One of the issues with fibromyalgia is that even when you have it under control, the smallest thing can knock you back onto the struggle bus. That’s what happened with me this winter. I went from feeling great to fighting stomach issues that stole my energy and focus.
Last fall while we were traveling, we encountered some sort of stomach bug. We still don’t know if it was something we picked up in the water, or something else. We’ve even debated if maybe we had COVID. What we do know is that that illness really knocked me backwards. It took a solid three months to recover and in that time I was really struggling with the return of fatigue and other symptoms common with fibromyalgia.
As often happens, when we are knocked backwards for a while, the search for answers returns. The first placed I looked was to things that have worked in the past. Several years ago I started taking the Vital Plan Restore kit and found it did great things for my energy levels. I took it consistently for over a year and found that while on it I didn’t experience the fatigue that often comes from enjoying life. I still felt that improved energy long after I stopped taking it, returning to it again for a while when some other health issues popped up.
So, when this latest health issue left me feeling drained and fatigued, The Restore Kit was the first place I turned to try to get that energy back. Once again, I saw that same improvement to my energy levels and decrease to the fatigue.
During a call with the folks at Vital Plan they mentioned a couple of their new products that I might also find helpful and offered to give me a trial of those. Not willing to pass on anything that could help I took them up on the offer and they sent me three of their newest products.
Daily Herbal
Daily herbal is Vital Plan‘s newest daily supplement. It’s not your typical daily vitamin. This one is ideal if you’re looking to support immune function while improving both physical and mental performance.
Daily Herbal is a blend of 5 herbs that work at the cellular level to address the 5 major causes of stress. It focuses on balancing your microbiome (the millions of bacteria that live in your gut), improving your immune system, avoiding cellular burnout, and promoting vitality and endurance.
Key Daily Herbal Ingredients:
Reishi Mushroom Extract is known as the “Mushroom of Immortality” and has been used for hundreds of years for treatment of infections, as well as more recently in the treatment of cancer and pulmonary disease. Reishi mushrooms help improve the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and decrease fatigue, among many other things.
Rhodiola Extract is a natural antioxidant that is helpful in reducing anxiety and depression, as well as for increasing stamina and energy.
Acumin™ Turmeric Extract is a patented natural turmeric formulation that contains the complete matrix of natural turmeric to provide the benefits of the full plant. Turmeric naturally decreases inflammation, while providing cardiovascular, brain, gut, and joint support.
PrimaVie™ Purified Shilajit is an herbo-mineral adaptogen that aids in bone and tissues growth, and has been shown to enhance mental and physical performance.
Gotu Kola Extract is a brain revitalizer that improves memory and strengthens the nervous system. It also helps improve your natural anti-inflammatory response and circulation.
Daily Herbal is all about aging well, while balancing stress and supporting the immune system.
Brain Boost
Years ago a friend introduced me to Lion’s Mane as a great supplement for focus and alertness. I’d tried a few different products over the years and found most didn’t really do much for me. That was until another friend suggested the Lion’s Mane coffee from Four Sigmatic. He gave me a sample from what he had on hand and I gave it a try and liked it well enough to buy some myself. It’s been something I’ve kept on hand ever since and lately have drank as my coffee of choice on work days.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract is commonly used in Asian cooking, and recent studies have shown that it not only promotes healthy brain function, but also overall mood. The coffee helps me focus, but sometimes not enough. Also, there are days when coffee just isn’t a good idea. Too much can leave me jittery and drinking it too late can keep me from sleeping.
Brain Boost is specifically formulated combining Lion’s Mane mushroom extract with other key ingredients to help maintain microbiome balance, promote immune health, manage stress, and support cerebral circulation, thus promote brain and cognitive health, while improving focus and decreasing brain fog.
Key Brain Boost Ingredients
In addition to Lions Mane Mushroom Extract, Brain Boost contains:
Cat’s Claw Bark Extract supports immune function and balances the microbiome. It is most commonly used to treat arthritis, as well as cancer and viral infections.
Bacopa Leaf Extract has been used in traditional Indian medicine. It is commonly used for Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive function, and anxiety. It is believed to increase brain chemicals that are involved in learning, memory, and thinking.
Ashwagandha Leaf & Root Extract is an adaptogen that enhances endocrine function by regulating the thyroid, improving resistance to stress, helping to decrease fatigue and brain fog.
Ginkgo Leaf Extract promotes blood circulation in the brain, supporting concentration and memory, as well as reducing fatigue and improving physical performance.
Using Brain Boost
Initially, I tried taking a full dose of Brain Boost while continuing to drink Lion’s Mane coffee. It was too much. I realized after about a week that I was feeling jittery and anxious, and decided to cut out the coffee while taking Brain Boost. That worked really well. With some trial and error I found that I can do both if I cut the dosage of Brain Boost in half. As with most of the Vital Plan products I find that I get good results with a lower than recommended dosage, so that’s how I’ve continued to take it.
While the Restore Kit is ideal for those working to get back to a functioning level, these two new herbal supplements – Daily Herbal and Brain Boost – are ideal for those who have their symptoms largely under control, or even those who are generally healthy but need an extra boost to to their physical and mental acuity.
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