“Boosting immunity” is a buzz phrase right now, but rather than just boosting your immune system when your body is under immediate risk, here are some practical steps you can take today to build a better foundation for brain and body resiliency:

1.  ENRICH your cells with a daily supply of micronutrients to support and activate your immune functions and brain health.
2. FUEL your body with proteins and fatty acids:  these will help build muscle, regenerate tissue and heal your gut for faster defense.
3. NOURISH your microbiome: diverse and multi-faceted gut bacteria fed plenty of probiotics and prebiotics may help counterbalance pathogens and improve resilience.
4. PROTECT your mouth and lungs to reduce toxic load and the risk of infections.
5. REDUCE stressors that may encourage inflammation and use up your resiliency resources.
6. HYDRATE deeply with clean water and electrolytes to keep healthy blood cells thriving and support your lymph system in flushing away anything that doesn’t support health.

SPECIAL: MicroNourish Brain-Body Resiliency + Hydration Kit.

1. Enrich Your Cells With A Constant Supply Of Micronutrients To Activate Your Immune Functions.

“It has […] been established that the complex, integrated immune system needs multiple specific micronutrients, including vitamins A, D, C, E, B6, and B12, folate, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, which play vital, often synergistic roles at every stage of the immune response.” (1) A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System-Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection.

Your immune system is a complex network of organs and functions that protect your body from invasion by harmful elements.  Your white blood cells, antibodies, lymphatic system and spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and complement system, all work together to attack and wash out pathogens, and defend your brain and body.

Each of these functions requires fuel to do its job, and each needs a micronutrient – either a trace mineral or vitamin – to kick-start its process. For example:, Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin C and B Vitamins are commonly known immune ‘boosters’ because of the instrumental role they play in supporting your body’s defense system. But micronutrients work together synergistically: the absorption of one facilitates the utilization of another. (Learn More: Absorption Is Key)

So while you may ‘boost’ these specific nutrients when under stress, if your body lacks the full-spectrum of trace minerals and vitamins it needs to function on a daily basis, your system’s resources will still be strained. However, if you maintain deep nutrition with a broad supply of micronutrients, you will take the pressure off your system having to prioritize when under stress.

• TIP:  Add colorful fruits and vegetables with phytonutrients and flavonoids wherever possible, and increase your daily dose of MicroNourish Core during more stressful periods to replenish the minerals being burned by your body’s protective systems.

2.  Fuel Your Body With Amino Acids & Essential Fats: The Buildings Blocks That Help Heal Your Gut And Make You Stronger.

Macronutrients matter too. Amino acids are building blocks in proteins that work alongside essential fatty acids to build muscle and regenerate tissue, so making sure you’re eating clean proteins and ‘good fats’ is always a great defense strategy for your brain and body – but if you have a leaky gut, you may need an extra boost of healing to fully utilize this great nutrition.

Your gut is a major line of defense for your body. It is not only where you absorb nutrition, but also where many pathogens and microbes can enter the body – especially if the lining is weak and cracked. 70% of your immune tissue is in your gut so a healthy gut mucosa and lining are essential defensive shields.  The good news is, gut tissue regenerates quickly so immediate action could support immediate increased protection.

• TIP: To support a strong gut lining: prioritize foods high in amino acids. The amino acid L-Glutamine (which is present in MicroNourish Core) is particularly beneficial, as is adding collagen and fish oils to your daily regime. One great way to up your intake of gut-healing amino acids is by drinking bone broth daily, now readily available to buy if you can’t face brewing it yourself.

Gut Reactions: Why Your Gut Is A Barometer For Your Mental Well-Being.

3. Protect Your Greatest Defense Barrier – Your Gut – By Nourishing A Diverse & Resilient Microbiome.

It is now accepted that the health of your bacteria ecosystem, or microbiome, is the keystone to your ability to maintain physical resistance against pathogens. This microbiome extends throughout your body – from the dermal microbiome on your skin to the mucus of your lungs, and, most significantly, to and from your gut. Nourishing a robust and varied microbiome is one of the greatest gifts you can give your health and immunity.  

• TIP: To grow a strong microbiome: Try to make your vegetable intake as high and varied as possible, and add foods to your plate that naturally have a lot of good bacteria, such as kefir and sauerkraut. Avoid high-sugar foods that feed the unfriendly bacteria and take a daily probiotic every morning that, at the very least, includes a high level Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium along with a high CFU count of other other probiotics. MicroNourish Superfood Probiotics has 5 billion CFUs of a diverse strain of bacterias from whole food sources.

