Jane sat across from me and said the sentence I’ve heard a hundred times in a hundred different voices.

“They told me they couldn’t find anything and that it’s probably just anxiety. But ‘m here looking for other options. I think there’s more going on here.”

She was 24. Bloated most days. A dull, unpredictable ache under her ribs that no one could name. Six months earlier, it started as “just some stomach stuff.” By the time she found her way to me, she had a folder — an actual folder — of records. Primary care. Referral to GI. Endoscopy. Colonoscopy. “Everything normal.” Referral to a therapist, because if the scope doesn’t find it, it must be in your head. And then, the part that gets me every time: her gastroenterologist wanted to try an SSRI. Not because she was depressed. Because someone, somewhere, had heard that SSRIs sometimes help IBS, and nobody had time to explain why, or ask if there was a better way.

She took it for six weeks. Her gut felt worse. Her mind felt foggy and far away. And still — nobody had asked her a single question about her sleep, her stress, her eating environment, her history, her story.

This is the grusome gauntlet. The system wasn’t built to find the cause. It was built for billing codes, medical procedures, and high churn rates. It was built to rule out catastrophe and hand you off to the next step in the rat-race.

A scope checks for structural disease — and thank goodness it does, because sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed. But “nothing mechanically wrong” is not the same thing as “nothing wrong.” It just means the answer wasn’t where they were looking. And to be honest, they probably shouldn’t have been looking there in the first place. But, I see this all the time. Tens of thousands of dollars are paid out… sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars under insurance and no one still has any answers.

Where the answer actually lives.

Surprise. Surprise. The gut.

Here’s what almost never gets asked in a 12-minute appointment:

• How do you sleep?

• What does your stress actually look like, day to day?

• Do you eat standing up, rushing, scrolling?

• What happened in your life the season this started?

• What’s your relationship with food, with your body, with control?

I sat with her for over an hour. Not because I’m special — because that’s what it actually takes to hear a person’s whole story instead of their chart. And her story, once we laid it out together, told us almost everything. A stressful job transition. Sleep that had quietly fallen apart. A habit of eating lunch at her desk in fifteen frantic minutes. A childhood marked by a lot of antibiotics for chronic ear infections. No red flags on a scope — and a nervous system and a microbiome that had been shouting for help for a very long time, just not in a language anyone had bothered to translate.

This is the piece we keep severing from itself in modern medicine: the gut and the brain talk to each other constantly, in both directions, every single day. Your stress changes your gut. Your gut changes your mood. Your microbiome helps make your serotonin. Your sleep rebuilds your gut lining. None of this is fringe theory — this is published, peer-reviewed, unglamorous physiology that most of us were simply never taught to connect. We treat the gut and the brain like strangers who happen to share an address. They’re not strangers. They’re the same conversation.

So we built a real plan. Not a pill. A plan.

First, the gut-brain axis, directly. I got her started on Nerva, a gut-directed hypnotherapy program I’ve trusted and recommended for years — because before you rebuild the microbiome, you have to calm the nervous system that’s been keeping it in a defensive crouch.

Second, a rapid reset for the gut itself. This is where Rebiirth RE-1® came in — and it’s the reason I’m writing this today.

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What Rebiirth actually is (and why I don’t say this lightly)

I don’t put my name next to products often. My audience knows that about me — I’d rather lose a partnership than hand you something I haven’t actually vetted. So, here’s the honest version.

RE-1® is a 3-in-1 formula — probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic in a single daily sachet — built around what the company calls Human Origin Strains (HOSt®): seven live probiotic strains plus one postbiotic strain that are bioidentical to the microbes a person is meant to receive at birth, through vaginal delivery and breastfeeding. That distinction matters more than the marketing makes it sound. Most commercial probiotics on the shelf are soil-based or animal-derived strains that pass through you like a houseguest — helpful for a season, gone by morning, never actually colonizing. HOSt® strains are different. They’re studied specifically for their ability to belong in a human gut, because that’s where they came from in the first place.

Inside every Rebiirth sachet:

• 500 billion CFU of live bioidentical probiotic strains

• 4.5 grams of prebiotic fiber (GOS + low molecular weight Inulin) to feed the beneficial bacteria you’re introducing

• One immunogenic postbiotic strain (Lactobacillus paracasei BR-MCC1849) shown to help modulate immune signaling and inflammation

And this is another important part to know — the strains inside RE-1® aren’t proprietary mystery blends. They’re individually documented across more than 200 published, peer-reviewed studies, on things like IBS symptom severity, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, eczema risk in infants, mood and the stress response, sleep quality, and restoration of the gut microbiota after C-section birth. This is 50-plus years of research out of Japan, validated by academic institutions across Switzerland, Italy, and the U.S. They are not trying to sell you a glamorous sales pitch with dreamy scenes of perfection. They have a deep body of evidence behind their product and let that lead the conversation.

Their landmark product was designed with highly specific quality standards. Here’s the free-from list, because I know you’re going to ask, because you should ask — every product on your shelf should have to answer for what’s not in it as much as what is:

Rigorously monitored to meet European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) standards. Vegan. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Soy-free. Nut-free. Shellfish-free. Sesame-free. Corn-free. Sugar-free. No binders. Unflavoured. Non-GMO. No BPA’s. No preservatives.

No mystery fillers. No proprietary sugar to make it palatable. No binders holding it together with junk. Just the strains, the fiber, and nothing else standing in the way.

The people behind it

I care almost as much about who builds a product as what’s in it. Character shows up in formulation the same way it shows up in a marriage or a business — quietly, consistently, over years.

Surayah Ryha, co-founder of Rebiirth, spent over 15 years in environmental and community work before this — advocating for planetary biodiversity, building education and public health programs from the ground up in some of the poorest riverside communities in Indonesia. She carries that same conviction inward now: that our health and the health of the ecosystems around us were never actually separate questions. The biodiversity of a river and the biodiversity of your gut microbiome are, in her words, the same fight in a different room.

Jean-Yves Beson, Founder and CEO, has built this company the way I wish more health companies got built — obsessing over the unglamorous parts. Third-party testing at 50-plus QA/QC checkpoints. Manufacturing in Japan under strict quality standards. A team that answers, personally, when practitioners like me have questions about stability, dosing, or safety.

Back to Jane

Seven days of RE-1® as a rapid reset. Nerva running in the background, retraining a nervous system that had been stuck on high alert. And then — because a 7-day reset is a beginning, not a finish line — a robust, ongoing daily probiotic blend to keep what we’d started moving forward.

Within two weeks, the bloating that had defined her days for six months had measurably eased. Within a month, the epigastric pain that sent her through two scopes and a therapy referral was gone. Not managed. Gone. She didn’t need the SSRI. She needed someone to ask better questions, and a gut that finally had what it needed to heal.

I share her story — with her blessing, details changed to protect her privacy — because she is in fact not a rare case. I see her, or some similar pattern of her presentation, in my office almost every single week. Young women especially, cycled through a healthcare system that is excellent at ruling things out through expensive invasive procedures and these women are exhausted by the time anyone asks what’s actually going on.

