What Is Plant-Based Nutrition?

Plant-based nutrition is based on consuming foods and food products derived primarily from plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, without any animal products. Plant-based nutrition highlights nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods to improve health and wellness and maintain a natural healthy diet.

Irish sea moss, bladderwrack, and burdock root all contain naturally occurring plant compounds that may help support healthy-looking skin.

Irish Sea Moss: Contains prebiotic fiber, zinc, and sulfur, which may help improve the gut-skin connection and help promote balanced-looking skin. The polyphenols and sulfur in sea moss help support overall skin comfort. It helps retain moisture and promotes collagen production, which can support skin’s natural renewal process. And, it is used both topically (as a gel) and consumed in food or drinks to boost overall skin health.

Bladderwrack: Rich in iodine and antioxidants (like fucoidan), it promotes skin elasticity, and may help with skin irritation.

Burdock Root: Traditionally used in herbal wellness practices due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it may help support clearer-looking skin.

Beetroot, Beet Juice, Garlic, Irish Sea Moss Capsules, Mushroom Blend (Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, Shiitake, Oyster) and Black Seed Oil may help support healthy blood pressure levels already within the normal range.

Beetroot, Beet Juice, Garlic, Cinnamon, Mushroom Blend (Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, Shiitake, Oyster), Chia Seeds, Agave Inulin, Aloe Vera Juice (Inner Filet), Nopales “Prickly Pear Cactus” and Nutri Savvee’s Multivitamin Capsules may help support healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range.

What Is Holistic Nutrition?

Holistic nutrition is all about eating healthy food as close to its natural state as possible. It focuses on how various aspects of your personal health work together to influence your well-being. So, it's more than counting calories or nutrients.

Personal health is the entire foundation of holistic nutrition. This approach operates on the philosophy that true wellness requires a whole-person perspective, recognizing that the body, mind, and spirit are deeply interconnected. And, there are five main aspects of personal health: Physical, Emotional, Social, Spiritual and Intellectual.

• Physical Aspect: Uses whole, unprocessed foods, regular movement, and adequate sleep to fuel the body.
• Mental and Emotional Aspect: Considers how stress, emotional states, and your daily environment affect how your body processes food and functions.
• Social Aspect: Sharing meals fosters belonging, strengthens relationships, and builds community. Embracing traditional, culturally significant foods honors family history and roots you to your heritage. And, purchasing from local farmers' markets or co-ops connects you directly to the people who grow your food and supports the local economy.
• Spiritual Aspect: Viewing eating as a sacred ritual, practicing gratitude for the food's origins, and being fully present during meals. Tuning into the body's internal wisdom, trusting innate hunger and fullness cues, and treating the body with deep respect. And, recognizing how food choices impact the broader web of life, promoting a sense of oneness with nature and the environment.
• Intellectual Aspect: Understanding how specific macronutrients (proteins, carbs) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) fuel and heal your unique biology. Learning how to read food labels, researching the origins of your food, and understanding the biochemical impact of additives and processing. And, using intellectual curiosity to experiment and discover the specific dietary patterns that optimize your personal mental clarity, energy, and cognitive function.

What Are Vitamins?

Vitamins are essential organic compounds that the body needs in small amounts for growth, metabolism, and overall health. They cannot be produced by the human body in sufficient quantities, so they must be obtained through a healthy diet or supplements. Vitamins are classified as either fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) or water-soluble (B, C).

Vitamins act as builders, defenders, and maintenance workers, aiding in wound healing, energy production, and immune function.  And, a balanced diet with wholefoods, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats typically provides necessary vitamins.

• Vitamin A: Crucial for vision, immune health, and bone growth.
• Vitamin C: Strengthens immune function and helps produce collagen.
• Vitamin D: Helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones.
• Vitamin E: Functions as an antioxidant, protecting cells.
• Vitamin K: Enables blood clotting.
• B-Group Vitamins: Help cells use energy-yielding nutrients for fuel and assist in creating new DNA

What Are Minerals?