• TIP: To feed and nourish that microbiome: Prebiotics are the sometimes forgotten gut food that help replicate and nourish the good bacteria in your ecosystem. Make an effort to up your prebiotic-rich foods – like artichokes, onions, leeks and garlic – which shouldn’t be hard as they add a lot of flavor too! MicroNourish Superfood Probiotics also includes a whole-food blend of prebiotics to help further enrich your microbiome daily and help lower the bad bacteria.

4. Protect The Gateway To Your Lungs. Oral & Respiratory Health.

Other important pathways to good health are the entrance ways of your mouth, nose and lungs.

To function well, your lungs must be well hydrated:  they must remain moist so that the mucous in them can trap foreign particles which are then coughed out via the cilia (small hairs).  Staying hydrated and oxygenated help your lung function. Breathing exercises, drinking clean water and maintaining good oral health reduces the work the lungs have to do to clear out low-lying infections.

• TIP: To help support oral health and your respiratory tract, wash coconut oil around your mouth for 10-15 minutes a day, and spit it out. It can help clean the gums and keep your pathways cleaner. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also wash your mouth and nose with saline water. (This is on top of brushing and flossing, which we hope we don’t need to recommend!)

5. Decrease Stressors That Cause Inflammation & Burn Your Resources

It’s easy to overlook the simple lifestyle choices that we all know make a difference. Your body is working hard to protect you all the time, so each time you add additional stress to that system, you draw on your mineral sufficiency while encouraging low-level inflammation that can weaken your system.

TIP: Choose 3 things you are willing to do to help reduce the burden on your body starting today:

• Movement: The lymph system that cleans your blood does not have it’s own pump, so relies on you to move your body. What extra movement can you add to your daily routine today?
• Sleep: Your adrenal system recharges and restores during deep sleep. Total darkness and no phones at night can help sleep quality, while minerals such as magnesium can calm your system. What else can you do to improve your sleep tonight?
• Fluids: Your body uses water to flush out what’s not needed, and to saturate your cells for optimal function, while alcohol and caffeine deplete your mineral stores and dehydrate your system. What can you do today to tilt the balance in a positive direction?
• Calm: Emotional and mental stress taxes your central nervous system and draws on your adrenal reserves. What can you do today to help bring your body into more flow?
• Triggers: Foods that don’t agree with your system, and other unhealthy habits (you know what they are!), act as triggers for your inflammatory response. What burdens are you willing to take off your body today?

TIP: Add foods that promote a healthy inflammatory response to your diet: one way is by making a delicious hot tea of ginger, turmeric, coconut oil/coconut milk, lemon and honey. (Note: the fat in the coconut oil helps the body absorb, curcumin, the beneficial compounds in turmeric)

6. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

This is last, but is certainly not least. Hydration is one of the most obvious keys to health, as water not only feeds our brain, body and cells, but is used to flush out whatever we don’t need. To fully utilize the water you drink, your body relies on electrolyte trace minerals – like magnesium, chloride, sodium and potassium – to transport water to your cells. Without these electrolytes, you may feel weaker, particularly after exercise, and be more likely to have fluid retention, cramps and twitches.

If you eat an acid-forming diet, are under emotional stress, environmental toxic pressures or life stresses that deprive your cells of oxygens and other nutrients, your body will try to alkalize your system by using the minerals in your bloodstream. If you aren’t absorbing enough of these important minerals from your diet (which is very hard in modern times!), a build-up of acid in your cells can occur. Supporting your body by replenishing it with natural ionic minerals, helps support an alkaline system, which fuels health and healing.*

TIP: Add OmNourish Hydration Infusion electrolytes to your water every day to help maintain hydration, and drink additional water to compensate for any dehydrating drinks – such as coffee and alcohol – that you consume.

To help support you on your journey to resiliency, MicroNourish has put together a special kit with micronutrients, probiotics, prebiotics and electrolytes to help support your immune machinery and mental wellness.

Check it out here: Body Resilience & Hydration Kit.

OmNourish: On A Mission To Hydrate Yogis.

Fusing Plant-And Sea- Based Micronutrients With Ayurvedic Botanicals To Support Modern Yogis On The Path To Inner and Outer Balance

Top Nutritional Tips From Doral’s Orthopedic Experts To Maintain Healthy Joints & Muscles 

You may think of this as back to school, or back to gym, season but the orthopedic specialists and physiotherapists at OrthoNOW Doral know that it’s also back to injury season. Here are three ways to keep your body healthy when ramping up physical activity.

OrthoNOW treats the full range of orthopedic and sports concerns on a walk-in basis.  From injuries to everyday pain, OrthoNOW experts save you time and money, and offer better healing outcomes, than the ER. 

