Salt... we are told that it is bad for us. But what if I told you that real salt is actually a fundamental nutrient for our health? Let's break it down...
Why does Salt get a bad rap?
When they say Salt is bad for you, they are absolutely right when they are talking about regular old table salt.
So what makes table salt so bad? Table salt is chemically produced, bleached, and devoid of other trace nutrients and minerals. The problem with the Low sodium movement is that instead of replacing it with trace minerals and healthier options, they usually replace it with things like MSG or other additives... No thank you!
So not only is it bleached and stripped of its nutrients, table salt is dried at over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which actually alters the chemical structure of the salt.
And!!! Guess what? When saltwater fish are placed in salt water made with table salt, they die... Let that sink in!
So, walk over to your cupboard and give that table salt a toss or use it with some baking soda and Thieves Cleaner to scrub your tub.
Don't worry! You don't have to live a life of bland tasteless food! Switching gears to talk about how real salt is good for you, and how it can benefit your health
Why Real Salt is Good
I'm here to tell you that real salt is healthy, needed, and full of vital nutrients that we all need. The Low Sodium movement has actually created deficiencies in necessary minerals. Real salts contain 60-80 trace minerals that are essential for our health.
Here are some things that are a result of too little sodium and trace minerals
- Kidney Stones
- Gall Bladder Issues
- Cellulite
- High Blood Pressure
- Joint Pain
- Brain Fog
- Trouble Sleeping
- Gout
- Fatigue
- Respiratory problems
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Problems with Blood Sugar
- Water retention
Here are some of the health benefits of real salt
- Creates an electrolyte balance in your body
- Increases Hydration
- Helps the body digest food properly
- Balances the PH levels in your body
- Reduces acid reflux
- Prevents muscle cramping
- Help the Respiratory system function properly
- Helps our metabolism function properly
- Strengthens Bones
- Lower's Blood Pressure (Yup, you read that right! We will talk about that in a little bit)
- Helps the Intestines absorb nutrients
- Improves circulation
- Dissolves and eliminates sediment to remove toxins from the body
- Helps you sleep better
If doing something as simple as switching from table salt to real salt can help with all that, I'm all in!
And for all of you saying, hey! Doesn't salt intake cause high blood pressure?
Most of the studies done on the link between sodium and high blood pressure fail to take into account the difference between real salt and the chemical versions.
Other studies have shown that it is actually the balance of calcium, magnesium, and other mineral's that improve blood pressure, not reducing sodium.
What are real salts and where to find them
If your salt is pure white, chances are that it has been bleached and stripped of its minerals. Himalayan Salt, Sea Salt, and Celtic Sea salts are what you want to look for!
Redmonds Sea salt is my favorite that I trust, and it has 60+trace minerals. Celtic Sea salt is another favorite.
How to get your minerals in
- Start using real salt on your food in place of table salt and get those added minerals that you need.
- Add a pinch of real salt to your water. (It's just a pinch, you won't even notice the taste)
I've started putting a pinch of real salt and a drop of lemon vitality oil in my water! Most of us drink filtered water, which is great, but also most filters take out all of the minerals from your water, so just a pinch, puts it back in. Plus, that little bit of salt helps you absorb the water and stay hydrated.
-Take a mineral Supplement - If you really feel that your body needs more, start taking a mineral supplement. Here is the one that I use.
And most important, listen to your body! When you are craving something salty, that is your body saying it needs minerals! After you switch out your table salt for real salt, pay attention to how you feel. I know you will start noticing a difference!
Thanks for reading and please share this if you found it valuable!
- Bailey Lowe
Functional Nutrition Coach
(989) 245-5358
One of the first things I did on my journey to health, was start looking at ingredients. It makes sense to most people to look at the ingredients in what we eat, but most people don’t realize that what you put on your skin every day, absorbs right into your body.
If it's in the store isn't it safe?
You would think, if it is on the shelf at the store, it must be safe... There are government agencies and things that monitor these things, right?...
Well... in 1976, the Toxic substance control act was passed. And this law grandfathered in over 100,000 toxic chemicals. Which yes, almost 50 years later, this is still in effect! Which means that those chemicals are still allowed to be used in products sold in stores, today! #notcool
And this statistic makes me feel sad, angry, baffled, all the emotions. Check this out...
The European Union bans 1,328 chemicals from skincare/cosmetics that are known or suspected to cause cancer, genetic mutation, reproductive harm or birth defects.
In comparison, the U.S. FDA has only banned or restricted 11 chemicals!
This is not ok!
