What is inclusive health?

Inclusive health is a breakthrough approach to health and aging. It creates the ideal environment for cellular health. This astonishing approach looks at the body as an integrated system that can be transformed by building health at the cellular level. Inclusive health broadens its horizons by focusing on the overall health of each person from the cellular level up. Patients have a consultation with Dr. Murad and a trained Inclusive health practitioner to set up a 10 week program that focuses on correcting skin conditions and the management of aging. Each individual program is based on the individual wants and needs of each patient. Using a three-pronged approach that consists of topical, internal and emotional care, Inclusive health offers a unique collaboration of services, this concept is absent from today’s medical spa market, which makes this program so innovative and one of a kind.

How does the three-pronged approach work?

External Care: The skin is the body’s largest organ and first line of defense. Esthetic facials, tips for clear skin, cosmetic medical services and appropriate skincare regimens are all included in inclusive health’s plan.

Internal Care: Supplements, prescription medication, nutrition and physical activities are all included to support all aspects of a healthier lifestyle.

Emotional Care: It is important for patients to achieve psychological and social balance. Spa feel-good services and stress-reduction activities like support groups to nurture the psyche and exercise are included in this section of wellness.

Dr. Murad has created a program that strives to make the whole body healthier by helping each cell in the body function at optimal level. Inclusive health’s secret weapon is that it is rooted in The Science of Cellular Water. This science was discovered by Dr. Murad; he studied the strength of the cells themselves and found that they are the ultimate marker of youthful, good health and primary wellness. Gradual loss of muscle and bone mass, a lower metabolic rate, decline in hearing, vision and strength are all the result of a decrease in intracellular water. Howard Murad, M.D. states “The common thread to all physical aging and disease processes is life’s most fundamental component: water.” The Science of cellular water is about getting water into the cells and connective tissue so that it can function at its full capacity. Inclusive health not only explains the benefits of drinking water but how “eating your water” when you eat raw fruits and vegetables, may be an even better form. If the body is healthy, the skin will be as well. How do we increase healthy water? Through diet, exercise, lowering stress level and doing things that will make and keep us happy this is the essence of Inclusive Health.

University for Inclusive Health

UIH curriculum is based on Dr. Murad’srevolutionary Inclusive approach to esthetics and health. Inclusive Health courses are based on Dr. Murad’s vision of better living through the complete integration of these realms: health, beauty and wellness care; which address the mind, soul and body.

Advanced tools cater to clients who have been affected by the impact of cultural stress. Cultural stress is a term coined by Dr. Murad referring to the normal stresses of everyday life, traffic, technology and long work weeks. Students who work through this program become proficient in the course materials needed to become an Inclusive Health Ambassador.

What I did all day

Now, that all of the back ground info is out of the way; let’s get to the good stuff! The program is an intense 5 day course where students sit in on lectures taught by the President of Inclusive Health Tracey Sameyah, Dr. Murad himself and other health practitioners who have gone through the training successfully. My group actually got to sit in on three patient/doctor consultations with Murad and watched how he interacted with each patient. Each patient filled out a sense of self questionnaire that asked a series of lifestyle questions. They each ranked the questions (10 being the most 1 being the least).

Some sense of self example questions:

“I am at my ideal weight”
“I get 7-9 hours of sleep every night”
“I am hopeful for my future”
“I have a lot of energy when I get up in the morning”.

The way each patient rates these questions helps Dr. Murad and health practitioners set up a plan for each patient based on their lifestyle. I really enjoyed the training it was very informative, each of us came up with our own 10 week program based on our own sense of self. This gave us all a feel for what the patients were doing and how we can relate to them. At the end of the course we took a cumulative exam when you pass, you receive a lovely certificate and become a Certified Inclusive Health Practitioner.

Flickr source: Method Fitness

Increase Circulation

Exercise increases circulation and delivery of nutrients to the skin cells. It gets the blood flowing, and that increased blood flow carries more oxygen and nutrients to the skin that improve skin health, supporting all the effort you make with other skin care products and moisturizers on the skin’s surface.

