I have said I was going to write this one for a while but I certainly don’t want to overwhelm people because this is a tricky topic based on your needs. It is important to note, I am not a doctor, I just play one on TV(Why do I always add this?!). I also am a BIG advocate of getting your thyroid tested and seeing if you have the MTHFR gene mutation to see if you’re one of the lucky ones that can’t process b vitamins. Yes, this mutation sounds like how annoying it makes your life. If you don’t have the money to find this out, you might simply stop buying normal b vitamins and opt for methylated b’s—they aren’t even more expensive these days! I still find it helpful to know because you can start studying yourself: If you can’t process B’s, then your mental health, along with many other body systems, will be affected. In fact, if you are in for surgery, they now ask if you have this gene mutation as some anesthesia won’t work well on you! A naturopath is a great place to start, I don’t know if a conventional doc will do this blood work but doesn’t hurt to ask. If you want an online test that makes it easy, here is one but if you already have a 23 and me, it will be in your raw data and if you’re tenacious enough, you can find it by typing in the search bar a specific code. I didn’t find it difficult. Ask in the comments and I’ll tell you if you want to know!
I do love 23 and me for many reasons, like finding out you had a cousin you didn’t know existed (true story), or other ancestry stuff like apparently I am mostly British and Irish but I thought I was more American Indian. Or getting an alert, “Hey Jami, you have 64% more neanderthal DNA than our other customers!”. Which explains my aggressive body hair, but anyway. Ask for it for Christmas like a nerd.
You’re like, just give us the sumps, gurl! The problem is, if your thyroid is off, you don’t need good b vitamins though that might help—you need to fix your thyroid. And by the way, you change, especially in peri and menopause, so you need to check regularly. I find everlywell’s women’s comprehensive test to be the most helpful. You spit in a tube and finger prick and send it in, then download the app. It tells you so much about your hormones too! REALLY WORTH IT. Or, go to the doctor and ask for a thyroid panel but just make sure you get ALL 4 markers and not just one. It drives me insane when doctors do not do a full panel, so advocate for yourself even if they say you only need 1. “And I would like to be tested for all 4 as I am paying for it.”
Have I overwhelmed you yet? This will be probably an 80 part series. We alternate between sups and church trauma pretty quickly, but you’re never bored!
One thing everyone should be taking is a probiotic and I am picky about these. If you are new to the probiotic game, start with a few strains so it doesn’t hurt your tummy. I like Life 9 by Young Living (they have a delicious kid’s one too that tastes like a pixie stick! Start your kiddos early on a probiotic—IT MATTERS). If you’re old to the probiotic game or have a stomach of steel or can’t tolerate dairy, I love SEED. Life 9 has 9 probiotic strains, Seed has 21 I think. More strands, do more targeted things, but like I said, it can feel uncomfortable if you have a dainty tummy. Both of these are very high quality and you really do get what you pay for. Keep in mind, your gut is where your serotonin is made: Happy Gut, Happy Butt, but also happier brain. We are destroying our guts with all this processed food, no prebiotic fibers and enzymes etc. SO I do think most people who eat processed foods need to be supplementing with probiotics.
If you’re going to buy SEED probiotics, Use code: JAMINATO25 for 25% off.
If you’re going to buy Young Living, use code shareYL20 for 20% off your first order. If you’re going to buy from YL anyway, my other absolute must have for my brain and energy is Aminowise. Hello polyphenols, minerals, and amino acids! This is supposed to act as a pre or post workout but it makes my energy and emotions really happy. It’s also delicious. My mom says she kicks the young lady’s booties at jazzercise when she takes it and I think that’s the only testimony you really need.
All of this back work so we can get into a comprehensive list of my fave sups (including favorite methylated B’s but working on a code for you all) and what they do- LOL. We are on a journey of health and it’s a fun road trip not a boring run to the gas station. And I think you’re worth that. As a person who really likes to not be embodied and to separate my physical health from my spiritual health, I’ve learned to slooooowwww it down and take the time I need to care for this meat suit. I hate when people call it that but decided to try it out and I still hate it.
So, stay tuned for the next supplement newsletter where we get into the weeds!
Nerd 4 life,
Jami
P.S. So happy and a little disappointed we didn’t get raptured yesterday.
such good tips... is it ok if I name dr.Dan Purser here, & suggest folks look for his Youtubes on MTHFR....only that he talks fast!! He knows his stuff, but hard for us non-scientists to keep up... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSC0vwnMByY
Any recs or trusty brands for a probiotic you can get at a grocery store? I want to start there before committing to a subscription somewhere but the options are overwhelming!