Articles
From Soil to Sea: Where Your Nutrition Really Begins
Why true nutrition starts with how our food is grown and why it shapes everything inside us, a Big Bold Health philosophy We’ve been taught to think about health in terms of what we consume. Calories. Protein. Supplements. Superfoods. But the real story starts long before that. It starts in the soil beneath our feet and extends all the way to the depths of the ocean. Because what we put into our bodies is only as powerful as where it comes from. Food As Medicine Starts at the Source “Food as medicine” is more than a philosophy. It’s a recognition that the health of our bodies is directly connected to the health of our environment. When plants grow in nutrient-depleted soil, they produce fewer protective compounds and less nutrients that our bodies need to thrive. When ecosystems are disrupted, the nutritional quality of our food declines. But when food is grown in environments that are rich, resilient, and alive, it becomes something entirely different. It becomes functional.It becomes protective.It becomes medicine. The Intelligence of the Soil In regenerative agriculture, soil is not treated as dirt. It’s treated as a living system. Healthy soil contains: Diverse microbial life Organic matter Complex nutrient cycles This living ecosystem allows plants to: Develop stronger root systems Access more minerals Produce higher levels of phytonutrients Why does this matter? Because plants don’t just passively grow, they respond to their environment. And in more challenging, nutrient-rich ecosystems, they produce more of the compounds that support resilience both for themselves and for us. Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat: A Plant Built by Stress Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat (HTB) is a powerful example of this. It grows in extreme conditions: High altitudes Harsh climates Poor, mineral-rich soils To survive, it produces an extraordinary concentration of protective compounds like: Polyphenols Flavonoids Antioxidants These compounds are part of the plant’s natural defense system. And when we consume them, they can support: Cellular resilience Oxidative balance Metabolic health HTB is not just nutrient-dense. It’s environmentally conditioned to be. Activating the Power of the Soil Through Sprouting At Big Bold Health, HTB is not only grown in these unique conditions, it’s also sprouted. Sprouting activates the plant’s biological systems, increasing the concentration and absorption of the key nutrients it contains. This process: Enhances phytonutrient density Improves bioavailability Unlocks compounds that remain dormant in unsprouted seeds The result is a food that reflects both: The intelligence of the soil it came from The activation of its full biological potential The Other Half of the Equation: The Ocean But human health isn’t built on land alone. The ocean plays an equally critical role. It is one of the richest sources of: Omega-3 fatty acids Marine nutrients Essential fats required for cellular function Omega-3s are fundamental to: Brain health Heart health Balances inflammatory response Cell membrane integrity And just like plants, marine life reflects the health of its environment. Why Source Matters in Omega-3s Not all fish oil is created equal. The nutritional quality of marine oils depends on: The ecosystem the fish come from The purity of the waters The way they are harvested and processed In healthy ocean ecosystems, marine life accumulates essential fatty acids that are critical for human biology. These fats are not optional. They are foundational. Because every cell in your body relies on a healthy lipid membrane to function properly. Sea + Soil: A Complete Nutritional System At Big Bold Health, nutrition isn’t viewed as isolated ingredients. It’s viewed as a connected system. From the soil: Polyphenols Plant compounds Antioxidants From the sea: Omega-3 fatty acids Essential lipids Structural building blocks for cells Together, they support: Cellular resilience Inflammatory balance Whole-body function This is the integration of plant intelligence and marine nutrition. Regenerative Thinking, Inside and Out Regenerative farming is not just about sustainability. It’s about restoration. It's about preserving our land for generations to come. Restoring: Soil health Ecosystem balance Nutritional integrity of food When you choose regeneratively grown food, you participate in a living cycle. As more people make this shift, demand rises—encouraging more farmers to adopt regenerative practices. The result is a ripple effect that can transform the quality of our food system. A New Definition of Nutrition The future of nutrition isn’t about more products. It’s about better systems. It’s about asking: Where was this grown? How was it cultivated? What environment shaped it? Because the answers to those questions determine what that food can do for your body. From Soil to Sea, and Back to You Choosing Big Bold Health isn’t just about what you are taking—it’s about what you stand for. It means choosing plants shaped by resilient soil and guided by scientific discovery. Nutrients transformed through nature’s own processes. Marine ingredients sourced with respect for ecosystems and minimally processed—just as nature intended. It’s a way of nourishing your body that honors the systems that sustain it—connected, intelligent, and alive. Experience Food As Medicine True health starts in the systems that produce our food. From soil to sea, every step matters. And when those systems are respected and restored, the result is nutrition your body recognizes, responds to, and thrives on. That’s the foundation of Big Bold Health. And that’s what it means to truly experience food as medicine.
