLab ranked Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus as having the highest quality. You can buy a full review from Consumer Lab for $12.

Would You Eat These Collagen Marshmallows?

BellaSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:00:35 PDT

We've heard about the chocolate that treats acne and the drink that makes you more beautiful, so now what's next? Why, delicious collagen marshmallows (£10, or approximately $14) with pink grapefruit flavor. Vegetarians beware, as this product contains gelatin.

These Japanese collagen "treats," which are not sold in the US, are now available in the UK. The fluffy puffs supposedly work to help your skin look smoother and less wrinkled, even reducing the appearance of cellulite. What's your take on this beauty food? Do you consider it a tasty treat - or just plain nasty?

Yum! This Chocolate Treats Acne

BellaSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:59:20 PDT

Oddly enough, an ingredient that has long been associated with causing acne (turns out it doesn't) is now being used to help alleviate the condition. I think I have died and gone to heaven. Frutels Acne Care in a Chocolate ($38 to $69) is a treatment that works from the inside out, using antioxidants and micronutrients sans artificial ingredients, preservatives, and chemicals to clarify the skin.

While I haven't tried the chocolate-coated sugar-free "candy," eating two to four a day supposedly provides results within two weeks. With the recent launch of Nestlé's Glowelle, along with this beauty water, it looks like the nutraceutical trend is here to stay. Now only if someone could invent an acne-reducing chocolate croissant.

The Skinny on Rhodiola

FitSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:30:00 PDT

In a recent Runner's World article, Jennifer Beals (actress and avid runner) said, "Rhodiola has been really helpful in terms of healing. . . . I have since discovered a lot of runners and a lot of athletes use it because it's an anti-inflammatory."

I had never heard of this supplement, but have since learned that it comes from a plant with yellow flowers and bears the full name Rhodiola rosea. It's also called arctic root since it grows at high altitudes in cold regions. It's been used in traditional medicine in Russia and the Scandinavian countries for centuries to treat a whole slew of issues including fatigue, poor attention span, migraines, and decreased memory. It may also prevent depression, enhance the immune system, and increase sexual energy. Fruit flies taking Rhodiola in a study lived 10 percent longer than fruit flies that did not, and it had anticancer effects on rats.

Athletes take Rhodiola to increase their physical endurance, combat anxiety when in stressful situations (such as a competition), and for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Rhodiola sounds like some miracle plant, but it also has some negative side effects. To hear about them

Taking Rhodiola may cause headaches, an upset stomach, drowsiness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. It's not recommended for people with bipolar disorder.

The roots of this herb are dried and sold on their own, as a powder, as a tincture, or in capsule form. Like many herbal supplements, there aren't a ton of scientific studies about Rhodiola. That's not to say it doesn't help people with various ailments and issues, but it should be taken with caution.

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Can a Drink Make You More Beautiful?

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:04:09 PDT

Those of you who have been reading for a while know that beauty supplements and I don't get along so well. I didn't see any improvement with my Borba experiment, but I'm willing to give things another try. Enter Glowelle, a nutraceutical drink from Nestlé. Promising better skin through drinking its antioxidant-laden formula, Glowelle aims to fight the signs of aging through one packet a day.

Glowelle is pretty pricey - $40 for a seven-day supply, and $112 for a 30-day supply. (Beautyfix's current beauty bag, at $49.99, includes the seven-day box along with other products, so I think it's a better way to go.) Each day's packet contains powder that you mix with water; it includes goji berries and green and white tea extracts, among other nutrients.

After adding the powder to water, you'll have a deep berry-colored drink. I disliked the artificial fruity taste (though, oddly, I like the floral aftertaste) and couldn't finish my glass. Sadly, looking at the ingredient list didn't make me give it another go. The first ingredient is evaporated cane juice, which is another way of saying sugar. (Less-refined sugar, but still.) Since I try to avoid eating sugar as much as possible, I realized that Glowelle just isn't for me. I'm not sure if it improves skin, but considering the high price and not-so-yum flavor, I won't find out. All in all, I'd rather just buy goji berries (tasty!) and drink green tea than add a fake coloring and sugar to my diet.

It looks like yet another supplement FAIL for Bella, but I'm curious to find out if any of you have tried Glowelle - and if you liked it. Flavor is such a personal thing, and I'm sure some people like the taste, so I'd love to read your reviews.

Acidophilus Pearls: The Goodness of Yogurt Without the Spoon

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:00:00 PDT

I'm sure you've all heard about how the live active cultures in yogurt are excellent for your digestive tract. If you have a hard time fitting in a cup of yogurt into your diets everyday or if you just don't eat dairy products, then Acidophilus Pearls, a type of probiotic supplement, were made for you then. It offers the benefits of acidophilus without the calories, cholesterol, sugars, or lactose found in yogurt. If you have tummy troubles, taking one capsule a day can help alleviate occasional gas and constipation plus symptoms of lactose intolerance. Plus these Pearls don't need to be refrigerated like other probiotic pills - and they even made the list of the best probiotics for your money.

Want to know what else probiotics are good for? Then

When it comes to your belly, probiotics assist the body's naturally occurring gut flora (useful microorganisms that live in the digestive tract) that often get out of whack because of the foods we eat, and they help maintain a balance of healthy bacteria. Not only that but they also support your immune system and benefit your skin. Taking probiotics can also reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve mineral absorption, prevent yeast infections, and improve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Colitis. Wow. All I know is that when I take them, I feel so much better.

Who knew they did all that. Do any of you take Acidophilus Pearls or another kind of probiotic?