Top 10 ingredients to avoid in personal care products
1. Fragrance
2. Petroleum
3. PFOAS, PFC'C, and Teflon Chemical SPF
4. Parabens
5. Aluminum
6. Phthalates
7. Polyethylene Glycols, and Polysorbates (PEGS)
8. Triclosan
9. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
10. Formaldehyde
Green Washing... what's this?
Many companies realize that people are looking for safe, natural options. Since the beauty industry is mostly self-regulated here in the U.S. , skincare companies are using marketing on labels with pictures of plants and words like “vegan” and “all-natural” — while hiding a bunch of toxins in the ingredients.
So this being said, don't count on what is sold in the stores to be safe for your personal care products. You are the gatekeeper of your home!
Start flipping over your products and become a label reader. And if that seems overwhelming, start replacing one item at a time. You got this!
How do I find skincare that is safe and effective?
I searched and tried ALOT of natural products before finding skincare that was truly clean and that worked. So here are some tips to save you some time and money.
But... life is busy, and I don’t always take the time to make DIY recipes. HERE are my favorites for ready to go skincare, that are above organic standards clean and work amazing! ... and they are essential oil infused, so bonus!
I hope this helps you on your journey to health! You are going to be amazed at how much better you feel by just ditching and switching to cleaner options in your skincare, soaps, makeup, all those things we use every day that are making an impact.
One of my favorite resources for Toxic Free Living
Living Balanced by Stacey Kimbrell is a great book that helped me learn what ingredients to avoid and all about toxic free living. If you order Young Living through me and do not have this book yet, let me know! It's a gift for you!
And if you would like to get a free Living Balanced book reach out once you, reach out once you use my link HERE, and I will send one your way!
If you would like some help with where to start or have questions on ingredient lists, I would love to help! I know that I am forever thankful for the friends that helped me when I first started looking for natural options. Schedule a Health Chat HERE.
- Bailey Lowe
Functional Nutrition Coach
(989) 245-5358
Collagen is a buzz word right now. Everyone is saying how beneficial it is for health and beauty.
But there are so many different brands, different sources, and different types of collagen out there. So what kind do we need?
Collagen is THE protein of the body. It's the most abundant protein and is the crucial support piece for your hair, skin, nails, joints, muscles and gut lining.
Collagen also helps with melatonin levels (your natural sleep hormone!), antioxidant levels (so important for overall health and longevity), and a healthy liver.
Unfortunately, collagen levels decrease as we get older (starting as early as age 25!), but as it decreases, we actually need it the most (joint needs, skin and hair trouble, brittle nails, etc.). As we age our natural collagen also becomes more fragmented and fragile, so it doesn't hold up as well as it used to. Because of this, adding a high quality collagen supplement to your health routine is a wonderful way to help your body replenish collagen levels and promote its own collagen production!
So what are the BENEFITS OF MARINE COLLAGEN? Great for skin, hair, nails, joints and gut health... you know how I love to talk about the importance of Gut Health!
Much better absorbed than other collagen sources… Marine collagen is absorbed up to 1.5 times more efficiently in the body, and the bioavailability is superior to collagen of both bovine or porcine. This is due to its smaller particle size compared to other types of collagen. The smaller particle size allows an easier and faster uptake and transportation of the collagen peptides to the skin, bones, and joints for the synthesis of new collagen.
Science has identified 28 different types of collagen, but there are four types that are important for the human body - type I, II, III, and IV.
Type I collagen comprises about 75% of the body's collagen glycoproteins and is the principal type found throughout the body. Many collagen supplements are sourced from grass-fed cattle or pasture-raised chicken and contain multiple types of collagen, but are primarily type II collagen. Fish collagen peptides are bioactive type I collagen and are best known for providing the basis for beautiful skin and strong connective tissues.
Marine collagen is rich in amino acids that support the body's natural production of collagen and is associated with skin, hair, nails, and keeping the joints lubricated and the gut healthy.
So what is the difference between LIQUID VERSUS POWDERED COLLAGEN? Some will tell you that powdered collagen is not as bioavailable as liquid collagen. Marine collagen bioavailability is NOT affected or changed if it is in powder form or liquid form before consuming it. When you add Inner Beauty Collagen to a liquid, it dissolves almost instantly. That's partially due to the purity of the collagen and the process that it undergoes to break down the collagen protein into peptides. The improved bioavailability also comes from the amino acid profile in marine collagen, and the type of amino acids in this matrix are absorbed more efficiently compared with other sources. When liquid shots are manufactured, the collagen in these products begins as a powder anyway. One of the main benefits of this powdered formula is that it's flavorless, so you can enjoy Inner Beauty Collagen with virtually any beverage.