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The Power of Sprouting Seeds
Discover the power of sprouting and how sprouted Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat enhances polyphenols, bioavailability, and nutrient density. Learn why Big Bold Health uses sprouting to deliver more effective, plant-based nutrition for cellular, metabolic, and overall health.
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Why Not All “Healthy” Foods Work the Same Inside Your Body
The hidden reason your body responds differently and what makes Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat unique You’ve probably heard that “plant compounds” are good for you. Polyphenols. Antioxidants. Flavonoids. But here’s what most people don’t know: It’s not just what you consume. It’s how those compounds exist in nature that determines what your body actually does with them. And that’s where things get interesting. The Problem With Most “Healthy” Ingredients Most supplements and superfoods isolate a single compound and try to amplify it. Think: One antioxidant One extract One “active ingredient” But your body doesn’t work in isolation and neither does nature. In real plants, nutrients exist as complex systems, not single ingredients. And when you remove them from that system? You lose the magic. Enter: Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat (HTB) Not all buckwheat is created equal. Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat is a rare variety that grows in extreme environments, think high altitude, harsh climates and poor soil. To survive, it develops extraordinary levels of protective compounds. We’re talking: Up to 400x more rutin than common buckwheat (Rutin is important because it helps protect your cells from damage, supports healthy blood flow, and can help to reduce your body's inflammatory response) A dense matrix of polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids But here’s the real breakthrough… It’s Not Just the Polyphenols — It’s Their Form Inside HTB, compounds like quercetin (a type of antioxidant found in certain foods that helps protect your cells and supports your immune system, making it an important part of a healthy diet. But they don’t just exist in one form. They exist in multiple forms at once: Free polyphenols Glycosides (bound to sugars) Glucosides (time-release forms) Why does this matter? Because each form behaves differently in your body. Different absorption Different timing Different biological effects In other words: Your body receives a “wave” of nutrients not a spike. Nature’s Built-In Time-Release System Those glycosides and glucosides act like a natural delivery system. Instead of flooding your system all at once… They: Release gradually Interact with your gut microbiome Extend biological activity over time This creates a more sustained, more effective response at the cellular level. And that’s something synthetic supplements struggle to replicate. Why Sprouting Changes Everything Here’s where Big Bold Health takes it even further. When HTB is sprouted, something powerful happens: The plant essentially “wakes up.” Enzymes activate. Defense systems turn on. Nutrients multiply. According to the research: Total phytonutrients increase ~3x vs unsprouted HTB And 15x higher than common buckwheat Even more importantly: Key compounds like quercetin, catechol, and phenolic acids increase significantly Beneficial compounds become more bioavailable Certain “antinutrients” actually decrease This isn’t just more nutrition. It’s transformed nutrition. A Unique “Signature” for Your Genes Here’s the part most brands don’t talk about: Every plant creates a unique fingerprint of compounds. And that fingerprint determines how your body responds at a genetic level. Because HTB: Is grown in extreme conditions Has a rare genetic profile Is processed through sprouting The combination and form of its polyphenols is completely unique. It’s not adulterated and still falls into the “food is medicine” bucket, because it is a whole food ingredient. This means the way it interacts with your body is unlike any other plant, and that’s why it’s changing the way we understand food as medicine. What This Means For You When you take HTB sprout powder, you’re not just “getting antioxidants.” You’re giving your body: A complex network of polyphenols In multiple bioactive forms Delivered in a time-release system Backed by enhanced nutrient levels from sprouting Which has been studied for: Antioxidant support Balanced inflammatory effects Cardiovascular and metabolic health Cellular resilience and recovery This Is Food As Medicine,The Way Nature Intended The truth is: Nature already solved the problem. Plants evolved these systems over thousands of years to survive. And when you consume them in their complete, natural form…Your body benefits from that intelligence. Experience the Difference If you’ve tried “superfoods” before and didn’t feel much… This is why. It’s not about more.It’s about form, complexity, and delivery. Try Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Sprout Powder And experience what happens when nutrition works with your biology, not against it.
