I once spoke at a “Fitness and Healthy Living” event in Los Angeles that I will never forget because most everything I saw around me was anything BUT healthy.

The exhibit hall was filled with displays of very processed “workout” foods and snacks, diet shakes and pills, and most significantly…LOADS of people (mainly women) who have obviously had several Botox treatments.

Now there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look youthful. 

But when someone gets to the point where their upper lip won’t move when they smile or speak, or their mouth is more trout-like than human, something’s seriously wrong.

Let’s look at the dangers of Botox and explore some safe, natural ways to look younger than your years.

Botox—looking younger has a dark side

Botox has become the magical fountain of youth to the people who have witnessed their frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines practically disappear after injection.

And at sales of over $8 billion a year, that’s a LOT of crow’s feet flying the coop.

But Botox is a cruel joke because the results typically last only 3-4 months. So you need to keep getting injected to maintain the look.

And the cost of additional injections is not the worst part! Because eventually the fountain of youth can become a chamber of horrors with potential side effects like these:

• Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
• Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, and trouble swallowing.

I don’t know about you, but those little smile lines near my eyes aren’t looking so bad anymore.

But it gets worse

A growing body of peer-reviewed, clinical research has shown that Botox injections may affect more than just your facial muscles and nervous system.

Studies are also showing it can also change how your brain responds to emotional situations, as well as certain aspects of cognition and the processing and understanding of language!

That’s not very far-fetched when you consider how incredibly toxic Botox (aka botulinum toxin) is.

It would take only 75 billionths of a gram of botulinum toxin to kill a person weighing 165 lbs. In addition, it has been estimated that only 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs.) would be enough to kill the entire human population. 

Now, Botox supporters argue that the trace amount administered in an injection is FAR below what would be considered dangerous.

But we are all unique individuals, and people’s bodies respond differently to different substances. Plus remember the skill level of the doctor with the needle can vary too. 

Look younger naturally!

The good news here is you can safely and naturally help keep your skin strong, healthy and more youthful looking.

Without the scary health risks or the potential of resembling a fish!

Here are 7 ways you can help:

1) Engage the power of Vitamin C

If you’re starting to notice little lines and wrinkles on your face, Vitamin C cream can help immensely.

Vitamin C applied externally to the skin can help stimulate the growth of new collagen.

In addition, applying vitamin C cream to your face can help plump up wrinkles, restore skin tone and fill in small lines, giving you a more youthful, radiant appearance.

I personally use Avalon Organics Renewal Crème Riche, but there are many excellent brands out there.

2) Supplement with Turmeric

Turmeric has very powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, and has been shown to be helpful with a variety of skin issues, including psoriasis, eczema, dry skin and acne.

It also protects against sun damage and even has anti-aging effects! Research has shown that turmeric can help moderate cellular stress levels and maintain the youthfulness of the skin.

Trust our very own Optimal Turmeric Blend to give your skin the soothing turmeric it needs.

Optimal Turmeric Blend provides 750 mg of soothing, anti-inflammatory turmeric plus an additional 5 mg of BioPerine™ (black pepper fruit extract) to support maximum absorbency.

3) Drink enough water

Your entire body needs water, and that especially includes your skin.

Water provides moisture and carries nutrients to your skin, and it sweeps away waste products, both of which help keep your skin smooth and clear.

Look to drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of filtered water a day. Add in a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice for flavor if desired.

4) Quit smoking

Nothing will destroy your skin and age you faster than smoking.

Smoking accelerates the normal aging process of your skin, causing wrinkles. These changes can occur after only 10 years of smoking and are irreversible. 

It causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow to the skin, robbing it of oxygen and nutrients. 

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin - the fibers that give skin strength and elasticity. As a result, your skin can sag and wrinkle prematurely.

5) Enjoy some basil

A study conducted at the Poona College of Pharmacy in Maharashtra, India reported that basil protects you from premature aging!

The flavonoids in basil inhibit free radicals from causing damage to your body--including premature aging of your skin.

So go ahead and enjoy your favorite Italian dish, whip up a batch of homemade pesto, or make a delicious caprese salad with summer tomatoes and fresh basil!

6) Have a healthy, high fiber diet

To have great skin, you MUST eat real foods that give your body the nutrients and antioxidants it needs.

Plus, fiber is crucial here too.

Fiber binds with toxins in your bowel and eliminates them from your body. If these toxins aren’t eliminated and re-enter your bloodstream, they can penetrate skin cells and cause irritation, rashes, itching and more.

So concentrate on fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry and fish, eggs and healthy fats (like real butter, olive oil, coconut oil and avocado).

And at the same time, avoid processed and fast foods, sugar, soda and artificial sweeteners.

If your diet is dicey right now or you want to make sure you have all your nutritional bases covered, then our Super Core Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Formula can help.

Super Core provides a well-researched, effective blend of essential vitamins and minerals, plus natural sources of skin-loving antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

7) Watch your sun exposure

There’s nothing wrong with getting sun exposure, but if you are going to be in the sun for longer than 20-30 minutes, it’s wise to protect your skin. Options include wearing light clothing, sitting under an umbrella, or wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

As far as sunscreens go, be sure to choose “broad protection” (UVA and UVB) mineral-based varieties that do not contain harmful, toxic ingredients. I use Badger, but there are many high-quality brands out there.

Pamper your skin the safe, natural way and I bet you’ll see the difference soon!

To your health,

Sherry Brescia