OrthoNOW recently launched OrthoNourish, an advanced line of nutritional supplements to help you maintain optimal musculoskeletal health.* 

1: Keep Inflammation At Bay.

Inflammation is your body’s mode of self-protection. When faced with stress, food intolerances, or intense training or injury, your body will activate the inflammation response as a defense. 

The goal is to keep that response balanced; too much inflammation causes pain and promotes injury. Avoid sugars and junk foods. Instead, drink lots of water, eat plenty of vegetables, and include cooling foods like ginger, garlic, turmeric, lemon and thyme, in your diet. 

OrthoNOW’s favorite ingredient to support a healthy inflammation response comes from active compounds found in turmeric, called Curcumin. Studies suggest curcumin may improve help ease joints and swelling, including after a workout. 

Raw curcumin is difficult for the body to absorb. So, OrthoNourish Inflammation Support includes a patented form that may increase effectiveness by 29 times than using curcumin alone. Adding 2 capsules to your daily routine is a great way to promote a healthy inflammation response.* 

2: Support Joint Fluidity & Strength. 

Your joints rely on healthy cartilage tissues and synovial fluids to maintain cushioning and mobility. You can support the production of these by increasing clean animal proteins – such as grass-fed meats, bone broths and eggs – in your diet.

OrthoNOW recommends two extra ingredients to promote joint mobility. Glucosamine helps produce new cartilage and synovial fluids. It is naturally made in the body, but slowly, and you may need extra when your joints are healing. Chondroitin helps collagen and elastin fibers retain moisture and nutrients, and helps form the gel-like substance (hyaluronic acid) that holds joint tissues together.* 

A 2018 meta-study concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin are associated with an improvement in pain relief and better joint function.*  

The form of these ingredient matters. There are many low-grade versions on the market. The glucosamine should be stabilized with potassium instead of sodium, and the chondroitin (which is made from shellfish) should be highly purified. OrthoNourish Joint Support includes these ingredients in high-quality forms.* 

3: Mobilize & Hydrate Regularly. 

Many injuries occur because people don’t spend enough time warming up and recovering. Your muscles and fascia need plenty of circulation to absorb the nutrients and hydration to heal on an ongoing basis. Sip water regularly – gulping large amounts at once won’t work, and remember to stretch and mobilize before and after exercise to make you less likely to strain something.

If You Do Get Injured. 

How you handle the first 72 hours of injury is key to a speedy recovery. 

Your body starts to inflame, and your muscles may start to seize up from shock. On the way to to OrthoNOW (you can notify them via their mobile app), ice the area to help keep swelling down, and take slow, steady breaths to calm your central nervous system.

OrthoNOW experts will give you a targeted treatment plan to keep you moving, and you can support your recovery with wise nutritional choices. 

Increase the anti-inflammatory foods above, add extra greens for magnesium to calm your system, and eat extra protein to help rebuild healthy tissue. The OrthoNourish Acute Care Kit was designed to help the body activate a healing response within the first three days of injury. It includes 9 packets of premium-grade ingredients, including curcumin, ginger and boswellian to support a healthy inflammation response, magnesium and valerian to help relax your central nervous system, and special enzymes that help support tissue health.* 

OrthoNourish supplements are available at the counter at any OrthoNOW in Miami. The flagship center, OrthoNOW Doral is located at: 3650 NW 82nd Ave #201, Doral, FL 33166. Call:

(305) 537-7272

 Download supplement fact sheets at OrthoNourish.com. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). These products and statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

By Nadia Tarazi –

How do you feel after accepting the award for #1 Brain Health Product of 2015?

I am thrilled! It was a wonderful experience to represent MicroNourish for the first time at the most prestigious event for functional foods and supplements, SupplySide West. I am passionate about educating people about the connection between micronutrients and mental wellness, and am very thankful to have been given a greater platform to do that.

Why do you think the Brain Health Award started this year?
I believe, and sincerely hope, the introduction of a Brain Health Award marks a pivotal moment in which people are recognizing that micronutrients and digestive health are foundational pillars for mental wellness. When people are stressed, scattered and moody, I want them to think about mineral and vitamin absorption as the first line of defense.

So, why are micronutrients so important for mental wellness?
A growing body of research indicates that micronutrients are important for mood stability and focus, and also supports a healthy gut-brain connection – which is pivotal to maintaining mental wellness and balanced eating. So, it is important to maximize micronutrient absorption and balance the gut-brain connection together, which is what MicroNourish Core does.*

Read Nadia’s Article in Nutraceutical Business Review: Micronutrients For Mental Health

What makes the ingredients in MicroNourish Core so superior?
MicroNourish Core was developed based on open-label trials and real-life case studies with people tackling mood swings and difficulty focusing. Since You Are What You Absorb, the micronutrients are delivered in the most bioavailable form, and balanced in synergies for maximum absorption and utilization at a cellular level. Then they are enhanced with botanicals and antioxidants to further maximize mental benefits and ensure the production of clean energy – and minimal metabolic waste – in the brain.  Finally, the thing I like most is that all 36 ingredients are in one bottle to remember. For me, that’s the difference between taking my micronutrients and not!