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The powerful connection between immunity and metabolic wellness
Immunity and metabolism. There are few combinations of words that speak so directly to the source of our chronic health problems today. When you look at the top contributors to poor health around the world, issues with immune imbalance are a major driver and issues with immunity and metabolic wellness may speed up aspects of the aging process itself. Here’s how these two topics converge, and strategies to help target them together. What are immunity and immune wellness? Immunity is really a reflection of our immune system, an incredibly complex web of cells and signals that permeates every inch of our bodies. The immune system is often described as made of two major components. These are known as the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system. In a nutshell, the innate branch of the immune system acts as a first line of defense against microbes and other dangers, and includes a host of white blood cells including macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. The adaptive branch of the immune system is more specialized, and is key to long-lasting immune memory. Notable cells in the adaptive immune system include T cells and B cells (which create antibodies). Immune wellness is a bit challenging to pin down, as the terminology can have different meanings in different contexts. Generally speaking, immune wellness would describe an immune system with the ability to fend off threats like microbes without getting overly worked up and attacking healthy cells or harmless elements from the environment (like pollen). What are metabolism and metabolic wellness? From a scientific lens, metabolism is a process that generates fuel for our bodies, breaks down and builds up the physical and chemical structure of our bodies. Taking this concept into human wellness, metabolic wellness is a reflection of how well we are able to create and use energy in our bodies as well as how effectively we’re able to build up and dispose of the building blocks that drive our structure and function. Metabolism and metabolic wellness are massive topics, and thousands of scientific papers describe their details at an incredibly nuanced level. But when it comes to what may be most relevant for most people, much conversation has focused on how food is converted into fuel (especially into sugar), and the wellness of the energy factories in our cells (called mitochondria). Scientific research suggests that issues with blood sugar levels (especially sustained high blood sugar or fluctuating blood sugar levels) may be a significant contributor to worse wellness. Similarly, problems with mitochondrial function have been presented as contributors to a wide range of poor wellness states. How do immunity and metabolism interconnect? Like everything else in our bodies, our immune system and our metabolism are connected. But unlike some other systems, these two are deeply intertwined, and the health of one often substantially influences the health of the other. For example, metabolic issues may contribute to immune imbalance. Similarly, immune imbalance is thought to negatively impact mitochondrial function and contribute to problems with blood sugar regulation. Conditions linked to both metabolic and immune problems range from mental issues to blood vessel wellness and more. And unfortunately, many of the contributors to metabolic and immune imbalances (like poor quality diet, sedentary behavior and chronic stress) show no sign of abating. However, this in no way means we are defenseless against these states of poor wellness. What can we do that simultaneously improves metabolic and immune wellness? Issues that involve immunity and metabolism are obviously a major threat to our wellness and happiness. But the good news is that there are simple things we can all do that simultaneously target better immune and metabolic wellness. Two of the most important of these interventions are changing our diet quality and engaging in daily movement. Changing your diet The food we eat has a number of effects on all aspects of our health. Yet the most obvious connection is between our diet and our metabolism. That’s because our food makes up the structure and fuel for our cells. Among the most notable things we can do to improve the metabolic effects of our diet may be to reduce our consumption of added sugars and “simple” carbohydrates (think white bread, cupcakes, cereals, bagels, white rice, cookies and other baked goods). Among these influences, the negative effect of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has received considerable focus, and cutting back on sugary beverages may be one of the quickest ways to improve diet quality from a metabolic perspective. It’s also notable that higher consumption of SSBs is linked to immune imbalance. When focusing more specifically on the best diet for immune balance, most research tends to advocate for a whole-food diet rich in plants. One of the best examples of this is the Mediterranean diet, a dietary strategy emphasizing nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish rich in omega-3 fats as well as whole grains (and minimizing added sugar and simple carbohydrates). Sticking closer to a Mediterranean diet has been linked to improvements in immune balance, and more recently has been linked to benefits in metabolic health as well. Interestingly, some of the reasons for the benefits seen in both immune and metabolic function may relate to the effects of this diet on the gut microbiome. Getting regular movement in your day Did you know that about 40% of the American population doesn’t really exercise at all? Though there can be a number of reasons (some of them very good) for why physical activity isn’t a part of everyone’s day, it’s notable that lack of consistent movement is linked to worse metabolic and immune wellness. Of course, we don’t all have to become ultra-marathoners to give our immune and metabolic wellness a boost. Some research shows that simply engaging in regular walking may be enough to benefit immune balance, as well as improve metabolic wellnesss in people with baseline metabolic dysfunction. Some strategies worth considering when it comes to sticking to a regular movement routine include looking for exercises you enjoy, finding exercises that you think you can reliably do (e.g., don’t start with a daily 5k if you’re just starting your exercise journey), and consideration for exercising with a friend or friends. More generally, spending time with other people who are also committed to improving their wellness is a great way to help you stay motivated and stay on track.
