We all know wintery cold weather brings about dry skin. Don’t hide it under long pants and gloves, replenish it!

This study here indicates that lower vitamin D levels may have an effect on our dry skin, might this be the answer to all our problems?!

This vehicle controlled clinical study involved 83 and 61 subjects, where skin conductance tests and blood serum levels were measured after a 1 week washout.

It was found that the subjects with lower levels of vitamin D had lower average skin moisture than those with sufficient vitamin D.

Subsequent supplementation with cholecalciferol resulted in increased skin moisture and reduced dry skin.

Results therefore, indicate that there is a potential link between an adequate vitamin D status of an individual and the hydration level of their stratum corneum.

References: “Assessing the Relationship between Vitamin D(3) and Stratum Corneum Hydration for the Treatment of Xerotic Skin,” Russell M. Nutrients, 2012 Sep; 4(9):1213-8. (Address: M. Russell, Johnson and Johnson Skin Research Center, CPPW, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA. E-mail: mrusse2@its.jnj.com ).

Hydration depends on taking in enough fluid to replace sweat losses. Salts help your body retain this fluid and promote muscle and nerve function. Carbohydrate can also aid rehydration as well as providing energy for exercise. This study sought to investigate claims that coconut water has benefits above normal electrolyte drinks…

Following a 60- minute bout of dehydrating treadmill exercise, 12 exercise-trained men received bottled water (BW), pure coconut water (VitaCoco(R): CW), coconut water from concentrate (CWC), or a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink (SD)

Is it worth it?

Subjects lost approximately 1.7 kg (~2% of body mass) during the dehydrating exercise and regained this amount in a relatively similar manner following consumption of all conditions. No differences were noted between coconut water or sports drinks. Coconut was good – but not the “top banana!”. We recommend using electrolytes for rehydration, varying your carb intake according to body composition goals. For intense sessions you need sugars and slats… like these little bomb-shells!

http://www.yoursportsnutrition.com/cherry-bomb-energy-gel.html

Douglas S Kalman, Samantha Feldman, Diane R Krieger and Richard J Bloomer
(2012);Comparison of coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink on measures of hydration and physical performance in exercise-trained men; Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 9:1 doi:10.1186/1550-2783-9-1