Spa Treatments and Spa Nutrition

It’s no secret that consumers have adjusted their way of thinking when it comes to the spa experience. The spa, once thought of a place only for the wealthy to be pampered, has now transformed to a popular place for holistic healing and wellness. Today, the spa offers number of therapeutic solutions for arthritis, inflammation, pain, skin disorders, stress, and fatigue with the use of ancient remedies and practices. These therapies often incorporate vitamins, minerals, plants, spices and herbs to provide healing and total rejuvenation.

Nutritional supplements have a very similar foundation. Physicians of old used natural medicine to help heal patient’s ailments. At the turn of the twentieth century however, the United States saw a shift in medical practices and began branding natural therapies and the spa as hogwash and old wives’ tales. The medical community replaced ancient remedies with modern pharmaceutical creations focused on treating a disease instead of preventing it. Though with time and education even the most conservative minds have begun to see the health benefits of nutritional supplements.

In the early 1990s the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine began recommending vitamin supplements for many health conditions. The birth of alternative medicine in the media mainstream has made nutritional supplements a hot topic among all avenues of healthy living.

The Best of Both Worlds Under One Roof
Here is a list of some ingredients used within the spa and in supplements. Whether your guests are enjoying these ingredients as a spa treatment or as a nutritional aid we think you and your guests will love the Sequence XO product line. What better way to enhance your guest’s spa experience with an express mini facial and an anti-aging smoothie on the go!

Multifunctional Ingredients: Topical and Internal Uses
Why do we need vitamin A?
This vitamin comes in two forms: retinol (fat soluble) and beta-carotene (water soluble) and is essential for normal vision, cell growth, reproduction and immune response.
Topical uses:
Vitamin A helps prevent and combat photoaging and is used for problematic skin.
Internal uses:
The best vitamin A source used in dietary supplements should be in beta-carotene since the body can metabolize large quantities without fear of toxicity. Ideally, you would like to consume 5000-10,000 IU’s per day through food and nutritional supplements.
Good sources:
Fish oils, carrots and leafy vegetables.

Why do we need vitamin E?
This fat soluble vitamin is mainly used by your body as an antioxidant to protect the body from cellular damage and protects the cardiovascular system and is essential for energy metabolism.
Topical uses:
Vitamin E has been used to rejuvenate skin by decreasing inflammation and has shown to reduce scarring.
Internal uses:
In supplement form the best and natural source of vitamin E is d-alpha tocopheryl succinate in about 200-400 IU’s per day. Vitamin E has been extensively researched for supporting a healthy heart to the health of our cells.
Good sources:
Olive oil, peanuts, seeds, nuts, oats, coconut, wheat germ and asparagus

What is Lutein?
Lutein is a carotenoid, which gives the yellow and orange pigment color in many fruits and vegetables. Particularly studied for its strong antioxidant properties, which targets eye health but is now showing remarkable results in skin health.
Topical uses:
A recent study by Professor Pierfrancesco Morganti from the University of Naples, reports that Lutein applied topically in combination with oral supplementation increased skin protection six fold from free radical damage, boosted skin hydration and elasticity.
Internal uses:
As little as 10 mg of Lutein a day showed a significant boost in skin hydration, elasticity and superficial lipids of skin.
Good sources:
Green leafy vegetables, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and egg yolk.

What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate joints, heart valves, eyes and much more. This ingredient is often called “the fountain of youth” because of its history of usage in cultures known to have long life spans.
Topical uses:
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the deeper layers of the skin and has shown to keep skin smooth, supple, and moisturized, plus helps heal scars and wounds.
Internal uses:
As we age our bodies produce less and less of hyaluronic acid and can be difficult to replenish. It is recommended that we use hyaluronic acid to protect our joints, eyes, and skin.
Good sources:
Quality supplement, and a Japanese potato called satsumaimo

What is Grape Seed Extract?
Grape seed extract is a natural plant substance that has a concentrated source of proanthocyanidins – super antioxidants that protect the cells from free radical damage and promotes circulation.
Topical uses:
This powerful antioxidant has shown remarkable results in protecting the skin from UV light and photoaging.
Internal uses:
Grape seed extract is shown to be 20 times more potent than vitamin C and 50 times stronger than vitamin E. Grape seed extract has been extensively researched in France for its heart protecting properties as well as increasing circulation which helps nutrients enter the cells and aids in the removal of toxins
Good sources:
Grape skin, wine and quality supplements.

Why Green Tea?
Tea is an ancient herbal drink known for its stimulating qualities mainly from its natural caffeine content. This drink has been used traditionally to combat heart disease, gum disease, skin issues and assist in weight loss.
Topical uses:
Green tea has shown to protect the skin from potential sun damage and reduce inflammation.
Internal uses:
The array of health benefits attached to green tea fall anywhere from supporting a healthy heart, immune response to supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
Good sources:
Tea and a quality supplement.

What is Turmeric?
A spice derived from the curcuma longa plant also known as curcumin, which has been used traditionally as a digestive aid, help support a healthy prostate in men and provide a detoxifier agent.
Topical uses:
Turmeric has shown to be a powerful antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties that may prevent aging by oxidation.
Internal uses:
Has been recently researched for brain disorders and is showing promising results. Also known as a powerful free radical scavenger protecting our vital organs from oxidation.
Good sources:
Turmeric extract, tea, curry, curcumin, and a quality antioxidant supplement.


** All of these wonderful ingredients are found in Sequence XO products