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The planet has an immune system too
Humans have a strange tendency to see themselves as separate from nature. Yet we know that we are part and parcel of the natural world. Immunity provides a powerful lens for viewing this truth. Plants and animals have their own immune systems, and the planet itself can be seen as possessing an immune system. All of these can be conceptualized through a global community — or co-immunity — that works as a network of interconnected immune systems essential for the preservation of health. The implications here are significant, and we ignore them at our peril. Without the immune benefits we get from animals, plants, fungi, microbes, and the planet itself, we’re far weaker as a species. It’s only by integrating information from this global co-immunity that we can truly thrive. Let’s talk about immunity + nature Immunity is how our bodies learn to protect our insides from the world outside. So by its very definition, immunity is a totally shared experience. Each of us affects the immune function of those around us. Food, air, soil, animals, climate, microbes, plants, travel and life experiences — all of these constantly shape and reshape our immunity. In turn, the way we eat, live, work, play, and use our planet’s resources influences the immunity of our immediate environment, as well as that of our planet and everything living on it. Train for immunity Think of your lifestyle as a form of training. This training determines your own immune abilities, and also affects the immunity of our planet. Hopefully you don’t encounter too many toxic things your immune system can’t handle, and hopefully you don’t introduce too many toxic things into nature that it can’t handle, either. A lot of this comes down to choices — what you eat, how you live, and what kind of natural resource footprint your choices create for you. How can we each develop effective immunity that is as healthy for our immune community as it is for ourselves? Here are a few suggestions: Get to know and fall in love with the nature around you. Outdoor sports, camping, gardening, hiking, and field trips are primo ways of educating immune cells, which is especially important for growing kids. For the best immune training, spend time in nature in areas where you live, rather than far away. This is where nature shares the weather and other conditions you live in, and what your local plants, animals, and microbes have learned can benefit you. In return, though, pack out everything you brought in. Eat local, organic, and sustainable as much as you can. Again, the foods that lived around you have mastered some of the challenges your own immune system faces, and generously share what they learned. Consider supplementing with nutrients that help train and rejuvenate immune cells. These can include omega-3 fats, plant nutrients such as quercetin and vitamin A, and the marine antioxidant astaxanthin. And for nature’s sake, look into the sustainability of the supplements you choose. For a deeper dive Check out this phenomenal article authored by pediatrician-immunologist Susan Prescott, MD, PhD and colleagues. It describes how planetary health and human immune function are intimately linked to the quality of our relationship with nature, and all the microbes we share.
