Warm weather, outdoor activities and less clothing means we sweat more, shower more, shave more and thus use more body care products. Get the most from your soaping and slathering by using those with less artificial and more high-quality natural ingredients.

Body care products from our Whole Body™ department nourish your skin and hair with plant-based botanicals, antioxidants and moisturizers in helpful amounts, not just the minimum for a mention on the label. These beneficial ingredients do the job while building healthier hair and skin cells over time.

Choosing A Better Deodorant

Don’t sweat it. Natural deodorant’s got you covered!

Did you know that most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants rely on aluminum-based chemicals suspected for various health issues? Fortunately, there are natural alternatives.

Conventional deodorants typically contain artificial fragrances, harsh chemical antiperspirants and preservatives. Natural deodorants, on the other hand, are fragrance free or use natural fragrances along with herbs or salts found to be very effective at reducing odor-causing bacteria.

Interested in switching to a better deodorant but don’t know where to start? Tune in to our “Be Good to Your Whole Body” podcast to educate yourself on the variety of options and hear what makes natural deodorants effective.

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Our commitment to provide the highest-quality ingredients and products extends to every aisle of our stores. Join us for the latest updates in Whole Body where we discuss the benefits of our Premium Body Care and Organic Body Care standards. Lecia Rand is Category Manager and Product Developer for Whole Foods Market store brand supplements and body care.

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Whole Foods Market™ developed Premium Body Care standards to help define what “Natural” means:

• There are a lot of products that claim to be natural, but there is no regulatory standard for making that claim.
• Whole Foods Market™ experts spent years examining ingredients according to the strictest criteria for safety, efficacy and impact on the environment.
• More than 380 ingredients have been found that do not meet our standards.

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It’s summer…get out and play! While you’re outdoors with nature, it only makes sense to choose wellness and first aid products that help preserve beauty and health naturally. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives for addressing everything from bug bites and motion sickness to scrapes and strains. And don’t forget nutritional support for healthy joints and energy levels!

Have you had a scrape, bruise, bite or poison ivy encounter while having summer’s best fun? Allow us to help you enjoy a more comfortable and carefree season with the knowledge and natural products you need to be good to your whole body.

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Don’t let soreness, strains and pain get in the way of your adventures! Support healthy muscles and joints with homeopathic, herbal and lifestyle recommendations for an active summer. Dr. Tiffany Binder is a Naturopathic Physician with expertise in nutrition and supplements.

Podcast: Download

Arnica is a great tool for your first aid kit:

• Arnica is a flowering plant with therapeutic benefits.
• It is most often found in homeopathic medicines and can be taken orally in pellets under the tongue, or used topically in gels, creams, and lotions.
• Arnica is helpful for muscle soreness, sprains, strains, bruises and other sports injuries.

Glucosamine and chondroitin formulas address joint pain by supplementing and supporting components naturally found in healthy cartilage.

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Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the warm weather, whether it’s on the beach, on a patio, hike-and-bike trails or strolling along boardwalks. If you’re out there flaunting what you’ve got, we want to share some ways for you to look and feel your best — it begins on the inside!

The most beautiful hair, skin and nails are the healthiest hair, skin and nails. Here are top tips for giving your body what it needs this summer.

• Stay hydrated with 64+ ounces of water every day (try with a splash of 100% fruit juice).
• Make meals as healthy as possible, especially when eating less in the heat. (Try some of our Health Starts Here recipes and tips.)
• Boost nutrition with 100% whey protein or green food powder in a shake or smoothie.
• Get good fats daily — omega-3 and GLA essential fatty acids — for healthy, elastic skin.
• Kick up the antioxidants to help avoid skin damage from sun, poor diet, etc.
• Notch down the stress that can lead to breakouts and wrinkles.

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This summer, sun worshipers are heading in droves to beaches, waterparks and nearby pools for the sole purpose of relaxing and soaking up the gorgeous sun. While it’s fun to get out there and bask in the sun’s warmth, it’s remarkably less fun dealing with some of the consequences of being in the sun for too long. Check out our helpful suncare pointers before you throw on your sunnies and grab some rays!

Why Care About Suncare?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, being in the sun too much can cause sunburn, freckles, skin texture changes, rashes and dilated blood vessels. Exposure also increases the risk of skin cancer and is the cause of 90% of wrinkles.

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Interested in switching to a better deodorant but don’t know where to start? Tune in to this encore podcast presentation to educate yourself on the variety of options and hear what makes natural deodorants effective. Malia Curran, MS, MPH, is a nutrition and health consultant.

Podcast: Download

Educate yourself on deodorant options:

• Natural deodorants do not contain aluminum chlorohydrate, which works by clogging pores and thus inhibiting sweat – a natural and necessary function of the body.

• There is no compromise on selection. Natural deodorants are available in sprays, sticks, roll ons, and crystals, and in a variety of scents for both men and women.

Natural deodorant supports the natural function of the skin:

• Sweat is not the source of under arm odor; bacteria is.
• Natural ingredients like baking soda, fruit extracts, and essential oils of tea tree, lavender, aloe, and lemon grass are proven to be effective in reducing bacteria.

It is important for the body to sweat:

• The skin performs many of its jobs through sweating: releasing toxins, controling body temperature; allowing the skin to heal and breathe.  Without sweating, the body can’t naturally rid itself of potentially harmful toxins.
• Natural deodorants allow skin to work naturally while reducing odor.
• Natural deodorants may need to be applied more than once throughout the day, but the health benefits are truly worth the extra effort.

Do you find the sheer number of body care and cosmetics options available today overwhelming? Learn which ingredients are beneficial and how to make the best choices for your skin. Sarah Burns-Eggenberger is VP of Innovation and Product Development at MyChelle Dermaceuticals.

Podcast: Download

It’s important to know where the most common sources of skin problems stem from: Read the rest of this entry »

Pregnancy is a time for celebration, but the mountains of advice that accompany it can create confusion amidst your joy. Listen in for solid recommendations that support not only mom and baby’s wellbeing, but also the environment. Anna Getty is a green lifestyle educator, mother and founder of Pregnancy Awareness Month.

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Motherhood actually begins before conception:

• Doing a cleanse before pregnancy is a great way start this journey.
• Strengthening the body with nutritious food, exercise and rest can help with a healthy pregnancy and post-partum.

Making healthy changes can benefit the mother, the baby, and the environment:

• Eat fresh organic, seasonal foods.
• Invest in a water filter and eliminate plastic water bottle use.
• Take a high quality prenatal multivitamin.
• Supplement with DHA, which has been shown to help with a baby’s brain development.

The topics pregnant women are most often confused about include:

• Many women are confused about food and use pregnancy as an excuse to eat sugar and junk food. Eating well is paramount to a healthy pregnancy and baby.
• Women are sometimes told not to trust themselves. We have been giving birth for 200,000 years and need to stay empowered.

Pregnancy Awareness Month (PAM) aims to empower women:

• PAM is a month long educational campaign in May aimed at empowering women as they move into pregnancy.
• There are four initiatives: education, exercise, nutrition & wellness, and nurturing.