How the Immune System Works The coordinated job of the immune system, including both our Adaptive and Innate functions, is to correctly differentiate between what is “self” and “not-self”. The immune system must identify what is a pathogen or toxin that we want to block, versus a beneficial compound that should get absorbed. This vital job is what allows us to mount a strong defense against bacteria and viruses but not overreact with allergies or autoimmunity. The Microbiome Plays a…
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Health
Elderberry and the SARS-CoV-2 Virus
March 27, 2020
We’ve been noticing lots of interest in our elderberry products over the past few months and wanted to respond to various concerns and misinformation being shared with respect to elderberry, the SARS-CoV-2 virus/COVID-19, and immune health. This is a complex topic, but we wanted to share a few things to clarify. Elderberry has been shown in research to interfere with influenza viruses and support overall immune health. It has a long history of traditional use and enough clinical trials to…
Natural Remedies for Eye Health
March 3, 2020
Vision is arguably our most important sense. While eye health and risk of eye-related conditions that come with aging have a significant genetic component, we can still influence our eye health with diet to help slow or prevent the deterioration of our eyesight over time. Often called European blueberry, bilberry is closely related to American blueberries, cranberries, and huckleberries. It is the most commonly mentioned natural treatment for impaired night vision. This use dates back to World War II, when…
Cell Health and Aging: Levelling up Your Longevity
February 25, 2020
This is the year we deploy some 20/20 vision in order to focus on healthy aging. To do so, we are going to train the microscope of our mind’s eye on that basic unit of life: the cell. A lot of longevity and life extension research and bio-hacks focus on cellular health for good reason: the cell is the building block our tissues and organs are made from and the starting point of all health and disease. Improving cellular health…
The Health Benefits of Love and Connection Are Available to Everyone
February 11, 2020
Love has powerful human benefits. What is the single greatest way to have a mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually fulfilling life? After an astonishing seventy-nine years of studying this question, the most comprehensive research ever done on human lives concluded that it is to love and let yourself be loved. Love has physical benefits – it’s science Love is a powerful emotion, right up there with feeling free, joyful, grateful, empowered, or appreciative. Our hearts love love. When humans feel…
The Power of Elderberry
February 4, 2020
If you’ve made it this far into winter without you or someone you love being flattened by an immune challenge, you may be feeling victorious. Don’t celebrate just yet though. The peak season for winter gremlins is January-February and doesn’t end until April, meaning we’ve still got at least another month or two before we’re out of the woods. You’ve probably already got tissues and vitamin C stockpiled, but there’s another item you’ll want to add to your winter wellness…
Build Up Your [Good] Fat Layer
January 31, 2020
Healthy Fats Support Us Inside and Out Healthy fats have always been considered seasonally appropriate food in fall and winter. Healthy dietary fats protect skin from the ravages of cold winter weather and hold moisture in the skin. Under the surface, fats support healthy organ function. Deeper still, essential omega-3 and -6 fats (ALA and LA, like the ones in Udo’s oil) are integral to the structure of the membranes around every human cell. Fatty Acids are Functional These omega-dependant…
Resolving to Do Better and Feel Happier This Year
January 28, 2020
New Year’s resolutions We want to live life to the fullest. Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, intending to form new habits, achieve goals, and spark positive change. According to several polls, some top resolutions (can you relate?) include: Lose weight Eat healthier Exercise Improve a relationship Read more Improve finances Travel more Learn a new skill Spend more time with family and friends Get organized Those seem like valuable aims, don’t they? So why the recent…
Your Biological Age and Flor·Essence®
January 23, 2020
What is Biological Age? Biological age, as opposed to your chronological age, is a measure of your inner health – the state of your cellular health. This is influenced by your genetics and lifestyle choices. It’s a measure of your “true” age because it measures how well you are taking care of your body by measuring the damage done. For example, a well-maintained car will run for a very long time. The same car, poorly maintained, will breakdown within a…
Don’t Ignore the Signs of Low Iron
January 21, 2020
You might be thinking that you’ve been feeling a little tired lately. Or that you’re missing some get-up-and-go. Tiredness and exhaustion have become so common in our culture that we frequently ignore these symptoms. What might feel like a normal symptom of a restless night (or nights) of sleep might actually be a sign of a very common nutrient deficiency. Without enough iron, our body can’t produce hemoglobin in our blood and hemoglobin’s main job is to bring oxygen to…
2020 Supplement Calendar
January 16, 2020
We’re deep into this first month of a new decade, and hopefully, you’ve had a chance to reflect on what went well for you in 2019 and what needs to be left in the past. If you’re looking for wellness inspiration for the year ahead, look no further than our Supplement Calendar. Despite the name, it’s much more than just matching supplements with certain times of the year. We’ve included Energetic Quality, Body Organs, Food, Wellness Themes/Activities and Flora Products/Supplements…
Gut Health as the Holidays Wind Down
January 14, 2020
A return to comforting routine We do what we can to stay healthy at this time of year. The beginning of the year may naturally bring our focus inward, to taking care of ourselves and our families. I use the power of routine to make staying well easy. I am grateful for the convenience of probiotics to support my family’s gut health, and root veggie recipes to ground us. The natural rhythm of the season also favors sleep. Starting the…