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Natural Plant Compounds Show Promise for Immune Aging, New Research Reveals
A new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition has revealed how compounds from an ancient grain might help address age-related immune decline. The research, titled "The Impact of a Polyphenol-Rich Supplement on Epigenetic and Cellular Markers of Immune Age: A Pilot Clinical Study," investigated how dietary components from Tartary buckwheat influence immune aging through epigenetic and cellular mechanisms. In this 90-day pilot study, researchers examined 50 healthy participants who received a supplement rich in polyphenols - beneficial compounds naturally found in plants. Using sophisticated testing methods, including epigenetic age clocks and immune cell profiling, the team tracked changes in biological markers specifically associated with immune aging and cellular health. Key findings revealed significant modifications in: Epigenetic markers linked to biological aging rates Immune cell composition and function Gene expression patterns affecting longevity Cellular pathways involved in immune system health One of the study's innovations lies in its focus on naturally occurring nutrients. Tartary buckwheat, a traditional crop known for its high polyphenol content, served as the foundation for the supplement. The research successfully demonstrated how these natural compounds might influence gene expression related to immunity and longevity, offering new insights into healthspan improvement. While these exploratory results are encouraging, the researchers note that the relatively small sample size and study duration mean the findings should be interpreted cautiously. This initial research opens new avenues for understanding how natural food compounds might support immune health beyond their known antioxidant properties. The study contributes to the emerging field of precision nutrition - how specific dietary components might be tailored to support individual health outcomes. It demonstrates the potential of polyphenol-rich foods not just for their antioxidant effects, but for their broader influence on age-related immune function. For those interested in the complete scientific findings, the full research paper is published in Frontiers in Nutrition. This exploratory research represents an important step in understanding how natural food compounds might help mitigate age-related immune decline, though larger-scale studies will be needed to validate these initial results.
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How the Immune System Powers Your Longevity | Article by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.
The Turning Point in Longevity Science For most of the 20th century, scientists believed aging was inevitable—a gradual wearing out of tissues like an old machine. But in 2012, a remarkable discovery shattered that assumption. Dr. Shinya Yamanaka showed that the age of a cell is not fixed. By introducing just four master switches—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, now known as the Yamanaka Factors—he was able to rewind a mature cell back to a youthful, pluripotent state. This discovery marked a seismic shift in the biology of aging. It proved that the process was not purely mechanical but epigenetic—governed by chemical marks that tell genes when to speak and when to stay silent. It was the first evidence that cellular age can be reset by restoring the information patterns that orchestrate youthful function. For decades, aging had been described in terms of damaged DNA or oxidative stress. Yamanaka’s work reframed it as a loss of epigenetic coordination—a gradual blurring of the genetic symphony that keeps cells synchronized. And nowhere is that symphony more vital than in the immune system. From Cellular Age to Whole-Body Age: The Immune Connection Following the Yamanaka revolution, researchers began to ask: If we can reset cellular age, which cells matter most for the whole person? The answer emerged from an unexpected direction—the immune system. Immune cells act as sensors and messengers across every organ system. They patrol the body for danger, repair damage, and communicate through signaling molecules that reach the brain, liver, heart, and gut. When immune cells become old and inflamed—a condition known as immune senescence—they begin releasing 'alarm' molecules that accelerate the aging of nearby tissues. In other words, the rate of immune aging drives the rate of total body aging. A young immune system protects; an old immune system corrodes. Recent studies using epigenetic clocks—algorithms that read DNA-methylation patterns in immune cells—have confirmed this link. People with younger immune methylation profiles consistently live longer, recover faster from infections, and show lower risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Immune Rejuvenation: The New Frontier of Longevity The idea that aging might be slowed—or even partially reversed—by