What comes next for MicroNourish?
Through our magazine and our growing list of partners, we want to set a new paradigm for what it means to be mentally well. I have never felt better than since I started MicroNourish Core on a daily basis and I want everyone to feel that great! Imagine what we could all do if feelings were balanced, focused and calm on a daily basis, and if this was the norm – not the exception!

Want to learn more about Nadia and MicroNourish?

• MicroNourish Core: The Powerhouse Micronutrient Formula
• Read Nadia’s Interview with Huffington Post
• Listen to Nadia’s Radio Interview with CBS

Try MicroNourish Today.

• *The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Las Vegas (Oct 7, 2015) — MicroNourish Core was today announced as the winner of 2015 SupplySide CPG Editor’s Choice Award for Brain Health and Mood.

The SupplySide editorial team awarded achievements in consumer packaged goods (CPG) for innovation and market impact across 18 different categories. The Brain Health Award was introduced this year.

MicroNourish Core feeds the brain and nourishes the gut with high-performance minerals, bioavailable vitamins, powerful amino acids and premium botanicals, to support better focus, mental clarity, balanced moods, and a calmer relationship with food.*

A growing body of research indicates that micronutrients are important for mood stability and focus, and that healthy brain-gut balance is pivotal in maintaining mental wellness and balanced eating. That is why MicroNourish Core addresses micronutrient absorption, the brain-gut connection, and digestion, together. MicroNourish Core provides premier micronutrients in one powerhouse daily supplement that’s easy to remember. Since You Are What You Absorb®, the nutrients are blended for maximum absorption and assimilation by the brain and body.

Winners of the CPG Editor’s Choice Awards were announced in an Awards Presentation at SupplySide West 2015, on October 7 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In her Award Acceptance Speech, MicroNourish CEO and Founder, Nadia Tarazi, said:

“We are very honored to win this Brain Health Award. We believe that the introduction of a Brain Health Award marks a pivotal moment in which people are looking towards micronutrients and digestive health as the foundational pillars of mental wellness. We are absolutely thrilled to be given the platform to help educate people about that.”

For nearly 20 years, SupplySide has helped dietary supplement, food, beverage, animal nutrition, personal care and cosmetic professionals find information to explore, discover, innovate and market their next best-selling product.

“This year’s Editor’s Choice Awards judging saw the team narrow down the field from hundreds of products to only five on the short list in each category,” said Heather Granato, Vice President, Content, Informa’s Health & Nutrition Network. “The winning items stood out for bringing a combination of factors, from taste and delivery method to innovation in ingredients and cutting-edge science. They truly represent category leaders and set a high bar for next year’s program.”

 About MicroNourish Core

MicroNourish Core includes high-performance minerals, bioavailable vitamins, brain-supporting amino acids, and absorption-enhancing botanicals –  to feed the brain and nourish the gut* –  in one powerhouse daily supplement that’s easy to remember.

The Brain-Gut Balance Formulation :

• Supports the growing number of studies that suggest a strong gut-brain connection is essential for mental clarity. The formula actively targets that connection with amino acids like L-Glutamine that support the digestive lining while helping fuel the brain.*
• Leverages mounting research linking micronutrients to improved mental well-being* – including a broad-spectrum of trace minerals like selenium, chromium, molybdenum and iodine.
• Makes nutrition for brain health easy: People seeking to improve their state of mind can find it hard to adhere to the complicated combinations of trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids and botanicals recommended to them. With MicroNourish Core, even those taking higher doses still have only one bottle to remember. *
• Prioritizes superior absorption: Includes high-quality micronutrients in complementary ratios and bioavailable forms; including, for example, using “pre-digested” B Vitamins such as Methylfolate (5-MTHF) over Folic Acid and Methylcobalamin over Cobalamin.*
• Is based on a track record of success: The formula has been refined through case-study feedback from practitioners working with individuals reporting challenges – and improvements – related to scattered mind, focus, digestion and mood swings.*
• Is enhanced with botanicals and antioxidants, such as Ginkgo Biloba and Grape Seed Extract, to support focus and improve mineral absorption at the brain-barrier level.*

In summary, MicroNourish Core makes mental wellness accessible and achievable by bringing a mounting body of science on micronutrients to a new wave of empowered consumers who understand that quality micronutrition fuels their brain, that gut health matters, and that bioavailability and quality can make all the difference when it comes to their state of mind. MicroNourish Core is an award-winning product because it combines real-life practical successes with cutting-edge science in a solution tailored for a modern consumer on the go.

For more information about MicroNourish, visit MicroNourish.com and contact hello@micronourish.com

About SupplySide West:

Hosted by Informa Exhibitions, this annual tradeshow and educational forum is the largest expo of suppliers fueling the healthy global marketplace. SupplySide West is all about the exploration, discovery, innovation and marketing strategy around the development of finished consumer goods that drive the global business economy. The 2015 show was held October 5-9 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. For more information and for future SupplySide events, please visit www.supplysideshow.com.

For more information about SupplySide West, visit supplysideshow.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
For more information, contact: hello@micronourish.com

The Rising Use of Broad-Spectrum Micronutrients To Support Mental Wellness & Brain-Gut Health

Once limited to naturopaths and natural health practitioners, broad-spectrum micronutrients supplementation has matured from an alternative mental health solution to an empowered choice for doctors and consumers seeking to foster both brain and gut health. As a recent entrant into the micronutrients space, MicroNourish has set a mission to help catalyze this paradigm shift and support wider education about the role micronutrients can play in supporting mental wellness.

Micronutrients & Mental Health: The Shift From Clinical Practice To Empowered Consumers

Over the last thirty years a quiet revolution has been taking place: an increasing number of health practitioners have seen success placing micronutrients at the heart of support programs for patients facing mental health issues; from mood swings and lows (typically associated with bipolar and depression), to distractibility and anxiety (typically associated with ADHD and eating disorders.)*

Practical results have been so promising that they have spurred numerous field studies, clinical trials and tracked case-studies that point to a steady intake of a wide range of micronutrients as being key to a balanced mind, not only for those struggling with mental health issues, but also for those seeking everyday brain health and a positive outlook.

The Emergence of Micronutrients As Legitimate Key To Mental Wellness

The study of micronutrients in mental balance has ranged from scientists exploring the application of singular micronutrients – such as the link between Zinc^[1] and Vitamin D deficiencies^[2] and depression – to the study of complementary sets of nutrients, like B Complex Vitamins^[3] for mood balance, to the use of broad-spectrum micronutrients in people with ADHD.^[4]
Meanwhile, organic growth has continued through practitioners’ successes. In her book The Mood Cure, Dr. Julia Ross^[5] documents her experiences using micronutrients, including amino acids, at her holistic health clinic in San Francisco as part of biochemical rebalancing plans – or nutritherapy – for people struggling with mood problems and eating issues.

The scientific team behind MicroNourish have seen similar results from open label trials and case studies: individuals and health practitioners have reported an increase in focus, better digestion, calmer stress responses and less mood swings when taking the broad-spectrum micronutrients found in the flagship micronutrient product, MicroNourish Core.* The goal in launching MicroNourish Core was to combine the scientific studies, clinical experiences and latest research into nutrient ratios for bioavailability; the end result being a flagship formulation whose synergistic whole is more efficacious than the sum of its parts.

Rise Of The “Superfood Lifestyle” – Conscious Consumers Seeking Deep Nutrition

Inquisitive consumers are making the connection: If micronutrients can improve symptoms in people struggling with mental health, could the decline of micronutrients in the daily diet be contributing to the increase in everyday stress, mood swings and difficulty focusing? Indeed, in a recent survey conducted by MicroNourish, 39% percent of respondents said they believed lack of nutrients contributed to their stress levels.^[6]
These insights reflect a new wave of consumers: empowered to take health decisions into their own hands by understanding what they are absorbing. You only have to look at the hottest lifestyle and dietary trends – from the rise of “Superfoods” and “Nutrient-Rich” products, to the increase in “Plant-Based Diets” and “Veganism” – to notice they are all styled around the promise that increasing micronutrient absorption is the key to achieving optimal physical and mental health.

There are converging factors likely contributing to the emergence of these investigative consumers. A host of books and documentaries, such as In Defense of Food.^[7] and Food, Inc^[8]., have shone a spotlight on how challenging it can be to absorb a wide variety of nutrients from the Standard American Diet (SAD) – because of modern lifestyles, an increasingly complex supply chain and the sharp decline of minerals in fruits and vegetables (as documented by the US Department of Agriculture).^[9] The coinciding rise in the registration of Health Coaches at schools such as the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, along with the growth of celebrity health blogs, are further bringing the benefits of live micronutrition to everyday conversations and consumers.