Why I’m telling you this

Here’s the truth about the probiotic aisle: most of what’s on that shelf is a guess at best. People are out here self-treating real, complex gut issues with whatever had the prettiest label at the store, no clinical oversight, no strain specificity, no idea whether what they’re taking has ever been studied in a human being at all. That’s not their fault. Nobody ever taught them the difference. But it’s also not harmless — it’s money spent, hope spent, and time spent on something with no real evidence behind it, while the actual problem keeps quietly getting worse.

That is exactly the gap Rebiirth is built to close. Not another guess. A researched, strain-specific, medical-grade reset — paired with the kind of care that actually looks at the whole person, not just the scope results.

Your body remembers balance. It was built for it. It just needs the right signals — the right strains, the right fiber, the right nervous system support, and someone willing to sit with your whole story instead of your symptoms in isolation — to find its way back.

If any of this sounds like your story, or your daughter’s, or your sister’s, I’d love to help. You can explore Rebiirth RE-1® here, and if you want a real, comprehensive look at your gut health — not a guess, not another medication or referral appointment — book time with me directly. Let’s actually figure out what’s going on.

This is restoration. This is care that goes deeper than the scope. This is your gut, finally getting the whole story it deserves.

Healing rarely announces itself all at once — it usually starts with someone finally asking the right question and you finally laying out everything in front of you.

Progress over perfection, friends.

Peace and blessings.

—Jonathan 🫶

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Jonathan Isbill, MS, RD, LD, is a Holistic Health Registered Dietitian and the founder of ZigZag Nutrition, dedicated to connecting the severed parts of health — body, mind, and spirit — one whole story at a time.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit — together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

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Monday afternoon. Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

A mild spring day beside the Charles River — joggers, cyclists, university students filling the sidewalks and paths. The kind of afternoon that shouldn’t be anything other than ordinary.

Then: a man walks down the center of a busy road with an assault-style rifle and begins firing — not at a target, not toward a threat — but erratically, into traffic. At strangers sitting in stopped cars. Drivers abandon their vehicles and run. People scatter across the riverbank. More than fifty rounds fired at human beings who had done nothing more than happen to be driving on that stretch of road at that moment.

Two men were critically wounded. A state trooper and a former Marine — a licensed civilian, already on scene — did what almost no one does instinctively. They walked toward the gunfire.

The shooter has since been identified as Tyler Brown, 46 — a Boston parolee with a documented psychiatric history who had been released from a mental hospital days before the shooting, was using crack cocaine, and told his parole officer he was suicidal.

I watched the footage when it circulated online. And something in me paused — not only in horror, but in a quieter, more unsettling kind of recognition.

We’ve all seen this before.

The horror of it looked like a scene from a game.

Not on a news segment. On a screen. In a game.

A very specific game.

A Personal Confession

I grew up playing video games. Not just a little bit.

Daily, for hours — hundreds of hours logged across dozens of games before I turned twelve. It was simply the default. The controller was in hand, the screen was on, the afternoon disappeared. Nobody thought much of it. Nobody asked many questions.

But somewhere around twelve or thirteen years old, something started to shift in me. Not dramatically. No single lightning bolt moment. Just a slow, growing indignation — the quiet kind you feel when you realize you’ve been spending your most irreplaceable resource on something that isn’t making you more. I started asking myself the question I still ask about nearly everything: Is this helping me, or is it hurting me?

I already knew the answer. I needed to change.

I started running instead. Got outdoors more. Started paying real attention to how everything I consumed — food, sleep, movement, media, the things I let into my head — was quietly shaping who I was becoming. That thread became my life’s work.

My faith took flight in this season as well.

But I still think about those years. And I think often about the kids today who are not asking that question. Who are growing up with something far more immersive, far more financially engineered, and far more morally explicit than anything I had access to growing up.

Grand Theft Auto launched in 1997. The children who first picked it up are now in their twenties and thirties. The children playing GTA V today are, in some cases, six years old.

The Cambridge shooter is someone with a mental health/criminal history case with zero documented GTA connection, so let me be clear… I am not claiming causation. I am calling out correlations on trend that fit the pattern — not just one instance — of sad and terrifying events like these.

We need to talk about this.

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What Grand Theft Auto Actually Is

Let me be specific here — because a surprising number of parents have never actually watched this game played. They know the name. They may even own a copy in the house. But they haven’t seen it.

Grand Theft Auto is an open-world game. There is no required path, no moral structure demanding progress. Players are free to move through a richly detailed fictional city and choose their own actions at any time.

Those actions include:

Carjacking strangers at gunpoint. Murdering pedestrians, police officers, and civilians using an extensive catalog of weapons, including assault rifles, rocket launchers, and melee implements. Soliciting prostitutes — a mechanic the game rewards with a health boost. Running drug trafficking operations. Kidnapping. Executing enemies in graphic close-up detail. And, in GTA V specifically, a mission called “By the Book” in which the player is directed to torture a restrained human being using multiple instruments — with no way to complete the level without doing so.

This is not a summary of the narrative plot. This is a description of the game’s open mechanics — the things any player gets to do, at any time, for any reason, simply because the option exists.

Grand Theft Auto VI releases this fall. It is one of the most anticipated entertainment products in the history of the medium.

The Financial Picture

The scale of this matters to the argument, so let’s talk about it openly and plainly.

Since its September 2013 release, Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 220 million copies worldwide — making it the second-best-selling video game in history, behind only Minecraft. The franchise crossed $1 billion in revenue within its first three days of release, faster than any entertainment product ever created — film, album, or game. As of mid-2025, the franchise has generated over $10 billion in total revenue.

Much of that money comes not from the game itself, but from GTA Online — the multiplayer component where players spend real-world dollars on virtual currency called “Shark Cards” to purchase weapons, properties, and in-game status. In fiscal year 2021 alone, that digital economy generated nearly $1 billion. The game still pulls in an estimated $300 to $500 million annually from microtransactions — more than a decade after its original launch.

We are not talking about a niche product. We are talking about the most financially successful entertainment title ever produced — built on the premise that stealing, killing, and exploiting are not just acceptable entertainment. They are a subscription service. The hearts and minds of our youth are consuming this content regularly, and not just passively consuming but actively pushing through it with independent ownership to participate in a digital culture that none of our grandparents could have imagined ever being exposed to kids today.

And our kids — and possibly some of our adult neighbors — keep renewing this subscription service.

GTA in Real Life

In December 2023, the U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C. announced the indictment of ten individuals — most of them teenagers — in connection with two carjacking rings operating across the city. During the investigation, authorities found that one of the defendants, while discussing the crimes, had typed the phrase “GTA IRL.”

GTA IRL: Grand Theft Auto. In Real Life.

This was not a prosecutor making an inference. This was a young person using the language of a video game to describe violently robbing people at gunpoint in broad daylight.

Around the same time, five teenagers in Florida — ranging in age from thirteen to seventeen — stole multiple vehicles and used them as battering rams against retail storefronts, crashing through glass and looting gaming equipment before abandoning the cars and running. The pattern — steal a car, ram a building, take what you want, escape — maps nearly identically to a standard GTA mission format.

