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It's once again time for the annual update of things that are making me a Scrooge and driving me crazy in health news, social media, and supplements. Please enjoy our rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas. On the first day of Christmas, the supplement industry gave to me, a push to further deregulate the industry. The big lobbying groups are working overtime to take advantage of the chaos at the FDA (I'm pretty sure the FDA is just three raccoons in a trench coat at this point) to get the few remaining regulations off the books, even though they're barely enforced as it is. Because whenever industries do whatever they want without anyone stopping them, it always goes well. It's not like there's already a huge problem with counterfeit, adulterated, and contaminated supplements or something. On the second day of Christmas, social media gave to me a whole bunch of influencers telling people sunscreen is bad. If you don't like the ingredients in a particular sunscreen, just buy one without those. It's not rocket science. Here's one and here's another one with nice ingredients. If you refuse to wear sunscreen, at least get some sun-protective clothing and a hat. I was unaware we were all pro-melanoma now. It's ok and healthy to get a bit of sun without sunscreen, such as first thing in the morning or at sunset, but you should avoid burning at all costs. Bad sunburns dramatically increase your risk of skin cancer. Plus, if you keep getting these crazy tans, you are going to look like a raisin when you're older, and nobody really likes raisins. Also, if I ever think I'm getting chocolate chip cookies and they turn out to be oatmeal raisin, I will never forgive the person who gave them to me. On the third day of Christmas, the supplement industry gave to me a bunch of new fake whole food supplements. Every year, more and more fake whole food supplements come out. A real whole food supplement does not have any synthetic or isolated vitamins and minerals included at any time during the process. Shout out to all the brands that don't give a crap about anything other than money. An even bigger shout-out to the health food stores, websites, and practitioners reselling them that pretend to care. If all of those places put their foot down and refused to sell them, it would be a massive step towards eliminating the problem. On the fourth day of Christmas, the supplement industry gave to me a bunch of adulterated beef organ supplements. As the popularity of these supplements has grown, we have discovered many new, creative ways companies adulterate them. I'm always impressed at how quickly new methods of adulteration come about. I just want to say I really love the fact that there is no penalty or bad karma these companies face for doing it. It really gets me in the holiday spirit. On the fifth day of Christmas, the supplement industry gave to me a bunch of supplements with ingredients that don't exist, such as: Lactobacillus thermophilus (no such bacteria exist), B12 made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (nutritional yeast does not naturally contain B12) , and folic acid from lemons (folic acid is synthetic and does not occur in nature). On the sixth day of Christmas, Trump gave to me massive amounts of tariffs and logistical problems that cost us thousands and thousands of dollars every month, and more paperwork than I ever thought possible. Foreign countries and companies do not pay the tariffs; businesses and people who import the products do. They are not making us rich; it's a regressive tax on Americans that disproportionally hurts the working class because businesses pass most of those increased costs onto consumers. In addition, tariffs are exacerbating the adulteration problem because companies are cutting costs to offset the tariffs. If you think tariffs are making us wealthy, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale. And before some genius sends us an email saying just buy American, nearly every supplement you buy is made with imported ingredients (or imported inputs to make the ingredients), whether it is bottled here or packaged overseas. Lots of things cannot be grown or produced here. On the seventh day of Christmas, the supplement industry gave to me more and more gummy supplements. Gummy supplements are an absolutely terrible way to deliver nutrients and compounds. They have so many stability and potency issues because of how they are made. Gummies are for candy and the devil's lettuce, not vitamins. STOP BUYING GUMMY SUPPLEMENTS! On the eighth day of Christmas, misinformation and social media gave to me, measles outbreaks all over the United States. Screw it, let's bring back the plague and get it over with. We would have a bunch of people on social media telling us how beneficial the plague was for our immune systems, and taking their kids to plague parties. Also, and I hate myself for having to write this, DON'T TAKE YOUR KIDS TO A MEASLES PARTY! Measles is a serious illness that can cause lasting health problems and even death. On the ninth day of Christmas, TikTok shop gave to me, twelve thousand ads for some of the worst supplements with the most insane, false health claims I have ever seen. It would be really nice if there were anyone left in the government enforcing the laws against this stuff. STOP BUYING SUPPLEMENTS FROM THE TIKITY TOK SHOPS! You might as well punch yourself in the face repeatedly; that's probably safer than most of those products. On the tenth day of Christmas, the EPA gave to me, the approval of a new pesticide containing forever chemicals. I can feel it making America healthy again. Here me out, what if we didn't do this kind of crap anymore? On the eleventh day of Christmas, the supplement industry gave to me an industry with no barrier to entry. Anyone can call up a sketchy contract manufacturer, get whatever scraps were swept up off the factory floor put into a bottle, slap a fancy label on it, spend a bajillion dollars on marketing, and make a fortune. No quality control or ethics need apply. It's the best, I love it. It definitely doesn't make me white with rage. On the twelfth day of Christmas, ya'll gave to us an incredible amount of support this year, and it means the world to us. Thank you so much! Hopefully, my crashing out gave you a laugh. From all of us at Rooted Nutrition, we wish you a very happy holiday season! Meg Meg wants you all to know that it's ok to eat extra sweet treats over the holidays.

It’s time for a deep dive into the world of chlorella supplements. This little green fella packs a whole lot into a small package. What is Chlorella? Chlorella is a single-cell freshwater algae. It has been around for billions of years, making it one of the oldest organisms on earth. It has a spherical shape and a deep green color due to its high levels of chlorophyll. Nutrition in Chlorella Chlorella is bursting with nutrition. These little green guys pack a huge nutritional punch. They contain many essential nutrients, such as carotenoids like beta carotene (a precursor to Vitamin A), vitamin K, iron, magnesium, and an important fatty acid called GLA (gamma-linoleic acid). It is also one of the richest food sources of real chlorophyll, unlike most "chlorophyll supplements," which are not actually chlorophyll but a semi-synthetic compound called sodium copper chlorophyllin . B12 in chlorella Chlorella, unlike spirulina, contains usable b-12 as well. In tests on the chlorella we recommend, using the LC-MS/MS method, which detects only usable b-12 (not the analogs that the body cannot use); a three-gram serving contains three mcg of usable b-12, which is slightly above the recommended daily amount of 2.4 mcg. This is an excellent way for vegans to get their b-12 from a whole food source.   Chlorella Broken Cell Wall We’re not entirely sure who started the nonsense that Chlorella's cell wall needs to be broken, but we wish it would just go away because it is simply not true. Unfortunately, with enough money spent on advertising, many Chlorella companies have made people accept this myth, and no one really looks into it because it is repeated so often. The digestibility of Chlorella is not significantly increased by breaking up its cell walls. Factors such as the drying process or the species (strain) of Chlorella used have a greater impact. This is summarized as follows in a publication by T. Kanno (2005) , stating that “The original characteristics and the physiological effects of Chlorella are not changed by breaking up the cell wall” and “It is more to be feared that the process of breaking up the cell wall may degrade proteins, destroy vitamins, and fatty acids, thereby resulting in oxidation effects.” If you look at “studies” that show that broken cell wall chlorella is better, they are almost entirely funded by companies that happen to sell broken cell wall chlorella. Shocking right? The pH of stomach acid is 1.5 to 3.5, and the small intestine produces lysozyme. The combination of stomach acid and lysozyme is plenty for chlorella's cell wall to be broken without having to risk damaging the proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids and exposing them to oxidation that the methods of cracking the cell wall cause. The cell wall helps to protect the beneficial nutrients and compounds found in chlorella. It keeps all of the compounds intact until digestion. You do not need to buy cracked cell chlorella; it is just a marketing scheme. What does chlorella do? While people take chlorella for various reasons, the biggest one is that it adds a rich source of green vegetable nutrition to your diet. Most people are not eating enough vegetables, so it’s an easy way to get more in. How to take chlorella Chlorella is very potent, so starting slowly and gradually increasing the dosage to your desired amount is important. If you take too much at once initially, you may get loose stools or upset stomachs. Chlorella powder can be mixed with cold food and beverages. It should be taken with a full glass of water. Due to chlorella’s binding ability, taking it at least two hours apart from medications and supplements is important because it can reduce their absorption. You should not take chlorella if you take warfarin or aspirin due to its high vitamin K1 content. How much chlorella should you take per day? We recommend slowly working up to three grams (3,000 mg) daily. What to look for in a Chlorella supplement Where does chlorella come from? As with everything, how and where it is grown is incredibly important from both quality control and ethical standpoints. Most chlorella is grown in outdoor, uncovered ponds in China, India, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. A few other countries also produce small amounts, but not close to the amounts that have grown in China and India. You will see claims such as "only grown in pristine spring water" or "fed by mountain streams" and other wonderful things. Well, that may be true, but guess what? It rains everywhere. The rain in countries with very poor air quality, like India and China, brings down large amounts of pollutants. The water from that mountain spring may be pure, but the rain will not. Chlorella is a great bio accumulator (absorbing lots of stuff from its environment, including contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals); this is why you see reports of contamination  in chlorella supplements. You also get things like birds going to the bathroom while flying over. This is an issue because you cannot wash algae off like some lettuce or berries because many contaminants will be absorbed into the algae. Some people might say we can test for possible contamination. In theory, this is great. However, environmental contaminants are often not part of the standard testing panel. In addition, there may be contaminants in the air that are being released that we are not even aware of. In China especially, there are a whole host of new pollution issues because many compounds are reacting together in poorly studied ways. The compounds created by this will not be on a normal chlorella testing panel, so you won’t know if they are in the chlorella. While good testing is extremely important, it is not enough, especially with chlorella. It’s essential to know precisely where and how your chlorella is grown, not just the country of origin. Otherwise, you have no way of knowing whether there are lots of pollutants coming down in the rain.  Many environmental problems exist in China, even in the countryside. This is a lesson on the consequences of a lack of well-enforced environmental regulations. How is chlorella grown? There are three main ways of growing chlorella. The first is the most common, open-air outdoor pond grown. This is where chlorella is grown in large ponds open to the environment. We have already gone over some of the problems related to this. The other issue with outdoor pond chlorella growing is that large amounts of nitrates are often used to feed the chlorella to make it grow faster. The issue is that the nitrate-rich water discharged when the chlorella is harvested runs off into the local environment, causing significant pollution and runoff. Nitrate runoff can cause huge problems, such as dead zones in waterways. As you can guess, we think it’s best to avoid outdoor open pond-grown chlorella for your health and the environment. The second method is vat or tank growing. This is where chlorella is grown in huge stainless steel tanks in a factory. This method avoids the pollutant problems with outdoor open-air pond-grown chlorella, but it has one big drawback. It is not exposed to sunlight. Sunlight is really important for chlorella’s nutrient content. Vat or tank-grown chlorella has lower levels of nutrients and other compounds than chlorella grown in sunlight. While it is a better choice than outdoor open-air pond-grown chlorella, it is certainly not ideal. Chlorella grown in glass tubes The third way to grow chlorella is in a closed-loop glass tube system. The chlorella grows in glass tubes, exposed to sunlight, and fed with mineral-rich spring water from deep underground. This provides the benefits of sunlight to the chlorella without the risks of pollutants from the environment. It does not create environmental pollution or problems like open pond cultivation, as the water is filtered before release. This is the best way to grow chlorella for your health and the environment.  How Should Chlorella Be Dried? The next thing to consider when choosing a chlorella product is ensuring it is properly dried. The drying process makes a big difference in the finished product. The vast majority of algae products are high heat-dried. These intense drying methods can cause a loss of nutritional value. When drying foods, we want to leave them as close to their original state as possible. Choose gently dried chlorella to preserve as much nutritional value as possible. Chlorella Ethics The next thing to consider is the ethics of who is producing the chlorella. Determining who grows most of the chlorella products on the market is often impossible. Most companies buy their raw materials from middlemen, who usually buy chlorella from various sources that are mixed together. In China, where most of the chlorella are grown, there are estimates of over 25 million people who are forced into modern slavery . It can be almost impossible to verify if chlorella (or other raw materials) production is free of forced labor because of the vast web of shell companies and middlemen. It’s best to avoid getting chlorella from there for this reason alone. One company told us their supplier did not use slave labor, but their only verification of that was the supplier writing a letter saying they did not use forced labor. All vendors will say that. A letter stating it does not prove they don’t use forced labor.  How to find the best chlorella supplements So, how do you find the best chlorella supplement? The first and most crucial step is knowing who grew it and made it. Only by having complete transparency about who, how, and where it was grown (not just the country) can you truly begin to investigate it. It is not enough to say it was grown in a pristine environment with mountain spring water. Buzzwords and marketing are not a substitute for actual information and data.  Then, you can find out what they are feeding the chlorella, drying, the growing method (glass tube, open pond, vat), testing, and how they mitigate environmental issues. You can also look into whether the company has problems with forced labor violations.  Our search for ethically produced, clean chlorella took us worldwide, from the US and India to Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Denmark, and Portugal.  We wanted to find chlorella that was traceable from farm to table, as we want our food to be. Algomed Chlorella Our search for the perfect chlorella ended in Klotze, Germany. Algomed Chlorella is grown in glass tubes in the bright sunshine, and mountain spring water from deep underground is used, not surface water, to avoid contamination. It is never exposed to the outside environment, allowing for the production of super pure and contaminant-free clean chlorella. Algomed Chlorella's Farm Here is how they grow their chlorella: “To start with, our tubular aquariums are filled with water. We source this from our own well, which is fed from an artesian aquifer more than forty-five meters down. This is very pure water that is nicely mineralized. Nutrients and an algae starter culture are then added, and the algae begin to grow. The advantages of our 500-kilometer system of glass tubing are obvious. The algae get an optimal supply of sunlight because there are no dark zones like you get in the lower layers of a pond, and no contaminants from the outside can get into the culture. When the algae are ready to be harvested, they are separated from the water by centrifuging and then gently dried. They can be consumed immediately or processed further.” The entire cultivation process, from the first algae from their collection to the finished product, takes place in Klötze. The production process is, therefore, entirely in their hands and is certified according to the international standards HACCP, GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 50001, Kosher, and HALAL. They are vertically integrated. This is how all chlorella should be grown. Algen Markt Chlorella Algen Markt Glass Tube Chlorella Growing Facility Algen Markt Chlorella is grown in Germany using a closed glass tube system. It is cultivated in a closed system where it thrives and is protected from harmful environmental influences. No pesticides, herbicides, or other synthetic substances are used during processing. The result is a completely pure, natural Chlorella powder. Cultivation takes place in Saxony-Anhalt. Algen Markt Algae is cultivated using renewable energy to support its goals of protecting the environment and achieving carbon neutrality. Chlorella questions and support If you have questions about chlorella supplements, please email us at info@rooted-nutrition.com , and we will be happy to help!

When most people hear the word cannabinoid, they think of the devil's lettuce, but did you know that you have an endocannabinoid system, and your body produces endocannabinoids? What is the endocannabinoid system, and what does it do? The endocannabinoid system (hereafter referred to as the ECS) performs many essential functions and affects nearly every part of the body. Most people have never even heard of the ECS, which makes sense because endocannabinoids were only discovered in 1992 .  Your body makes several endocannabinoids, but “ There are two main types of endocannabinoids: anandamide, or AEA, and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, known as 2-AG. Both of them can activate the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which receive and process chemical signals in cells. ” The cannabinoids found in plants are called phytocannabinoids. “ The ECS regulates and controls many of our most critical bodily functions such as learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating. ” “ The endocannabinoid  system (ECS) in the brain primarily influences neuronal synaptic communication, and affects biological functions—including eating, anxiety, learning and memory, reproduction, metabolism, growth and development—via an array of actions throughout the nervous system. ” One of the most critical aspects of the ECS system is its integral role in responding to and handling stress, which is more important than ever in today's insane society. If you ever feel that no matter what you do, how you eat, or the lifestyle changes you make, you cannot handle stress, your ECS probably needs some love and support. What causes problems with the endocannabinoid system? Chronically high stress levels, lack of sunshine, poor diet, sleep problems, nutritional deficiencies (omega-three, magnesium, etc.), and an out-of-whack omega 6/3 ratio  cause our ECS to break down. “ Across a wide array of stress paradigms, studies have generally shown that stress evokes bidirectional changes in the two eCB molecules, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), with stress exposure reducing AEA levels and increasing 2-AG levels. Additionally, in almost every brain region examined, exposure to chronic stress reliably causes a downregulation or loss of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors. ” This breakdown causes problems in many body systems. It creates a feedback loop where people are unable to respond well to stress because of the breakdown, which makes them feel more stressed, which becomes a vicious cycle, further speeding up the breakdown of the endocannabinoid system. That’s why so many people feel like no matter what, they constantly feel stressed. If the system is broken down, it’s not just about stress relief but nourishing the endocannabinoid system so it can attain homeostasis (nothing like finally getting to use those high school science terms). Thankfully, no matter how compromised your ECS is, you can do many things to support the ECS's plasticity (flexibility) and balance. Nearly everyone’s ECS is pretty beat up because of all of the stress we are under in today’s screwed-up world. It’s essential to do the things to nourish your ECS consistently. Doing something once in a while and inconsistently is not going to give the results you are looking for. It will take time to nourish your ECS fully. There is no ECS quick fix. What can you do to help your endocannabinoid system? Exercise has potent benefits for your ECS. One of the most important neurotransmitters involved in the ECS is called Anandamide (also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine, an N-acylethanolamine), the “bliss molecule.” Moderate to high-intensity exercise is one of the best ways to get your levels up. If you have ever felt a   runner's high , this “bliss molecule” is responsible for that feeling. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your ECS balanced. Sunlight helps activate the cb1 and cb2 receptors, as well as TRPV1 .  The best time to get your sunshine is first thing in the morning. Before looking at your phone or screens, go outside (even when it’s cloudy) and get some sun for fifteen minutes. For bonus points, walk around barefoot in the grass (grounding) while you do it. At sunset, go outside and take a walk for fifteen minutes. Not only will this nourish your ECS, but it will also help improve your sleep and mood. While a few minutes in the morning and at sunset of unfiltered sun on our skin and eyes are good, if you are going to be out in the sun a lot, make sure to use clean sunscreen , sit in the shade, or wear sun protective clothing, because getting sunburned is always a bad idea. Good stress management is a massive part of getting your ECS back in fighting shape. Reduce stress as much as possible to help prevent further breakdown. Reducing and managing all types of stressors helps support healthy cortisol levels, which is crucial for keeping your ECS healthy. Check out our blog, Stress 101 , to learn a variety of ways to help manage stress. Having an orgasm helps to increase the levels of an endocannabinoid called 2-AG. So tell your partner to get in the bedroom ASAP because you need to improve your ECS. If that kind of sexy talk doesn’t get things steamy, I don’t know what will. My wife is a lucky lady.  Mindfulness and meditation are great ways to support your ECS. This  book  makes it easy to get started. Improving the quality of and getting enough sleep helps improve the endocannabinoid system in many ways. Dysfunction of the ECS system can contribute to sleep issues , which creates another lousy feedback loop. Click the button below to download our free guide to healthy sleep. It’s important to reduce alcohol, weed, and recreational drug consumption. When these things are used frequently, they overstimulate the endocannabinoid receptors, leading to a tolerance effect that causes CB1 receptor issues in the brain. It takes about a month of not using them for the ECS to recover from their overuse. Never stop any drug or alcohol if you use them frequently without speaking with your doctor first, as withdrawal problems can be very dangerous in some cases. You want help from your doctor to help you gradually get off them . While they may make you feel good in the short term, they create many problems over time. I know that no one wants to hear this, but large amounts of coffee and caffeine reduce levels of beneficial neurotransmitters. Having a normal-sized cup with breakfast (but not before) is not a big deal, but having huge cups multiple times a day will give you problems.  Try starting your morning with a maca latte, which nourishes your ECS, instead of coffee, which depletes it. Drink plenty of water daily, but avoid drinking it from plastic bottles. Many plastics can disrupt the ECS . What foods And Nutrients are good for your endocannabinoid system? The food you eat has a powerful effect on your ECS. However, it’s not just what you eat but also when you eat. Strive to eat a balanced breakfast with at least 30 grams of high-quality protein and some fruit within an hour of waking up. In addition, never have caffeine or coffee before breakfast. Skipping breakfast or having caffeine before breakfast increases cortisol levels to a higher level, much faster than they usually would, especially in women . This creates lots of stress and problems for your ECS. NO SKIPPING BREAKFAST! Keeping your blood sugar stable is essential to helping keep your ECS balanced. This means eating throughout the day and not skipping meals. Try to have some good protein, fat, and carbs at each meal. One of the most important things to support your ECS is to increase your omega-three food consumption and decrease your omega-six food consumption. Nearly everyone gets too much omega-six and not enough omega-three in their diet. This leads to a whole host of health problems. The body uses omega-three fatty acids to produce endocannabinoids, which help promote homeostasis and reduce the burden of an overwhelmed ECS system . Without enough omega-three, you cannot produce enough endocannabinoids. Check out our blog, All About Omegas , to learn how to achieve a good omega 6:3 ratio. One big misconception about omega-three fatty acids is that hemp, flax, and chia are good sources. They are not. They contain a precursor, alpha-linoleic acid, of which only a tiny amount is turned into EPA and almost none into DHA. Do not rely on them as a source of omega-three.  Magnesium is another nutrient most people don’t get enough of and is essential for a healthy ECS. Without enough magnesium, your stress response is not going to be good. Magnesium deficiency can increase cortisol levels as well. Check out our blog, All About Magnesium , to learn how to get enough magnesium. One of our favorite foods for the ECS is cacao. Some ceremonial cacao pastes (not all of them) contain molecules   called N-acetyl-ethanolamines that help to keep healthy levels of endocannabinoids in the body . As these molecules are fat-soluble, finding a high-quality, full-fat cacao paste is important, as it contains the highest amounts. Not all cacao or chocolate has this or has high enough levels to obtain these beneficial effects, and cacao powder does not contain nearly enough because it is fully or partially defatted. Check out this page  to learn how to source the best cacao paste. Next up is eggs. Egg yolks are rich in phospholipids, nutrients, and fatty acids that provide robust support to the ECS. Eat those yolks, not just the whites. Use plenty of fruits, herbs, and spices in your cooking. Many of them contain beneficial terpenes. Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds various plants produce. Terpenes give each flower, herb, and fruit a unique scent and flavor. Every day, everywhere you go, you encounter terpenes. When you zest a lemon, you smell terpenes. Open a jar full of herbs; what you smell is the terpenes. Stop and smell the roses? It's more like stopping and smelling the terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that, when inhaled, applied to the skin, or consumed, enhance our sensory experience and greatly influence flavors and aromas. Terpenes help support the entourage effect, which supports the body's own endocannabinoids and makes dietary phytocannabinoids work better. Think of it like flying an airplane. Cannabinoids control the altitude and velocity, but the terpenes provide the direction like the rudder. Different terpenes are why some weed strains give the feeling of being in a chill or calm state, and others can cause a more focused or alert state. Terpenes and the endocannabinoid system Here are a few examples of foods and the terpenes they contain: Citrus fruits are rich in limonene , an uplifting terpene that helps put you in a good mood, and much more. Basil, dill, and rosemary are rich in pinene , a terpene with a wide range of benefits, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It also has significant lung benefits, many of which are because of how it interacts with the ECS. Lavender, coriander, basil, oregano, and marjoram are rich in linalool , a terpene that promotes relaxation.  Do not ingest essential oils. Apples, nutmeg, and parsley are rich in terpinolene , a potent antioxidant that helps with sleep and muscles. Mangos, lemongrass, thyme, and sweet basil are in   myrcene , a terpene that helps with sleep, muscles, and relaxation. Hops, sage, and cloves are rich in humulene , a terpene with anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits. This next part will be a bit scientific, but I did my best to break it down as much as possible. If you have questions, please get in touch with us at info@rooted-nutrition.com , and we will happily answer them. Direct Versus Indirect Endocannabinoid system support There are two main ways to affect the ECS: direct and indirect. First up is direct. A lot of people take marijuana (and similar things) to activate their ECS directly. The benefits of using direct cannabinoids, like THC, are that they act rapidly and can be used at high potencies. However, this can come with some drawbacks and problems. The first is that it can be challenging to adjust the dose to ensure that desensitization of cannabinoid receptors does not occur. Using direct cannabinoids like THC regularly or excessively increases the risk of developing a dependency on it and can result in an inability to manufacture sufficient endocannabinoids like anandamide . People who develop a dependency on direct cannabinoids may find they suffer from withdrawal effects like brain fog, lethargy, and anxiety when it is withdrawn. In addition, some CB1 agonists like THC can be psychoactive, a property that is not ideal for everyone and often not wanted when consumed for medicinal benefits. Based on these risks, we feel it would be better to support the ECS in a different way. In going down the rabbit hole that was researching the ECS, we found supporting the ECS via indirect means would be far more beneficial and safer. Indirect support of the ECS means using nutrients and compounds that support healthy ECS function and sensitivity, as well as healthy production and levels of the body's own endocannabinoids, rather than taking various forms of direct phytocannabinoids. Compounds that indirectly support the ECS do not bind directly to the CB1 and CB2 receptors but support the cannabinoid entourage effect. The body's endocannabinoids have significant advantages over ingested phytocannabinoids. They are locally produced, so they act at the production site and are more specific. The amount the body produces is in proportion to the demand, and the dose is well known. Once they have performed their service, they are quickly broken down by the body and recycled back to the components of cellular membranes from which they originated. As a result, there are little to no issues with side effects or dependency, and different cannabinoid entourage plants or extracts can be combined for enhanced synergy. They can be used long-term and are well tolerated. The cannabinoid entourage effect may occur through different mechanisms, e.g., preventing the breakdown of the ECBs by enzymes that are responsible for their destruction, in which case the ECBs last longer in the body, giving a prolonged and enhanced action, or improving the binding of ECB’s on various receptors, or by activating other receptors, e.g., opening up ion channels that cause a synergistic effect of the significant molecule. The most commonly targeted ways to improve cannabinoid entourage are via inhibition of FAAH ( fatty-acid amide hydrolase) – the critical enzyme that breaks down our ECBs or through slowing re-uptake of ECBs.   Whole food supplements that support a healthy endocannabinoid system In addition to all of the lifestyle and dietary changes we talked about in this blog, which provide indirect support for the ECS, the right nourishing whole-food supplements can also help to provide indirect support for the ECS. However, if you want to benefit from them, taking them daily and consistently is essential. Taking too low of a dosage or skipping many days will cause them not to work. It will take time to bring an ECS that has been constantly overtaxed back to balance. If you have been highly stressed for a long time, you cannot expect a healthy ECS system after two weeks . The first is a whole-food omega-three supplement . Your body's endocannabinoids are made from omega-three fatty acids. So it’s vital that you get enough, but most people do not. Whole-food omega-three supplements  contain the beneficial fatty acids and nutrients in the forms and types naturally found in fish, as opposed to nearly all omega-three supplements, which are heavily refined, ultra-processed, stripped of essential nutrients, and have their fatty acid forms changed into types not found in nature. Next up is a whole-food magnesium supplement . Since most people are not getting enough of it in their diet, supplementing it can be a good idea. Choosing   a  whole-food magnesium   supplement will help your body get the most bioavailable form, and it’s easier on the stomach and digestive system than traditional forms like oxide and citrate. Getting enough magnesium is an integral part of having a healthy stress response. Uturunku Cacao   is an incredible ceremonial cacao paste  made from a unique, rare ancestral strain of cacao. It contains higher levels of N-acetyl-ethanolamines and other compounds than traditional cacao paste. Uturunku honors the Chavín de Huántar ceremonial temple, representing the jaguar and the world of the Kay Pacha - the here and now. It is a calming and embodied cacao that takes us inwards to connect deeply with our higher self and tunes us into the frequency of the natural world. It is a calming cacao that is great to use at night while journaling to help relax and unwind. I know I talk a lot about maca. The reason is that vast numbers of people have issues with their ECS and how they respond to stress. This affects many different body systems, and most people are unaware of how that relates to so many underlying issues. It is rare to find a plant or substance that supports all parts of a healthy ECS without causing the side effects and problems ( when properly made, improperly grown and processed maca can cause many issues) that others do. Maca is a traditional food used in Peru to support health and well-being and a healthy stress response. When   correctly prepared and grown   ( never consume raw maca ), maca produces molecules called macamides that support healthy levels and lifespan of our body's endocannabinoids like anandamide, as well as supporting healthy sensitivity of our cannabinoid receptors. Unfortunately, nearly all maca products are not grown and prepared correctly.  It is essential to use a traditionally prepared maca that has been tested and naturally standardized by macamide levels (not spiked or altered using questionable methods). Using poorly made maca will not provide the benefits this powerful plant offers. To give you an example of a problem, many maca products are spiked with caramelized sugar to give a specific look and taste rather than properly processing them. The right type of maca depends on what it is being used for. MCB Oil is a special super concentrated extract of maca. It is incredibly potent and quickly helps to support the endocannabinoid system. Using it along with the activated yellow maca is the perfect combination. Using properly made cacao paste , activated yellow maca , and MCB Oil t ogether creates a powerful entourage effect of support for your ECS. Our ECS Support Pack contains all of these, as well as whole-food magnesium capsules and whole-food omega-three softgels to help support every aspect of your ECS. Endocannabinoid system support I know this was a lot of information and a complicated topic. However, having a fully nourished ECS will have a profoundly positive impact on your life, so it was important to go through all of it. Start slowly and gradually add in changes to help support your ECS. Start with the area you feel will have the most positive impact on your life. We are here for you if you need support or don’t know where to start. Please email us at   info@rooted-nutrition.com , or schedule a free call , and our fantastic staff will be happy to help you!

