Pickleball Magazine 5-3 | Page 74

SPONSORED CONTENT 4 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Herbal Supplements The focus on our health and well-being is even more important—especially during these unprecedented times. People have been turning to herbal supplements in record numbers to help maintain their immune health, including many buying these types of products for the first time. If you’ve considered an herbal supplement and tried looking in the supplement aisle or searching online recently, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the countless options available. To assist in making the best decisions for your health, Gaia Herbs, a leading herbal brand in America and Official Partner of USA Pickleball, shares their top four tips for choosing the best herbal supplements. Tip #1: Know that not all supplements are created equal It’s important to choose herbal supplements as carefully as you choose your food and drink. Two bottles may say they contain the same herb, but one brand may use herbs grown in rich fertile soil without the use of pesticides. The other bottle may contain herbs grown in depleted soil, and picked before or after its peak, diminishing its potency. As you can see from this example, it’s wise to do a little research. Look for companies that provide transparency about where their botanical materials come from, as reputable companies should be able to provide this information. Gaia Herbs does this through the industryleading meetyourherbs.com traceability program, where customers can enter the ID number located on the back of any product to learn where each ingredient came from, how the herbs were grown, harvested and extracted, and the tests the product underwent to validate its purity, integrity and potency. Tip #2: Understand the Product Intent Not all herbs are the same. Some herbs work quickly to address acute concerns, while other herbs may need time to restore balance in the body before you are able to feel a change. You should research in advance how long the herbs you are interested in typically need to take effect so you can manage your expectations. One way to do this is by reading the information printed on the outside product packaging. You may find some say, “best results obtained after a month of daily use” while others may indicate usage on an “as-needed basis,” which is a cue that the herb’s effects will be felt quicker. Tip #3: Pick an Herbal Delivery Format that Best Fits Your Lifestyle Herbal supplements are available in many delivery formats, including liquid extracts, capsules, teas, powders, gummies, etc. Maybe you prefer capsules so you can easily toss a bottle in your bag to use on the go, or perhaps an herbal powder that you can mix in your morning smoothie. Determine which format is the most convenient for your lifestyle and that you will consistently take according to the instructions. Tip #4: Discover if your supplement company is making a positive impact You should look beyond just the product that you are purchasing and pick companies that are making a positive impact in the world and operating with the highest ethics. It can be anything from socially or environmentally conscious efforts or companies giving back to charitable organizations. Choose a company whose good works are aligned with your values. One easy way to do this is to look for companies that are Certified B Corps, as this shows a commitment beyond product integrity, to include the environment, the community, and employees all as valued stakeholders in corporate decisions. Gaia Herbs was proud to become a Certified B Corp in 2018. Connecting People, Plants, and Planet to Create Healing Since 1987, Gaia Herbs has been connecting people, plants, and planet to create healing. Today, Gaia Herbs is a leading herbal brand in America with an esteemed reputation for producing the highest quality natural products. With a 350-acre Certified Organic farm in Brevard, NC, Gaia Herbs grows over three million plants per year and provides complete transparency to its customers through meetyourherbs.com, the world’s first herb traceability program. Learn more at gaiaherbs.com. • 72 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM