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The most common question when the topic goes to functional mushroom products tends to be: “Are these magic mushrooms?” Well, this Hawai’i based company is determined to prove that ALL mushrooms are magic. While these aren't psilocybin-containing hallucinogenic mushrooms (most commonly referred to when talking about ‘magic’ mushrooms), their healthful effects are just as remarkable. Mālama Mushrooms is a family-owned business based in Kona, Hawaii, dedicated to promoting health and wellness through the power of superfood mushrooms. Founded by Benjamin Lillibridge in 2015, the brand’s name, "Mālama," meaning "protect, preserve, and nurture" in Hawaiian, reflects the company’s core mission of sharing the healing properties of mushrooms. Residents in the Pacific Northwest are probably most initiated with the wonder of mushrooms. But for those new to the party, welcome! Now let’s give you some ‘mush’ needed context: Mushrooms have been used for targeting a prodigious number of ailments and maladies in traditional cultures medicinal regimes throughout the world spanning millennia. The conventional western world, in their typical resistance to harnessing the holistic capabilities of Earth’s natural intelligence, has been a tad slower to embrace. However, fungi had their historic watershed moment in America during WWII when the power of a lowly fungus, Penicillium spp., was utilized to create the first industrially scaled anti-biotic, Penicillin, and deployed to the allied troops and eventually the rest of the world. This had a dramatic effect on reducing mortality from infections. Today, the literature surrounding fungi such as functional superfood mushrooms such as lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps & chaga has expanded immensely. Lion’s Mane - Known for its cognitive benefits, Lion’s Mane is often referred to as a “brain booster”. It supports memory, focus, and mental clarity, and has been shown to promote nerve regeneration. Its antiinflammatory properties may also reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Lion’s Mane is a great option for anyone looking to enhance brain health and overall cognitive function for themselves, their family and even their dog! Reishi - Nicknamed the “mushroom of immortality” Reishi is revered for its stress- relieving and immune-boosting properties. It helps calm the mind, improve sleep quality, and strengthen the immune system. Reishi is also known for its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, making it ideal for supporting overall well-being. Cordyceps - Cordyceps is celebrated for its ability to boost energy and enhance athletic performance. By improving oxygen uptake and increasing stamina, it’s a popular choice for athletes or those seeking a natural energy boost without a crash. It is also linked to improved lung function and anti-aging benefits. Chaga - Packed with antioxidants, Chaga is a powerful mushroom that supports immune function and combats oxidative stress. It is also renowned for its ability to promote skin health by fighting free radicals and supporting cellular regeneration. Mālama Mushrooms crafts a variety of products that make it easy to incorporate these powerful mushrooms into your daily routine. Whether you’re looking to improve cognitive function, enhance your immune system, or reduce stress, there’s a Mālama product designed to support your health goals. In line with their commitment to quality, Mālama uses organic, fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, a method aligned with traditional practices which does not include any of the oats & rice substrate used in the growing process. But it’s not just obsession with quality that makes Mālama aligned with their namesake of ‘protecting, preserving & nurturing’. The company also donates 5% of profits to the Hawaii Fungi Project, a non-profit dedicated to studying and preserving the native Hawaiian mushrooms, some of which are already on the IUCN’s Endangered Species list and have seldom been seen by human eyes. In addition, during the Maui Fires last year, one of their mushroom farm partners lost 70% of the accounts they sold fresh lion’s mane to overnight. Mālama sprang into action and began dehydrating & extracting their mushrooms to incorporate into their product line and support.

Life moves fast, and sometimes, our energy gets drained before we even realize it. Whether it's stress from work, emotional ups and downs, or just feeling off-balance, a simple energetic reset can bring you back to your center quickly—no fancy tools or long meditation sessions required! Here's a beginner-friendly technique you can use anytime, anywhere to ground yourself and reset your energy. Step 1: Ground Yourself - Find a quiet spot, if possible, but this can be done anywhere. Stand or sit comfortably with your feet flat on the ground. Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth, grounding you firmly. Visualize yourself drawing in the earth’s energy with every inhale, feeling connected and supported. Step 2: Focus on Your Breath - With your eyes closed, take slow, deep breaths. Inhale for a count of four, hold for two seconds, and exhale slowly for six. Focus on the breath as it fills your lungs and feel your body relaxing with each exhale. This helps clear stagnant energy and promote calm. Step 3: Visualize a Light Cleanse - Now, picture a warm, bright light surrounding your body. Imagine this light gently washing away any negative or heavy energy you’ve picked up throughout the day. See it cleansing your energy field and leaving you feeling refreshed, balanced, and recharged.