Spirulina might be small, but these little green guys pack a hell of a nutritional punch. There's a lot to know about spirulina, and this guide will help you understand how to choose the best spirulina. While the labels may look the same, what's inside the bottle can vary significantly from brand to brand. Explore  our blog  to discover why labels don't tell the whole story. What is spirulina? Spirulina ( Arthrospira platensis) , commonly referred to as blue-green algae, is actually a type of cyanobacteria. While they are bacteria, they use photosynthesis, like plants and algae, to produce their own food. They are one of the oldest organisms on Earth. Aztec civilizations were some of the first to use it. In  1992, the World Health Organization declared spirulina as the “best food for the future,” and the most nutritionally complete source of food for the 21st Century.  Nutrients in Spirulina Spirulina is packed with nutrition. It’s rich in: B1 b2 B3 Copper Iron Potassium Magnesium Phosphorous Carotenoids Fatty acids Amino acids - It is a complete protein, containing over 50% protein per gram.  Per gram, it has more protein than almost any other food. Chlorophyll It is also one of the richest food sources of real chlorophyll, unlike most "chlorophyll supplements,"   which are not actually chlorophyll but a semi-synthetic compound called sodium copper chlorophyllin . Phycocyanin Phenolic compounds And a whole lot more! Does spirulina contain B12? While many people think spirulina contains B12, it actually does not. It contains a B12 analogue, which is not usable by the body.   Properly grown chlorella   is a good source of usable B12 for those looking to get a good vegan food source of vitamin B12. Benefits of spirulina People take spirulina for a variety of reasons, the two main ones being energy and adding green vegetable nutrition to their diet. It is also a potent antioxidant that supports a healthy heart, joints, and eyes. Basically, anything green vegetables are good for, spirulina is also good for. How to use spirulina Spirulina should be taken with food and a full glass of water.  The powder can be mixed with any food or beverage of your choice, whether hot or cold, including smoothies, applesauce, yogurt, and more. You can also bake with it and use it in recipes and cooking. We recommend taking it earlier in the day because lots of people get energy from spirulina, so it's not a good idea to take it at night. After opening, store spirulina in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Spirulina comes in many forms: pills, powder, flakes, sprinkles, etc, so choose the one that fits best in your lifestyle! This hummus recipe is one of our favorite ways to use it. Ingredients: 3 cups canned chickpeas 2 cloves of finely minced garlic (or however much the ancestors tell you to add). Tip: to tame its pungency, allow minced garlic to sit in a little bit of lemon juice for a few minutes. 1/3 cup tahini Fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon 1 teaspoon of spirulina sprinkles (let them soak in a tiny bit of water for 20 min or more) A pinch of salt to your liking A generous drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil Directions: Dry the chickpeas well, then add them to the bowl of a food processor. Run the processor until the chickpeas turn into a smooth paste. While the food processor is running, add a couple of tablespoons of water, tahini, salt, lemon juice, and spirulina sprinkles. Blend for a few minutes. Check, and if the consistency is still too thick, run the processor and slowly add a little hot water. Blend until you reach the desired silky smooth consistency. Spread the hummus in a serving bowl and add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Add a few chickpeas to the middle if you like, and sprinkle spirulina sprinkles on top. Or garnish with pinon nuts and/or diced black olives or fresh parsley. Enjoy with your favorite veggies. How much spirulina should you take? Most people take between three and ten grams per day. It’s best to start spirulina very slowly and gradually increase to your desired dosage. If you start with too much, you can get loose stools, bloating, or an upset stomach. We recommend starting with just one tablet or a ¼ teaspoon of powder. Every few days, increase the dosage by a bit till you reach your goal dosage. As always, talk to your doctor or healthcare practitioner before starting any supplements. If you have an autoimmune condition, it is best to avoid using spirulina. Blue Spirulina Powder Because of its striking blue color and neutral taste, "blue spirulina" has become very popular on social media. T he thing is, though, there is no such thing as blue spirulina. It is incredibly misleading for companies to label products as such. What they are selling is a single compound extracted from spirulina, Phycocyanin, and labeling it as blue spirulina. This compound does not have any of the nutrients or other compounds found in spirulina. Companies like to market it as no fishy smell and pleasant taste, but it’s definitely not spirulina. If you extract just the vitamin C from an orange and sell the powder of that, you wouldn’t call it white orange powder. Don’t fall for marketing gimmicks; there is no such thing as blue spirulina.  What should you look for in a spirulina supplement? As with other supplements, where and how the spirulina is grown is very important, as spirulina will absorb contaminants from its environment, and unlike a piece of lettuce, you can’t just rinse off the bad stuff. Most spirulina is grown in outdoor ponds in China, India, Taiwan, and Japan. You will see marketing claims like grown far from civilization, fed by streams in the mountains, etc. The problem with these claims is that it rains everywhere. And many of the areas where spirulina is grown are heavily polluted. The pollution in the rain (and things like bird droppings) comes down into the spirulina ponds. It’s really not a good situation for an ingredient that readily takes up contaminants, which is why you see so many reports of contaminated spirulina. The water is also where the heavy metals come from in many spirulina products. If spirulina is grown in polluted water or if its cultivation is not carefully controlled, it can contain microcystins, which are a liver toxin. Even if companies claim to test for contaminants, there are so many pollutants that come down in the rain in many of these countries that many possible contaminants don’t get tested for. So while good testing is important, it is not enough with spirulina. It is so important to know exactly how and where your spirulina is grown, not just the country of origin. How is spirulina grown? There are three main ways that spirulina is grown.  The first and most common method is the industrial outdoor pond grown. The vast majority of spirulina is produced this way,  which has the problems outlined above.  The second is a closed bioreactor-grown system. This is where spirulina is cultivated in large tanks in a laboratory, under carefully controlled conditions. This is a cleaner method of growing spirulina, but it has the drawback of being expensive, and the spirulina is not exposed to natural sunlight.  The third way is greenhouse-grown spirulina, where the water used to grow the spirulina comes from deep underground aquifers, not surface water, which would have the same issues as pond-grown spirulina. This is called the French Artisan Method of spirulina cultivation. This method differs from the large-scale commercial spirulina farms from which most spirulina comes. First, the farms are smaller, and more attention and care are given to the spirulina by the artisans than in open pond cultivation. Think artisanal sourdough bread versus a big bakery for commercial white bread. Second, using a greenhouse rather than open ponds reduces water evaporation, which is better for the environment, as less water and energy are needed. Third, it will be free of the dust that comes onto outdoor pond-grown spirulina, which can often contain pesticides and herbicides from nearby ponds. Fourth, it will be much fresher as most greenhouse growers harvest daily during the growing season, then quickly dry and package it. This results in a much more nutritious spirulina. It gives the benefits of protection from environmental pollutants while allowing the spirulina to receive the full spectrum of natural sunlight. It is also less expensive to produce than the bioreactor spirulina. This is the ideal method for producing spirulina. While it is slower and more labor-intensive than industrial spirulina production, it's a better way of doing things. How is spirulina dried? Most spirulina is dried quickly using high heat, which can damage fragile compounds in the spirulina, but it allows for cheaper and faster production. Gentle drying, such as solar oven, sun drying, freeze-drying, and refractance window drying, are the best methods to help preserve and protect fragile compounds in spirulina. Third-Party Tested Spirulina While many companies claim to have third-party tested spirulina, it’s important to understand that there are a lot of issues with third-party testing. Often, the wrong testing methods are used, or the testing does not cover many of the things that spirulina should be tested for. Unfortunately, third-party testing has become more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. Check out  our blog  to learn more about the issues with third-party testing and what you should be looking for. The best brands of spirulina The best brands of spirulina will use spirulina that: Is grown in greenhouses according to the French Artisan Method of spirulina cultivation, which is what will help ensure your spirulina is free of harmful levels of contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides. Is grown with water coming from deep underground springs and aquifers. Is gently dried and packaged quickly after harvest Is traceable back to the farms it came from. Apogee Spirulina Finding spirulina that was made the right way was not an easy task. Nearly all of the spirulina we looked at in the US was grown in outdoor ponds, so they ruled out about 90% of them.  After a long search, we came upon an incredible spirulina farmer in New Mexico, Nic. He trained in France in the artisanal way of growing and making spirulina. Then he came back to the US and started a spirulina farm and company, Apogee Spirulina . One Of The Apogee Spirulina Greenhouses at sunset. The Apogee Spirulina  Farm is located near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Because they get about 300 days of sunshine a year, they can tap into the abundant solar energy. It’s a perfect environment for growing spirulina in the French Tradition. While a lot of spirulina is grown with questionable ingredients, these are the only things added to the spirulina ponds as food, besides the water and sunshine: Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) – to keep the water alkaline and provide carbon. Salt & magnesium – for balance and cell function. Phosphate & nitrogen – to support strong, healthy growth. Potassium & iron – essential for nutrition and vitality. Trace minerals – to complete the balanced mix spirulina needs. They harvest five days a week during the growing season, and on weekends, they let the ponds rest to allow them to rejuvenate. This results in a fresher, more nutrient-rich spirulina. After harvesting, the spirulina is air-dried in the solar oven. No harsh drying or processing methods are used. Once it’s harvested, the spirulina is then pressed into sprinkles, which are coiled strings of spirulina (like little spirulina spaghetti) that give the algae a larger surface area. This larger surface area means that the spirulina has less nutritional loss than industrial spirulina powder production, making for a higher-quality product. To Apogee , spirulina is more than just a product; it’s a philosophy. As Nic says:  “Spirulina isn’t just a product. It’s a reflection of how we try to live our lives: healthily. Positively. Sharingly. Apogee: the highest point. It’s what we strive for. We want our spirulina to be the best there is, not just for our customers but also for ourselves. That’s because it’s kind of become a way of life. A way of living, and being. Spirulina wasn’t so much something we chose as a career, it’s a way of living that opened up to us, a way of living we hope others open up to as well. Sure, it’s become our trade. But because of what it is, and because of the folks who passed it on to us, who shared their way of harvesting spirulina with us, spirulina represents something far more. It represents possibilities. It points to something grander. And it’s low impact, it’s water-based, it’s billions of years old. And it comes from the sun. What could be more pure? More free? More universal? Besides, it’s fun. It’s clean and clear and it makes you feel good. Not just good in the way that eating your broccoli makes you feel like you’ve done your good-vegetable-deed for the day, but good in a deeper way. In an almost existential way.” We are proud to partner with Apogee to bring you the most incredible spirulina from a fantastic guy, thanks for all your hard work, Nic! Algen Markt Spirulina Algen Markt Spirulina  is produced in the French Artisanal manner in greenhouses in Germany and Greece. Unlike conventional spirulina manufacturing, which uses hot spray drying, Algen Markt's spirulina is dried slowly and gently in the air at temperatures below 42°C . This preserves its nutrients and the raw nature of the spirulina.  100% of the energy they use is renewable, and because of the greenhouses, they use far less water than traditional spirulina growing. This is a much more environmentally friendly way to grow spirulina. Their special greenhouse films allow the full spectrum of sunlight to get through to the algae, without worrying about contaminants from the outdoors. The water for their greenhouses comes from deep underground springs.  Due to their careful growing and processing techniques, their spirulina has a mild, crispy flavor – without the otherwise typical, strong fishy aftertaste present in industrially grown spirulina. There are no Chilean nitrates used in the growing of Algen Markt spirulina. They are banned from use in the EU for the growing of organic spirulina. Their spirulina is EU-certified organic, and each batch of spirulina is tested for a variety of contaminants, including heavy metals. All of their spirulina is free of additives, fillers, binders, flavorings, and sweeteners! Algen Markt makes a variety of forms of spirulina to suit every need. Tablets Easy to use and convenient. Powder Perfect for mixing into smoothies and foods. Flakes An excellent topping for salads, soups, vegetables, and muesli. They also add a nice umami flavor to pesto and guacamole.  Sprinkles  These come with a spice grinder, making it easy to add freshly ground spirulina to every meal. The adjustable grinder allows for coarse grinding, great for salads, etc, and smooth for dressings and smoothies.  Freshly ground spirulina has a more intense flavor and is more nutrient-rich than preground powder.' We are thrilled to introduce this incredible spirulina, in all its forms, to the US for you to enjoy! Spirulina Questions And Support If you have questions about our spirulina, email us at   info@rooted-nutrition.com , and we will be happy to answer them.

Beef liver is very popular right now, and for good reason. It is one of the most nutrient-dense foods, and that’s important since most people are not getting the vitamins and minerals they need. Beef Liver Supplement Benefits Beef liver is packed with nutrients. An ounce of beef liver contains: Vitamins: Vitamin A: 1408 mcg (156% DV) Vitamin B6: 0.3 mg (24% DV) Vitamin B12: 17 mcg (700% DV) Riboflavin (B2): 1 mg (60% DV) Niacin (B3): 4 mg (23% DV) Folate (B9): 82 mcg (21% DV) Choline: 94 mg (17% DV) Vitamin C: 0.4 mg (0.4% DV) Vitamin D: 0.3 mcg (2% DV) Vitamin E: 0.1 mg (1% DV) Vitamin K (as mk-4): 1 mcg (1% DV) Minerals: Iron: 1 mg (17% DV) Copper: 3 mg (307% DV) Potassium: 89 mg (2% DV) Phosphorus: 110 mg (16% DV) Selenium: 11 mcg (20% DV) Zinc: 1 mg (10% DV) Very few foods contain that much nutrition in just one ounce. Just one ounce a day is a great addition to your diet that can help make it much easier to meet your nutritional needs.  Vitamin A and Beef Liver Many people are afraid of eating liver because they have been told they can overdose on vitamin A.  Much of this belief started because some explorers in the Arctic ate polar bear liver and got sick. It was assumed that because liver is high in vitamin A, it is what made them ill. In reality, it is because Polar Bear livers are super high in cadmium. The explorers got cadmium poisoning, not vitamin A toxicity. You should not eat the livers of carnivorous mammals, only herbivores. The best are grass-fed beef, lamb, mutton, bison, buffalo, elk, and venison.  In theory, you could overdose on liver, but you would have to consistently eat very large amounts of it over a long period.  There are many reports in medical literature of people getting vitamin A poisoning from supplements or excess vitamin A in supplements, causing problems during pregnancy. If you read the full studies and literature, it is from synthetic and isolated vitamins. We could not find any reports, studies, or case reports showing an overdose of vitamin A from liver or other whole food sources. Many people take synthetic vitamin A supplements in dosages far exceeding amounts you would ever find in a normal amount of liver, which can be problematic. Please be aware that there are a lot of vitamin A supplements that claim to be natural, from fish liver oil, when that is not at all what they are. Ingesting excess vitamin A without copper can cause problems, but liver contains copper, so there is no worry about that issue when consuming liver. Here is one example of a case of vitamin A toxicity: “An 18 year old woman who had been taking vitamin A for an unspecified skin disorder in a dose of 100,000 to 200,000 IU daily for approximately 16 months developed muscular stiffness and fatigue which was particularly worsened by exercise. She subsequently noted bone pain, headache, poor appetite, nosebleeds, dry skin and generalized pruritus. ” One ounce of beef liver contains about 3500 to 5000 iu (1060 to 1500 mcg) of vitamin A (it varies from batch to batch like all nutrients in food do). This means to get to the amount of vitamin A making that woman sick one would need to eat about twenty to forty ounces of beef liver a day. No one in their right mind would eat that much beef liver every day, and we certainly would not recommend eating that much. You can get too much of any food or nutrients. Vitamin A toxicity risk really comes from synthetic and isolated vitamin A supplements or people doing crazy things. Some people have had their skin temporarily turn orange from eating too many carrots or orange vegetables. Fun fact: this happened to me as a baby when I ate too many carrots in a short period. This is caused by excess beta-carotene consumption, not vitamin A. This also clears up when those people take a break from eating those vegetables. This has nothing to do with liver, as liver contains vitamin A, as retinoids, not beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.  Does Beef Liver Have Toxins? One of the most common misconceptions that we hear about beef liver is that you should not eat it because the liver stores toxins. That’s simply not true. The liver filters out toxins but does not store them.  “The liver removes harmful substances from our body often by breaking them down to smaller byproducts. These byproducts leave the liver through bile or blood – byproducts in bile are removed from the body through feces while those in the blood are filtered out by the kidneys and removed through the urine.” Toxins that are not excreted are stored in adipose tissue.   So when you buy beef liver, it is not full of toxins, no matter what the internet says. Beef liver is not full of toxins. Where can you buy beef liver? Knowing the source of your beef liver is very important. As with other foods, we recommend connecting with a local farmer. Look for liver that is grass-fed and grass-finished, as well as regeneratively farmed. Here is a great map  to find a farmer near you.  If you can’t find it locally, here are some places that will ship it right to your house: White oak pastures North Star Bison Thousand Hills How to eat beef liver There are several ways to get beef liver in your diet. Cook with it. If you soak liver overnight in milk before cooking, it will reduce the mineral taste. Cut it into small pieces, freeze it, and then swallow it like a vitamin. We only recommend doing this if you know the farm it is coming from and that they have good practices to avoid foodborne pathogens. Don’t eat it raw and don’t do this with regular liver from the grocery store. Always freeze liver before doing this.  Take a beef liver supplement. Beef Liver Pate Recipe Beef liver Pate is one of the simplest and easiest ways to enjoy beef liver. Yields: About 1 cup Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 pound beef liver, sliced 1/2 cup butter, divided 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: Soak the liver: Place the liver slices in a bowl and cover with milk. Let soak for at least 30 minutes to help remove any strong flavors. Soaking overnight reduces the minerally taste significantly.  Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, melt 1/4 cup of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. Cook the liver: Remove the onion and garlic from the pan and set aside. Add the remaining butter to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the liver slices and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until browned but still slightly pink inside. Blend the ingredients: Transfer the liver, onion, garlic, and any pan juices to a food processor or blender. Add the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Chill and serve: Transfer the pâté to a container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow it to firm up. Serve with crackers, toast, or crudités. Tips: For a smoother pâté, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve after blending. Try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the pâté to add more flavor. Pâté can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Other great ways to enjoy liver include: Classic beef liver and onions Meatballs with beef liver Make meatballs with 80-90 percent beef and 10-20% beef liver. Force Of Nature Meats sells a great premade ground beef blend with liver  in it. We know eating beef liver isn’t for everyone, and if that’s you, then a beef liver supplement is a great way to get the great nutrition of beef liver without having to cook it.    Beef Liver Pills As with buying beef liver, it’s very important to know the source of your beef liver supplement and how it was made. There are a ton of companies selling beef liver supplements right now, and most of them have nothing to do with the manufacturing process except having their name slapped on the label. You want a company that does the whole process themselves, from farm to bottle. What to look for in a beef liver Capsule First up is ethics. The vast majority of beef liver supplements are made from ingredients sourced from South America.   Cattle ranching in South America is a leading cause of rainforest deforestation (about eighty percent) , and   slave labor is often used . In addition,   Native peoples are often killed and pushed off their land, and often killed, to clear more space for cattle ranching . It’s to avoid beef liver supplements from South America. Check out our   blog  to learn more about it. Due to the mixing of beef liver different farms and the lack of traceability, it is nearly impossible to guarantee that an a beef liver  supplement from South America is ethically produced. Plenty of companies, like JBS, who supply the raw materials, claim to produce ethical versions, but their   actual actions are quite different from the marketing . One of the best things you can do for the environment and native peoples is to boycott all beef products, from meat at the grocery store to supplements, from South America. Next up is animal welfare because how the animals are raised and treated matters greatly for the planet, the health and well-being of the animals, and your health.  They should be genuinely regeneratively raised, grass-fed, pastured, and free-range. Unfortunately, because of a lack of proper regulations, companies use these terms without actually following the spirit of what those things should mean.  Regenerative Beef Liver Supplements When most people think of grass-fed, they imagine cattle leisurely walking across huge open fields, munching various grasses and plants, and having a pretty relaxing time. That would be how all grass-fed cattle are raised in an ideal world. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world.  In the US, all cattle start on grass and are either grass-finished or grain-finished in feed lots. As demand for grass-fed beef has increased, many companies have found a way to produce truly grass-finished beef by confining the cattle to feedlots and feeding them alfalfa pellets instead of grazing on fresh grass. While this may be allowable under the current rules and regulations, it very much defeats the spirit of grass-fed. In addition, a lot of alfalfa is grown in drought-prone areas and requires massive amounts of water to grow. Another issue that arises is that a lot of grass-fed beef is produced in a very destructive way. It is poor practice to just let a whole bunch of cattle out in the same area repeatedly. This causes overgrazing, which can lead to a deterioration of the land and increased pollution from runoff.  Ideally, cattle should be regeneratively raised, using rotational grazing, to allow the land time to recover. It creates grassland with deeper roots and soil with more nutrients because their manure adds so much to the soil. It helps to improve the environment by storing large amounts of carbon in the soil, improving the water table, reducing runoff, and improving the local water cycle. Real regenerative agriculture does not spray pesticides onto the grass, allowing the microbes and healthy soil to keep the grasses healthy. It also makes for healthier animals as they get sick far less often, meaning fewer antibiotics and fewer medications are needed. The animals also get to spend their time outside enjoying the fresh and sunshine, rather than being confined to feed lots. It also creates food with much higher levels of nutrients, which is better for us. It's a win-win overall.  Our friends at   White Oak Pastures   are a great example of how all farming should be done. All farms should strive to follow their model. Of course, with the increasing demand for regeneratively raised meat and ingredients, there are many companies claiming to sell regenerative products that do not. This has become an enormous problem in New Zealand, especially.  Large suppliers in New Zealand are putting too many animals into too small of a space, which leads to overgrazing and lots of runoff into the water supply. Instead of changing to properly done regenerative and rotational grazing, they are spraying the pastures with lots of pesticides and importing tons of nitrates, which are spread on the fields, to speed up the grasses' growth. However, this is causing tons of run-off in   their water supply, which is creating huge amounts of water pollution . This is not regenerative agriculture, but unfortunately, ingredients produced this way are being sold with claims of regenerative agriculture on the packaging. Real regenerative agriculture improves the water quality around. It is also where a huge amount of the raw materials that go into a lot of big brands of beef organ supplements come from. It is frustrating to see so many desiccated organ supplement brands with regenerative agriculture claims in their marketing and on their products that use these materials that are anything but regenerative. Real regenerative agriculture leaves the land and the environment better than before. It does not make things worse. It’s important to choose organ supplements made from truly regenerative farming. It’s also important to look for beef organs from countries with strict government monitoring for diseases such as BSE (mad cow disease). Beef liver pill manufacturing The next important step in creating great beef liver supplements is the manufacturing of the raw materials. What happens to the fresh organs matters a great deal in ensuring you get the best product. Most desiccated liver supplements are made with high-heat drying methods, such as spray drying, which can damage the fragile compounds and nutrients in them. The best method for drying beef liver supplements is freeze-drying. However, not all freeze-drying methods are created equal. If the freeze-drying process is done too quickly, which is cheaper for companies, it can degrade the raw material. When freeze-drying beef liver, it’s important to use a slower, gentler freeze-drying method . Ideally, this process should take place over forty-eight hours. After the liver is dried, it must be milled into a powder. Traditional milling creates a lot of heat and friction, which can damage the important bioactives in liver. Cryo-milling, which is a cold process, is the method that should be used. This method is much more expensive, so most companies use traditional milling methods. Since most companies don’t make their own raw materials or liver supplements, they usually don’t know what type of milling is used.  Once the liver is milled into a powder, it should be put into a container and sold as is or encapsulated. A good beef liver supplement should contain no fillers, binders, or excipients. Filling capsules without them is more time-consuming and costly, but it creates a better finished product. We recommend choosing beef liver supplements in beef gelatin capsules rather than vegetable cellulose capsules because they protect the organs better from stomach acid and provide gelatin, which is great for gut health, hair, skin, nails, joints, etc. In addition, many vegetable cellulose capsules contain unwanted ingredients, often not listed on the label.  It’s best to choose beef liver supplements in capsule or powder form. Other formats, such as tablets and gummies, require lots of processing methods that can damage important compounds and nutrients and add lots of unwanted additives to the product. Look for powders that are just the pure organs, without added sweeteners, flavorings, and fillers. Beef Liver Pill Testing Beef liver supplements should be tested at several points during manufacturing for various contaminants, including bacteria, fungi, heavy metals, pesticides, and more. Look for companies that also use third-party testing on the finished product of each batch.   It can be nearly impossible to know if companies do all of these things correctly unless they do all of it themselves, including getting the fresh organs directly from the farmers, then making the raw material and bottling the product. Look for companies that do all of these steps themselves. Unfortunately, most companies get raw materials from a middleman and have a contract manufacturer slap their name on the label. That is the exact opposite of what you want.  How to take beef liver supplements Capsules: Take six capsules (500 mg) in the morning with a large glass of water with breakfast. It is best not to take liver too late in the day because it can be too energizing and affect sleep. Powder: Take ½ a teaspoon in the morning with breakfast. It can be mixed into a food or beverage of your choice.  Beef liver supplements should be stored in a cool, dry place away from moisture and sunlight. The Best Beef Liver Pills Finding a beef liver company that met all the criteria we were looking for was not easy. Many companies had great stories, especially some of the biggest, most well-advertised ones, but they did not make or produce any part of the product, having outsourced the whole process. We wanted a company that did everything themselves so we could verify every step involved in producing the product. We wanted beef liver supplements that had a   farm-to-bottle  approach. If farm-to-table is ideal for our food, we should also strive to apply it to our supplements. Knowing exactly where your beef liver pills come from and who made them is essential. NXGEN Wholefoods Beef Liver Supplements Thankfully, after much time and research, we found a beef liver supplement company that’s doing everything right,   NXGEN Wholefoods . NXGEN Wholefoods   provides organic, regeneratively farmed, grass-fed, grass-finished beef liver ( pills and powder ) and lamb liver sourced from Australian farms. They are the only company globally with over fifty years of meat industry experience and qualifications to harvest and collect the perfect quality liver. They have the most extensive range of beef organs and glands to choose from and are leaders in glandular therapy. Their beef and lamb liver are sourced from the ancient and untouched soils and land of Lake Eyre in South Australia, where the ranches are as large as Texas. The cattle thrive on native grasses and roam freely for thousands of miles in an area where no cropping occurs. There’s no glyphosate spraying or pesticide drift from neighboring properties. Far too many companies get liver from cattle that graze on pastures that were heavily sprayed with pesticides. It isn’t good for the environment, the cattle, the people spraying it, and your health. Proper management of pastures makes that completely unnecessary, but unfortunately, too many companies put profits above all else. The cattle are not given mRNA vaccines, Bovaer, synthetic feed additives, hormones, or antibiotics. The farms they source the liver from are incredibly clean and provide the benefits of unique, natural peptides, vitamins, and minerals. The farmers use the exact farming methods you think of when you imagine regenerative farming, not the greenwashed fake versions that are all too common now.  Check out the video below to learn more. This is the kind of farm that your beef liver pills should come from. NXGEN Wholefoods  is vertically integrated, meaning they have full control of all parts of the sourcing and manufacture from farm to capsule. They buy restaurant-grade organs and glands and inspect them firsthand; they own and operate the freeze-drying technology, using a slow forty-eight hour method. They use cryogenic milling, so it is safe from the heat and friction of traditional milling methods. Their products are non-defatted, which means they retain the fats, which contain important compounds not found elsewhere. Many companies remove the fat from their organs, because it makes them cheaper to produce, but it is a harsh process that removes a lot of important bioactives. Always buy beef organ supplements that are non-defatted, so you get the full range of benefits these nourishing foods have to offer. The final process of encapsulation and packing is done in their state-of-the-art factory in NSW, Australia. They manufacture small batches for freshness, and each capsule is equivalent to eating the raw organ and gland without the mess, but with the convenience of knowing food safety and food quality is the best. All batches are third-party and tested for purity. We are so proud to partner with   NXGEN Wholefoods , which is setting the standard for what all beef liver supplement companies should strive for. Beef Liver Supplement Questions and Support For more information on beef liver supplements, check out our   Nose-To-Tail Center , where you can learn all about the benefits of organ meats. If you have questions about beef liver and beef liver supplements, please email us at info@rooted-nutrition.com , and we will be happy to answer them!

