Digestion and GI Wellness Did you know that there is a direct link between your gut and your brain? The health and wellness of your gut and gastrointestinal system are critical to your wellbeing. The bacteria that live inside your gut and your gut lining play a large role in the health of your mind, body, and mood. The role that your gut plays can be major or minor, affecting everyone in different ways. Examples of an unhealthy gut can range from low energy and poor skin to more severe side effects such as chronic inflammation anywhere in the body.  Your Brain & Gut Connection Your gut can be affected by many different influences, one of them being stress and negative emotions. This is a result of the strong connection between your brain and gut. The gut’s response and your digestion health are either speeding up or slowing down in response to these triggers. When bloating occurs as a result of this, the GI system becomes overly sensitive to bloating and pain. Both of these making it even easier for bacteria to cross over the gut lining and cause an immune response by its activation. These negative changes within the gut reflect back to the brain resulting in fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and depression. This feedback cycle is vicious and destructive, therefore the health of your digestion and GI system should be a top priority. Digestion & GI Wellness Supplements Some of the products in this category can help to feed the good and healthy bacteria. Others work to make digestion easier for those who have pre-existing challenges with their digestive system. Proper digestion is important for your body to be able to absorb the proper proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. These are used throughout your body to produce energy, growth, and in repairing your cells.

Antioxidant Formulas Antioxidants are the chemicals in one’s body that work to prevent the damage that can be caused by free radicals. They are essentially used throughout your body to balance the interactions between these molecules within your body system. Free radicals have the potential to damage your health by damaging your other cells. Some of the diseases caused by cell damage include heart disease and diabetes. Some additional results of too many free radicals in your body include sunburns, Alzheimer’s Disease, and wrinkled skin. Antioxidants Can Reverse Free Radical Damage At a microscopic level, free radicals are molecules that are missing an electron. While they move throughout the body, they steal electrons from other unsuspecting stable molecules, forcing the second to become unstable.  Antioxidant formula supplements have the capability to reverse this damage! They have an extra electron that can be donated to those who are missing one, remaining stable -- all while boosting your immunity. Some of the common antioxidants include: vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and selenium. A majority of these can be introduced to your body by eating a balanced and healthy diet. When multi-colored fruits and vegetables are common in one’s diet, oftentimes antioxidants are able to flourish within one’s body. More About Antioxidants Most of the antioxidant supplements contain concentrated forms of the antioxidants that are found naturally in the foods we eat. These foods can include blueberries, red grapes, carrots, and broccoli. Antioxidant supplements can be found in pill, powder, and liquid form in order to deliver to your body the source of compounds. Some additional facts about antioxidants are that they protect your heart and eyes as well as balance your mood. Throughout your body antioxidants work to reduce inflammation which can help alleviate many diseases. Have you ever thought about how to combat air pollution? Well -- antioxidants are the answer for you!

Bone and Joint Health The major nutrients your bones need in order to stay strong and healthy are calcium and vitamins C, D, and K. Paying attention to the food you are consuming is one of the best ways to monitor your bone health. Some examples of food that are rich in these crucial nutrients are salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. Vitamin K can be found in kale, collard greens, broccoli, spinach, and cabbage. Green bell peppers, brussels sprouts, and oranges are all full of Vitamin C. It is important to remember that consuming too much saturated fat can lead to bone damage. Osteopenia & Bone Density Osteopenia is a condition where the bone material density is lower than what should be in a healthy individual, but not low enough for them to be treated and classified as having osteoporosis. In this case, supplements are a possible form of treatment in order to provide your body with the minerals and nutrients needed in order for your bones to regain the proper density. If you smoke, quit now! Smoking is one of the leading contributors to a decrease in bone density and higher risk of bone fractures.  How To Maintain Bone & Joint Health Along with healthy eating, moderate exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight both contribute to long-lasting bone and joint health. While exercising, your body is forced to produce more cells, in turn, strengthening bones.  Vitamin D is a crucial player in your body’s ability to absorb calcium properly. You need enough Vitamin D in your body in order for your body to maximize its calcium usage to build and maintain strong and healthy bones. Spending time in the sun will let your body absorb Vitamin D. However, most people could benefit from taking a supplement as well. If you are getting enough Vitamin D and calcium, your body will be able to process nutrients better and help to build stronger and better bones. Shop our selection of bone and joint health supplements.