The most likely factor of all though: people just want to feel better. In the MicroNourish stress study mentioned earlier, 69% of respondents said they experience stress levels above 60% on a daily basis, with 43% saying they eat more when stressed, and 50% saying their digestion is impacted by stress. It’s no wonder that ambitious individuals are seeking ways to take stress-management and digestive health into their own hands.

As one MicroNourish customer, Christina Mendez, Harvard Business School Student and Hotel Developer put it:

“When I first learned of micronutrients having the ability to meaningfully affect my mood and stress management, I was skeptical. When searching for a new career path, which should have been a very stressful time, I was not overcome with stress while taking the MicroNourish supplements. In fact, quite the opposite: I was cheerful, optimistic, and resilient. Even though I had no idea what city I would be living in the next week, I was in a happy, positive mood. I truly believe the MicroNourish supplements were behind my new response to stress. They helped me accept ambiguity and turn what could have been a period of anxiety into a period of hopefulness.”

You Are What You Absorb: The Growing Awareness of Quality Micronutrients

As more people feel the difference from taking high-quality micronutrients, it stands to reason they will become more discerning about absorbing wisely in general. MicroNourish customers ask increasingly pertinent questions about the ingredients: examining the label before purchase, inquiring about whether there is gluten and lactose in the formulations and, most notably, asking increasingly about the form of nutrients used.

These consumers are educating themselves on the benefits of choosing Methylcobalamin, Methylfolate (MTHF) and Cholecalciferol – the active and more bioavailable forms of B12, Folic Acid and Vitamin D – and are willing to pay for the upgrade. They are reading about the importance of minerals being chelated with (bound to) amino acids to optimize transportation through the digestive lining and are thus less willing to settle for low-grade minerals.

MicroNourish prioritizes bioavailability and gastrointestinal absorption as reflected aptly in its tagline, You are what you absorb. After all, micronutrients can only kick-start your brain and body if they make it to your cells. That’s why the MicroNourish flagship micronutrient formula is blended with high-performance chelated minerals and bioavailable vitamins, and enhanced with amino acids like L-Glutamine and herbal extracts: to help increase the synergistic benefits of the nutrients for brain health while simultaneously nourishing the gut for optimal absorption and gut-brain balance.

To further aid micronutrient absorption and a strong gut-brain connection, it is recommended that individuals take two digestive supplements alongside the flagship micronutrient formula – Active Plant Enzymes and Superfood Probiotics & Prebiotics – as part of the MicroNourish System. Together, the three products in the system help feed the brain and stabilize the gut for a balanced state of mind.*

The Gut-Brain Connection: Turning A Vicious Cycle Into A Virtuous Cycle.

Indeed, with the mounting evidence showing the key role the gut plays in mental wellness, it would be amiss to tackle brain health without addressing the gut simultaneously.

The scientific community has long referred to the gut as the ‘Second Brain’, acknowledging the impact that digestive health and the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) have on emotions. However, recent breakthroughs strongly linking the health of the microbiome – which we already know help utilize micronutrients – to state of mind indicate that more tailored nutrition for the gut could further improve mental health outcomes. The Micronutrient Information Center at Linus Pauling Institute just announced results from its latest study^[10], just one of many presently exploring the relationship between changes in diet to the gut microbiome and how that impacts cognitive flexibility. The results suggesting “changes in the microbiome may contribute to cognitive changes associated with eating a Western diet,” indicate: this is just the beginning.

As MicroNourish Advisor, Ali Ardati, PhD, explains

“A large body of evidence exist in the literature linking microbiota to wellness. Indeed humans receive their daily micronutrients through diet and microbiota to maintain a balance brain- gut axis. The new clinical trials underway will serve to educate us all on how we can further nourish the gut through targeted nutrition to advance cognitive function, focus and mood balance.”

While the science of the microbiome may be in its early stages, it is widely agreed that individuals seeking inner balance can benefit from starting with a nourished gut and well-fed brain. As Dolores Baretta, an Acupuncturist and Digestive Health Specialist, told MicroNourish in a recent interview:

“When patients come in talking about stress and difficulty focusing, they inevitably have bloating and digestive issues as well. It’s a cycle where each impacts the other: we have to tackle them together.”

That’s why MicroNourish invites customers to track and strengthen the four pillars that together support both brain and gut balance: State of Mind, Eating, Digestion and Energy. When one of the pillars is out of balance, the others tend to follow. For example, when someone is going through a stressful few days, they are more likely to eat erratically, have digestive issues, and have poorer sleep. Likewise, most people will notice that if they eat too much sugar and caffeine they will have increased distractibility, gut complaints and energy swings.