Healthy digestion is key for wellness, immune function, mental health, inflammation control, and nutrient absorption. A balanced gut supports overall body health. Why Digestion Matters Immune Function About 70% of the immune system is in the gut. Poor digestion can cause inflammation and weaken immunity. Mental Health The gut produces 90% of serotonin. Poor gut health may affect mood, contributing to anxiety and depression. Inflammation Digestive issues can lead to gut inflammation, linked to autoimmune disorders and heart disease. Nutrient Absorption Even with a good diet, poor digestion limits nutrient uptake, leading to fatigue and weak immunity. How Digestive Enzymes Help Improved Nutrient Absorption Enzymes like proteases, lipases, and amylases break down proteins, fats, and carbs for better absorption. Relief from Discomfort Enzymes like lactase reduce bloating and gas. Support for Digestive Disorders & Aging Enzymes help those with IBS or age-related enzyme decline improve digestion.

The stomach is a bit like a washing machine and a healthy stomach has about a 2-4 hour “spin cycle.” Food passes from the mouth, down the esophagus into the stomach where it gets vigorously mixed around with stomach acid and an enzyme called pepsin. This important duo starts breaking down the protein in our food before it passes into the small intestine. Without sufficient stomach acid, we don’t digest protein properly and people often begin to notice that when they eat meat, they get a heavy discomfort in their stomach and it feels like the food sits around for too long.

You may have heard about berberine but wondered exactly what it is. Berberine is not a plant, but a botanical compound available from many sources, just as vitamin C is not a plant, but many plants contain vitamin C. This particular compound—and the plants in which it is found—have been a part of Ayurvedic and Chinese medical practice for thousands of years. Research is just starting to catch up, showing that berberine fights tumors, fatty liver disease, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, Alzheimer’s, and more. But one of the reasons I like berberine is that it can address the combined disorders that contribute to metabolic syndrome. Stop Metabolic Syndrome with Berberine Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of disease factors: high blood pressure, imbalanced cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides, high blood sugar, and excess weight. All these conditions are related to inflammation and oxidation. The extra weight so prevalent in metabolic syndrome is influenced, in part, by our blood sugar levels and stress hormones. As you might suspect, these conditions also cause inflammation and are influenced by inflammation. Berberine effectively addresses each of these problems. It is estimated that 1 in 3 American adults has metabolic syndrome – a combination of conditions that can include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cholesterol imbalance, and high triglyceride levels. These represent some of the most prevalent (and preventable) disorders in the modern world. It may surprise you that berberine, a natural compound, can effectively address all of them and more. The right form of berberine can aid the body to: • Stop the dysfunction of metabolic syndrome • Reduce triglycerides • Balance cholesterol • Fight hypertension • Normalize blood sugar • Assist in weight loss • Protect the liver • Reduce DNA damage and arrest tumor growth • Inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress 

