Essentials of Healthy Living

Vol VII July 2008 | The Village Green Apothecary E-Newsletter

Could Your Sunscreen Be Doing More Harm Than Good?

'Tis the season to be sunny! Summer is the best time of year to get outside and soak up some rays. Sunshine can lift your spirits, enhance your mood, and help your body produce Vitamin D.

But you could also get too much of a good thing. Harmful UVA and UVB rays and over-exposure to the sun can damage skin and increase signs of aging.

Now there’s increasing evidence that ingredients in many sunscreen products — products you’ve been using to protect yourself — may actually be harmful to your health!

Luckily, Village Green Apothecary is looking out for you and we’re committed to providing healthy skin care products to our customers.

Be careful with products that contain potentially harmful ingredients like:

Parabens — synthetic preservatives widely used in many cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens can disrupt the hormone (endocrine) system, and have been found to be pervasive in the bodies of nearly all adults tested by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3) — linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cell damage are present in 97% of Americans.

But Wait! What About Vitamin D?

Your body can produce a certain amount of Vitamin D simply through exposure to the sun, but when you wear a sunscreen, you also prevent Vitamin D production. Recent evidence suggests that most folks simply aren’t producing enough Vitamin D (necessary for bone health), and deficiencies have been also linked to many different types of cancer.

With Pathway VITAMIN D
You’ll be getting 1000IU of
the preferred, active form of Vitamin D3 (Cholicolciferol) which is 70% more potent and active than the synthetic Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol).


Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Take Our Quickie Quiz


At Village Green we recommend only natural sunscreens that are safe, healthy, and effective. Products from Aubrey Organics,
Dr. Hauschka, and Annemarie Borlind contain sunblocks with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These natural minerals act as physical barriers against harmful rays.

Meet Phyllis!

Phyllis WakeleyHave you ever had a skin problem – an annoying rash, persistent dryness, or eczema – that you just couldn’t cure? Maybe you need to know about Phyllis Wakeley…

Phyllis first became interested in healthy living in 1991, when she worked for the Healthy Directions newsletter, an alternative/complementary publication written by a renowned cardiologist. She soon realized that when products are closer to their natural state — like herbs, supplements and homeopathic remedies — they can be more helpful to human health than pharmaceutical drugs. Her passion for healthy healing led her to join the Village Green team in 2001.

“Village Green is the ‘Mecca’ of the vitamin world, with a tremendous reputation in the community and with physicians,” she says. “It’s not just a store, it’s a service for the community. It fills a need, by someone who cares. We don’t just promote a product for the sake of the sale, but we offer products that help people in their pursuit of health.

“My passion is skin care, and I know quite a bit about certain conditions. I often recommend books by Hauschka and Perricone, and I’m interested in the connection between certain skin care additives (especially Parabens) and cancer. It amazes me how people have to be their own watch dogs in the shopping department.”

Many products on grocery shelves contain harmful ingredients. Phyllis likes to educate customers about these substances and how they react in people’s bodies, as well as share her knowledge about various skin conditions. She is also happy to explain why the products she recommends are so beneficial.

A wholehearted “people person,” Phyllis has experience as a hospital admissions manager, credit manager, and aerobics instructor, plus a BA in Education from LaSalle University in Philadelphia. She has completed coursework in biology, chemistry, and medical terminology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (also in Philadelphia) and is now studying anatomy, physiology and nutrition at the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine. Upon completing this curriculum, she expects to become a Certified Nutritionist.

You can visit Phyllis at Village Green Apothecary and benefit from her extensive knowledge of skin care products. She’s just itching to help you today!

For all of your health and nutrition questions visit myvillagegreen.com and click on
"Ask An Expert."

FREE This Month

Purchase $30 of Aubrey Organics,
Dr. Hauschka, or Annemarie Borlind products and receive
Pathway Vitamin D (100 soft gels)
(offer good through 07/31/08)


                      Don’t Forget, Skin Care Is Also An “Inside Job”

You can slather on the lotion ‘til the cows come home, but you won’t be taking complete care of your skin until you supplement your diet with products that specifically support your skin.

Black Current Seed OilBlack currant seed oil provides a rich source of omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and important omega-3 fatty acids. It is an effective remedy for supporting very dry skin, relieving itching, and providing natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Recommended: Pathway BLACK CURRENT OIL

MSMMethylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural source of the mineral used for collagen and keratin production. It can help detoxify the body and nourish hair, skin, and nails, plus it supports connective tissue and joint health.

Recommended: Pathway MSM

Double Zinc PlusZinc is an important trace mineral that supports wound healing and healthy skin. Zinc deficiency is associated with various skin conditions, such as dandruff and acne. Consider supplementation with copper for long-term use.

Recommended: Pathway DOUBLE ZINC PLUS


Individualized Nutrition, Pharmacy, and Healthy Living

Village Green Apothecary

5415 W. Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Order online or by phone: myvillagegreen.com | 301-530-0800

The information in this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician if you have any question regarding a medical condition.

Village Green Apothecary has been providing individualized nutrition, pharmacy, and healthy living products for over 40 years. We are committed to providing you with expert guidance, knowledge, and a custom-tailored mix of nutritional and pharmaceutical products needed to achieve and maintain optimal health. Our staff of 45 trained professionals (including a team of Pharmacists, Nutritionist, Naturopathic Doctor, and Clinical Herbalist) offer private wellness consultations, personalized health plans using The Essentials of Healthy Living (EHL), and individualized custom compounding. Our pharmacists are available to review and address drug/nutrient interactions and depletions to ensure your health and wellbeing. Please contact us with any questions. We are here as a resource for you.