As men age, many feel like they’ve lost a step or no longer feel like themselves. This is a pretty common complaint, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The right supplements can help you feel your best and give you the energy to help you reach your goals! Selecting the best organ supplements for men can be overwhelming, with numerous brands making bold claims. Many products have similar labels, which can significantly add to the confusion. Unfortunately, companies can say and do almost anything they like due to the lack of enforced regulations in the supplement industry. Although many labels and marketing materials appear similar, their similarity does not necessarily mean the products are identical. Check out our blog, A Tale Of Two Bottles , for an in-depth look at how two supplement bottles can appear similar, but what’s inside the package is very different. Many cattle are kept in feedlots and fed alfalfa pellets. This allows them to be labeled grass fed even though they are not given access to pasture. Beef Organ Supplements For Men: What To Look For Here are a few questions, but not all of them, as that would be way too long an article, that you should ask when choosing a beef organ supplement brand: Does the company have a direct relationship with the farms where the organs come from? The company should be able to trace the organs back to the farm and the exact animals they come from.  Are the farms the organs come from farming with ethical practices, or just saying they are?  For example, you should not choose beef organ supplements made from organs sourced from South America for a host of moral issues, including rainforest deforestation, slavery, murder, and land theft. You can read more about this here . Simply labeling a product as "grass-fed" or "regeneratively farmed" does not necessarily make it good or mean it is truly produced that way. Many companies make false claims about regenerative farming, including some of the largest ones. Often, companies use organs from New Zealand, but many of these are not truly regeneratively farmed, despite the claims. New Zealand faces an overgrazing problem, leading to significant water pollution due to the excessive grazing of cows on a small area of land. To make the grass grow faster, they are importing tons of nitrates and applying them to the pastures. This accelerates grass growth, but also results in large amounts of water pollution from the runoff. In addition, there are fewer nutrients in the soil because the land is not able to rest fully and restore the nutrients that come with proper regenerative grazing. Just because a company claims they use regenerative farms does not mean it’s truly regenerative or being done the right way. Does the company make its own raw materials from fresh organs?  The vast majority of beef organ supplement companies don’t do this, even the largest ones. They purchase bulk powder from middlemen who combine organs from various locations, making it nearly impossible to determine their true origin. Does the company manufacture its own products?  The answer should be yes. The vast majority of beef organ supplement companies don’t do this, even the largest ones. They have large contract manufacturers buy the bulk material and bottle it for them. Is the product properly dried?  Many drying methods are incredibly harsh, which can damage fragile constituents in the organs. They should be dried using a slow freeze-drying process. Traditional freeze drying is done much faster, but it is not as good as slow freeze-drying for protecting fragile compounds in the organs. For example, freeze-dried beef liver shouldn't smell offensive.  It should be brown and have a sweet-smelling, pleasant aroma.  Many freeze-drying companies aim to dry products as quickly as possible (because that increases profits), but in doing so, they often burn the product (think of freezer burn), which can cause important vitamins, minerals, and secondary compounds to degrade. Are the ingredients cryo-milled to prevent thermal degradation that happens during traditional ingredient milling? Traditional ingredient milling involves a lot of friction, which creates heat that can damage fragile nutrients and compounds in the organs. Cryomilling is a cold milling process that avoids the problems created by the normal milling process. Are the organs defatted?  Many beef organ supplements are made with defatted organs, resulting in the loss of essential nutrients and compounds found in the fat. You want organ supplements made with non-defatted organs.  Is the product in a good delivery format?  For example, beef organ supplements should never be in gummy form, as the process of making a gummy is extremely harsh. Filler and additive-free beef gelatin capsules and powders are the best.  One of the most important things is to look for companies that make the product from start to finish. Not companies that slap their label on a private or white label product. A good story is no substitute for hands-on manufacturing and a relationship with the farmers. Check out our blog  to learn why you should avoid white label products. Before buying an organ supplement, ask the companies if they make the products themselves from fresh organs (traceable back to the farms) to the bottle or have other companies make the products for them. Most companies will give a convoluted answer with lots of marketing terms, but never say they do those things.  Many companies claim to be third-party tested, but it's crucial to understand that this practice, initially intended as a positive, has evolved into a marketing gimmick rather than a quality measure. Check out   our blog  to learn more about this. It is incredibly rare to find a company that does all that and more to make beef organ supplements for men properly. Most companies have big contract manufacturers slap their label on products without any connection to the farms or manufacturing processes, and then spend all of their money on great marketing instead of investing it in making better products. The largest beef organ supplement companies in the US don't produce their own raw materials, don't have a direct connection with the farms, don't manufacture their own products, but spend a fortune to have a great social media and marketing presence. What's more important: marketing or product quality and ethics? We think the quality and ethics should come first. If you want a more in-depth look at the quality control, sourcing, and ethical considerations you should look at when choosing a beef organ supplement, check out our   blog . Beef Organ Supplements For men Choosing the right one can be confusing, especially with so many choices available. Our guide will help you make the right decision for your healthy journey. If you need help, we are always available to answer your questions. First up is the premier beef organ supplement for men , Cow & Bull Alpha Male . It contains testicle, liver, and blood. It’s our top pick for men who feel like they’ve lost a step or want to regain their former energy.  It contains: Activin and inhibin  Endothelin Epidermal growth factor Zinc  It is one of the most essential nutrients for men’s health. Without enough zinc, many bodily functions won't work correctly. Unfortunately, most men don’t get enough zinc. Immunoglobulins, red and white blood cells, riboflavin, folate, B12, choline, and iron are supplied by blood, which are nutrients that provide potent support for male vitality. Vitamin A And a whole lot more! Alpha Male is made for the guy who wants to feel more energized, vital, and ready to take on the world. T his is a supplement  you can feel! Next up is NXGEN Wholefoods Male Optimise . It provides the raw ingredients to help men achieve their goals. Containing prized organs: testicle, prostate, liver, heart, and bone marrow. Included are specific building blocks, peptides, and enzymes to nourish and support men’s health. Male Optimise retains ancient wisdom and nutritional properties, replenishing what is missing from the modern world.  This unique combination of beef organs provides a balance of proteins, cofactors, peptides, enzymes, unique to beef organs, including natural CoQ10, B12, B6, Vitamin A, Choline, Folate, copper, heme iron, glycosaminoglycans, stem cells, marrow, growth factors, fat-soluble activators, and a class of lipids called alkylglycerols (AKGs for short).  Male Optimise is ideal for men seeking to boost their overall health and feel more alive, vibrant, and ready to seize the day! NXGEN Wholefoods Bull Testicle is our next superstar. I t is a rich source of zinc and other compounds that help give you that extra oomph when you need it most. Testicle is a potent way to help you perform your best (wink wink). It’s a great companion to Alpha Male  when you want an even more powerful boost. Beef Organs Pre-workout Supplement While most pre-workout supplements are packed with caffeine, stimulants, and other things that may give a short-term boost, they come with significant unwanted side effects. We think there's a better way. NXGEN Wholefoods Whole Blood   contains bovine blood, liver, and spleen. In addition, the whole foods in   it include the cofactors that help to support healthy energy levels, including B12 and heme iron. This powerful supplement is ideal to take before a workout or long run; think of it as a whole-food pre-workout supplement, but without the jitters, crash, and unwanted side effects of traditional pre-workouts. Beef organs are a safer, better pre-workout than stimulant-filled synthetic chemical powders. Grass Fed Beef Protein Powder When you’re working out a lot, it’s essential to get enough protein. Unfortunately, most protein powders are full of junk. Nxgen Hydro Beef Protein  is made from grass fed and finished beef muscle meat, collagen, and bones. Nxgen Hydro Beef Isolate Protein is different from other brands as it contains naturally occurring vitamins from the muscle meat, along with minerals (calcium, phosphorus, etc.) found in grass-fed and grass-finished beef bones.  Many brands of beef protein are essentially just collagen, lacking other essential nutrients. Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like beef! During the manufacturing process, the flavor compounds are removed, resulting in a neutral-tasting product. Unlike other manufacturers who add natural flavors and sweeteners to make their powder more palatable, Nxgen Wholefoods Grass Fed Beef Protein stands out as 100% pure beef without any additives.  Unlike other companies, which slap their label on a bottle made by someone else with no traceability, NXGEN Wholefoods produces its own beef protein and bottles it in its own facility. All the meat is traceable back to the farm and the animals it came from. Beef Organ supplements for men's brain health NXGEN Wholefoods Mood and Memory   helps to support a healthy brain. It contains grass-fed and finished brain (including cortex, hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal gland), bone marrow, and liver. It is rich in DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that most people don't get enough of, as well as phosphatidylserine,  brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), choline, B vitamins, copper, and selenium. It is a nutrient powerhouse. It’s an excellent choice for those who feel their brain needs some extra nourishment. Beef Organ supplements for Energy Sometimes you need a quick energy boost to help you get through the day. That's where beef liver comes in. NXGEN Wholefoods Beef Liver   is a great way to boost your energy without the crash of caffeine or the jitters of stimulant energy drinks. It also packs a huge nutritional punch. So the next time you need some energy, put down that energy drink and take some beef liver. To learn more about the fantastic benefits of beef liver, check out our   blog . How to Take Beef Organ Supplements for Men Beef organ supplements are best taken with food and a full glass of water. It's essential to start slowly and gradually increase to the full dosage, as most people are not accustomed to such concentrated nutrition. We recommend taking most of them earlier in the day. Consistent long-term use produces the best results. It's best to use them for at least three months for full results. As with other supplements, it is a good idea to talk with your healthcare practitioner before starting them. They should be stored in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. What makes NXGEN Wholefoods Beef Organ Supplements different than other Beef Organ Supplement brands? A million companies are jumping on the beef organ supplements bandwagon, many with incredible marketing. However, great marketing does not equate to quality, sustainability, and ethics, and it is not a substitute for doing all of the steps needed to produce a good product. NXGEN Wholefoods   provides organic, regeneratively farmed, grass-fed, grass-finished beef organ supplements sourced from Australian farms. They are the only organ supplement company with over fifty years of meat industry experience and the qualifications to harvest and collect organs of incredible quality. They offer the most extensive range of beef organs and glands, and are leaders in glandular therapy. The organs are sourced from the ancient soils and land of Lake Eyre in South Australia, where the ranches are as large as Texas. The cattle thrive on native grasses (over twenty-six types) and roam freely for thousands of miles in an area where no cropping occurs. There’s no glyphosate spraying or pesticide drift from neighboring properties. Far too many companies get organs from cattle that graze on pastures that are heavily sprayed with pesticides or have massive amounts of nitrites dumped on them to increase grass growth, which harms local waterways. It's detrimental to the environment, the cattle, the people applying it, and your health. Proper management of pastures makes that completely unnecessary, but unfortunately, too many companies put profits above all else. The cattle are not given mRNA vaccines, Bovaer, synthetic feed additives, hormones, or antibiotics. The farmers use the exact farming methods you think of when you imagine regenerative farming, not the greenwashed fake versions that are all too common now.  This is the kind of farm from which you want your beef organs to come. Knowing exactly where the organs come from, not just the country of origin, is important. While the Lake Eyre region is pristine and ideal for cattle ranching, the Murray River Basin area is heavily developed and suffers from pollution-related issues, making it unsuitable for obtaining high-quality organs. That’s why the country of origin is not enough. Both are in Australia, but you only want organs from one of those places. NXGEN Wholefoods  is vertically integrated, meaning they have complete control of all parts of the sourcing and manufacturing from farm to capsule. They purchase restaurant-grade organs and glands, inspecting them firsthand. They also own and operate the freeze-drying technology, employing a slow forty-eight-hour method. They use cryogenic milling , which is safe from the heat and friction associated with traditional milling methods. Their products are non-defatted, which means they retain the fats, which contain important compounds not found elsewhere. Many companies remove the fat from their organs because it makes them cheaper to produce, but it is a harsh process that removes a lot of bioactives. Always opt for non-defatted beef organ supplements to reap the full benefits that these nourishing foods offer. The final encapsulation and packing is done in their state-of-the-art factory in NSW, Australia. They manufacture small batches for freshness, and each capsule is equivalent to eating the raw organ and gland without the mess, but with the convenience of knowing that food safety and food quality are the best. Third-party testing is done for pathogens. The Australian Government tests for heavy metals at abattoirs and farms to protect the reputation of the Australian Beef Industry.  There have been no positive tests for high levels of heavy metals at the abattoirs or farms from which NXGEN Wholefoods sources its organs. NXGEN Wholefoods manages the entire supply chain process, from farm to jar, and can trace every product back to the farm and the animal.  While NXGEN Wholefoods oversees the entire process from organ to bottle, most companies have no involvement in the process. They don’t source their own raw organs, they don’t produce their own raw materials, and they don’t manufacture the finished product. All they do is slap their label on a product made by someone else, from organs sourced from a vast number of places, all mixed together, and then market the hell out of them. Often , these are white label products, where a single large company makes the same product for hundreds or thousands of companies. We think it’s best to go with a company that controls the whole process over one with the best marketing.  While in the US, FDA regulations and inspections are being further cut and defunded, leading to more adulteration and contamination of supplements, Australia's TGA standards for supplements continue to be among the strictest in the world. This protects your health and ensures you get the best products. Australia has some of the most stringent regulations on supplement quality control and manufacturing in the world. We are so proud to partner with   NXGEN Wholefoods to bring you the most incredible beef organ supplements. They set the standard that all companies should strive for.  You deserve the best beef organ supplements; stop settling for companies that are really just glorified marketing agencies. For more information on beef organ supplements, check out our   Nose-To-Tail Center , where you can learn all about the benefits of organ meats. Beef Organ Supplements For Men: Questions And Support If you have questions about our beef organ supplements, please email us at info@rooted-nutrition.com , and we will be happy to answer them!

I saw an ad for a supplement last night that was 100% lies, and it pushed me over the edge, and I crashed out. Now you all get to join me on my crash out. Please enjoy this edition of me losing my mind due to repeated, daily exposure to stupidity. Contemplating my life choices First up is Amazon facing no penalties, fines, or consequences for continuously selling products that are completely mislabeled, fraudulent, counterfeit, and every other type of wrong. How the hell is it legal to sell a product labeled one thing, even if it’s not that product? Despite being repeatedly informed of this and given the test results, Amazon takes no action and leaves the products up. If someone gave us good data that something we were selling had problems, we would take the products down immediately and begin investigating it, which is precisely what a company should do. Imagine if you went to the store and bought butter, but inside the package was bread. Wouldn’t a grocery store get in some trouble for doing that over and over again? Not Amazon, though; apparently, they have zero responsibility to ensure that what they are selling is what they claim it is. Also, screw the FDA, as well, because all the insane issues found in supplements on Amazon have been sent to them over and over again, and they refuse to take any action to remedy the situation. For example, it recently came out that 22 out of 23 St. John’s Wort products tested failed for various reasons, including a bunch of them containing a synthetic dye. Many of them claimed to be third-party tested. Yet, all of these products are still up on the website. You have to be nuts to buy supplements on Amazon, with all the issues, as it is a complete roll of the dice as to whether you are getting a real product or not. You wouldn’t tolerate that from the grocery store, so don’t do it with a website. You can read more about the problems with supplements on Amazon here . Next up is the rise of claims that people should look for third-party testing as the most important measure of quality in a supplement. I am astonished at how fast this nonsense has grown. Third-party testing is just the latest marketing gimmick that lets companies hide their issues. I say this as a company selling lots of products that are third-party tested: IT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING! We don’t use it as a measure of quality or safety, and neither should you. All it does is give people a false sense of security and provide a great marketing opportunity. My hatred for marketing departments grows daily.  Here are just a few of the problems: People don’t know what should be tested and which testing methods to use. Many ingredients need specialized testing, and if you don’t know what that is, how can you tell if the correct method was used? It’s easy for a company to use the wrong testing method (on purpose or because they don’t actually know what the right one is), and then the product shows it is free of a certain contaminant when it may still contain it because the wrong method was used. A ton of them are fake and altered, which is really easy to do with basic editing software or AI. Companies will use a test result from a different company with a similar product, then replace the information with their own. Other companies make fake ones, and most people have no way of telling the difference.  Nearly all of them are incomplete. For example, they almost always have no solvent residue or adulteration testing listed. Companies will conduct third-party testing on just one lot and then use third-party testing marketing for all future lots. Most companies will do third-party testing for one or two things, but not for all the things that should be tested. Passing one quality measure does not make something a good product.  You can read more about the problems with third-party testing here ;  this  blog   will show what to look for in terms of quality control, and this article will show you what to look for in sourcing. Next up is crazy amounts of claimed ingredients in a product serving size. If you have a 500 mg tablet, you can’t have over 2000 mg of material in it. It’s just not physically possible, yet every day I get requests to order or carry products that make those very claims. Shockingly, most of those products are found on Amazon and claim to be third-party tested. This is where I usually bang my head on the desk repeatedly to try and make the pain go away. For example: We purchased this product from Amazon. It claims to have 2180 milligrams of ingredients, plus fillers, including 2000 milligrams of vitamin C, in each tablet. Yet, when we weigh the pills (which don’t look like the ones in the picture), they weigh between 1100 and 1200 milligrams. It is not possible to have 2180 mg of ingredients in a pill weighing only 1100-1200 mg. It even shows it’s third-party tested, which is weird, since that product clearly has issues, and I keep being told third-party testing is the key to quality.  Yet, Amazon takes no action to remove products like this. Time for my lobotomy.  Making a return to haunt my dreams are mushroom supplements with no mushroom fruiting bodies. I hate it here so much. If a company puts a picture of a mushroom fruiting body on the label, it should have that mushroom fruiting body in it. Is that such a crazy take?  See that nice big red reishi mushroom on the front of that package? That’s the fruiting body of the mushroom. Guess what’s not in that product? Reishi mushroom fruiting body. I want to stick a hot poker in my eyes whenever I see these things. Unfortunately, because of what I do for a living, I have to see crap like this every day. You can read more about what to look for in mushroom supplements here . A recurring daily nightmare for me is fake whole food vitamins. A whole food supplement should not contain or use synthetic and isolated vitamins and minerals at any time during the production process. The nutrients in it should only be in the foods used. Every day, my eyes are subjected to a new fake whole food supplement. I would estimate that over 90% of the supplements that claim to be whole food contain synthetic or isolated vitamins and minerals. For example, we typed in "whole food vitamins" into the Amazon search bar and couldn’t find a single multivitamin that didn’t use or contain synthetic or isolated vitamins and minerals on the entire first page. They were all super happy to market themselves as whole-food vitamins, though. What a time to be alive. You can read more about how to tell if a supplement is whole food or not   here .  Here are some current crashout honorable mentions: White colostrum powder. Properly made colostrum is golden yellow, not white. The fact that the best-selling colostrum powder is white is one of the most infuriating things. It has had a bunch of beneficial things stripped out of it. You can read what to look for in a colostrum supplement here . White label and private label The sheer volume of companies selling the exact same product, made by the same company, is mind-boggling. Rather than invest in making unique or better products, they slap their label on the identical product made for thousands of companies and stores, then spend their entire budget marketing how much better it is than the eight bajillion identical products. It is funny seeing companies market themselves in an ad versus the same product with another company's label.  You can read more about this practice here .  Liposomal supplement pills and powders You cannot have a liposomal supplement in a pill or powder. It is no longer a liposome; instead, it is a lipid powder. Lipid powders do not offer the advantages that liposomal supplements do, and the fact that companies can keep labeling them as liposomal supplements when they are most certainly not makes me want to go for that third lobotomy. You can read about liposomal supplements here . I hope my crash out made you all laugh a bit and that you have a much better day than my brain is having!

