July Newsletter Highlights
Summer is the perfect time to embrace the outdoors and revel in the warmth and vibrancy of the season. It's a time for enjoying beach days, barbecues, and picnics in the park, where the sun's golden rays and longer daylight hours invite endless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Whether it's taking a refreshing dip in the pool, hiking our lush green Washington trails, or simply lounging with a good book under a shady tree, summer's essence is about making the most of the beautiful weather. Cherish the moments of laughter with family and friends, savor seasonal fruits like blueberries, cherries, and figs, and indulge in the simple pleasures that come with this delightful season. The theme of our July newsletter is skin health! Read on for top tips to protect your skin, supplement recommendations for radiant skin, and powerful tools for detoxing from the inside out.
- Article: "Summer Skin Health"
- Supplements for Radiant, Healthy Skin!
- NEW: Detox IVs
- Summer Detox Program
- Provider of the Month: Dr. Genevieve Courtney
Summer Skin Health!
June 20th was the official start to summer in Seattle, but locals know that it actually starts after the 4th of July. With the summer season comes outdoor activities, travel, and banishment of seasonal affective disorder (till October, anyway). The providers and staff at the Institute of Complementary Medicine love summer as much as anyone, so we've compiled tips for fun in the sun--without the sunburn!
- Sunscreen: The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure. Look for sunscreen and lip balm/lipstick with minimum SPF 30. Most people need at least a shot glass (1 oz) of sunscreen to cover exposed skin, so apply generously, and don't forget to reapply every 2 hours! Additional tip: wear UV protective clothing and sunglasses for complete coverage.
- Regular Skin Checks: Statistics show that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer, but it has a 99% survival rate if caught early enough. The American Cancer Society and the Skin Cancer Foundation both recommend comprehensive skin check annually, or more frequently if you're at a high risk for skin cancer. If you haven't had a skin check yet or it has been a while, ask your ICM provider for a referral. Additional tip: The Galleri multi-cancer early detection test includes melanoma and is available at ICM.
- Detox: Skin is the largest organ in your body, and it's absolutely crucial for detoxification processes. Water-soluble substances can be excreted through the skin, and studies have shown that impaired skin integrity (i.e., sunburns) can lead to oxidative stress, accumulation of toxic materials, and insulin resistance. Promote your body's natural detoxification processes with the ICM Detox IV and Metagenics Clear Change detox program! Contact Dr. Reid for more information!
- Antioxidants: Our skin is constantly being bombarded by sunlight, radiation, pollutants, and xenobiotics, which create reactive oxygen species that not only damage cells but can induce undesirable cellular responses. This is one of the underlying mechanisms leading to skin aging, photodamage, and skin conditions such as psoriasis, melasma, alopecia, and more. Here are specific dietary recommendations for skin-supportive antioxidant foods and supplements:
- Lycopene: carotenoid found in red foods like tomatoes, watermelons, apricots, and guavas.
- Lutein: found in kale, spinach, bell pepper, eggs, pumpkin, asparagus.
- Resveratrol: found in grapes, berries, red wine. Consider ResveraCel by Thorne.
- Delphinidin: a polyphenol found in pomegranates. Try Dr. William Mitchell's Fruit Anthocyanins.
- Vitamin C and vitamin E.
Always consult your ICM provider before starting new supplements! They're always here to help 🙂
Phone: (206) 726-0034
Speak to your provider to find out if the ICM Detox IV is right for you or call (206) 726-0034 to schedule.
SUMMER DETOX with Clear Change 10-Day Detox and Clear Change 28-Day Detox
Do any of these sound familiar? Fatigue, brain fog, headaches, inflammation, cravings, poor sleep, digestive issues, or overall sluggishness. If so, you may benefit from a detox program! It may come as a surprise, but everyone can benefit from a detox from time to time. We accumulate toxins endogenously (having an internal cause or origin) and exogenously (relating to or developing from external factors), which can lead to suboptimal physiological function and the aforementioned symptoms. Detoxification can come in many forms, including anti-inflammatory diets, sauna, fasting, elimination diets, and more.
This month, we're featuring two Metagenics products that can help simplify your spring detox routine: Clear Change 10 Day Program and Clear Change 28 Day Program. Clear Change is a dietary supplement powder that works alongside an elimination diet to bolster your body's natural detoxification processes. Both products provide antioxidants and nutritional support for all 3 phases of detoxification. The protocol is straightforward to implement and it comes with a guidebook of foods and sample recipes to eat during your detox. As always, consult your provider if you have additional questions.
Dr. Genevieve Courtney is a firm believer that everyone can achieve optimal health with the right tools to fit their lifestyle. As a primary care naturopathic physician with a focus on women’s health and obesity medicine, she has been able to help guide many patients to be proactive participants in their own health.
Dr. Courtney is passionate about the naturopathic principle of “Doctor as a teacher” and is excited to partner with patients to help lead them towards their optimal health.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Courtney here or call (206) 726-0034 today.