And then there’s the story I recently shared on social media, and the comment I received in response. Someone told me about a person they knew — a former GTA player — who had the experience of being about to open a stranger’s car door to drive off with it. Not out of intent. Automatically. Instinctively. As if the reflex had simply... fired. He caught himself only when reality broke through. And it scared him.

He was standing on a real street, in front of a real person’s vehicle.

He quit the game after that.

He had, for a moment, forgotten which world he was in.

Hard to imagine. But that’s the point. The imagination of our youth is radically different now due to games like GTA.

What the Research Actually Says

Hundreds of studies now document what researchers call the desensitization effect — the process by which repeated exposure to violent content gradually quiets the emotional and physiological responses that were designed to register harm. You flinch less. You feel less. The internal alarm that should sound at the sight of suffering begins to soften with repeated exposure.

Longitudinal research has found that habitual violent video game play contributes to the development of aggressive behavior from childhood into young adulthood. Studies consistently document increases in hostile thought patterns, decreases in empathy, and reduced prosocial behavior — the willingness to help another person — in heavy players. A 2025 narrative review in a peer-reviewed journal found that exposure to violent games was associated with increased likelihood of moral disengagement — the psychological process of detaching one’s actions from one’s own moral standards.

But the finding that most stays with me is subtler than aggression scores on a research instrument.

It’s what happens to the moral imagination.

Jonathan Haidt — whose work on adolescence and technology I consider among the most important writing in our generation — argues compellingly that childhood is the period during which young people develop the moral intuitions, relational scripts, and emotional reflexes that will govern them for decades. We don’t just observe the world during those years.

We learn how to see it. We form our instincts about what is normal, what is dangerous, what is deserved, what is sacred.

So the question worth asking is not simply: does this game increase aggression?

The question is: what is it teaching the moral imagination?

What does Grand Theft Auto rehearse? That people are obstacles. That violence is a tool, even a preferred solution in most situations. That consequences are temporary and reset at will. That power belongs to whoever is willing to inflict the most damage. That women exist as commodities. That law enforcement are enemies. That no one you hurt stays hurt. That lives don’t matter. That people are dispensable.

These are not accidental byproducts. They are the designed architecture of the experience. And architecture shapes the people who inhabit it.

Proverbs 4:23 says to guard the heart with all diligence — because everything in life flows from it. What we let in, we eventually think from. What we rehearse, we begin to normalize. What we dwell on, we start to expect from the world.

This is not theology disconnected from biology. It is theology confirmed by neuroscience.

Where attention goes, energy flows….

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A Word About Nuance

I want to be clear about something, because honest critique requires precision.

I am not arguing that everyone who has ever played Grand Theft Auto will one day walk down a public road firing at strangers. That is not the argument, and I don’t make arguments I can’t defend.

I am also not anti-gaming. Games can build pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, creative problem-solving, and perseverance — depending on what you play. The medium itself is not the enemy.

What I am saying is that the consistent defense of this specific franchise — “it’s just a game,” “kids know the difference between fantasy and reality,” “there’s no proven causal link” — is asking the wrong question. It is the same argument the processed food industry has been making for forty years about ultraprocessed snacks and chronic disease: no single Oreo gives a child diabetes. True. Also not the point.

The point is cumulative exposure over developmental years to a specific moral curriculum. And we need to have a serious conversation about what that curriculum is teaching.

So Now What — What You Get To Do

If you are a parent or a guardian, here is what you get to do right now, starting this week:

Know what your children are actually playing. Not just the title — the content. Search the game name on YouTube and watch ten minutes of actual gameplay. You don’t need to understand every mechanic. You need to know what your child is looking at for two or three hours at a time. Most parents are genuinely shocked when they do this one thing.

Ask with real curiosity. Not accusatorially. Sit down next to them. “Walk me through what you do in this game. What’s the objective? Show me.” Kids will open up when the question comes from interest, not interrogation. If they get nervous, if they hold back… there’s probably a reason why their moral compass lights up in that moment.

Set content and time limits without apology. You are the adult. You are the steward of the environment your children develop inside. You do not need permission from a twelve-year-old to decide what enters your home.

Replace, don’t just remove. An empty afternoon is harder to hold than one with something worth doing. Time outdoors. Physical activity. Building something. Reading. One-on-one time with a parent or mentor. These are not punishments. They are the actual curriculum of a healthy childhood — the one that nobody is selling you at $59.99.

And if gaming is going to be part of your household — here is a framework for choosing better:

The values test: Does this game model and reward things we actually want our children to practice? Creativity. Problem-solving. Perseverance. Teamwork. Heroism. Patience. If the primary reward is inflicting harm on simulated people, that is information worth having. Have your child sit with this activity and identify for themselves what principles, what values is this game presenting?

Better Games, By Age — A Starting Point

Ages 5–10:

• Minecraft — creativity, building, problem-solving, and genuine joy in making things. One of the most constructive games ever designed.

• Mario Kart / Super Mario — competitive fun with no moral harm; family-playable and genuinely delightful.

• Animal Crossing — community, responsibility, patience, the slow rhythms of tending something. Counter-cultural in the best way.

• Pokémon — strategy, exploration, and wonder. Decade-spanning franchise for real reasons.

• Harvest Moon — calm, slow, long-term planning, peacful farming practices, consistently showing up to do the good work, raising a family

Ages 10–13:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom — exploration, creative problem-solving, and heroism as the animating theme. Beautifully crafted, demanding in all the right ways.

• Stardew Valley — farming, community-building, and the long patience of nurturing something. Teaches rhythms most children never encounter.

• Portal 2 — pure logic puzzle-solving, cooperative play available. One of the most intellectually honest games ever made.

Ages 13+:

• It Takes Two — co-op gameplay about a relationship in crisis, built around themes of commitment, communication, and rebuilding. Won Game of the Year. Requires two people to play together.

• Celeste — a platformer built explicitly around anxiety, self-compassion, and perseverance. Remarkably thoughtful design.

• Sports simulations (FIFA, NBA 2K, MLB The Show) — used with time limits, these reward practice, strategy, and competitive sportsmanship without moral degradation.

The standard is not perfection. The standard is simply this: is this game building something in my child, or quietly taking something away?

What We’re Really Talking About

Here’s what I know to be true.

The developing mind is not a passive receiver. It is an active learner, building moral instincts, emotional reflexes, and relational scripts from everything it rehearses, watches, inhabits, and repeats over years. Your child’s mind is a sponge.

What we feed that mind matters.

What we normalize in play, we eventually don’t recognize as wrong in life.

What we rehearse in the virtual world, the body begins to anticipate in the real one.

We are not cartoons in a video game. We are real people, raising real children, in a world where the gap between the screen and the street keeps narrowing — not widening.

One man on a Cambridge road proved that just this week. Not because a game made him do it. But because somewhere in the long arc of a culture that has spent $10 billion rehearsing violence as entertainment, we forgot to keep asking the question we most need to keep asking:

What kind of people are we helping our children become?

That question is worth every hard, unhurried, around-the-dinner-table conversation it takes to answer honestly.