Reduce Acne and Stress

Exercise will get the body moving and will therefore create sweat. Think sweat is a bad thing? Sweating helps the body to eliminate dirt and oil which is similar to getting a facial. It can help to keep your pores cleaned out and help remove harmful chemicals that are stored deep in them. According to experts, exercise can prevent the development of acne because it helps control stress hormones that trigger acne in the first place. People who are prone to stress related spots and pimples will find that when they adopt an exercise program, the overall benefits will be a clearer complexion as the pores become unclogged due to the increase in sweat produced. If you find you have aggrevated breakouts when you exercise you do need to discover the source. Exercise related acne is most often triggered by something you put on your body rather than something you do with it.

Improved Collagen Production

Another benefit of exercise is improved collagen production.This helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keeps your skin looking younger. It can help prevent the early signs of aging such as skin sagging and wrinkling. That means by exercising regularly, you can be sure to have healthy and beautiful skin at all times.

Exercise is one of the best anti-aging practices that you can apply. You don’t necessarily need to register to the nearest gym. For people who are only getting started, a quick jog around a few blocks or a 30-minute walk in the park can go a long way when it comes to anti-aging efforts and your health. Simply set aside a few minutes of your time each day for some physical activities and exercise. In the end, you will realize how such simple activity can actually boost not just your health in general but also your skin tone and overall complexion.

stock.xchng user Patti

You can use all the best products in the world, but the real secret to great skin is what you put in your body. Priori has come out with the perfect skin supplement to go along with their Alpha Hydroxy Acid skin care line. Priori’s Advanced AHA Dietary Supplement is an advanced formulation of nutrients and vitamins for healthy skin, that when taken daily, give skin everything it needs to look top notch.

These once-a-day supplements contain Lactic Acid, which is the key to optimal Hyaluronic Acid production. Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most vital pieces of the perfect skin puzzle. This superior humectant can hold over a thousand times its own weight in water, and keeps skin cells lubricated so they can more easily absorb nutrients, and heal themselves more quickly. Learn about Hyaluronic Acid at Priori’s website.

The supplements also provide you with your daily dose of omega-3s, which are one of the most important foods for healthy skin. Omega 3s are full of polyunsaturated fats, which help repair dry or flakey skin, and also reduce inflammation that can cause redness and even eczema.

When taken in combination with a healthy diet, these supplements can really boost your skin’s overall health and appearance.

It’s no wonder that we can’t get enough of serums and eye creams—we’re not getting any younger. That’s why any time an innovative age-defying treatment comes our way, we’re the first to jump on it. Elemis happens to be one of the brands we’ve been dying to include in Beautyfix. It’s the leading British spa and skin care brand and is one of the most sought-after lines in the world. Their formulations were originally designed for professional use, using only the most effective anti-aging ingredients without synthetic preservatives. Inspired by the elegance of the French wine country, Elemis mixes antioxidants and grape seed polyphenols to protect against and reverse common signs of aging. Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Marine Cream exceeded our expectations with flying colors, swiftly making its way into the last Beautyfix selection.

As I’ve said before, I’m a total serum and moisturizer junkie. Therefore, give me one and I’ll try it out, analyze if I need to, hoard it and then stock up. The Pro-Collagen Marine Cream didn’t disappoint; it was very much impressive. Any product that has marine ingredients automatically gets points in my book.  This one is formulated with marine extract padina pavonica to help reduce wrinkle depth up to 78% while increasing skin hydration by up to 45%. These two benefits will help to smooth skin while promoting suppleness, firmness and softness. Antioxidants help protect your skin against future free radical damage after each use.

This is a definite must try for anyone, but for someone with deeper lines, I’d recommend shelling out the clams to get a big jar of it. A European favorite is now a Beautyfix favorite, and if you grabbed it in your last kit it’ll be tra:)nsforming your skin. Use after cleansing and applying your regular serum daily, and in just a few weeks you’ll start to notice a difference.