That’s why the MicroNourish System targets brain and gut health with premium micronutrients, probiotics and enzymes simultaneously, and why the MicroNourish Magazine was launched to help educate people in lifestyle choices they can make to help support the Four Pillars of Brain-Gut Balance on a daily basis.

The MicroNourish System was designed to support the four pillars of brain and gut balance simultaneously with the premium flagship formula, Core Micronutrients, along with Digestive Plant Enzymes and Superfood Probiotics & Prebiotics.

Conclusion: A Clear Future

It is an exciting time to be in the world of micronutrients and brain-gut health. Scientists, doctors and consumers are paying attention. The mounting body of research connecting micronutrients and gut health to mental wellness will no doubt lead to a future where personalized micronutrient formulations will target individuals’ brain and microbiota needs and even be tailored to each person’s unique rate of nutrient absorption. This increasing emphasis on broad-spectrum micronutrient supplementation as a legitimate key to brain health will help set a new standard for what it means to feel mentally-well: where focus, mood balance and calm will become the norm, not the exception. Because, You are what you absorb®.

*These products and statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. 

^[1] Zinc in depression: A meta-analysis – Swardfager, Walter et al., Biological Psychiatry, Volume 74, Issue 12 , Pages 872-878, 15 December 2013

^[2] Associations between vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms in healthy young adult women, Kerr, David C.R. et al., Psychiatry Research , Volume 227 , Issue 1 , 46 – 51

^[3] Effects of high-dose B vitamin complex with vitamin C and minerals on subjective mood and performance in healthy males. Kennedy Do, et al. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2010 Jul;211(1):55-68. doi: 10.1007/s00213-010-1870-3. Epub 2010 May 8.

^[4] Broad-spectrum micronutrient treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: rationale and evidence to date., Rucklidge JJ, et al. CNS Drugs. 2014,

^[5] The Mood Cure, Julia Ross, M.D., Penguin Books; Reprint edition (December 30, 2003)

^[6] MicroNourish administered this survey online to an anonymous cohort of male and female participants over 18

^[7] In Defense of Food: An Easter’s Manifesto, Michael Pollan, Penguin Books; 1 edition (April 28, 2009)

^[8] Food, Inc., 2008 Documentary produced by Robert Kenner

^[9] Changes in USDA food composition data for 43 garden crops, 1950 to 1999. David DR et al. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6):669-82.

^[10] Relationships between diet-related changes in the gut microbiome and cognitive flexibility. Magnusson et al. Neuroscience. 2015 Aug 6;300:128-40. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.05.016. Epub 2015 May 14.

Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of stomach/intestinal infections*

Vitamin D may  aid in your digestive system by keeping annoying stomach bugs at bay. After following 475 random children for a year and recording their incidences of disease, researchers at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health (1) discovered that children with lower levels of vitamin D had about twice as many days with diarrhea than children with sufficient vitamin D.*

Vitamin D may have a role in regulating good gut bacteria*

There are trillions of bacterial cells in your gut, but most of these bacteria are beneficial and break down food for your body to absorb. Just as these bacteria help us, they might also need helpers to help them function; that’s where vitamin D comes in.

New research from Penn State University (2) has shown that rats with deficient vitamin D receptors and rats that can’t produce their own vitamin D both have significantly different quantities and types of bacteria in their gut than normal rats. While the research on the connection between nutrition and gut health is in it’s early stages, these studies certainly indicate that nutrients have more impact on gut bacteria than ever before realized.

Vitamin D may support less inflammation*

Researchers at the University of Toronto (3) examined vitamin D deficient rats against normal rats after subjecting them to a bacteria that causes gut damage. The results showed that higher levels of cytokines, molecules that are released by inflamed cells, were found in vitamin D deficient rats.

The same study also measured the “leakiness” of intestines by sending small electric currents across the surface of the cells and found that vitamin D deficient rats also had more leaky membranes, which could eventually lead to more serious gut problems.

These are just some of the many ways vitamin D can benefit your health. Ask your doctor for more information and if you need a little boost in vitamin D, spending a little time in the sun or eating food such as fish and fortified dairy products can go a long way. When it comes to supplementing Vitamin D, all forms are not created equal. Check your supplement facts to ensure your Vitamin D is in the form of Cholecalciferol (or Vitamin D3) as this most absorbable and active form of Vitamin D. Learn more about Vitamin D:

Learn more about why vitamin D is such an incredibly important nutrient for your brain health:

• Studies: Why Vitamin D Is Such An Important Part of the Mood and Puzzle
• Studies: Vitamin D & Balanced Eating

Other articles you may find interesting:

• Why You May Be Micronutrient Deficient
• Gut-Brain: Why Balancing Your Gut is Balancing Your Brain
• Feeling Overwhelmed & Cranky? Lower Your Stress Levels With These 4 Micronutrients
• The MicroNourish System

References:

(1) Stumpf, W. (2007). Vitamin D and the digestive system. Eur. J. Drug Metabol. Pharmacokinet. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 33(2), 85-100

(2) Vitamin D deficiency associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal and ear infections in school-age children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 Jun;32(6):585-93. doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e3182868989.

