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Do you ever wish there was more you could do to help manage your stress? The supplement, Rhodiola may be a good option for you. Its apoptogenic properties make it one of our favorite “self-care” supplements. Rhodiola is a high-altitude plant and its roots are harvested to form an extract that has been used for centuries in ancient Chinese medicine for things like supporting mood and fighting fatigue. More recent research has helped us understand how Rhodiola works.

So, How Does It Work?

You may have felt the physical symptoms of stress like fatigue or mood changes. These physical symptoms are due to changes that are happening on a cellular level when your body is under stress. The active compounds in Rhodiola are rosavin and salidroside and have been shown to have neuroprotective activity (meaning they help protect your cells) and may also help cells adapt to stress and mitigate the harmful effects of stress (1). Additionally, the active compounds in Rhodiola stimulate the central nervous system which translates into Rhodiola’s ability to fight fatigue (2).

Key Benefits

• Supports Stress Adaptation
• May help fight fatigue (particularly fatigue brought on by stress)
• Supports mood

As with any supplement, make sure any Rhodiola you purchase has been tested for purity and quality. Our Rhodiola is batch tested to ensure it contains 3% rosavin and 2% salidroside. Take the assessment at Personanutrition.com to find out if Rhodiola is a good option for you!

Since their legalization in 2018, hemp-based products are available almost everywhere. From the pharmacy shelf to the checkout counter at the convenience store, it seems every retailor is now offering a variety of creams, lotions, and oils containing popular hemp products. This overwhelming accessibility points to the fact that more Americans are trying these products to relieve daily symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and pain. A recent Gallop poll found that one in seven Americans use some type of hemp-based product.¹

With the growing popularity of hemp products on the market, so also are growing consumer concerns about choosing the right product for you and avoiding any negative implications, such as a false positive on a drug screening.

How do drug screenings work?

Common drug screenings look for the psychoactive component of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or its metabolites in specific quantities to determine marijuana use. ² This is the chemical in marijuana responsible for the euphoric feelings or high.²

Can using a hemp product cause a false positive on a drug screening?

It all depends on the products quality and components. Using a hemp product that contains THC or THCA could result in a false positive on a urine drug screen.³ Hemp products are not supposed to contain more than 0.3% THC, however, there are mislabeled products on the market so consumers must be careful.^4,5 Furthermore, not all extraction processes are the same and some result in contamination. The safest option when concerned about THC content in your hemp supplement is to choose a hemp supplement that is proven to be completely THC free.

How to choose a quality hemp product that does not contain THC

Look for a broad spectrum or multi-spectrum hemp product as oppose to a full spectrum product that can contain THC. Find a manufacture that shares details of their extraction and purification process. These types of hemp products are generally treated to ensure their final product does not contain THC.⁶ Furthermore, look for a product that is willing to disclose their hemp supplement’s certificate of analysis. This document will detail exactly which cannabinoids are present in their product, including any THC.

Looking to see if a hemp supplement is right for you? Take Persona’s personalized vitamin assessment and find out how hemp extract fits within your wellness goals or interacts with your current medications. Persona offers a high-quality CBD Hemp Extract supplement extracted from pure hemp oil using CO2, instead of harsh solvents, and is tested to ensure this product is THC-free.

The amount of water that we need depends on many factors. Age, gender, lifestyle, physical activity, and overall health can impact how much we need in a day. There really isn’t a magic number or rule to follow; however, the 8-8-ounce rule or half our body weight is an easy way for us remember we’re drinking an adequate amount and replenishing any water loss throughout the day. An easy way to check if we’re hydrated is the color check – if your urine is pale, you’re staying hydrated but, if it is a dark yellow or amber color, you probably will need to increase your water intake.

Why Is Drinking Water Important?

When it comes to water, many of us automatically assume that we’re not drinking enough throughout the day. On average, about 60 percent of our body is water and it impacts every cell in our body. We understand that it is vital to our overall health but struggle to squeeze it in our daily routine, and we’ve heard various suggestions about how much we really need, such as 8-8-ounce glasses in a day, half our body weight, or to sip water before we become thirsty. So how much do we actually need?