Routine can be a word to describe our sleep regimen at night. You get dressed for bed, brush your teeth, wash your face, hydrate your skin (hopefully) then climb into bed. What many don’t know is that time spent in slumber land is the perfect time to use an anti-aging cream as a wrinkle treatment. While you sleep, your body is hard at work in rejuvenation mode and there’s no better time to infuse your skin with anti-aging products. This season Beautyfix has given you an amazing anti-aging cream to use at night from Bioelements.

Source: Flickr User peasap

Sleepwear from Bioelements is an overnight rejuvenation treatment designed to infuse your complexion with a complex of topical calcium, time released retinol, protein peptides and cranberry seed oil. This formula supplies antioxidants, boosts collagen and elastin production, improves moisture retention and combats fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also somewhat exfoliating so your skin is working overtime during the night to help you get clear skin.  After cleansing your skin at night, warm a small amount between your fingertips and apply to your face and neck.

We are always on the search of clear skin and the products that will help achieve that. This is as easy as slipping into a silk nightie. My skin is sensitive, and for the most part pretty clear, but I’m very concerned about aging and will do everything to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. After using this product for a couple weeks, I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my complexion. Instead of breaking out with a few pimples because of the usual holiday stress, I haven’t at all! Every morning after using Sleepwear, my skin is soft and glowing. My complexion has definitely evened out a bit over the past few weeks as well. Because of sensitivity, I’ve been using it about 2-3 times a week and my skin does get red upon application, and then fades away by the morning. This product has an amount of retinol, so if you’re in the same boat as I am with sensitive or sensitized skin, I would recommend only using a couple times a week. For everyone lucky enough not to have sensitive skin, feel free to use more often at night. In my book, this product is a keeper and I’ll continue to use in the future. Using this for a few weeks will have your skin baby soft.

Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We’ve already covered pumpkin, now it’s time to get the best anti-aging skin care from an age-old seasonal ingredient: the cranberry. At home skin care treatments cover many bases by hydrating, tightening and moisturizing. When it comes to natural skin care, cranberries are great because they’re chock-full of antioxidants and safe for any skin type. The best part about using cranberries in your at home skin recipes? You can make them work in anything from a cleanser to a masque to a gommage. Love them or hate them, these seasonal berries are a must to incorporate into your skin care routine.

Source: flickr user Muffet

Why do we need antioxidants in our skin care regimen? Every single day, our skin is under attack from pollutants, UV rays and more that cause free radicals. These free radical molecules are oxygen molecules that have lost an electron—and they’re out to steal yours to make up for it. Free radicals can cause skin damage including wrinkles, redness, pigmentation and lines. To combat free radicals, antioxidants come in and supply missing electrons, ultimately preventing damage and slowing down the aging process.  Cranberries will help rejuvenate your skin and are rich in Vitamins A, B3, B5 & C helping in collagen production. Because of the vitamin A and C content, cranberries will help increase cell turnover rate, while Vitamins B3 and B5 will provide moisture for your skin. Cranberries also are acidic, so they’re great for oily skin. This at home skin recipe for a cranberry cleanser is fabulous for any skin type and will leave you soft and glowing.

Cranberry Cleanser

1. Puree ½ cup of cranberries
2. Add ¼  teaspoon of honey or uncolored castile soap

Mix the blended cranberry, honey (or castile soap) together. It’ll be a little soupy, so make sure you have towels available. It helps to do this in the shower, because the mixture can get a little messy, plus the steam will help open up your pores before application. Rub into your skin in small, upward circles for about 2 minutes then rinse off with warm (not hot) water. Follow up with a moisturizer and you’re set for the day. Remember, cranberries are acidic, so they’ll also act as a toner for your skin, just don’t forget your moisturizer! If you don’t want the mess, you can always choose an already made creamy cranberry cleanser that’ll do the trick.