Imagine if you awakened every morning feeling completely inadequate to meet the demands of the day. How would you feel if even a little physical or mental stress left you feeling drained? Problems such as these have an enormous negative impact on relationships, careers, and personal happiness. And the root cause is very often impaired adrenal function. Adrenal insufficiency is likely the number one factor underlying many health disorders. It usually begins after a period of prolonged stress—emotional or metabolic. Severe fatigue in the morning is the main symptom. Usually, people with adrenal insufficiency describe themselves as “slow starters”. Interestingly, the ability to resist infections is a function of the adrenal’s integrity even more than the immune system. People with exhausted adrenal glands typically have recurrent minor infections. Post-viral fatigue is common in this case as well. In fact, more than half of chronic fatigue syndrome cases begin after significant stress such as surgery, viral infection, trauma or accident. This inability to recover is in large part due to adrenal exhaustion that has developed due to underlying stress such as poor nutrition, mental and physical stress, overwork and lack of sleep. Allergies are very often a manifestation of adrenal insufficiency, too. Recurrent sneezing can be a subtle clue of adrenal weakness. In nearly every case of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, low adrenal function has been the underlying cause. Those who have less severe sensitivities tend to have proportionately less severe adrenal insufficiency. Support the Adrenal Glands with the Right Diet The ideal diet for someone experiencing adrenal insufficiency would be similar to the diet for the hypoglycemic person. It should be low in carbohydrates (no refined carbs and no sugar) and emphasize whole, unprocessed proteins and high quality fats, including olive oil and butter. For adrenal repair, sodium is a critical factor and should not be avoided. However, the salt should be of high quality and not refined white salt or white sea salt. I would highly recommend Celtic sea salt, usually ½ teaspoon of salt to a quart of water, three quarts of the salt and water combination per day. The Right Nutrients I recommend specific nutrients to help repair adrenal insufficiency. For instance, B vitamins—particularly vitamin B6 (P5P, the biologically active form of B6) and pantothenic acid are a must. L-tyrosine helps produce the adrenal hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. You need vitamin C because the only place in the body that vitamin C is temporarily stored is in the adrenal glands. DHEA and pregnenolone are two adrenal hormones that are also precursors for all other hormones. I believe it is critical to support the adrenal function with freeze dried adrenal extract. There are also two herbs that I would heavily rely on to support adrenal function; licorice root extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa). Both support liver function and restore adrenal function. They also facilitate the body’s normal response to stress, and help keep adrenal hormones active longer. The ideal combination of these ingredients can be found at Marlene’s as Adrenaplex® by Terry Naturally. With these nutrients and the right diet, you can bounce back from adrenal exhaustion and begin living a vibrant, full and energetic life! Terry Lemerond is a natural health expert with over 50 years of experience. He has owned health food stores, founded dietary supplement companies, and formulated over 400 products. His continual dedication, energy, and zeal are part of his on-going mission — to improve the health of America.

LION'S MANE is a mushroom on everyone’s mind. It’s rapidly becoming known as “The Smart Mushroom.” As a stand-alone for memory and cognition support, Lion's Mane is a sure bet. But, what about combining key B vitamins with Lion’s Mane for a multiingredient approach? B vitamins are well researched as supportive to brain and nerve health and more. B3 and B12 are two in particular that support a range of activity associated with the nervous system and our brain as a whole.* Niacin is the common term for B3. There is research suggesting that niacin supports the optimal functioning of mitochondria, the energy factories of our cells. It is part of the pathway that creates ATP, the cellular gasoline that powers every cellular function in every cell of our bodies including our nerve cells. Nerve cells are highly metabolically active and are constantly conducting signals to and from our brain and body. Nerve cells use a lot of energy. Niacin supports the creation of that cellular energy and also supports nerve and brain health and day-to-day nerve generative activity. There are a number of forms of niacin. The most basic is nicotinic acid.* One thing to consider when supplementing with nicotinic acid is that some people can experience something called a flush. The flush occurs as nicotinic acid triggers the dilation of capillaries, or microscopic blood vessels and may be felt as a heating sensation spreading across the skin. The extent of a niacin flush depends on the amount taken and how sensitive a person is to niacin. While some people have a small response, some don't feel it at all, and others might experience it quite strongly. While niacin is beneficial for a vast group of people, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before adding it to your daily supplement regimen if you have any health issues.* Vitamin B12 is important for overall health and wellness. Methylcobalamin, a form of B12, allows for rapid absorption and use by our cells and is well researched for its support for energy and nerve health. The data suggest that B12 supports energy, endurance, nerve health and signaling, attention, cognitive function, and even glycemic balance. Data also demonstrate safety of Vitamin B12 at up to 500 micrograms. There is evidence that taking 1000 micrograms, long term, could be problematic for people with diabetic neuropathy. Here again, if you have any health issues, you’ll want to check with your healthcare provider to determine if the addition of B12 is right for you.*

A Powerful Boost for Your Well-being!

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