rejuvenating the immune system has sparked an entirely new field called immuno-rejuvenation. In this model, the immune system is not just a defender; it is the conductor of your biological orchestra, setting the tempo for inflammation, regeneration, and resilience. The immune system’s master regulator, the FOXP3 gene, acts like an internal brake on inflammation. It guides regulatory T cells that maintain peace within the immune network. When FOXP3 becomes methylated or silenced with age, the immune system loses its tolerance and begins attacking the self—an underlying cause of many chronic conditions. What keeps FOXP3 and its protective network active? Nutrition, movement, stress reduction, and microbial harmony—the very lifestyle elements seen in Blue Zone cultures around the world. The Diet–Epigenetic Link: Food as a Genetic Language Since Yamanaka’s discovery, researchers have sought safe, natural ways to gently mimic the rejuvenation seen in reprogrammed cells—without losing identity or risking uncontrolled growth. The answer lies in dietary molecules that communicate with our epigenome. Certain nutrients and plant compounds interact directly with the same enzymes that Yamanaka’s factors affect—DNMTs, TETs, and sirtuins—helping to restore healthy gene expression patterns in immune cells. Polyphenols: Nature’s Reprogrammers Found abundantly in berries, green tea, olive oil, red wine, and Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat (HTB), polyphenols fine-tune the body’s epigenetic machinery. They reduce excessive DNA methylation at genes linked to inflammation, while activating antioxidant and repair pathways like NRF2 and SIRT1. Clinical studies have shown that HTB polyphenols can reverse immune DNA-methylation age, effectively re-training the immune system to act young again. These are the same plant molecules that dominate the traditional diets of Okinawa, Ikaria, and Sardinia—cultures celebrated for vibrant centenarians and low chronic disease rates. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Another essential pillar of immune youth lies in the fats we consume. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish, algae, and walnuts, are not just anti-inflammatory—they are precursors to a class of molecules called Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs). SPMs act as the peacekeepers of inflammation. While omega-3s help prevent excess immune activation, SPMs actually turn off inflammation once healing is complete, allowing the immune system to reset itself. They support mitochondrial health, restore T-cell balance, and have been shown to preserve telomere length—the caps at the end of DNA strands that shorten with age. Prebiotics, Probiotics, and the Microbiome The intestinal microbiome—particularly when nourished with prebiotic fibers from plants—produces short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Butyrate acts as a natural HDAC inhibitor, one of the same tools used in laboratory reprogramming of aged cells. It stabilizes FOXP3, enhances Treg formation, and supports the gut-immune axis that regulates inflammation throughout the body. Meanwhile, probiotic organisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium produce metabolites that influence serotonin and vagal signaling, linking gut health to emotional well-being—another hallmark of Blue Zone living. From Blue Zones to the Laboratory: The Evidence Converges The people of Blue Zones never heard of Yamanaka Factors, FOXP3, or SPMs. Yet through generations of tradition, they practiced the very patterns modern science is now validating: Polyphenol-rich foods that remodel immune gene expression, marine omega-3s that produce inflammation-resolving molecules, fermented foods and prebiotics that nurture microbial diversity, and social connection, purpose, and rest that stabilize immune rhythms. The New Model of Aging: Immune Age as the Root Cause This new science replaces the old idea of aging in parts with a holistic vision: the whole person ages at the pace of their immune system. A youthful immune system keeps the brain clear, arteries supple, metabolism flexible, and mood stable. An aged immune system triggers cascades of inflammation that erode all of these. Thus, interventions that target immune epigenetic rejuvenation—through diet, lifestyle, and microbiome support—address the root cause of aging rather than its symptoms. The Path Forward Yamanaka’s discovery ignited the dream of cellular reprogramming in the lab. But nature offers a gentler, safer, and more accessible way to achieve the same goal every day—through the foods we eat, the microbes we cultivate, and the lives we design. From the antioxidants in blueberries to the omega-3s in wild salmon and the probiotics in fermented vegetables, each bite can influence how our immune genes are expressed and how gracefully we age. The science of longevity has moved from the microscope to the dinner table. And the message is clear: When you nourish your immune system, you nourish your lifespan.