Thank the beauty gods that glotherapeutics introduced  us to their 15% Vitamin C Serum, because it is a heaven-sent top anti-aging serum now available this season in Beautyfix. Formulated with antioxidant ascorbic acid, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, it helps prevent premature aging while combating hyperpigmentation. It’s not just a double hitter, but a triple threat as it also helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and encourages cell growth and skin repair, thanks to another magic ingredient: zinc sulfate. The added hydration from the antioxidants and hyaluronic acid will help give your skin a supple and soft texture. To finish, special amino acids increase collagen production to give you that extra plump.

It’s also very easy to add your regular skin care routine. Simply apply after cleansing and allow for absorption. Be sure to follow with your favorite moisturizer for extra hydration. You’re on your way to gorgeous, even toned skin. This magical anti-aging serum is something we’ll buy for months to come.

Flickr user .craig

Here is some food for thought: what you put into your body is just as important for your skin as what you put on it. The foods you eat directly affect your outward appearance, primarily on your skin. While the beauty industry is constantly evolving and progressing with scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, spending hundreds of dollars on the newest revolutionary product might not be the only solution.  Although proper cleansers and creams are vital, achieving gorgeous glowing skin can be as simple as assessing your diet and adding food for healthy skin. The next time you are tempted to hit the beauty aisle, perhaps you should consider the food section first because beauty really does come from within!

What to consume for healthy-looking skin:

1. Whole grains- Not only do these healthy starches help whittle your waistline—they can also help prevent acne. Unhealthy carbs, such as potato chips and cookies, affect hormone levels and cause the body to produce excess oil, which clogs the pores. Next time you’re craving carbs, put down the Pringles and pick up some popcorn. The fiber will not only fill you up but regulate your insulin, which keeps your hormones and oil production in check.
2. Water- There are countless benefits of drinking water. Water is crucial to proper skin hydration. Plus, it carries nutrients to cells, aids in flushing out toxins, and helps your body sweat more efficiently. It sounds gross, I know, but sweat is a natural cleansing mechanism that brightens the complexion and keeps skin looking fresh.
   

   Flickr user Pink Sherbet Photography

3. Blueberries, Blackberries, Strawberries and Plums- These four super fruits contain some of the best antioxidants out there. The benefits of antioxidants are vast, and can play a role in everything from preventing heart disease to boosting the immune system. Lucky for us, these delicious fruits also play a major role in anti-aging. They protect the skin cells from free radical damage.
4. Green Tea- Another reason to go green! Green tea benefits include antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, packing a 1-2 punch for beautiful skin. Studies suggest that green tea, which protects the cell membrane, can reduce the risk of UV damage and thus minimize the risk of skin cancer. Also, the polyphenols found in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties, ideal for people trying to prevent and reduce acne.
5. Turkey- Roasted or smoked turkey has a high concentration of zinc, which helps maintain the collagen and elastin fibers responsible for the skin’s elasticity and firmness. Zinc also helps regulate sebum production, putting a stop to shine and helping to prevent pimples. Other foods for healthy skin that contain zinc: chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, baked beans and beef.
6. Salmon- Get soft, supple skin by adding salmon to your diet.  It’s rich in omega3 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy cell membranes—they hold in moisture and help keep skin plump and youthful. Omega3 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties and can decrease clogged pores.

Think about this long and hard. How many hours do you sleep at night? Many of us don’t get enough beauty sleep, and this takes its toll on our skin. For those of us who are sleep deprived, we often walk around like zombies throughout our days. Late nights out, late nights at work, and late nights in front of the television all take a toll on our bodies. For what price? Sleep deprivation is not only bad for our bodies, but it’s terrible for our mental health and affects the way we look.  Beauty sleep is not just a myth; it’s extremely important to our overall health and well-being, and is essential for younger looking skin.

When we drift off to slumber land our body is at peace. What you probably don’t realize is that your body is working its magic overnight. It’s trying to refresh, revitalize and keep you looking your best for the next day. Consider sleep as your body’s maintenance time. Sleeping too little can have adverse health effects on your body that can lead to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, irritability, slower reaction time, slurred speech and tremors. Skin cells regenerate faster at night than during the day and ultimately help your skin look younger.