(3) Vitamin D regulates the gut microbiome and protects mice from dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. J Nutr. 2013 Oct;143(10):1679-86. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.180794. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

(4) Vitamin D deficiency promotes epithelial barrier dysfunction and intestinal inflammation. J Infect Dis. 2014 Oct 15;210(8):1296-305. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiu235. Epub 2014 Apr 21.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

]]> https://www.micronutrients.com/2015/09/13/studies-why-vitamin-d-is-such-an-important-piece-of-the-mood-puzzle/ Sun, 13 Sep 2015 20:18:35 +0000 http://www.micronutrients.com/magazine/?p=3714 Vitamin D is a highly recognized vitamin known for its various beneficial effects on human health and the regulation of minerals in the body. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even depression.* Serious depression afflicts 6.7% of the US population over the age of 18. The search for the perfect treatment to ameliorate the effects of the disorder has been arduous, and is still missing. However, Vitamin D sufficiency may provide one piece to a larger puzzle that has been troubling researchers for years:

Lower Vitamin D Concentrations Have Been Linked to Depression*

In a Swedish study (1), 54 adolescents with depressive symptoms were supplemented with Vitamin D over a trial period of over three months. The adolescents were initially low in Vitamin D, with six of them suffering from severe deficiency.  After the supplementation, researchers observed a positive correlation between Vitamin D concentrations and wellbeing according to the WHO-5 wellbeing index. The WHO-5 well being index is used to score the severity of depressive symptoms. A positive correlation with Vitamin D indicates that higher concentrations of Vitamin D may be associated with the amelioration of the blues. Similarly, results obtained from the third National health and nutrition examination survey (2) on 7970 participants aged 15-39 revealed a similar trend. People with a current depressive symptoms had 8.4% less Vitamin D concentrations than those without a current episode of depressive symptoms. These studies indicate that Vitamin D concentrations may have a pivotal effect on your mood.

Higher Supplementation of Vitamin D Supports Greater Wellbeing*

An experiment at The University of Toronto (3) compared the effects of the supplementation of 15 mcg/day versus a higher dose of 100 mcg/day of Vitamin D.  Researchers found that patients on the 100 mcg/day had greater well-being improvement than patients on 15mcg/day, as assessed by a six question questionnaire. The results suggest that Vitamin D supplementation may be vital to the improvement of mood. Additionally, these findings are aligned with the improvement in wellbeing in the 54 depressed adolescents of the Swedish study mentioned above.

When it comes to supplementing Vitamin D, all forms are not created equal. Check your supplement facts to ensure your Vitamin D is in the form of Cholecalciferol (or Vitamin D3) as this most absorbable and active form of Vitamin D.

While these studies do not offer conclusive evidence that Vitamin D treats depression, they certainly support everybody maintaining healthy levels of Vitamin D as a fundamental part of supporting a positive outlook. Vitamin D is easily obtained by exposure to the sun, and supplements like the MicroNourish formula. However, if you are suffering from any kind of depression, please talk to a Doctor or Mental Health specialist as soon as possible.

Learn more about why vitamin D is such an incredibly important nutrient for your brain health:

• Studies: Why Vitamin D Is Such An Important Part of the Mood and Puzzle
• Studies: Vitamin D & Your Digestive Health
• Studies: Vitamin D & Balanced Eating

Other articles you may find interesting:

• Why You May Be Micronutrient Deficient
• Gut-Brain: Why Balancing Your Gut is Balancing Your Brain
• Feeling Overwhelmed & Cranky? Lower Your Stress Levels With These 4 Micronutrients
• The MicroNourish System

(1) Depressed adolescents in a case-series were low in vitamin D and depression was ameliorated by vitamin D supplementation., 2012 Jul;101(7):779-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02655.x. Epub 2012 Mar 27.

(2) Serum vitamin D concentrations are related to depression in young adult US population: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Ganji, V et al., 2010 Nov 11;3:29. doi: 10.1186/1755-7682-3-29.

(3) Randomized comparison of the effects of the vitamin D3 adequate intake versus 100 mcg (4000 IU) per day on biochemical responses and the wellbeing of patients. Vieth, R et al., 2004 Jul 19;3:8.

*Theses statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.