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What we get wrong when we talk about immunity
Let’s start with the unfortunate truth — most conversations about immunity are woefully inadequate. Popular messages around immunity have largely focused on oversimplified and sensationalized ideas like “boosting” the immune system. In the context of a globally renewed interest in infectious disease mitigation, invoking “immunity” to promote a quick-fix solution may have been inevitable. Yet there’s so much more to this story. Even a slightly better understanding of immunity promotes widespread benefits to multiple aspects of your health. What immunity is, and what it isn’t Immunity is often defined as the body’s ability to defend against external threats, especially microbes. This description tends to limit the application of immune science to infectious threats. But research has convincingly revealed that the immune system plays a vital role in everything from metabolic health to the gut, brain function, and even mood. The immune system orchestrates a complex symphony of chemical messages that direct the growth, function, and lifespan of other cells. It’s also an information broker, translating data from the outside world into signals that can be interpreted and acted on by our organs. When immunity gets off balance When immunity is balanced, it manages threats from the inside and outside without major challenges. But in the modern day, immunity is often overwhelmed, confused, or otherwise thrown off-axis. This makes the immune response unreliable and counterproductive to your wellness. The cascade of effects of an imbalanced immune system can result in a variety of negative physiological outcomes, only some of which are commonly recognized as “immune” problems. Why most immune interventions are inadequate We all hear about new ways to restore immune health. Most of these are superficial attempts at remedying a deeper problem. There’s a faulty assumption that the only thing separating us from a healthy immune system is a massive dose of a trace mineral or a 7-day juice cleanse. There’s also a tendency to villainize all microbes because some of them can cause disease. We can’t expect to remedy a complex problem with overly simplistic thinking. As is the case with most chronic dysfunctions in our physiology, it’s imperative that we address deeper contributors to the problem. What to think about instead Our immune health is a reflection of the interface between our genes and our environment. Environmental influences on immunity-related genes are, in fact, proposed to be the central determinant in human immune variation, and this variation influences everything from our stem cells to the way we see the world. This means that by modifying our actions, we can change our immune function at a micro- and macroscopic level. We can promote healthier expression of immunity-related DNA through the science of epigenetics, change the programming of our immune cells through dietary modification, and even alter immune signaling through something as simple as deep breathing or nature exposure. An understanding of these pathways and how to affect them is the healthier alternative to crude boosting attempts that may further promote immune disequilibrium. We call this integrative approach to rebalancing immune health Immuno-Rejuvenation. Not sure how to get started? Starting a new supplement or nutrition regimen is not one size fits all. Take our short quiz to figure out which items are most aligned with your needs.
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What bitter foods do for your immunity
We have five basic types of taste receptors — salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and savory, also known as umami. The sweet and salty flavors often grab most of the attention when we’re deciding what to eat. Sour, umami, and — most of all — bitter flavors often get neglected, even though these foods make important contributions to health. In fact, bitter plants have been used to promote good digestion and respiratory function for centuries, and bitter flavors may have an especially profound influence on immunity. Taste receptors where? Here’s an interesting thing about taste receptors — they aren’t just on your tongue. Research has discovered that we have them in our hearts, immune cells, lungs, fat, intestines, thyroid, and other organs. Equally surprising is the fact that we have at least 25 different kinds of receptors for bitter, while we only have one for each of the other flavors. Why do our brains, or our immune or fat cells, need to “taste” bitter things, and why so precisely? It turns out that what we call “flavor” does a lot more than just give foods their taste. Sugar, for example, can impact how the body handles calories and inflammation, and salt is an incredibly important message for your heart, blood pressure, and kidneys. So it makes sense that bitter food molecules also contain signals that can potentially change the way your body works. How to train for immunity Why are plants bitter, and how does this affect the humans who eat them? Many plants contain bitter phytonutrients that help them survive and thrive. When we eat bitter foods, it’s thought to help release our digestive fluids. And we think training your palate to appreciate bitter flavors in food also trains your immunity. So what are those bitter foods we should be considering for wellness? Try experimenting with anything from this extensive list: artichokes buckwheat parsley radicchio cruciferous vegetables (especially dark leafy ones like kale and collards) endives escarole dandelion greens unsweetened dark chocolate tamarind olives and olive oil sesame seed chestnuts eggplant burdock root the white inner peel of citrus fruits beet greens grapefruit hops mugwort cardamom, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, and marjoram digestive “bitters” unsweetened black coffee, cocoa, green tea, white tea, matcha tea, black tea, or tonic water Phew, that was a lot. And while unsweetened cocoa may sound strange, the original Mayan and Aztec “xocolatl” drinks were prepared with hot peppers and sometimes cinnamon or flowers, but not much sweetness. Until your taste buds adapt to healthy bitter flavors, we recommend adding a small amount of monkfruit sweetener to make it easier to enjoy these healthful foods. If you're hungry for more, here’s a fascinating read on how folks who are genetically sensitive to bitter tastes are more likely to attain exceptional longevity — at least on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.
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