Minerals are inorganic and organic substances that originate in the earth and cannot be made in the body. They play important roles in various bodily functions and are necessary to sustain life and maintain optimal health, and thus are essential nutrients, which include calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, etc. and many trace minerals like zinc, copper, iron, iodine, etc.

To be classified as a mineral, a substance must be: 

• Naturally Occurring: Formed by natural geological processes, not man-made.
• Inorganic: Not created by or derived from living organisms.
• Solid: They maintain a fixed shape and volume (excluding native mercury).
• Definite Chemical Composition: Composed of specific elements, often represented by a chemical formula.
• Ordered Internal Structure: Atoms are arranged in a repeating, crystalline pattern. 

Large doses of minerals can compete with each other to be absorbed and may be best taken at separate times for optimal absorption. Also, you should take them with food, at different meal times.

Why You Should Avoid Certain Additives, Fillers and Preservatives?

Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch, High Fructose Corn Syrup and Dextrose may cause rapid increases in blood sugar. And these harmful additives and ingredients are present in many processed foods, snack foods, food seasonings, pastries, desserts, beverages, etc.

Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate with a very high glycemic index (higher than sugar), often causing rapid increases in blood sugar, may not be ideal for individuals monitoring their sugar intake and those watching their weight. It can also disrupt gut health and cause digestive issues.

• Blood Sugar & Weight Gain: With a glycemic index of 106–136, it causes sharp insulin spikes. It has low satiety, meaning it provides calories without making you feel full, leading to potential weight gain.
• Digestive & Gut Health: It can may affect digestive balance in some individuals by changing the composition of gut bacteria and reducing the protective mucus layer.
• Allergies & Sources: While usually gluten-free, it is often derived from GMO corn. It may cause digestive discomfort (gas, bloat) in sensitive individuals.
• Nutritional Value: It has zero nutritional value and is simply a, filler, or thickener in processed foods.

Mono sodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavor enhancer derived from L-glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid in a variety of food products like tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms and meat. Preclinical studies have associated MSG administration with low-grade inflammation and metabolic disarray, along with behavioral changes.

Modified Corn Starch has no significant nutritional value. It is a processed, refined carbohydrate used as a thickener or stabilizer. It lacks fiber and nutrients, and may cause rapid increases in blood sugar. 

• Nutritional Impact: It provides empty calories and does not contribute to a nutrient-dense diet.
• Processed Foods: Often found in high-sodium or high-fat processed foods, which should be limited.
• Allergies: While usually derived from corn, it can occasionally be derived from wheat; those with severe sensitivities should check labels for the source.
• Health Concerns: Some studies suggest that in very high, consistent amounts, it may cause digestive issues in some individuals. 
  

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is generally considered bad for health, primarily because its high consumption is associated with negative health outcomes when consumed in excess. It provides "empty calories" that may contribute to imbalance when consumed in excess and worsen insulin sensitivity, often in as little as two weeks of consumption.

• Liver Impact: Because it is high in fructose, the liver must work harder to convert it to fat or energy, often leading to increased liver fat.
• Metabolic Issues: Excess intake is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure.
• Weight Gain: As a primary component of many processed, high-calorie foods and sugary drinks, it is associated with obesity.
• Cognitive and Physical Impact: Some research suggests potential brain-related changes affecting memory and learning, along with increased risk of chronic disease.
• Comparison to Sugar: While often criticized more than table sugar (sucrose), research indicates HFCS is similar to sucrose in its negative health effects.
  

Dextrose is a highly refined simple sugar (glucose) with a high glycemic index (100) that acts exactly like added sugar, making it unhealthy in excess. It can raise blood sugar quickly, insulin resistance, and weight gain, making it poor for general health but useful for quick energy during intense workouts or treating severe hypoglycemia.