Designs For Health Designs for Health is a company founded on the thought that science comes first in the vitamin and supplement industry. They saw the need for a business to prioritize this statement and they work on a daily basis to achieve this goal. It is their prerogative that if you have the correct ingredients working together in a way that is most efficient in a body, that you will create products which make a difference in people’s daily lives. There will be measurable results and these will become a part of their patient's lives. Another big priority of Designs for Health is bridging the gap between healthcare professionals and the patients. They work to educate healthcare professionals about the importance of a helpful and supportive environment for their clients.   Designs for Health Training They offer training to facilitate this and allow for them to be educated on the products being manufactured by Designs for Health, allowing the professional to be more knowledgeable and able to answer any questions the client might have. They are consistently offering seminars and webinars to those healthcare professionals in order to continue the education process, specifically on the products that they are able to offer. Designs for Health also offers podcasts, live events, and nutritionist roundtables on their website to further the education of all those involved with the company. Paleo-Friendly The fact that Designs for Health is a “paleo-friendly” company is one of the things that sets them apart in the industry. This is based on the value and thought that in this modern age we need to implement more of the diet that was successful for our ancestors. By using their line of products, they make it simple and easy for one to take this fundamental practice into their daily lives, improving their overall health by this change. High Manufacturing Standards The manufacturing process of Designs for Health’s products is examined at every level and the standard for their facilities is set very high. They uphold GMPs and require each vendor to go through a qualification process which is maintained over time. The raw materials that are used in the production process are subjugated to these same standards allowing for them to guarantee the best quality to their customers. These raw ingredients are required to have a certificate of analysis done by third party labs in order to measure the quality.

Emotional Balancing Achieving emotional balance is something that might take a bit of effort for some people. This is the ability of the mind and body to be set in equilibrium and stay maintained throughout a period of time. This allows for physical health and personal wellbeing to be at the center of one’s focus in order for them to flourish in other aspects of their lives. Emotional wellness supplements work to promote stability with your mood and control stress. In order to live a full, happy and healthy life, a positive mindset and mood are critical. Vitamin Deficiencies & Your Mood In general, people with mood disorders have reported lacking certain vitamins and trace minerals. Due to the fact that the modern society we live in today does not readily produce foods that contain the protective nutrients for a peak physical and mental health, supplements and vitamins might be what your body needs in order to be healthy. The deficiencies that your body could be experiencing may also be influencing the balance of your emotions.  Neurotransmitters & Your Emotions In order for your brain to be healthy, oftentimes it is required that the chemistry inside it is balanced. This allows for one to deal with many different types of emotions. The neurotransmitters in the brain can either work to excite or calm the nerves. One neurotransmitter that does an excellent job of calming nerves is GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). This has the ability to stop anxiety-related signals from getting to the brain. In order to maximize the impact of GABA, oftentimes vitamin B6 is taken with it so your body is able to utilize GABA to its fullest ability. Natural Remedies for Emotional Balance Chinese medicine has used herbs to treat various health conditions. These being dandelion (cleanse the liver and express healthy emotions), milk thistle (protect and restore the liver), and Schisandra berry (Protecting the liver from toxins and smoothing emotional anxiety). The practice of deep breathing is oftentimes a great companion to supplements that work to support and maintain an emotional balance.

Detox, Cleanse, and Liver Support The main purpose of a detox is to rid your body of harmful and destructive chemicals. There are several methods that allow for a body detox, depending on your intention. Your body is equipped with the tools to eliminate toxins and through proper sleep, enough water, and decreasing sugar, your body will be able to detox better and more efficiently. Sometimes though, your body is not up to par. The vitamins and supplements in this category are meant to assist you and help to expedite the detoxification process. These help to flush the toxins out of the liver and other parts of the body in order to rid them of potentially harmful items. Detoxing & the Liver The liver plays a huge role in the body’s ability to detox itself. Therefore, many individuals want to detox their liver with the intention of detoxing their entire body. This may or may not be true, but supplements that help to consistently detox and cleanse the liver in order to offer support to the entire system can be quite helpful. In general, liver cleanse supplements can assist in promoting liver function and health, protect liver cells from damage, stimulate the growth of new liver cells, detoxify the liver, and improve blood flow from the liver. Antioxidants are an important part of your body’s ability to protect the health of your liver. When Detoxification is the Answer There is a set of botanicals which can assist you in the support of your detoxification process and flushing your body of potentially harmful items that could be introduced to your body on a daily basis. Many of the products that help with this are displayed under this category. Sometimes detoxification of your body is the answer to the liver, kidney, and blood purification that might not be an integral part of a regular diet. A detox, supported by detox supplements, could be the short-term solution to your health struggles!

Amino Acids Amino acids are the building blocks of the proteins in your body. There are two main categories of amino acids: essential and conditional. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be manufactured in your body. They must be consumed in your diet. Nonessential amino acids can be produced in your body. It is NOT essential that you consume these amino acids in your diet; thus, they are termed “nonessential.” There is a third category termed “conditional” amino acids. These are supposedly only essential during times of stress. However, most people are constantly under stress and thus these amino acids are essential (need to be consumed in your diet).   Essential amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine Nonessential amino acids: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine.   Conditional amino acids: arginine, cysteine, glutamine, tyrosine, glycine, ornithine, proline, serine.  Animal proteins, such as chicken, fish, and beef, are called “complete proteins” because they contain all of the essential amino acids your body needs to perform various functions. You can obtain all of the essential amino acids by eating combinations of specific plant foods, but the best source of essential amino acids is from animal proteins. When you eat animal proteins or plant foods that contain amino acids, your digestive system breaks down the individual amino acids. They are then used by your body systems and organs to repair body tissues and structures, build muscle fibers, create neurotransmitters, and many more important functions.  Amino acid deficiency can lead to depression, immune disorders, slower growth, and even death. There are rare genetic diseases that cause amino acid deficiencies and greatly impact the quality of life. Amino acid supplements are primarily used for brain and mood disorders, digestion issues, and building muscle.

Allergy Research Group Anyone with a severe allergy knows how difficult it is to find a reliable medicine, food, or other necessity that will not spell disaster for their body. Allergy Research Group takes their supplement creation extremely seriously from the beginning stages to the final result. Their quality control is immaculate. Third party testing, top of the line materials, and full disclosure to the patient are only a few of the ways that Allergy Research Group has set themselves apart in the competitive supplement industry. With the incredible amount of work that is done in the preparation, creation, and completion of these products, many sensitive patients are able to take these supplements without fear of going into anaphylactic shock or suffering from a catastrophic allergy attack. Keeping their standard of excellence high, Allergy Research Group has succeeded in satisfying the needs of the niche allergy-suffering customer base.  High Quality Raw Materials 40 years of innovation has led to Allergy Research Group providing some of the most popular hypoallergenic products on the market. Biotin 5000 is one of these products. Commonly known as a “hair, skin, and nails” supplement, biotin is an essential coenzyme that provides a source of B vitamins to the body. Additionally, biotin can aid with weight loss by enhancing metabolic rates. Another product that has seen widespread praise is Adrenal, a Natural Glandular. Our adrenal glands are necessary for us to process stress and sex hormones. Proper function is critical. Glandulars are obtained from grass-fed animals in Australia and New Zealand. Animal husbandry regulations are strict, and closely followed by Allergy Research Group. This is only one example of the high quality raw materials that Allergy Research group uses to create their professional formulas.

Herb Pharm Herb Pharm was founded in 1979 by Sara Kats and Ed Smith, a young couple looking to live more in sync with nature. Determined to live a more natural lifestyle, they picked up and moved to rural southern Oregon. Their first herb garden was planted here, and the Herb Pharm company was born. Herb Pharm has been Certified Organic for over 4 decades, and they’re committed to healthy and sustainable environmental practices. Their work in these areas has allowed Herb Pharm to become a part of the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary which is a great honor. Herb Pharm handles each herb with individualized care. They understand that one size doesn’t fit all, some herbs are better dried, others need more leaves than stems, etc. They also take time to make sure that each herb is harvested at prime time, when the plant has the most to offer rather than rushing simply to meet demand. These commitments extend beyond Herb Pharm’s own farms. If herbs are brought in, they must be ethically sourced, and harvested with the same level of excellence and care for the environment or Herb Pharm will not engage in business.  The Power In Herbs Sara Kats and Ed Smith had a fascination with the world around them, they saw power in herbs and decided to learn more about their medicinal potential. Rather than mindlessly mixing plants and hoping for the best, they dug into research and experiential learning. They learned from professionals in the world of herbs and traveled around the herbs to build their wealth of knowledge. As their passion continued, they decided to push into the business realm so that these powerful formulas could reach a broader audience. That being said, the hustle and bustle of business has not compromised the product quality. Herb Pharm continues to provide excellent products and gives back to the Earth that so graciously provides the tools. They happily educate others along the way, because when it comes to health and nature, there’s no benefit to gatekeeping! Sara and Ed continue to sit on the board of Herb Pharm, helping guide the amazing legacy they created.

Douglas Laboratories Douglas Laboratories was established over 60 years ago. The professional supplement industry was smaller and less recognized.  Because of his early start, Sam Lioon is known as an industry pioneer. He recognized that science supports the use of nutrients to increase the quality and length of human life. He founded Douglas Laboratories to support healthcare practitioners and their patients. From the beginning, Douglas Labs supplements and products have been designed based on solid science and top-quality ingredients. Focus on Healthy Aging From the time of inception in 1955, Douglas Laboratories has held the vision of healthy aging for all Americans. They not only want to increase lifespan, but they also want to increase the health-span of individuals’ lives. In keeping with that goal, they created the Growing Together Committee. This committee leads humanitarian and service initiatives for involving the entire Douglas Laboratory team. Their work includes SOS Children’s Villages, reducing the company’s carbon footprint, and supporting sustainable business practices and sourcing.   Scientific Research at the Center They have always relied on scientific data to guide their formulations. Their primary focus is on understanding the relationship between nutrition and healthy aging. Their medical advisory board continues to stay abreast of new and pertinent medical studies. Because of their knowledge and studies, all of Douglas Laboratories' products are formulated with therapeutic doses and ingredients. As a company, they devote time and resources to training practitioners on protocols and individual formulations.   They boast one of the most extensive nutritional supplement lines across the globe as well as being one of the oldest professional supplement companies. Douglas Laboratories joins with prestigious academic partners to study their own formulations in clinical trials. This ensures that their formulas and ingredients are scientifically and clinically reliable. This translates to products that are efficacious and produce positive outcomes for practitioners and patients. Good Manufacturing Practices They manufacturer their own products and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and are National Safety Foundation (NSF) certified. Although Douglas Laboratories was founded in America it is now an international company with locations across North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.