Akkermansia is a bacteria that has been getting a lot of attention lately. When something becomes extremely popular very quickly, it always makes me a little nervous, because the advertising and marketing often get way ahead of the science and safety, which is why I’ve waited to write anything about it.  What is Akkermansia muciniphila? Akkermansia is a genus of bacteria that lives in our gut, and it is an important part of our microbiome. It primarily lives in the large intestine, where it feeds on mucin, a compound that makes up a part of the gut mucosa (gut lining). Akkermansia muciniphila benefits There are numerous claims about the benefits of Akkermansia muciniphila, but many of these are influenced by several factors that we will discuss later in the article. What is often overlooked is that Akkermansia can easily become overpopulated, leading to significant health issues. It’s essential to have a balance of these bacteria —not too much, not too little —think of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This is one bacteria that can easily be overdone. It’s really frustrating to see numerous companies and websites promoting it without providing the whole picture.  When properly used, Akkermansia benefits include: Supporting a healthy gut microbiome. Supporting a healthy gut lining. Supporting healthy short-chain fatty acid production. Supporting a healthy immune system. Supporting healthy gut motility. Akkermansia foods Akkermansia loves variety. Eating a wide variety of nutrient-dense, polyphenol and fiber-rich whole foods is the best way to help it flourish. This will also benefit the rest of your gut microbiome and overall health. In particular, these foods are very helpful: Apples with the skin Berries Onions Green Bananas Red and purple grapes with the seeds  You can eat the seeds. I promise a grape plant won’t grow in your stomach. Onions Asparagus Cacao It’s important to choose low-heavy metal, ethically sourced cacao. High Quality Matcha Not that dull, lifeless stuff. Matcha should be a vibrant, bright green color and come in small containers, not big tubs, directly from the farm.  Artichokes Pomegranates Cranberries Leeks Carrots Wild-caught fatty fish like sardines and salmon. Ultra-processed foods and alcohol are the biggest things to avoid, as these can reduce your levels, but in general, they should be avoided as much as possible anyway. Please don’t rely on ultra-processed foods that are enriched with fiber to feed your good bacteria; they are a poor substitute for whole foods.  What Causes Low Levels of Akkermansia? Ultra-processed foods and alcohol are the biggest dietary causes of low levels of Akkermansia. Please don’t rely on ultra-processed foods that are enriched with fiber to feed your good bacteria; they are a poor substitute for whole foods. For example, they lack the polyphenols found in colorful fruits and vegetables. Practicing good stress management is a great way to support healthy Akkermansia levels. Akkermansia Risks It’s time to talk about what most companies selling Akkermansia don’t tell you about: the risks. While Akkermansia has enormous potential, it must be used appropriately and in the correct form, just like any supplement or medication.  Excessive levels of Akkermansia can degrade mucin, an essential component of the intestinal barrier, whereas optimal levels can help support a healthy intestinal barrier. This over-colonization can potentially increase the risk of colitis and IBD (irritable bowel disease). In immunocompromised individuals, this can lead to increased colonization of pathogenic bacteria due to a weakened intestinal barrier, potentially worsening intestinal infections or increasing the risk of them. This is especially a risk for people with Salmonella infection or those who have been on many antibiotics. People with endocrine and gynecological disorders, like PCOS or endometriosis, will have an even higher risk of problems from excessive levels of Akkermansia. Those suffering from Parkinson's and MS also carry a higher risk of problems from too much Akkermansia. For a more in-depth look at the risks, check out this article . However, since there are so many benefits to this bacteria, what can be done to allow everyone to get the benefits of this bacteria, without the risks? Thankfully, in addition to eating a wide variety of nutrient-dense, polyphenol and fiber-rich whole foods, there are other safe ways for everyone to enjoy the benefits. Live Akkermansia versus Pasteurized Akkermansia Akkermansia supplements primarily come in two forms: live and pasteurized. Let’s talk about the live ones first.  These are considered probiotics, similar to other live bacteria products. So they should be subject to the same quality control standards, such as product bacteria count (CFU, colony forming units), stability (how the potency holds up versus the expiration date), survivability (do they survive stomach acid and colonize the gut), as well as proper labeling. There are other important factors, but those are the big ones.  The CFU (colony-forming units) count indicates the number of bacteria in a probiotic that have the potential to colonize the intestines. It’s not the total number of bacteria that matters, but how many can form a colony in the gut.  To make their products appear to have higher levels of bacteria, many Akkermansia companies have adopted the use of AFU (Active Fluorescent Units) as a measurement. For live probiotics to provide benefits, they must be able to form colonies. AFU measures all bacteria, regardless of their ability to form colonies. That is why CFU is the accepted standard for measuring probiotics. AFU is a way for companies to pad the label by preying on the false belief that more bacteria is better. It’s best to avoid using live probiotic products that use AFU as their measure of bacterial count, because you don’t really know what you are getting.  There are several other issues associated with live Akkermansia supplements.  The first is oxygen. Akkermansia does not do well in an oxygen-rich environment. So each time the bottle is opened, if it is a powder or a non-hermetically sealed capsule, it can begin to degrade the bacteria.  It is very sensitive to a low pH environment. This means that it has a very poor ability to survive stomach acid. Companies need to provide a way to survive stomach acid. Often, this comes in the form of enteric coating, which typically contains unwanted additives, such as plastics, that are not disclosed on the label, despite the law requiring full disclosure of enteric coating ingredients. It also has a very fragile cellular structure, which can cause it to break down during shipping and storage. It is just not a very hardy bacteria. Live Akkermansia are prone to clumping (not the technical term) during formulation and storage. This means only a small number of cells will survive when they pass through the upper GI Tract to reach the intestinal lining for colonization. Even more importantly, if the bacteria do reach the target area, their clumped state can mask proteins such as Amuc_1100, which are vital for its interaction with intestinal cells. Sorry, I know that got a bit sciency —basically, it means they won’t work well.  If companies overcome all these problems, the next issue is the risk of overcolonization, which can lead to the problems discussed earlier in this blog.  If you haven’t guessed by now, we are not big fans of supplementing with live Akkermansia, as there are just too many issues with it. The next type is pasteurized Akkermansenia. Pasteurizing the bacteria causes them to lose their reproductive ability. This means they cannot overcolonize the gut, eliminating the safety issues. Pasteurizing them also makes them much more stable and helps to keep their cellular structure intact while they travel through the digestive tract. Pasteurized Akkermansia are not live probiotics; instead, they are postbiotics. Since they do not form colonies in the gut and are not classified as probiotics, they cannot be measured using the standard probiotic measurement, CFU. The correct measurement for them is TFU (Total Fluorescent Units). This is the measure of the total number of bacterial cells.     There have been a number of   studies   comparing live versus pasteurized Akkermansia, and in the properly done ones, the pasteurized version has been more effective. How to take Akkermansia muciniphila Pasteurized Akkermansia is best taken once per day with food.  It should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. As with other supplements, it’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare practitioner before starting it. What should you look for in an Akkermansia muciniphila supplement? Here are a few, not the complete list (as that would make this blog way too long), things to look for when choosing an Akkermansia supplement. First, always choose pasteurized Akkermansia to avoid the safety issues that live Akkermansia can cause. Second, choose those that are strain labeled, specifically those with a strain that has undergone clinical trials, ensuring you get a proven product with benefits. It should not just say "Akkermansia" or "Akkermansia muciniphila"; it should also include the third part of the name.  It should use the exact dosage used in those clinical trials. For example, if a product uses a strain that was tested at 30 billion tfu in clinical trials, then a daily serving should contain 30 billion tfu. If the product contains only 5, 10, or 15 billion tfu, it will not provide the benefits shown at 30 billion tfu. The product should be tested using the correct methods to ensure it contains the claimed TFU amounts on the label. A significant issue with Akkermansia supplements, due to their rapid rise in popularity, is the proliferation of fake products on websites like Amazon.  These counterfeit supplements not only fail to contain Akkermansia but also contain far fewer bacteria than stated on the label, among other problems. Most of these are coming from China and are labeled as being made in the USA. You will start to see reports of this coming out soon.  Triquetra AK-Postbio: Akkermansia Postbiotic Researching this blog took quite a while, and we wrote most of it before we actually found a product that met the standards we had set. We sought a strain of pasteurized Akkermansia with clinical trials in humans demonstrating both safety and benefits. After a long search, we found strain Akkermansia munciniphila MUCT AA 835. This strain is the only form approved for use as a dietary supplement and certified safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This strain is produced in Europe. In 2004, the team of Professor Willem M. de Vos at Wageningen University discovered and patented the application of this novel bacterium and its growth conditions for human use. Dr. Derrien, a PhD student under de Vos’ guidance, successfully isolated and characterized the bacteria. It was the same team that named the strain in honor of Dr. Anton Akkermans. The special process by which this strain is produced increases the accessibility of the Amuc-1100 protein found in the bacteria, which helps to support the mucus lining. Rather than risking the breakdown of important mucin in the mucus lining, which can occur with live Akkermansia, this particular strain of pasteurized Akkermansia helps support it.  After finding the pasteurized strain we wanted, we sought a product made with that strain that contained 30 billion TFU, the dosage used in clinical trials that demonstrated benefits.  That search led us to this: It checks all the boxes of what we were looking for in an Akkermansia supplement. It is tested for contaminants like heavy metals, and it contains the potency that is claimed on the label. After production is complete, the finished bottles are then placed in a 2nd quarantine for 10 to 14 days. During this time, random bottles are pulled from production and sent to a 3rd-party laboratory for final product testing. The products must pass all testing to be released from quarantine. So if you want to support healthy Akkermansia levels, here’s the plan: Lots of polyphenol and fiber-rich foods. Lots of wild-caught fatty fish Take clinically researched ,  pasteurized Akkermanisa capsules   containing the exact dosage and strain used in the research. Akkermansia questions and support If you have questions about Akkermansia bacteria, please email us at info@rooted-nutrition.com ,  and we'll be happy to answer them!

A woman's fertility journey is closely connected to the health and quality of her eggs. If they are not fully nourished, it will be much harder to get pregnant. Thankfully, when given enough time to work, many lifestyle and dietary changes can help them be happy and healthy! Before we get too far into the article, I want to emphasize that you must be kind to yourself if you have egg quality issues or other health problems. Lots of women do. It does not make you less of a person, mean you’re worthless, or that you did anything wrong! Treat yourself kindly, like you would a friend or family member in the same situation. Beating yourself up and being hard on yourself does not help anything!  Lifestyle Changes For Egg Health Thankfully, there are lots of lifestyle changes you can make to keep your eggs healthy! Stress and egg health First up is stress reduction. Chronic, unmanaged, high levels of stress  can greatly reduce the quality of an egg and fertility .   Check out our blog on stress reduction  to help you get ahold of the stress monster. One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your stress response is to avoid having coffee before breakfast and have a big, balanced, protein-rich breakfast within an hour of waking up. For example, scrambled eggs and a bowl of fruit. When you have coffee and skip breakfast, your cortisol levels spike, which sets your whole day up for failure.  Sleep and egg health Sleep plays a significant role in egg health. Check out our blog,   From Sleepless Nights to Peaceful Slumber , for lots of great tips to help you get a good night's rest. Blue light and egg health Minimizing artificial blue light is a great way to support your reproductive health. Please do your best to avoid it as much as possible. Turn on the blue light filter on your computer and phone. Take frequent breaks from screens. Wear good blue light filter glasses when looking at screens, especially at night after dinner. Unfortunately, most blue light glasses don’t block much blue light, despite what they claim. You want some that   block at least 90% of blue light . Reducing your blue light exposure might seem like a small thing, but it makes a big difference, not just for the eggs but for overall health.  Sunlight and egg health Getting sunlight daily at the correct times is one of the most important and overlooked ways to balance your hormones. At sunrise and sunset, try to get outside and get at least fifteen minutes of sunlight (even when it’s cloudy, you still benefit greatly). Get the morning sunshine before you look at your phone or a screen. Don’t wear sunglasses while you do it. The improved melatonin production and reset of your sleep cycle will also benefit you greatly. Avoid wearing sunglasses during the day as much as possible. They can disrupt your sleep cycle. Grounding and egg health While outside getting your sunshine, go barefoot. Even better, lay down in the grass for a few minutes. Grounding (also known as earthing) can provide major benefits to your health  and egg quality. Many companies are selling fancy gadgets for grounding; you don’t need any of that, just you, the sun, and the earth.  Exercise and egg health The right exercises can significantly support the health of the egg. Strength and resistance training is the way to go.  Avoid doing a ton of cardio or over-exercising. Strength and resistance training three times a week for 30-45 minutes is all it takes. Make sure to eat a hefty serving of protein within a half hour of working out.  Testing For Egg Health Several tests can provide helpful information about your eggs' and overall health. Talk to your doctor to see if they are right for you. First up is hormone and hormone precursors, including: The three types of estrogen Estrone, estradiol, estriol Progesterone Testosterone Dhea Pregnenolone LH (luteinizing hormone) Prolactin FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) Thyroid Hormones We recommend seeing an endocrinologist for more advanced thyroid testing than what is done in a regular doctor's office. Often, people with thyroid problems need additional testing, which is not commonly done. HSG tube test Ultrasound to check egg size, ovulation, and for PCOS. Iron A standard iron blood test does not give the whole picture. Many women can have normal levels on the basic tests, but the complete picture may show something is off. Ferritin Serum Iron Transferrin and transferrin saturation TIBC UIBC B12 Vitamin D Many women have underlying autoimmune disorders and are not aware of them, which can reduce the number and quality of eggs.  Getting tested for them if you have trouble conceiving is a great idea.  Endometriosis  can have a very negative impact on egg quality. Many women have this and are not aware that they have it. Talk to your doctor to get checked for it, especially if you have painful cramps, pain during sex, painful bowel movements, or excessive bleeding during your period. Please don’t ignore any of these symptoms; getting them checked out is important. If you have symptoms and feel your doctor is not taking them seriously, get a second opinion. Unfortunately, there is a problem in medicine where women's concerns are often brushed off and are not taken seriously . Fight for yourself; don’t just accept an answer if you feel it’s incorrect. If you want testing done and feel like your doctor is not ordering the tests you feel you need, you can order many tests online, without a prescription, from Lets Get Checked and then take the results to your doctor to discuss them. PFAS, PFOAS, Forever Chemicals, And Egg Health Unfortunately, PFAS and PFOAS are everywhere. These forever chemicals can have a significant negative effect on egg quality and fertility while increasing the risk of endometriosis and PCOS. You can do several things to reduce exposure to these, and you can donate plasma  to reduce their levels in your body significantly. Here are some ways to reduce your exposure: Don’t drink out of plastic bottles. Don’t microwave food in plastic containers.  I know these steam bags of vegetables are convenient, but they are not your friend. Take them out of the bag, steam them on the stove, or move them to a glass container.  Swap your plastic cutting board out for a wooden one. Replace non-stick pans with stainless steel ones. Use a water filter   in your house to remove them. Choose furniture and carpets not labeled stain-resistant, and don’t use stain-resistant treatments on home items. Household dust can contain them, so vacuum often. Buy clothing, bedding, and towels from 100% natural fibers like wool and cotton. Replace laundry detergents, dishwasher detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets with PFAS-free versions. Most people are not aware that many laundry detergents contain PFAS. Avoid laundry and dishwasher detergent pods, even natural ones. That plastic wrapping is full of PFAS.  Unfortunately, many body and personal care products contain PFAS and other ingredients that negatively impact the endocrine system, egg quality, and fertility. Choose ones that have clean, simple ingredients, like   these . Your skin is your largest organ, and much of what you put on it will get absorbed into your body, so make good choices in your personal care products! It can be expensive to replace everything at once, so as things wear out or you are ready to replace something, it’s the perfect time to choose a PFAS and PFOA-free version. The Best Foods for Egg Health What you eat significantly impacts the quality of your eggs, which require a high level of nourishment. First up is fats. It would be best if you had lots and lots of nourishing fats. These are so essential for egg health. The right fats will make a big difference on your journey to happy and healthy eggs. Our favorite fats for egg health are: Grass-fed butter and ghee Grass-fed tallow made from suet Regular tallow does not contain the same amount and type of important fatty acids as tallow made from suet. Pastured Eggs Ethically Produced Cacao Butter Wild-caught fatty fish Choose   low-mercury versions . Avocados We recommend avoiding avocado oil because most of it is adulterated or oxidized. Olives Olive oil is excellent, too, but make sure it is not adulterated. Most olive oil is cut with vegetable and seed oils. Use olive oil for finishing foods or light sauteing. Don’t fry with it. Avoiding certain fats is essential. Nearly everyone gets far too much omega-three and not enough omega-three. Getting yourself to a proper omega 6:3 ratio is important for healthy eggs . Check out our blog, All About Omega’s Part One , to learn which fats to avoid and how to get to a good omega 6:3 ratio. The most important fats to avoid are vegetable and seed oils. Next up is protein. You need to get enough protein! While everyone's protein needs differ, we recommend shooting for at least one hundred grams of protein per day. Not all protein is created, though. Higher-quality proteins provide more benefits. Our favorite proteins for egg health are: Grass-fed red meat Bison, beef, buffalo, lamb, mutton, elk, and venison Red meat is rich in bioavailable zinc, which is important for fertility and egg health. Wild caught seafood Herring is an excellent choice because it is rich in selenium, an essential nutrient for egg health. Eggs Eggs are rich in vitamin E and b6, essential nutrients for egg health. Grass-fed, full-fat dairy products Choose unsweetened versions and add fruit or a bit of honey, as pre-sweetened versions generally have a lot of added sugar. Dairy is also rich inositol and iodine, essential nutrients for egg quality. Lacto-fermented dairy products, like kefir and yogurt, are excellent choices and are rich in beneficial probiotics and postbiotics. Chicken and turkey can be good proteins, but they are usually very high in omega-6, and truly pastured poultry can be very expensive. A great way to eat poultry is to choose skinless chicken and cook it in tallow or butter. This will reduce the omega-six content while still giving you lots of good fat. Ostrich and Emu These are great protein choices and much more nutrient-dense options than chicken and turkey. They are also much lower in omega-6 than chicken and turkey. Bone Broth Rich in bioavailable collagen and amino acids For those who are vegan, tempeh is an excellent protein source. Next up is carbohydrates. You need carbs! Carbs are important for many reasons, and you need to have some. Here are some of our favorite nutrient-dense carb sources for egg health: Fruit All fruit are friends! Citrus fruits are rich in inositol and vitamin C, important nutrients for egg quality. Avoid grapefruit if you take prescription medications. Squashes Squashes are rich in inositol, an important nutrient for egg quality.  Root Vegetables This is not to say that other vegetables are bad, but leafy greens don’t really have many carbs, so we don’t count them as a carb source. Sweet potatoes and yams Plantains Lacto-fermented vegetables These are also rich in beneficial probiotics and postbiotics. One of the easiest ways to support your eggs is to swap out as many ultra-processed foods as possible for nutrient-dense whole foods! Any change you make in that direction is fantastic! Egg Health Supplements The right supplements can help support egg health. However, as with all supplements, it is important to take them daily and consistently, at the full dosage, to get the results you want. Skipping lots of days or taking too low of a dose will not get you to your health goals, and as always, talk to your doctor before starting any supplements. The first is a comprehensive prenatal supplement . Unfortunately, most prenatal vitamins are missing or very low in essential nutrients, like choline. Check out our blog, How To Choose A Prenatal Vitamin , to learn what to look for in a prenatal supplement and what’s missing from most of them. Ideally, you should start a prenatal vitamin  at least three months before you plan on getting pregnant. Second is a   whole-food omega-three supplement .   Omega-three fatty acids are essential for healthy eggs and pregnancy. Unfortunately, most omega-three supplements are heavily processed and refined, stripping them of beneficial cofactors and vitamins while changing the structure of the fatty acids. Unrefined fish oil is rich in preformed vitamin A, an essential nutrient for healthy eggs, but not in refined fish oil. Check out our blog,   All About Omega’s Part Two ,   to learn more about it. Magnesium is very important for healthy egg quality, but most women don’t get enough of it. A   whole-food magnesium supplement   is a great way to ensure you are getting enough. Check out our blog,   All About Magnesium , to learn about foods rich in magnesium and the different types of magnesium supplements. Next up is Maca. The right forms and types of properly made   maca powders , taken at the full dosages and times, can help support healthy eggs. The key is taking it daily and consistently as the effects build over time. Another helpful egg health supplement is NXGEN Wholefoods Fem Harmony . Think of it as a whole-food multivitamin for your ovarian health. It contains nutrient-dense organ meats that most people don't get in their diet. It is great if you are feeling tired or drained. For more information on prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum health, check out our   Pregnancy Center . Egg health questions and support We know this is a lot of information, so if you have questions, don’t know where to start, or need support, we are always available to help. Drop us an email anytime at info@rooted-nutrition.com , or   book a free call ,   and we will be happy to help you on your health journey!

