Do you really need BCAAs

April 25, 2024 Yvonne Matthews

“Proper nutrition is the key to unlock your bodies potential.” - Brian Holifield

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) may sound fancy or complicated, stick with me for a second, while I lay down some science, then we will get into it!

Amino acids are molecules that are the building blocks of proteins and skeletal muscle. When we eat protein, we break it down first with our teeth, then with stomach acid (aka hydrochloric acid) and enzymes. This protein breaks down into amino acids that our body can then reassemble as needed for growth and repair. It’s especially important to those needing a bit of extra recovery, for example, those lifting weights or who are very active.

Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin D - The Sunshine Vitamin

November 5, 2021 Yvonne Matthews

A 2010 study estimated 42%, and other studies show as high as 80% of American adults are deficient, 70% of children are D deficient.

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. This means we can’t make it in our body and must get it from outside sources like food, sunlight, and supplements. And we need to consume fats with it for us to absorb and use it.

Balancing Hormones Series – Healing Hormonal Acne for Glowy Clear Skin

September 18, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

This is a very personal post for me. This is where huge change started for me and really how I got to where I am now.

I’ve posted the detailed story here and here. But the short version is that back when I was in high school I was put on birth control to help alleviate the debilitating cramps that came with my period plus the teenage acne that embarrassed me so much. About 14 years later, in 2012, I had a steady partner (now husband) and decided to try getting off the only prescription medication I was on, not to get pregnant, but simply because I kept reading more and more how it wasn’t great for women to be on these synthetic hormones and not have a Real monthly cycle. Little did I know what I was in for! All that hormonal acne from my teens came rushing back, along with the total embarrassment and shame. How could I, a seemingly healthy 20-something year old, STILL have a face full of acne!?!?

Supplement Support - What I Take & Why

January 30, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

Whew! This is a long one guys. Let’s be honest, how often do I write short blog posts?!?! Ha! But a supplement post was highly requested. Especially now with the unfortunate acquisition of Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Labs and Garden of Life, among others, by Nestle last month. It just means it’s time to change up my game a bit! Though I was saddened by that news, I am not one for complacency, and there are a lot of other great brands out there.

Quick aside on my supplement philosophy:

This can be summed up in two words: Food First. I believe food is the bedrock of good health. However, in this world we live in today, with all the chemicals we spray on our food, the over farming that is being done, and more, the nutrients in the soil aren’t what used to be. 1 This is where supplements come in. They literally supplement, fill in the gaps, of where we fall short.