Because the children in your home right now are not a generation yet written. They are still being formed. And what forms them — every screen, every hour, every moral curriculum they inhabit day after day — is still, to a meaningful degree, in your hands.

Use that well.

At ZigZag Nutrition, the work has always been about more than what goes on the plate. What we consume shapes who we become — at the table, on the screen, and in the quiet formation of the heart. Real health is whole-person health. And the people we love deserve nothing less.

💙 Peace and Blessings.

—Jonathan 🫶

If this piece gave you language for something you’ve already been feeling, consider sharing it with a parent, a pastor, a counselor, or a teacher you trust. These conversations need more seats at the table.

The janitor would close up the shop, and I would still be in there, in the back of the room, glued to my computer screen.

Hauser High School. Hope, Indiana. Sophomore year.

Most afternoons, I’d be in the back computer lab — the one nobody used — researching Crohn’s disease until the lights went out around me. I had quit the basketball team, for a few reasons. I didn’t say much about why. I just knew I couldn’t be on the court running drills while my mom couldn’t get out of bed.

I felt the nudge and listened to my instincts. I had no idea what would come out of his off-season.

My mom.

She had been doing okay. For years, she had managed her disease — raising my brother and me on her own, working as a career counselor, finding her rhythm, doing okay and maybe even “well” according to anyone’s standards. Then in 2012, the state eliminated funding for her position. In one giant sweep. Everything changed. The stress of losing her job did what stress does to a body already fighting itself: it lit a fire she couldn’t put out. The flare-up left her debilitated.

I’m not going to dwell on what those months looked like inside our home. Other families have walked harder roads. But what I will tell you is what watching her suffer did to me.

It made me obsessive. Locked in. Tunnel vision. Flow state. Nothing else mattered. Nothing.

I was not going to sit around and watch my mom’s health fall apart….

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I had started walking with Jesus a few years earlier, in junior high. I didn’t have a complicated theology yet. But I had learned enough to understand what self-sacrificial love looks like — and I had decided, quietly, without announcing it to anyone, that I was going to fight for her. Whatever it took. However long. No matter the cost. There was no failing. I was hellbent on helping her find solutions.

So I went to the computer lab. And I read.

I researched. I dug into hundreds of published articles.

I examined all the evidence — and the anecdotes — I could find.

I read about Crohn’s disease. About gut inflammation. About what foods worsened symptoms and what foods seemed to soothe them. I learned the words additive and preservative and emulsifier the way other kids my age were learning lyrics to the latest hip-hop album.

I downloaded recipes. I printed protocols. I came home with grocery lists.

I had stacks of Pubmed articles scattered all over our kitchen counters.

I was all in. There was no going back.

We started swapping things out. More real, whole food. More smoothies for breakfast. Gut-healing soups. Avocado. Salmon. Less processed snacks. Less sugar. No gluten. Fresh herbs and spices instead of seasoning packets full of ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. We learned about the IBD-AID dietary protocol. We talked about stress, about rest, about sleep, about loving each other through the hard parts.

I wasn’t just changing her diet. I was trying to love her in mind, body, and spirit — the only way a sixteen-year-old kid knows how. By paying attention. By not giving up. By listening intently and leaning in to whatever I could do to help her feel even just 1% better each day.

And then in my hours of research, I found a pattern that started to emerge that quite frankly, changed everything…

I started reading outside of what we think of as Western medicine. I became more familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ayurveda. Tibetan medicine. And I kept running into the same idea, popularly attributed to Hippocrates — the father of modern medicine himself — that all disease begins in the gut.

A light bulb went off.

Because my mom’s disease, the one that had stolen her job and her energy and her ability to get out of bed, and her smile… was literally a disease of her gut.

Crohn’s is gut inflammation. It was right there. And I realized, sitting at that desk during after hours after school, that we have somehow forgotten any wisdom we once had about these ancient ideas around health and healing in modern American medicine.

We hand IBD patients expensive, high-risk medications and send them on their way with almost no guidance about what to eat, how to move, how to lower the inflammation in their bodies. We have stripped the most powerful tool we have — food — out of the conversation entirely. This was also around the same time I started to learn more about Carnegie, Rockefeller, and the Flexner report.

I was sixteen years old, and I was furious.

And I was hooked.

New knowledge turned into action.

Slowly, my mom started getting better.

It didn’t happen all at once. Healing rarely does. But the pain wasn’t quite as bad. Then she could get out of bed in the morning. Then she could move through her day without crumbling. Then — and this is the part I still get emotional about — she got her smile back. She eventually was feeling well enough to get back to work.

She got a job at Kroger. A grocery store. Of all places.

She has been there for over a decade now. My mom is in her mid-to-late sixties, and she is doing alright for herself. She gardens. She plays with her dog. She loves her grandkids. She sits in the sunshine.

The woman whose body was failing her in 2012 has spent the last ten-plus years working inside of a grocery store, with her hands on products she had to intimately learn more about in order to heal - many things she learned to avoid, and others that became her lifelines. Food and nutrition, and the meaningful education around them — is the very thing that helped bring her back.

You know, she has told me, more than once, that she doesn’t believe she’d have her health back if it weren’t for me.

It’s such a crazy thing to think about for me that I try not to let it bounce around my head for long… but she’s probably right, unfortuntely.

Modern medicine was failing her. She had no other options.

I don’t share that to be praised. I share it because I want you to understand what happened next.

Somewhere in those long afternoons in the computer lab — somewhere between the data, the dietary protocols, and the smoothie recipes and the mornings my mom would wake up saying, I feel a little better today — I knew.

This was my calling.

I didn’t have language for it yet. I was sixteen, seventeen years old. But I felt it the way you feel sunlight breaking through the clouds. This was what God had put me here to do. This was something I would do for the rest of my life.

Use food to help people heal. Use what I had stumbled onto in that lab to give other families the answers they weren’t being given anywhere else.

I went on to earn a Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from Ball State University. I became a Registered Dietitian. I built a private practice that integrates functional medicine, lifestyle medicine, integrative health, and faith. I started writing. I started speaking. I founded ZigZag Nutrition.

But every single thing I do — every client I sit with, every workshop I teach, every word I write — traces back to a teenage boy in an empty computer lab, refusing to give up on his mom.

Here is what I want you to know.

I am not telling you this so you’ll feel sorry for me, or for her. We are well. We are blessed. The story has a comeback arc, and we are deep into the comeback.

I am telling you this because I have come to believe something deep inside, inside the the layers of the conscious mind in the innvisible realm that still remains so tangibly present in our lives on this earth: that our struggles can become our strengths.

Our pain can become our purposes. Our obstacles can become our opportunities. The places where life broke us open are very often the places where God is preparing to plant a calling. Sometimes we feel like life has thrown us into the dirt, while little did we know God was preparing the ground beneath our feet in order for us to grow fresh, strong roots.

If you are in a hard season right now — caregiving for someone you love, fighting for your own health, watching a system fail someone who deserves better — I want to gently say to you: pay attention. There may be something in this season that is shaping you for a work you cannot yet see.

I didn’t know, sitting in that computer lab, that I was becoming a dietitian.

I just knew I loved my mom, and I wasn’t going to quit on her.

That was enough.

That is always enough.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit — together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree Discounts

Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

⚾️ Baseball was dying. Golf was boring. ⛳️

Then something shifted....

The Savannah Bananas turned a struggling minor-league baseball team into a global cultural phenomenon, selling over 2.2 million tickets, generating more than $100 million in projected revenue, and accumulating 12.7 million new social media followers in a single year — outperforming franchises worth billions. Meanwhile, LIV Golf is challenging over a century of golf tradition by injecting energy, music, team formats, and spectacle into a sport long associated with quiet galleries and country club exclusivity.

These aren’t just sports stories. These are strong cultural shifts going beyond sports. They are proof of something larger at work in our society: when you make something celebratory instead of obligatory, people actually show up.

Now ask yourself: what if we applied that same principle to health and wellness in America?

“What if the most powerful health intervention of our generation isn’t a new drug or a new diet — it’s a new feeling about wellness itself?”

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The Cultural Shift Is Already Happening 🎉

The Savannah Bananas Didn’t Fix Baseball. They Reimagined It.

Founded in 2016 in Savannah, Georgia, the Bananas were a struggling Coastal Plain League team playing in a half-empty stadium. Today, they are one of the most talked-about sports brands in the world. Their secret? They didn’t just play baseball — they turned every game into a celebration. Dancing players. Trick plays. Fan engagement at every moment. A culture that said: this is supposed to be fun.

Their six-team organization reached over two million fans in 2025, doubling attendance from prior years. They are selling out MLB stadiums — with tickets available via lottery, gone in under two hours. The organization is now valued near half a billion dollars, generating more profit than eleven MLB clubs including the New York Mets and Yankees in a recent season.

They didn’t out-spend anyone. They out-celebrated everyone.

$100M+ Projected Savannah Bananas revenue — a team that started in a half-empty minor league stadium

LIV Golf: A Cultural Signal, Not Just a Business Story

LIV Golf launched in 2022 with an audacious premise: take the world’s most prestigious but notoriously slow-paced sport and blow it up with music, team competitions, shotgun starts, and entertainment. The financial story is complicated — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has invested nearly $5 billion into the venture with significant operating losses.

But here’s the cultural truth worth paying attention to: they tried.

They looked at a sport losing younger audiences and said: what if golf felt like a festival? What if a round of golf was something you couldn’t wait to attend, not just something you watched in silence on a Sunday afternoon?

Whether LIV Golf succeeds financially in the long run matters less than what it signals: our culture is hungry for reimagined experiences. We are craving the transformation of stale, obligatory institutions into vibrant, celebratory ones. That hunger is everywhere — and it is arriving at the door of healthcare.

The Healthcare Crisis We Can’t Ignore 🏥

We Are Spending Trillions to Stay Sick

Here is the number that should stop you cold: the United States spent $5.3 trillion on healthcare in 2024 — that is $15,474 for every single person in this country, and it represents 18% of our entire economy. To put that in perspective, we are spending more on sick care than most countries spend on everything combined.

And yet by almost every meaningful metric, we are not getting healthier. We are getting sicker.

The Disease Compared to Annual Cost to America

• Obesity - $173 billion per year

• Cardiovascular Disease - $216+ billion per year

• Diabetes - $173 billion per year (direct costs)

• All Chronic Disease ~ 90% of total healthcare spending

Nearly 90% of all healthcare spending in America is driven by people with chronic conditions — conditions that are largely preventable and in many cases reversible through lifestyle change. We have built an entire healthcare economy around treating the downstream consequences of how we live, rather than investing upstream in how we choose to live.

This is not just a health crisis. It is a cultural crisis. And it will not be solved by another prescription pad or another clinical guideline.

“We’ve made wellness feel like punishment. Eat less. Do more. Suffer now, live longer later. Is it any wonder people aren’t showing up?”

“Susan” had waited six weeks for that appointment. Six weeks of writing down symptoms in her phone’s notes app, of Googling things at midnight, of telling herself that this time she would finally get some answers.

She sat in the paper-gown, feet dangling off the exam table, rehearsing what she wanted to say. The doctor came in, eyes half on the chart, half on the clock. She had eleven minutes. She tried to explain the fatigue — the kind that sleep doesn’t fix.

The weight that won’t move no matter what she does. The brain fog that makes her feel like she’s living behind glass. The anxiety that hums underneath everything. He ordered a basic panel, told her her numbers looked “fine,” suggested she try to reduce stress and maybe exercise a little more.

And just like that, he was gone. She drove home in silence, eyes stinging, feeling something she couldn’t quite name at first. Then it came to her: she felt invisible. She had shown up with a broken compass, asking for a map, and been handed a pamphlet. She wasn’t dramatic. She wasn’t making it up. She was simply a woman navigating a system that was never designed to truly see her — one built to process, not to heal; to manage, not to celebrate; to discharge, not to restore.

And this, right here, is part of the crisis we are not talking about loudly enough.

When healthcare makes people feel smaller than when they walked in, we have failed at the most fundamental level. Health is not just clinical data on a lab report. It is the lived experience of real men and women who deserved to be heard, believed, and given a reason to hope and a direction to strive toward.

What most people need in the invisible experience around health and healing, one that inherently cheers them on like a sideline crowd during a marathon, our standard medical system will never be able to provide. That’s why I argue that we need more celebratory wellness. We need to make being healthy fun and cool again.

The Wellness Prescription Has Been Wrong ❌

For decades, the health message to Americans has been largely prescriptive, restrictive, and frankly, joyless. Eat your vegetables. Cut your carbs. Hit the gym. Track your macros. Restrict your calories. The wellness industry has, with the best of intentions, made health feel like homework.

And it’s not working. Obesity rates continue climbing. Chronic disease prevalence grows year after year. Wellness advice is abundant and ignored in equal measure.

The Savannah Bananas figured something out that the healthcare industry hasn’t yet: you cannot prescribe your way to a cultural movement. You have to inspire one.

Communities That Are Already Winning 🏆

The Blue Zones Project — Proof That Celebration Works

The Blue Zones Project is a community transformation initiative that works with cities, businesses, schools, and local governments to redesign the environment so that healthy choices become the easy choices. Rather than telling individuals to try harder, it changes the system around them. And the results are remarkable.

Fort Worth, Texas, is perhaps the most dramatic example. In 2014, Fort Worth ranked 185th out of 190 major metropolitan cities in national well-being rankings. After years of intentional investment in the Blue Zones framework, the city rose to 31st in the same rankings — and became the largest certified Blue Zones Community in the United States. More than 95,000 residents and nearly 500 organizations joined the movement. Smoking declined. Exercise increased. Walking and biking for everyday trips went up. High blood pressure and high cholesterol rates fell.

In Albert Lea, Minnesota, the economic ripple effects were just as striking: over $2.5 million invested in the downtown area, a 25% increase in property values, and a projected $8.6 million in healthcare cost savings for local employers — all from investing in community wellness infrastructure.

The broader economic data is even more compelling: Blue Zones communities generate an estimated $300 million in regional economic impact per 100,000 people over a decade — through reduced healthcare costs, improved workforce productivity, and increased economic vitality.