It’s an exciting time; you just welcomed your new baby into the world! Giving birth is an incredible, life-changing experience, but it takes a lot out of you. While your priority will be your new baby, making sure you are able to rest and recover is incredibly important. Postpartum Care Thankfully, there are many things you can do to have a more nourished and enjoyable postpartum experience. Postpartum Rest I cannot emphasize enough the importance of resting. While you will be taking care of the baby, avoid doing things like housework, chores, dishes, laundry, etc. If possible, have someone to help you with those things. There has never been a better time to whip that partner into shape. If not, let the chores go; chores will always be there; you need to rest and take it easy now! You will need to rest as much as you can. While it may be tempting to try and rush back into things, the longer you rest, the better you will be. Postpartum Nourishment After resting, your most important task will be proper nourishment. You need to make sure you are eating enough. You will need your strength…if you are not eating enough, you will not have enough energy to take care of your new baby. In addition, if you are breastfeeding, that will take a lot of energy, so eat up! Have a delicious feast. You just had a baby; you deserve it! Eating healthy does not have to be a lot of work, but it will make all the difference in how you feel. We have some great meal and snack ideas for you: The first and most important is a good bone broth-based soup or stew. We recommend making a big pot of it before giving birth and freezing it in single-serving glass containers, so you can heat it up easily. You can make it with all sorts of vegetables and proteins that you like or have lying around. Check out our blog article, Warm and Wonderful Broth , on making bone broth. Nothing comforts and uplifts the body like a warm bowl of homemade soup. Eggs are a wonderful, quick source of healthy fats and proteins. Easy and fast sources of protein offer a quick pick-me-up. Don't sleep on the incredible, edible egg because few foods are as versatile and nutrient-dense. Another awesome protein pick-me-up is pemmican. Pemmican is a nutrient-dense food used by Native Americans when they needed energy that lasted over many hours and long distances. You can make it yourself (it stores very well) or buy it pre-made . Eat some of this in the morning, giving you energy throughout the day. Grass-fed liver is an incredible food to support your health in this time and any other. It is nourishing and energizing like no other food. It is one food that too many people don’t include in their diet, and that is a mistake. Here is the perfect recipe to turn a liver hater (or those who have never tried it) into a liver lover! If you still say no way, liver capsules are the right way. Trail mix is another quick and easy snack, that can be customized to suit your tastes. Here is a basic recipe for you: Mix the following: 1 cup of raw macadamia nuts 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 1/4 cup of dried fruit - look for no sugar-added versions 2 Tablespoons of Cacao nibs This easy trail mix will give you lots of energy and fill you up quickly One big mistake a lot of new moms make is the coffee on an empty stomach in the morning routine. When you just have coffee on an empty stomach, your body releases lots of stress hormones. Basically, you spend the day riding high on stress hormones, which makes the fatigue and other common postpartum issues much worse. Instead, have a big breakfast, even if you don't feel like it. You want to shoot for at least 30 grams of protein, this will give your body the jumpstart it needs to have a great day! Along with that, you should have some fruit. If you must have your coffee, just have it along with your breakfast, not by itself. Here are some good examples: Two eggs with pastured sausage and a bowl of strawberries Two eggs with four ounces of grass-fed steak and a bowl of melon Eight ounces of grass-fed cottage cheese with peaches Smoothie with grass-fed native whey protein concentrate , whole milk, and fruit Avocados are a great food to eat a lot. Avocados are rich in healthy fats, and vitamin E. Spread some avocado on sourdough toast and top with some scrambled eggs for a quick snack or lunch. Avocados are the perfect way to embrace your inner millennial. It’s summertime, so a nice Caprese salad is always a great quick and easy option. Sliced garden tomatoes, with fresh basil and some fresh mozzarella, drizzled with some really good olive oil is a perfect lunch or afternoon snack. They might seem simple but never underestimate these super easy snacks when you’re hungry and tired: Banana or apple with macadamia nut butter These are also great before bed to help you sleep. Oftentimes people wake up in the middle of the night because their blood sugar drops. Grapes and grass-fed cheddar cheese Grass-fed Greek yogurt with fresh berries Turkey slices with apple Grass-fed cottage cheese with peaches Hardboiled egg with some fresh fruit It is very important that you drink plenty of fluids. Without enough water, your body will not function properly. Here are some great fluid choices: Water If you find that you are having a lot of trouble remembering to drink enough water, this water bottle is the answer. It will remind you to drink. Some people just do not like the taste of water or think it is too boring. Here are some great ways to flavor your water: Cucumber slices Slices of citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges Fruity teas like rooibos and hibiscus Frozen fruits such as melons, pineapple, and strawberries Fresh herbs like mint, ginger, lemongrass, and lavender Soup Milk Sparkling mineral water Herbal teas Postpartum Self-care And Supplements What you eat is one part of the equation, but some parts of your body will require extra TLC after giving birth. Here are some helpful tips for taking care of yourself. Sitz bath herbs Sitz bath herbs help to soothe those sore areas that get a rough treatment during the birthing experience. They can be used in a bath, in a sitz bath, or placed into a squeeze bottle and applied. Frozen Witch Hazel Pads Use unscented, alcohol-free witch hazel to soak pads with. Then place the pads in the freezer. Use them as needed for sore areas and for hemorrhoid-related issues. The toning effect from the witch hazel, combined with the coolness of the pads, provides fast, needed relief. Unrefined Emu Oil This oil is incredible for use on areas that may be sore, red, hot, or irritated. It is incredibly gentle and quickly calms and soothes A wonderful remedy wherever it may be needed. Also, great on stretch marks! NXGEN Wholefoods Whole Blood Capsules I know that does not sound delicious, but think of these as the ultimate postpartum multivitamin. They provide valuable nourishment that can be hard to get. They can help support healthy energy levels. Don’t forget your brain. You will feel many mixed emotions after giving birth and days ahead. Our Postpartum Pack is a great way to support yourself after giving birth. Here is a recipe for one of my favorite relaxing and nourishing beverages that we recommend new mothers drink when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed: 1 Tablespoon of Uturunku Cacao Two drops of high-quality cacao butter One teaspoon of Women's Maca 1/2 teaspoon (a little more if you like it sweeter) of honey or maple syrup. Pinch of cinnamon Eight ounces of Grass-fed milk Six Whole Blood capsules (open the capsules and stir them in). Warm the milk in a pan with the maca, cacao butter, Uturunku, cinnamon, placenta, and honey. Add to blender and blend on high for 20-30 seconds till frothy. Top with cinnamon and cacao nibs Relax and enjoy! Many women suffer from postpartum depression after giving birth. There is nothing wrong with you if you suffer from this; it happens to a lot of women. Your brain is not broken…you are not broken. If you are suffering from this, please seek out a qualified therapist who can help you work through this. Your midwife or doctor may be able to suggest one for you. It is not something you need to go through alone. Here are some helpful suggestions that we hope will help you if you are going through this: This book is wonderful and can help you work through your feelings. Make sure to eat throughout the day. Low blood sugar will make your energy dip and make it harder to mentally handle the experiences of the day. Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings. The Youper App Get as much rest and sleep as you can. Accept help from others. Do not say no, and do not think of yourself as a burden. People want to help, or they would not be offering. Connect with other new moms. Support groups can be very helpful. Get outside, get some sunshine, and go for walks, especially at sunrise and sunset. If you are on bed rest, sit by an open window in the sun. Avoid being alone as much as possible. Visit with friends and family, even if you do not feel like it. Openly share your feelings with your significant other. It is important to share your feelings, not keep them bottled up inside. While it sometimes may not feel that way, things will get better, and you will get through this! We hope that this article gave you some valuable information and helps make your postnatal experience a little easier. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our pregnancy center for more great information on everything from breastfeeding help to choosing a good prenatal vitamin ! Postpartum Support We know this is a lot of information, so if you have questions, don’t know where to start, or need support, we are always available to help. Drop us an email anytime at info@rooted-nutrition.com , or   book a free call ,   and we will be happy to help you on your health journey!