• Can Raise Blood Sugar Quickly: Because it is high-glycemic, it can raise blood sugar quickly, which is risky for diabetics or people with insulin resistance.
• Excessive Consumption Risks: Overconsumption can lead to weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, and metabolic issues.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: High intake may cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
• Hidden Ingredient: It is often added to processed foods, including snacks, sauces, and "healthy" foods, increasing hidden sugar intake.

Mono- and diglycerides are not acutely toxic, but they are often present in ultra-processed foods, which are linked to negative health outcomes. While not inherently toxic, they can contain trace amounts of trans fats. They are widely used as emulsifiers to improve texture and shelf life in bakery items, ice cream, and peanut butter. 

• Trans Fat Risk: Although the FDA has restricted partially hydrogenated oils (the main source of artificial trans fats), small amounts of trans fats can still exist in mono- and diglycerides, and may contribute to cardiovascular concerns when consumed frequently.
• Processed Food Indicator: These ingredients are typically found in unhealthy, highly processed foods (high in sugar, fat, and refined flour).
• Potential Health Concerns: Some studies suggest that emulsifiers may disrupt the gut microbiome and cause inflammation.
  

What's the Best Way to Consume Water?

Room temperature water can assist in the digesting process after eating. Room temperature or warm water helps jump-start digestion after a great meal. While all water keeps the digestion process going, room temperature or warm water tackles and dissolves heavy foods that your body will have a harder time processing.

Chilled water as well as some cold beverages contract the blood vessels and also may temporarily slow digestive comfort for some individuals. The natural process of absorbing nutrients during digestion is may feel less comfortable for some people.

Which Is Healthier: Coffee or Green Tea?

Moderate coffee consumption (3-5 cups daily) is linked to significant health benefits, associated with certain long-term wellness benefits in observational studies (liver, endometrium). However, the caffeine in coffee interferes with the absorption of copper and reduce levels of zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. And coffee’s polyphenols bind to minerals, preventing their absorption, while its diuretic nature increases mineral excretion through urine.

Green tea is a nutrient-rich beverage packed with antioxidants, specifically catechins like EGCG, which promote heart health, boost brain function, and may support metabolism as part of a balanced lifestyle. It contains antioxidant compounds and supports immune health by removing free radicals and reducing cellular damage due to its high concentration of polyphenols, and provides a mild energy boost. However, excessive green tea consumption (typically >8 cups/day) or high-dose extracts can cause side effects like anxiety, headaches and diarrhea, due to caffeine and tannins.

How to Get Better Sleep - Naturally?

Keep your bedroom cool (70 degrees), dark, and quiet.

Avoid long, late-day naps to ensure you are tired at night.

Limit caffeine, alcohol and nicotine at least 4-6 hours before going to bed.

Avoid TV and computer screens at least 1 hour before bed.

Exercise during the day and avoid intense workouts within 2 hours of bedtime.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to train your circadian rhythm.

Use calming techniques like applying magnesium relaxing body butter onto your body, reading, praying, meditating and bathing before bed - using "Restore Bloom" bath bombs from Essentials By Taryou - may help to rest your body. 

Consuming calming teas like Chamomile may also help to relax your body.

If you aren't allergic to nuts and seeds, Brazil nuts, almonds, and cashews may help promote relaxation and support restful sleep patterns due to their high content of magnesium, melatonin, and tryptophan. They help relax the body, calm the mind, and support natural sleep rhythms. A small handful (about 1 ounce) eaten before bed is considered an excellent, healthy, and calming snack. 

• Almonds are rich in melatonin, magnesium, and healthy fats, which help lower stress and encourage muscle relaxation.
• Cashews contain high amounts of tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, aiding in falling asleep and staying asleep.
• Brazil Nuts are packed with selenium, a mineral that, when low in the body, can lead to sleep difficulties.
• Pistachios are also notably high in melatonin and magnesium.

Eating a light, small snack (100-200 calories) 1–3 hours before bed helps may help promote digestive comfort. It improves sleep quality by allowing the body to rest instead of working on digestion and may help maintain balanced energy overnight to avoid waking up hungry. 

DISCLAIMER

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new dietary supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medication.