In August 2024, Salinas, California, became the first Blue Zones certified community in Monterey County. The initiative has now touched 61 U.S. communities, with hundreds more applying. This is not a fringe movement. This is a growing consensus that wellness belongs to the community, not just the clinic.

$300M - Estimated regional economic impact per 100,000 people in Blue Zones communities over 10 years (Milken Institute)

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Redesigning the Built Environment 🌱

The most forward-thinking cities in the world are literally redesigning their physical landscapes around the idea that wellness should be the path of least resistance, not the path of greatest effort.

New York City’s High Line — built on a historic freight rail line — now provides walkable green space that measurably reduces air and noise pollution by 37% compared to street level. Singapore has integrated parks and green roofs citywide. Italy’s Wellness Valley has made urban parks, botanical gardens, and outdoor sports areas accessible to all residents by design.

Across the United States, communities are adding sidewalks and bike lanes, creating safe routes to school, investing in parks, and building mixed-use neighborhoods where people naturally walk, connect, and move. These are not luxury amenities. They are public health interventions disguised as city planning.

The message these cities are sending — intentionally or not — is the same message the Savannah Bananas sent to baseball fans: we want you here, we’ve made it easy, and we’ve made it worth celebrating.

The YMCA — Community Wellness at Scale

No institution in America better embodies the idea of community-centered wellness than the YMCA. Serving 10.8 million adults and 6.4 million children and teens annually — with seniors as the fastest-growing demographic — the Y has long understood something the broader healthcare industry is only beginning to grasp: wellness is a community sport, not a solo endeavor.

The Y provides fitness, family programming, youth development, mental health support, food access, and community connection under one roof. Nearly 200 YMCAs across 21 states have participated in Healthier Community Initiatives, directly targeting the built environment and policy barriers to wellness in their regions.

This is wellness as a community celebration — accessible, inclusive, and joyful.

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What Celebrating Wellness Actually Looks Like 🎉

From Prescription to Participation

The shift we are calling for is not complicated. It does not require a billion-dollar investment or a government mandate. It requires a cultural reframe — one that your business, your church, your neighborhood, and your healthcare practice can begin tomorrow.

Here is what celebrating wellness looks like in practice:

• 🍳 Community cooking classes and local teaching kitchens — where food becomes joy, not just fuel.

• 🚴 Group walks, community bike rides, and neighborhood fitness events that are social occasions first and workouts second.

• 🙏 Faith communities integrating wellness into their programming — body, mind, and spirit as a unified whole.

• 🏢 Local businesses creating wellness perks that make healthy choices the default, not the exception.

• 🌿 Public spaces — parks, trails, community gardens — designed and funded as investments in community health.

• ⚕️ Functional and lifestyle medicine practitioners partnering with communities rather than waiting in clinics.

The research supports this approach emphatically. Lifestyle medicine programs show an impressive return on investment. One documented program produced a net healthcare cost savings of $67,582 per person. Personalized preventive care models consistently reduce ER visits, lower healthcare utilization, and improve long-term outcomes — not because people were told to be healthier, but because the environment made being healthy easier and more rewarding.

Even CMS — the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — is now investing in lifestyle and functional medicine through its new MAHA ELEVATE model, recognizing that nearly 90% of total healthcare spending comes from people with four or more chronic conditions, and that the solution lies in empowering people to build sustainable healthy practices — not just treating their symptoms.

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Make Wellness Worth Showing Up For 🌟

The Savannah Bananas didn’t save baseball by making it more rigorous. They saved it by making it irresistible.

Fort Worth didn’t improve its health rankings by lecturing residents about their choices. They invested in making the healthy choice the obvious choice — and then celebrated every step forward.

These are not isolated case studies. They are a pattern. They are the early signs of a cultural wellness renaissance that is building momentum across the country, one community at a time.

We are spending $5.3 trillion a year on a sick care system. Imagine redirecting even a fraction of that energy — not just money, but cultural energy — toward making wellness something people celebrate, seek out, and share with their neighbors.

Imagine your town with a teaching kitchen on Main Street. A community garden in the old parking lot. A weekly 5K that feels more like a block party than a race. A church cohort that prays, walks, and cooks together. A local dietitian who teaches at the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings.

This is not utopian thinking. This is Fort Worth. This is Albert Lea. This is the Savannah Bananas. This is what happens when a community decides that health is not an individual burden — it’s a shared celebration.

“Your health is not your homework. It is your inheritance. And it was always meant to be shared.”

The wellness reset has already begun. The only question is whether your community — your business, your neighborhood, your practice — will be part of it.

Let’s make wellness worth showing up for.

About the Author

Jonathan Isbill, MS, RD, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and functional medicine practitioner and the founder of ZigZag Nutrition. He works at the intersection of food, faith, and functional health — helping individuals, communities, and organizations navigate the path to whole-person wellness. Connect with Jonathan to learn more about how to work together.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit — together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree Discounts

Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

Most people probably wouldn’t think twice about it.

Just another truck. Just another day. Just another part of modern life.

But if you think like I do, your mind starts asking questions immediately:

• Where is that going?

• How much is inside it?

• What is it being used on?

• Who lives nearby?

• Who will touch that ground next?

Because sometimes one ordinary moment reveals something bigger:

We live surrounded by chemicals we’ve normalized so completely that most people no longer notice them.

Later that same day, just one street before my driveway, I saw city workers spot-spraying our local park.

The same park where toddlers crawl.
The same field where kids run barefoot.
The same grass where dogs roll around.
The same benches where families gather after dinner.

And again, the same questions returned:

• Why?

• What product?

• How long until it’s safe again?

• Was anyone notified?

• Did parents know before arriving?

This is not fear.

This is awareness.

And awareness is where better communities begin.

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Maybe you’ve never thought about these things yourself. Maybe I’m the crazy one, but chances are, if you’re reading my newsletter, you probably think like me and have similar questions rolling through your head.

This is the same park where I see children play every single day. The same ground where families gather. The same place where pets run, toddlers crawl, and neighbors sit close to the earth without thinking twice. And I kept wondering how many people knew the area had just been treated, how long it should really be left alone, and whether the people most likely to touch that ground were ever clearly told. Was there any notice? Any signage?

These thoughtful ideas matter if you care about health, healing, prevention, and what it means for truly “safe” play for your children and pets.

Because a park is not just a patch of grass. A playground is not just landscaping. A soccer field, football field, school yard, or neighborhood green space is a shared environment where exposure can happen quietly, repeatedly, and close to the body. When those spaces are treated with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides, the issue is no longer just an “idea” to debate. It becomes local, meaningful, and it becomes personal.

It becomes about the places where our children live out their ordinary, everyday lives.

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What We Should Be Asking 💭

When a public space is sprayed, most people assume the job is done and the area is simply ready to use again. But that is not always true. Pesticide labels and restricted-entry timelines exist for a reason, and the amount of time people should stay away from treated areas can vary depending on the product and how it was applied. In some cases, that can mean 2 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, or longer.

That is not a small detail. It is the difference between safety and potentially dangerous exposure. Details. Details. Details.