I've been searching for a good quality collagen. and I'm excited to say, it's here! After four years of research, four years of development, four years to create a sugar-free, filler-free product with 5g of easily-absorbed collagen is finally here!
Introducing Inner Beauty Collagen by Young Living!
Here are some of the KEY INGREDIENTS Inner Beauty Collagen contains 5 grams of marine collagen per scoop, and the first ingredient in this product is collagen peptides. Many other products on the market don't directly disclose how much collagen is in their products. Look for fruit juices and other additives that are grouped with collagen, as they may mask how much collagen is in these products.
- Type I marine collagen: A highly soluble form of bioavailable type I collagen, this ingredient is sourced from fish using a proprietary hydrolysis manufacturing process that uses no harsh chemicals or solvents. It is odorless and tasteless. The collagen in Inner Beauty Collagen is sustainably sourced from crimson snapper, saddletail snapper, carp, cod, pollock, tilapia, golden threadfin bream, milkfish, and sea perch.
- Peach ceramides: This ingredient helps provide hydration to the skin, decreasing skin dryness. The natural glucosylceramide in Inner Beauty Collagen is a white peach-derived ceramide made and produced in Japan. Its function is to increase ceramide production in the skin, which helps provide hydration, decreasing skin dryness. It also supports the dermal layer after UV-induced skin damage.
- Biotin, vitamin C, and zinc: Vitamin C and zinc support collagen synthesis for glowing skin, while biotin supports hair and nail health. Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, and it is also an important physiological antioxidant that has been shown to regenerate other antioxidants within the body.
- Tapioca fiber: This prebiotic fiber supports healthy skin by balancing the gut microbiome.
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD): SOD is an antioxidant enzyme produced through fermentation.
- Hyaluronic acid: This ingredient supports skin hydration, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for more youthful-looking skin.
- Vanilla oleoresin: This oleoresin is a unique form of vanilla that is neither an extract nor an absolute, both of which contain mostly alcohol, and is extracted from hand-pollinated orchid blossoms.
FULL INGREDIENT LIST Fish collagen peptides, Tapioca fiber, Zinc gluconate, Superoxide dismutase, Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), Peach ceramides (Prunus persica fruit extract), Biotin, Hyaluronic acid (as Sodium hyaluronate), Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) fruit oil.
SOURCING The collagen used is produced from 100% fish skin and scales that would otherwise be discarded and sourced from a sustainable and traceable supply chain; it is not irradiated and is certified non-GMO, presenting unmatched advantages in the market. This collagen comes from different types of fish, including red snapper, tilapia, milkfish, and others. This ingredient is extracted to include purified fish collagen peptides that will not contain any other unwanted compounds, oils, contamination, or toxins. Because this is a secondary source, these fish may come from farmed or wild-caught sources. The fish is carefully washed to ensure the highest-quality ingredients.
HOW TO USE
- Mix 1 scoop of Inner Beauty Collagen with 4–8 ounces of water or your favorite hot or cold beverage daily.
- Blend 2–4 scoops into the batter of baked goods. (Don't use in recipes calling for cooking temperatures above 380° F.)
- It's tasteless so add it to anything
Starting July 1st we are kicking off a 21 day Inner Beauty Challenge!
I can't wait to see all of your before and after pictures!
- Bailey Lowe
Functional Nutrition Coach
(989) 245-5358
Because of something called the Toxic Substance Control Act, companies did not have to clear even a basic safety review before using a chemical in a consumer product. The law has been slightly updated for newly created chemicals, but the 80,000+ chemicals created in the last century are still being sold in our stores... Manh of these chemicals are banned in Europe, but still allowed here in the US.
Are you thinking, (like I used to)... “I’ve been using them for years & I’m fine.”
But are we fine?
How often do you get sick in a normal year?
Do you have a chronic illness?
Do you get headaches?
Brain fog? Skin issue?
Hormonal upset?
Are you on daily medication?
•Some chemicals accumulate in our bodies over time
•Impacts may show up long after exposure
•Some chemicals can become harmful or more toxic in combination with other chemicals
•Chemicals can have more impact during certain periods of development (womb, infancy, puberty)
•Even tiny doses can be very potent Conventional cleaning products contain many endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can wreak havoc on your respiratory system, cellular health, thyroid, adrenal glands, and even mental clarity.
Here are a few Red Flag ingredients to watch for in your cleaners
- Phosphates
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate / Sodium
- Lauryl Sulfate (SLS/SLES)
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- c9-11 Pareth-8
- Laureth-7
- 2-Butoxyethanol
- Ammonia
- Chlorine
- FRAGRANCE
- Dye
- Sodium hydroxide petroleum based ingredients.