Lack of sleep causes you to age faster by changing your metabolism and affecting your hormones. The period of deep sleep, or R.E.M., is when people typically have a surge in growth hormones. These increased growth hormones help repair and rebuild tissue like your muscles. Your body’s cells also show increased production and less protein breakdown when you sleep. Proteins are important because they are needed for cell growth to help protect and repair damage from stress and UV rays. It’s not just about how much you sleep (a minimum of 8 hours per night are generally recommended), it’s also about the quality of your sleep. Better quality sleep = younger looking skin overall. Here are some tips for getting a good night’s rest.

Getting enough quality sleep is one of the best natural skin care techniques for looking your best. You can enhance this time by using skin care in the evenings that are rich in anti-oxidants. You will get increased benefits, as the anti-oxidants will stay active on your skin longer while you get your beauty rest. I love using Dreamweaver by Sircuit Skin before bed as an overnight moisturizer. The chamomile in it calms and relaxes my skin for a deep, heavenly sleep. Decleor’s Aroma Night Regenerating cream is also a dream to use. Infused with black orchid and primrose, you’ll awake to renewed and radiant skin.

Flickr User: EF Photography

Sleep deprivation also affects your skin hydration. When you’re not getting enough sleep, the first thing you run to is caffeine. Not so great for your skin! Caffeine exhausts your skin and takes away moisture from your body leaving your skin thirsty. If you’re stuck sleeping only a few hours in a night, take coffee and tea out of your diet and stock up on water. Adding water back into your system will have your skin looking moisturized instead of completely water deprived.  Sleep also acts as a natural moisturizer when you perspire. Usually when you sleep your entire body (including your face) tends to perspire more, giving you a natural skin treatment.

I don’t know about you but not getting sleep makes me a really cranky monster. Not being a morning person to begin with, the last thing I need is to compromise the well-being of my body. Getting my beauty sleep not only helps my human self function better, but I’m happier and less likely to get into a funk of depression. One thing that helps me get my quality beauty rest is having a satin sleep mask. It blocks light so my sleep isn’t disrupted. There are many different eye therapy masks you can also try to rejuvenate your tired eyes. Now take a minute and listen to your body, it’s telling you something. Are you sleep deprived? Are you dehydrated? Are the bags under your eyes so bad that they’re impossible to hide with even the strongest concealer? Get some Z’s.

Flickr.com user Ninha Morandini

With age comes great wisdom, but unfortunately wisdom doesn’t come alone; and you might be considering a change in your skin care routine. Every year, another unwelcome candle finds its way to your birthday cake, and another even more unwelcome wrinkle appears on your smiling face. Anti aging skin care can make a huge difference in fighting the visible signs of aging. Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Chip Cole shares his skin care advice on the best things you can do keep your skin looking as youthful as possible.

Dr. Chip Cole, a quadruple board certified Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, who specializes in facial rejuvenation and eye and facial surgery, says the secret to slowing down the signs of aging is a three step process:

“Resurface, Rejuvenate and Protect.  Resurfacing your skin with a retinol will help to address and correct sun damaged skin, acne scarring and rough or coarse texture.  More than 90% off the sun damage we attribute to aging is the result of cumulative sun damage. Rejuvenate your skin by using a topical Vitamin C.  This will help reverse much of this sun damage and help protect your skin from further damage as well.  Protect your skin daily with a hydrating sunscreen.  I recommend a minimum of SPF30 (like Canyon Ranch Your Transformation  Protect UVA/UVB SPF 30 Facial Moisturizer) that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.” –Dr. Chip Cole.

There are other paths you can take when you suddenly stop looking forward to birthdays, and realize your youth is behind you. You can accept that you are growing older, and consider each new line on your face a sign of a happy smile-filled life, and stop caring about your appearance, as your best years have passed. Or, you can start caring for your skin in a way you know you should have been since the first time you noticed your lipstick was exploring those fun little lines around your lips. We recommend taking Dr. Cole’s advice on aging gracefully.