If families are not clearly informed, they cannot make wise decisions about where their children play, where their dogs walk, or when it is safe to return to a field or playground. And if the public is not invited into the conversation, the default becomes chemical routine rather than community care.

Why This Deserves Attention 👀

The conversation about pesticides is not only about weeds, bugs, or turf appearance. It is about health.

Common pesticide classes and active ingredients such as glyphosate, 2,4-D, dicamba, chlorpyrifos, paraquat, and pyrethroids have all been part of broader public concern because of their potential to affect human health in different ways. Research and public health guidance have linked pesticide exposure with acute symptoms such as skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, along with longer-term concerns involving neurological effects, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, reproductive concerns, and certain cancers.

Children deserve special attention here. ❤️‍🩹

They are smaller, they are closer to the ground, and they are still developing. Their bodies are not just miniature versions of adult bodies. Their nervous systems, skin, immune systems, hormones, and detoxification pathways are still under construction. That means repeated low-level exposure can be more concerning than most people realize.

The point is not to create fear.

The point is to create clarity.

Clarity and opportunity for informed consent and informed decision-making.

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What The Science Helps Us Understand 💡

One of the reasons this issue matters so much is that the body is not a collection of isolated parts. It is a living communication system. Hormones send signals. Nerves transmit messages. The immune system scans for threats. The liver helps process compounds. The gut and brain are in constant conversation.

Pesticides can disrupt that conversation. They are not neutral to the body. They directly impact your internal biochemistry.

Some compounds interfere with nerve signaling. Others affect hormone pathways. Some may contribute to oxidative stress, which can damage cells and increase inflammation. Over time, these effects can matter most in people whose systems are still developing or already under strain.

That is why a treated park is not just a maintenance decision. It is a biological decision.

And that is why communities should take it seriously.

The Cost Of Normalizing “Routine” 👀

One of the most powerful things about routine is that it makes people stop asking questions.

If a park always looks “maintained,” if the grass always looks “clean,” if the weeds always magically “disappear,” then it becomes easy to assume that the method must be working and well, it has to be “harmless.”

Sure. If only it were that easy.

But beauty and safety are not the same thing. A “green” field can still be a chemically treated field. A clean-looking playground can still carry invisible residue. A well-kept yard can be more toxic than what meets the eye, depending on the substances used. These details deserve more scrutiny than they usually get.

That is the tension we have to bring into the light.

We have built a culture that often celebrates the outcome without asking enough about the process — how we get there. But when the process involves chemicals used to kill biology, aka life, aka living things like you and me, the details matter.

Better Options Are Already Here 🌿

The good news is that we are not without alternatives.

There are better options — much better options.

There are already smarter, lower-risk ways to care for landscapes and public spaces.

Integrated pest management, healthier soil practices, overseeding, mulching, hand removal, mechanical weed control, native groundcover, and adjusted mowing practices can all reduce dependence on routine chemical spraying. Some communities are already proving that parks can be beautiful, functional, and welcoming without making pesticides the first answer.

That is the opportunity.

Not just to complain about what is wrong, but to support what is better.

Because when we shift from chemical negligence to thoughtful stewardship, everybody benefits: children, pets, pollinators, workers, neighbors, and the long-term health of the land itself.

A Challenge For Local Leaders 🌟

To the people responsible for parks, schools, fields, and public grounds: this is your opportunity to lead with courage and care.

Ask whether spraying is always necessary.

Ask whether families are being notified clearly enough.

Ask whether local spaces could be managed with fewer chemicals and more intentional maintenance strategies.

Ask whether your community would support a pesticide-reduced or pesticide-free pilot program in one park, one field, or one neighborhood.

Leadership is not just about keeping things looking orderly. It is about protecting the people who trust you with the spaces they use every day.

What Families Can Do 💪

Even when policy moves slowly, families do not have to stay passive.

You can ask questions before your child practices on a field. You can ask whether a park has been treated recently. You can ask for signage and notices. You can speak at city or school board meetings. You can share information with neighbors. You can choose lower-pesticide options at home. You can support local leaders who are willing to think differently.

And yes, those little steps can make a difference.

Culture changes through repeated small acts of courage.

Supportive Wellness Choices 🌟

I often have families ask me, “What can I do to support my family? What products or services should I be thinking about to keep my family safe or proactively pursue health and healing?”

That is a fair question, and it deserves a thoughtful answer.

While no supplement or product replaces wise choices, reduced exposure, or strong community advocacy, there are supportive resources that can fit into a healthier family rhythm. For some families, that may mean choosing more organic food when possible, which can help reduce overall pesticide exposure through daily meals. That is one reason something like Daily Harvest can fit naturally into a wellness-oriented routine, especially for families trying to make cleaner food choices without overcomplicating mealtime.

For others, it may mean supporting the body with carefully selected wellness tools that align with a broader healthy-living approach. Brands like BioRay and Biocidin Botanicals are often part of that conversation for families looking at foundational support, gentle wellness routines, and proactive habits that fit into a whole-body mindset. I also end up discussing, sauna, red light therapy, and more. The idea is not to promise a shortcut. The idea is to support the body, reduce unnecessary burden, and create a home environment that feels more intentional, more nourishing, and more aligned with long-term health.

If you are going to invest in anything, invest in habits and products that help your family live more cleanly, more thoughtfully, and more awake to the choices shaping daily life.

A question worth thinking about and taking into consideration as a larger community and probably for all of us as a society,

“Should local parks and playgrounds be managed without routine pesticide spraying?”

• Yes, absolutely.

• Only with clear notice and restricted access.

• It depends on the product used.

• I want a pesticide-free pilot program.

A Final Word ⬇️

We do not need to choose between beautiful public spaces and healthier communities.

We can have both.

But that will require a shift in how we think, how we speak, and how willing we are to ask hard questions about the ordinary things we’ve been taught not to question. It will require neighbors who care enough to speak up. Parents who care enough to ask.

Leaders who care enough to lead differently.

So if this matters to you, share it. Leave a comment. Start a conversation. Bring it to your city, your school, your park board, your neighborhood, your family table.

Because the future of these spaces is not just in the hands of someone sitting far from the playground grounds.

It is in ours.

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What do you think?

Should public parks and playgrounds move toward pesticide-free management?

Comment below, share this with another parent, and bring this conversation to your local community.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit — together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree Discounts

Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

Sleep Should Feel Safer, Softer, and Better

Sleep is one of the most important parts of a healthy life, yet it is often the part we think least about. We pay close attention to the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the products we bring into our homes, but the mattress beneath us and the bedding around us can quietly shape how well we rest every single night.

That is why I’ve become such a believer in cleaner sleep products. For me, this is not about chasing perfection or buying the most expensive option on the market. It is about making more thoughtful choices with the products that spend hours in direct contact with our bodies, our skin, and our breathing space.

Two brands I keep coming back to in this space are

My Green Mattress and Sweet Zzz. I like both for different reasons, and I think they each offer something valuable for people who want a healthier, more intentional sleep environment.