Magnesium is an essential mineral with a lot of important roles. What does magnesium do? Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation [1-3]. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm [3]. This article got a bit long because I kept finding more things to add. Sorry about that! How much magnesium do you need every day? Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diet, and this is because there are not many foods with large amounts of magnesium. This is why a significant portion ( 48% ) of the population consumes less magnesium than they need each day. Most of the magnesium in the body is stored in the bones and tissues, so blood tests for magnesium levels are not a good way of knowing if you are getting enough magnesium. There is currently no test that accurately shows magnesium levels in the body. Please don’t fall for hair mineral testing or finger prick tests for microscope analysis; they are not an accurate way of showing magnesium levels or deficiencies in the body. Here is how much magnesium you need at a minimum each day: The key to getting the most magnesium out of foods is preparing and sourcing them properly. Many magnesium-rich foods contain compounds that can reduce absorption or have other drawbacks, such as heavy metal contamination. What foods are rich in magnesium? Some foods rich in magnesium include: Sea lettuce It is a type of seaweed with higher levels of magnesium than almost any other food. Choosing a clean source is essential as many sea lettuce products are very high in heavy metals and other contaminants.   Emerald Isle   is a great source . This is an excellent low omega-six source of magnesium. Pumpkin seeds  They should be eaten roasted or sprouted to get the most bioavailable magnesium. Choose   pumpkin seeds grown in the United States , as most are grown in China and can be high in heavy metals. Chia seeds Eat them   sprouted  to get the most magnesium.  Almonds and cashews Eat them sprouted  to get the most magnesium. Spinach It should be well boiled or eaten in soups to get the most magnesium. Black beans Eat them sprouted  and cooked to get the most magnesium. Grass-fed plain full-fat yogurt Cacao Our favorite magnesium-rich food. Always choose ethically sourced  and low heavy metal cacao . Check out this page to learn more about  heavy metals and cacao . This is an excellent low omega-six source of magnesium. How to read a magnesium supplement label Because most people are not getting enough magnesium, many turn to supplements. However, since there are so many types of magnesium supplements, most people have no idea which one might be best for them. One of the most important things to know about magnesium supplements is that they are not all labeled the same. Two measurements matter when it comes to magnesium labels: the full weight of the compound versus the elemental weight.  For example, magnesium gluconate is around 5.4 percent elemental magnesium. So, a tablet containing 600 milligrams of magnesium gluconate would only contain about 35 milligrams of elemental magnesium. The amount you want to focus on is the elemental weight, not the full weight. The full weight does not mean anything, as that is not the amount of magnesium you are getting. Many companies use just the full weight or show the full weight on the front of the bottle because it is good for marketing; don’t fall for that nonsense.  While the front may say 600, the side panel, showing thirty-five milligrams, is the actual amount you are getting. Unfortunately, some companies do not list the elemental weight, only the full weight, so they can make it seem like their product is a good deal. It can be hard sometimes to tell if a company is doing this if you do not know the elemental magnesium percentages. For example, if a type of magnesium is only 5.4 percent magnesium, you will not be able to get a pill containing 500 mg of elemental magnesium because it would be impossible to swallow.  This is how the labeling on a magnesium supplement facts panel should look: It should say: Magnesium (form) elemental amount, like this: Magnesium (Citrate) 120 mg. That shows the form of magnesium and the amount of elemental magnesium you are getting. Each capsule contains 150 mg of elemental magnesium. The full weight does not matter, only the elemental amount. Unfortunately, this is not a foolproof method of knowing as many companies sell products that are properly labeled but contain higher amounts of elemental magnesium than would be present in that type of magnesium. For example, Bluebonnet Magnesium Aspartate capsules were tested and found to contain 26% elemental magnesium, but magnesium aspartate is only about 16% (at most) elemental magnesium.  This means another form of magnesium was added without being listed on the label. This is done for several reasons, but none are good. This is the second time BlueBonnet has had issues with their magnesium . The first time was when magnesium glycinate was sold mixed with magnesium oxide, but the label did not list the magnesium oxide. This is why proper labeling is not a foolproof way of getting a good magnesium supplement. It is also a great example of why we need better enforcement of regulations. This is an example of a product that does not list the elemental amount of magnesium. There is no way to get 1400 mg of elemental magnesium citrate and glycinate in two gummies. They would have to be massive in size. The elemental amount, if the product contains those forms of magnesium (which, at the price listed, they probably do not), would be about 216 mg, but people are going to think they are getting 1400 mg, which is unfortunate as they would be getting nowhere near that amount. We are very proud that we only sell magnesium supplements that list the elemental weight on the supplement facts panel, so there is no confusion. What are the different types of magnesium supplements? So, what are the different types? There are a lot of them, so this next part is a little dry and boring. If you don’t want to read through it all and want to know what our favorite magnesium supplement is,   click here . Magnesium carbonate This is magnesium that gets dug up out of the ground; it’s a rock. It has poor absorption and requires higher levels of stomach acid to be absorbed well, but it lowers stomach acid.  Only use this form if you are looking for a laxative effect. If you want magnesium for other reasons, choose a different form. It contains about 28.57% elemental magnesium. Magnesium Oxide  It is made by “burning” magnesium carbonate, which forms magnesium oxide.  It is an osmotic laxative. It is poorly absorbed and works by drawing water into the colon, which softens stool and helps make it easier to have a bowel movement.  Don’t use magnesium oxide unless you are looking for the laxative effect. If you want magnesium for other reasons, choose a different form. It contains about 61% elemental magnesium. Magnesium Hydroxide  It is made in three different three ways. It can be mined from the mineral brucite, hydration of magnesium oxide, or precipitated from seawater.  It is poorly absorbed. Supplements sold as seawater or marine magnesium are this type. It is also sold under the brand name Phillips Milk of Magnesia. This form is also an osmotic laxative. Don’t use magnesium hydroxide unless you are looking for the laxative effect. If you want magnesium for other reasons, choose a different form. It contains about 42% elemental magnesium. Magnesium Citrate It is made by reacting magnesium carbonate with citric acid. It is better absorbed than magnesium oxide but still not well absorbed. This form is also an osmotic laxative. Don’t use magnesium citrate unless you are looking for the laxative effect. If you want magnesium for other reasons, choose a different form. Many companies sell products claiming to be magnesium citrate but are not. They mix together citric acid and magnesium carbonate into a powder blend but never react with them. This is much cheaper to produce but is not real magnesium citrate. It contains about 16% elemental magnesium. Magnesium Gluconate It is made by reacting magnesium carbonate with gluconic acid. It is better absorbed than citrate and oxide.  It is only about 5.4% elemental magnesium, so it can take a considerable number of capsules to get enough magnesium using it.  A 500 milligram capsule of magnesium gluconate contains about 27 milligrams of magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, it would take about eleven 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Orotate Made by reacting magnesium carbonate with orotic acid. It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is only about 7% elemental magnesium, so it can take many capsules to get enough magnesium using it.  For example, a 500 milligram capsule only contains about 35 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you need to take eight or nine 500 mg capsules.  Magnesium Ascorbate It is made by reacting magnesium carbonate with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is only about 7% elemental magnesium, so it can take a lot of capsules to get enough magnesium using it.  A 500 milligram capsule only contains about 35 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take eight or nine 500 mg capsules.  Magnesium Aspartate It is made by reacting magnesium carbonate with aspartic acid. It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is about 16% elemental magnesium.  A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 90 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about four 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Lactate Made by reacting magnesium carbonate with lactic acid. It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is about 12% elemental magnesium. A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 60 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about five 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Succinate It is made by reacting magnesium carbonate with succinic acid. It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is about 14%-17% elemental magnesium. A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 90 milligrams of magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about five 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Chloride - The brand Slo Mag uses this form. It is generally made in three ways. Reacting magnesium carbonate with hydrochloric acid. Reacting magnesium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid. Reacting magnesium carbonate with mercury chloride.  It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is about 12% elemental magnesium,  A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 60 milligrams of magnesium.   If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about five 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Malate - A good form for muscle health. It is made by reacting magnesium carbonate with malic acid. It is about 12% elemental magnesium.  A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 60 milligrams of magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about five 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Threonate - A good form for brain and nervous system health. It is made with magnesium hydroxide (put through a process to form heavy magnesium carbonate) and threonic acid. It is better absorbed than oxide and citrate forms. It is about 7.2% elemental magnesium. A 500 milligram capsule only contains about 36 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need about nine 500 mg capsules. Liposomal Magnesium - A good form for those with sensitive digestive tracts. This can be made from many different forms of magnesium. It is produced by encapsulating the magnesium with a liposome. The resulting molecule is well absorbed and not broken down by the stomach. The liposome protects the nutrient and transports it directly through the intestinal wall.  Unfortunately, most liposomal magnesium supplements are not true liposomes. They are just magnesium mixed with phospholipids. This is not the same thing and does not offer the benefits of a true liposome. In addition, many of them are full of questionable flavorings, sweeteners, and preservatives. Never buy liquid liposomal supplements packaged in plastic. You will end up ingesting a lot of microplastics. Avoid foil packets as well. Always get them in dark glass. Elemental amounts of magnesium will vary depending on which form was used. It will have much greater absorption and be easier on the digestive tract than its non-liposomal counterpart of the same type of magnesium. For example, a true liposomal magnesium citrate will not be an effective laxative like traditional magnesium citrate because much more will be absorbed. No, I'm sorry. This article kind of got away from me. What are chelated magnesium supplements? The next type of magnesium supplement is called chelates. Chelates are made by binding a mineral to an amino acid. These are much more expensive to make, so there is a lot of cheating. Many products mix magnesium carbonate carbonate with an amino acid powder and sell it as that specific chelate. This is not the same as magnesium bound to an amino acid and will not yield the same results. It is an illegal practice, but since companies rarely get in trouble for doing it, and the penalties are just a slap on the wrist, they continue to do it to make some easy money. It is especially prevalent on third-party sales platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Check out our blog   to learn more. There are also a lot of products that say magnesium chelate, magnesium amino acid chelate, magnesium amino acid complex, etc. Avoid these products because you have no idea what you are getting. The label should say which magnesium chelate is in the bottle, such as glycinate or taurate. Magnesium Taurate - A good choice for heart and cardiovascular health. Magnesium carbonate is bound to the amino acid taurine. It is about 9% elemental magnesium. A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 45 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about seven 500 mg capsules. Magnesium Glycinate - A good form for overall health. Magnesium carbonate bound to the amino acid glycine. It is about 14% elemental magnesium. A 500 milligram capsule would contain about 70 milligrams of elemental magnesium.  If you need 300 milligrams of magnesium, you would need to take about five 500 milligrams capsules. This form of magnesium is one of the most expensive to make, so it is the one most subject to products not matching label claims. Many products claim to be pure magnesium glycinate, but they are not. They are magnesium carbonate or oxide blended with glycine, not magnesium bound to glycine. In addition, many companies mix magnesium glycinate with other forms but don’t list it on the label. For example, Bulk Supplements Magnesium Glycinate powder contained 19.6% elemental magnesium, despite magnesium glycinate only being 14% elemental magnesium. This means that other forms of magnesium are being added but not listed on the label. When contacted, the company said they only tested their powder for total elemental magnesium. This means they are not testing to verify that the magnesium completely matches the claimed type. If you see buffered magnesium glycinate on a label, it means that magnesium oxide was added. Notice how this label does not list the magnesium oxide, even though it is in the product. In an industry where regulations were enforced correctly, these things would result in steep penalties. Buying a magnesium supplement with many different forms might seem tempting, but that is a mistake. Taking small amounts of various forms will not give you the benefits of all of them; it just looks good on the label and is excellent marketing. You won’t be getting enough of any particular one to get its benefits. Check out our blog, Fairy Dusting , to learn more. Topical magnesium   is very popular right now.   However, a lot of topical magnesium sits on top of the skin and is not absorbed enough to provide any meaningful amount of magnesium in the body . Much of the claimed increased magnesium levels via topical administration are based on hair and urine analysis, which are not accurate measures of the amount of magnesium in tissues. If you must use topical magnesium, apply it near sweat glands and hair follicles. Choose one that is free of questionable preservatives and additives and that contains oils that are nourishing to the skin , as straight topical magnesium oil can be very drying. Whole Food Magnesium Supplements Last but certainly not least is whole-food magnesium supplements. As you might have guessed, these are our favorites. A whole-food magnesium supplement is one that contains whole foods rich in magnesium that have been properly processed and dried. That’s it, just whole food goodness. Whole-food supplements should include all of the compounds found in whole foods, in the complexes they naturally occur in Now, before we get to our choice for whole-food magnesium supplements, we have to let you know that many companies claim to sell whole-food magnesium supplements, but those claims might not be what they seem. Check out our blog article,   Whole Food Supplements 101 , to learn more about real versus fake whole-food supplements. Here are some examples of magnesium supplements that might not be what they claim. First, we have a Nestle product   (shocker,   F*** Nestle ). If you look at the front of the label, it clearly says whole food magnesium. So, what are the sources of magnesium in this product? The first is magnesium carbonate. Magnesium carbonate is a rock dug out of the ground. The second source is Organic Brown Rice Protein Magnesium Chelate. This sounds good, but is it whole food? It is made by binding magnesium carbonate to brown rice protein. You can tell us if those things are whole foods. The front of the label clearly says magnesium whole food powder. If you look at the other ingredients, the source of magnesium is magnesium carbonate, which is a rock dug out of the ground. You can decide whether that is a whole-food magnesium supplement. They do add a pinch of food, thirty-five milligrams, but that will only supply a couple of milligrams of magnesium, not anywhere near the 350 milligrams of magnesium claimed on the label. What is our favorite whole-food magnesium supplement? We have been looking for a whole-food magnesium supplement for a long time. We found a lot that claimed to be whole food (as you can see above), but they were not, and a lot that did not meet quality and ethical standards.  Thankfully, after reading far too many magnesium supplement labels and way too much time researching what should have been a simple project (as you can tell from how long this article is), we finally found one. It is made up of a blend of three organic seaweeds grown off the coast of France. The sea lettuce supplies the magnesium and the bladderwrack, and the Irish sea moss supplies other trace minerals and nutrients. The seaweed is harvested and dried at a low temperature. Pure water is the only solvent used in the manufacturing process to remove impurities, and it is tested for heavy metals, which can be a problem in many seaweed products.  When combined, these seaweeds provide a pure and potent whole-food magnesium supplement. Each capsule contains 125 milligrams of elemental magnesium. Triquetra Whole Food Plant Magnesium Supplement Whole foods represent the best way to get nutrients, and it’s time magnesium supplements reflected that! Magnesium Supplement Support We know this is a lot of information, so if you have questions about magnesium supplements, don’t know where to start, or need support, we are always available to help. Drop us an email anytime at info@rooted-nutrition.com , or   book a free call ,   and we will be happy to help you on your health journey!

Welcome to the protein powder project part three. If you haven't read parts one and two , we recommend starting there. Getting the best protein powders It was not an easy task to find powders that checked all of the boxes we listed in part one . We looked at thousands of products and brands. Simply put, the vast majority were just not very good. We did find some good ones, but often they would not taste good or miss checking a box or two. We wanted the whole enchilada (yeah, I’m hungry). Our search took us worldwide, from the United States to Australia. NXGEN Whole Foods Bone Broth Protein Powder First up are the folks at NXGEN WholeFoods , who produce the most incredible bone broth powder. Many products claim to be bone broth powder, but as we explained in part two, most of them are nothing like the bone broth you make at home. It is made from regeneratively farmed, organic, grass-fed beef bones from small family farms in Australia. This bone broth is simmered low and slow, as you would at home, with a bit of organic apple cider vinegar and Murray River salt, then gently freeze-dried and packaged. No heavy processing, no questionable additives, sweeteners, thickeners, or flavorings are used. It’s fantastic for your hair, skin, and nails. Just mix a serving into hot water and enjoy a cup of broth. Check out this blog to learn more about the amazing benefits of bone broth powder. NXGEN Wholefoods Hydro Beef Protein Powder NXGEN Wholefoods Hydro Beef Protein is derived from muscle meat, bones , and collagen and is rich in protein. It is a complete source of protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids your body needs.  It is made from grass-fed and grass-finished beef muscle meat, collagen, and bones. It's different than other brands as it contains naturally occurring vitamins and minerals from the muscle meat along with calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals found in grass-fed and grass-finished beef bones. It's made from regeneratively farmed cattle, which graze in the wild open spaces in the Lake Eyre region of Australia. Despite the name, it does not taste like beef.   Johns Killer Protein Native Whey Protein Powder Next, we found an excellent whey protein company. We cannot tell you how often we get asked for good whey protein. We promise it was worth the wait! Whey protein is considered the gold standard and our favorite protein. It has the best amino acid profile, a perfect PDCAA value, mixes well, tastes great, and has many beneficial compounds, such as immunoglobulins. No other protein really comes close to the benefits that whey protein offers. However (as we went over in part two ), most of them are heavily processed, full of questionable ingredients (additives, flavorings, sweeteners), and full of impurities. Because most whey protein is produced by just a few large suppliers that mix milk from many sources together, it is probably the biggest nightmare from a traceability standpoint. Remember, only a tiny handful of companies actually produce their own whey protein, while nearly all of them just private-label bulk powders and tell a good story. John’s Killer Protein is different. They produce their own grass-fed, cold-filtered, native (made from fresh milk, not cheese-making byproduct) whey protein at their facility in California. They source their milk from a cooperative of small, family farms in the United States. These cows graze on pastures year-round, and the farmers work hard to make sure they are well taken care of. The cows are never given hormones. Their whole team works hard to maintain and build relationships with each farmer, making it easy to trace the origin of each batch of whey protein. The protein is never bleached, acid washed, ion-exchanged, or heavily processed. It is always non-denatured. Plus, it mixes great in just a simple shaker bottle! They do not use any thickeners, gums, additives, flavorings, or sweeteners, just pure native whey protein, and whole foods. John's is proof that you can make a great-tasting protein powder without all the garbage! Here are some of the awesome products they make: Grass-Fed Unflavored Native Whey Pure native whey protein that's great for mixing in smoothies when you want to taste whatever ingredients you are putting in. Rich, smooth, and creamy. Dark Cacao and Grass-Fed Native Whey This blend contains native whey protein and organic, direct-trade cacao from a Peruvian farm, a match made in heaven. As chocoholics, this protein is our favorite, perfectly chocolatey! We know that no one protein is suitable for everyone. No matter what you choose, make sure it’s: Traceable Ethically sourced and produced. Whole Food Minimally Processed Free of adulteration and heavy metal contamination. Free of unwanted additives, thickeners, gums, sweeteners, and questionable flavorings. Your body deserves nothing but the best! Protein Powder Questions And Support If you have questions about our protein powders, please email us at info@rooted-nutrition.com , and we will be happy to help!