How Does Water Affect Our Body?

First, let’s discuss how water affects our body. Water is considered an essential nutrient and has numerous important functions in our body, including:

• carrying oxygen and nutrients to our cells
• supports healthy digestion and bladder function by flushing out bacteria
• cushions joints
• protects our tissues and organs
• regulates body temperature
• maintains normal electrolyte balance
• helps maintain normal blood pressure and heartbeat

Studies have found that dehydration can cause low energy, headaches, fatigue, constipation, kidney stones, bladder cancer, and dehydrated skin. Studies also found that proper hydration can support weight management – participants who had water with their meals consumed less food; it was also found that drinking water provided a temporarily boost in metabolism.

How to Increase Your Water Intake

We can increase our water intake by drinking water when thirsty, consume water with meals, carrying a reusable water bottle, or adding flavors or fruit such as a lemon to our water. We also do obtain some hydration from other beverages, but it’s encouraged to avoid sugary beverages. Food will also provide some hydration, especially from fruits and vegetables like strawberries, watermelon, celery, and lettuce that have a high water content.

 Plenty of water and the right supplement program can help you feel your best. Take our free assessment to get custom-tailored recommendations based on your unique needs. Ready to have high-quality vitamins delivered right to your door? Get your personalized recommendations.

Fermented foods are all the rage. In fact, sales of these stinky foods have increased by 149% just in 2018 alone.¹ Fermentation happens when the carbohydrates in food are converted to organic acids or alcohol by utilizing microorganisms. Fermented foods are typically vegetable items, but can also include dairy, meats, and beverages. You may have even noticed that your local grocery store has been carrying fermented teas or Asian vegetables lately.

The process of fermentation isn’t new. In fact, fermentation dates back thousands of years and recipes have been passed down for many generations.² Fermented foods have been praised for their natural beneficial bacteria, nutritional value, and ease of digestibility.³ However, a recent study published in 2015 has found a unique perk of eating fermented foods; a decrease in social anxiety.

How do fermented foods impact social anxiety?

Two researchers and psychology professors, Hilimire and Forestell, knew that fermented foods offered many health benefits but wanted to see if there was any connection with the probiotics in fermented foods and social anxiety. Clinical studies have found that the bacteria in your gut can impact your mental health, but these researchers wanted to take it one step further. Hilimire stated, “It is likely that the probiotics in the fermented foods are favorably changing the environment in the gut, and changes in the gut in turn influence social anxiety…I think that it is absolutely fascinating that the microorganisms in your gut can influence your mind.”

Animal studies have found that when consumed, probiotics like lactobacilli have a strong correlation with the animal displaying less anxiety. In fact, animals that have taken certain probiotics produced more GABA, a neurotransmitter that often is associated with feeling calm and relaxed. Instead of using probiotics, Hilimire and Forestell asked 710 young adults about their fermented food consumption and social anxiety.⁴ People with social anxiety, or social phobia, can experience a multitude of symptoms all centered around being placed in settings with other people. The results of the study were very pleasing to the lead researchers; fermented food intake was indeed associated with a reduced likelihood of social anxiety tendencies. In an interview after the study, Hilimire stated, “I think there is some skepticism that there can be such a profound influence, but the data is quite substantial now.”³

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What are examples of fermented foods?

Adding fermented foods into your diet can be easy! Here are examples of popular fermented foods you can include in your daily routine.

• Keifer
• Fermented cottage cheese
• Some aged cheese (check label for “live and active cultures”)
• Kombucha
• Tempeh
• Kimchi
• Miso
• Yogurt
• Sauerkraut
• Natto
• Apple cider vinegar

Keep in mind that not all foods are fermented using natural processes, so be sure to keep an eye out. Barbara Olendzki and Kelly Sanders, authors at University of Massachusetts Medical School explain, “Pickling is another food preservation process, that uses an acid such as vinegar or a brine (salty water) to preserve the food. Only pickles fermented with salt, not vinegar, contain probiotics. You will likely find the truly fermented foods in the refrigerated section rather than on the shelves.”⁵

Focusing on gut health isn’t just for digestion, but for your mental health as well.