But no worries! There are lots of natural cleaning options that work great!
- Baking soda
- Castille soap
- Borax
- Peroxide
- Vinegar ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- And my favorite and easy button is Thieves Household Cleaner concentrate! We have been using it for the past 9 years, and We LOVE it!
I wanted a cleaner that was SAFE & EFFECTIVE. And it gives me so much reassurance knowing that our home and environment are safe for us and our kids.
And Thieves Household Cleaner is way more cost effective than the conventional cleaners out there! One bottle of Thieves Household Cleaner concentrate makes up to 48, 16 oz bottles of all purpose cleaner! Yes, you read that right!
I made a free Cleaning Guide for you with some of my fav
non toxic, money saving, cleaning recipes, tips, & tricks
Click HERE to open your cleaning guide
- Bailey Lowe
Functional Nutrition Coach
(989) 245-5358
The Gut Brain Connection
I’m sure you have heard the term gut health! It’s something that more and more people are talking about and researching
Gut health isn’t a fad, it’s a very critical factor to our wellness. However, not many people know how crucial it is or how to heal their gut!
So, what is gut health?
It’s the function and balance of bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract. Each person has a unique gut microbiome filled with good and bad bacteria.
Our gut contains healthy bacteria and immune cells that ward off infectious agents. Did you know that 70% of your immune system is in your gut! That's HUGE!
It also communicates with the brain through nerves and hormones, to maintain our health.
Our Gut is our second brain (some even argue that it’s more important than our actual brain!)
⠀⠀
Our gut health impacts how our body feels, but did you know that it also affects our mental health?
The Gut is often referred to as the Second Brain, why is that?
Serotonin is our "feel-good" neurotransmitter, and 95% of Serotonin is produced in the gut! Doesn't it make sense that you would feel sad or depressed if your gut health was off and affecting the majority of your "feel-good" neurotransmitter?
Your Brain also communicates with your gut through the Vagus Nerve which is involved in digestion, absorption, and metabolizing nutrients as well as gut permeability. If your gut is dysfunctional, so is your brain.
Inflammation... the key to the majority of our health problems. This goes for your brain too, when your gut is inflamed, so is your brain.
So think of things like Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Dementia, Alzheimer's, OCD, Insomnia, & Fatigue. All of these conditions are greatly influenced by your gut health. Think of how many people's lives would change drastically if they knew this!
Dr. Uma Naidoo has a great book called "This is your brain on food". She shared a study of a group of people that for 4 weeks were treated with a probiotic. The study showed that these people had similar results to those treated with Prozac. That is mind blowing! If someone had the choice of taking Prozac vs. a probiotic, of course they would want the probiotic. HERE is a video of Dr. Uma Naidoo called the Mood Food connection.
How to Improve Your Gut Bacteria
1. Eat a diverse range of foods. Skip the sugar, processed fats and GMO's when possible! Choose whole foods that are rich in nutrients.
2. Eat more vegetables, legumes, beans, and fruits. Those that are high in fiber, promotes the growth of good bacteria.
3. Fermented foods can enhance the function of the microbiota and reduce the number of disease causing bacteria in the intestines. Yogurt (plain), kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha are some options!
4. Avoid artificial sweeteners. Aspartame and artificial sugars may help reduce weight gain, but they also increase blood sugar due to their effects on the gut bacteria.
5. Eat prebiotic foods. (Garlic, Onion, Asparagus, Bananas, Oats, Apples, Flax Seed) These are what your gut microbe eat and promotes the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut! Here are a few of my fav supplements with prebiotics.
6. Take a probiotic. Probiotics help restore the microbiota to a healthy state and support your metabolism. This is for Kids and adults! Your kiddo's need probiotics just as much as you do! We take ours at bed time.
7. Take a Digestive Enzyme before meals - this will help you digest your food and absorb nutrition from your food.
8. Stay hydrated! Drinking an adequate amount of water will not only improve your gut health, but has many other benefits on the body. And just saying, digestion doesn't keep moving very well unless it is well hydrated! So keep things moving and drink your water!
he
If you want to learn more about your gut health, and how to heal your gut, join my free Gut Health Email Course. You will get a daily email for 20 days with info and tips about what affects your gut health and how to heal it.
And if you really want to notice a difference, fast! HERE is my 3 week supplement jump start! A little jump start on your gut health journey.
- Bailey Lowe
Functional Nutrition Coach
(989) 245-5358