Why cleaner bedding matters

A bedroom should support rest, not create friction. When materials are more transparent, more thoughtfully sourced, and more aligned with a cleaner-home lifestyle, it becomes easier to feel comfortable with the products you bring into your most personal space.

That matters because sleep is deeply connected to overall well-being. Comfort, temperature, support, and peace of mind all play a role in how well we fall asleep and how restored we feel the next morning. Cleaner bedding and mattresses may not solve every sleep issue, but they can absolutely improve the foundation.

My Green Mattress: family-founded and organic-focused

My Green Mattress stands out for its strong organic identity, family-owned story, and commitment to making cleaner sleep more accessible. I appreciate brands that feel rooted in a real mission, and this one clearly began with that kind of purpose.

What makes My Green Mattress especially appealing is the range. It includes options for adults, kids, and babies, which makes it easier for families to find something that fits their specific needs. The brand also emphasizes organic materials, U.S. manufacturing, and a long trial period, which helps build trust.

If you want a brand that feels grounded, dependable, and strongly tied to organic certification and family values, My Green Mattress is an easy one to consider.

I purchased FOUR of their mattresses when I bought my new house for all the kids’ rooms plus an extra for any guests.

Sweet Zzz: clean materials with a value-minded approach

Sweet Zzz takes a slightly different angle. It feels more modern, a little more streamlined, and especially appealing for shoppers who want cleaner materials without feeling like they have to overspend to get them.

I’ve slept on this matress now for 3 years and expect this will be perfect for me over the next decade plus. I’m confident this was a solid investment for my sleep and my comfort level in bed with all kinds of toxic chemicals used in most other standard mattresses we used to normalize.

I like that Sweet Zzz leans into transparency and comfort while still trying to keep prices in a more approachable range. That balance matters. A lot of people want an organic or non-toxic sleep setup, but they also need something realistic for their budget. Sweet Zzz does a good job of making that middle ground feel possible.

For readers who want cleaner sleep products with a more accessible luxury feel, Sweet Zzz is worth a close look.

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Mattress options worth comparing

If you’re shopping for a mattress, the best choice usually comes down to how you sleep, what kind of feel you like, and how much you want to spend. Organic and cleaner mattresses can vary quite a bit in price, firmness, and build, so it helps to compare the details rather than just the headlines.

My Green Mattress

• Kiwi Organic Mattress.

• Natural Escape Organic Mattress.

• Pure Eco Organic Kids Mattress.

• Emily Organic Crib Mattress.

Sweet Zzz

• Honey Hybrid Mattress.

• Affluent Rest Mattress.

The main thing I would encourage readers to notice is that both companies are trying to offer cleaner sleep, but they do it with slightly different priorities. My Green Mattress feels especially family-centered and certification-driven. Sweet Zzz feels more value-oriented and modern in its presentation.

Pillow upgrades can make a big difference too

A lot of people focus only on the mattress, but pillows matter just as much. A good pillow can change the way your neck, shoulders, and head feel in the morning, and it can also affect how cool and comfortable you stay through the night.

That makes pillows a smart place to start if you’re not ready for a full mattress replacement. Sometimes the easiest sleep upgrade is not a whole new bed — it is simply better support and better materials where your body needs them most.

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My Green Mattress pillows and bedding

My Green Mattress offers bedding products that fit its cleaner-sleep approach, including organic bedding items and a charcoal-infused latex pillow option. That makes it a helpful brand for people who want to build a more complete organic sleep environment.

Sweet Zzz pillows

Sweet Zzz offers a plant-based pillow and a buckwheat pillow option, which gives shoppers flexibility depending on their comfort preferences. I like that the brand gives people a few different ways to improve sleep without making the decision feel too complicated.

How the brands compare

If you like a more family-driven, organic-first brand with a broad range of mattresses for different stages of life, My Green Mattress is a strong fit. If you want something cleaner and more value-focused with a modern feel, Sweet Zzz is an appealing alternative.

To me, the biggest win is that both brands help make cleaner sleep feel more realistic. That matters because better sleep products should not feel out of reach. They should feel like a practical investment in your rest, your home, and your well-being.

Why I recommend them

I like these brands because they make better sleep feel more attainable. They are both aligned with the idea that the products in your bedroom should support your health, not work against it.

I also appreciate that they offer exclusive savings through my affiliate relationships, which means readers can often get a better deal while choosing products that are more thoughtful, more transparent, and better suited to a cleaner-home lifestyle.

Final thought

If you have been thinking about upgrading your mattress, replacing an old pillow, or simply making your bedroom a healthier place to rest, this is a good moment to start. Sleep is too important to treat casually, and the right bedding can make a meaningful difference over time.

For me, this is what good sleep shopping looks like: cleaner materials, better support, fair value, and brands that feel worth trusting. My Green Mattress and Sweet Zzz both fit that standard in their own way.

Check them out:

• MyGreenMattress

• Sweet Zzz

Your sleep space should work for your health, not against it.

Check out both brands, see which products fit your budget and goals, and take advantage of the savings while they are available.

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Also, feel free to share this message with your interested friends and family.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit — together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

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Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

Let’s start with this:

If you’ve been told that your PCOS is something you’ll “just have to manage forever”… that your only options are birth control or medication… or that your symptoms are just part of being a woman…

I want you to know something:

There’s more to the story.

Because PCOS isn’t just a diagnosis.

It’s a message.

Your body is trying to tell you something deeper about your metabolism, your hormones, your stress, your environment—and how everything is connected.

And when you learn how to listen?

That’s where healing begins.

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What Is PCOS, Really?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is often described as a reproductive condition—but in reality, it’s much more than that.

It’s a metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory condition that affects your entire body.

Most women with PCOS experience some combination of:

• Irregular or missing periods

• Acne or oily skin

• Hair thinning or excess facial/body hair

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Blood sugar issues and cravings

• Fertility challenges

These symptoms are driven by deeper imbalances—especially insulin resistance, hormone disruption, and inflammation.

The Root Causes of PCOS (That No One Explains Well)

1. Insulin Resistance (The Biggest Driver)

Up to ~70% of women with PCOS have some degree of insulin resistance.

Here’s what that means in simple terms:

Your body is producing insulin… but your cells aren’t responding well to it.

So your body makes more.

And more.

And more.

This excess insulin:

• Signals your ovaries to produce more testosterone

• Disrupts ovulation

• Increases inflammation

• Leads to weight gain and cravings

It becomes a vicious cycle that keeps symptoms going.

2. Hormonal Imbalance

PCOS is often characterized by:

• Elevated androgens (like testosterone)

• Low or inconsistent progesterone

• Irregular ovulation

This is why symptoms like acne, hair growth, and cycle irregularity show up.

But here’s the key:

👉 These hormone imbalances are often downstream effects of metabolic dysfunction—not the root cause.

3. Chronic Inflammation

Low-grade inflammation worsens:

• Insulin resistance

• Hormone imbalance

• Ovarian function

An anti-inflammatory approach has been shown to support ovulation and metabolic health.

4. Gut Health + Stress

Emerging research and clinical practice show that:

• Gut imbalances can worsen inflammation and hormones

• Chronic stress disrupts cortisol and blood sugar regulation

Both play a major role in PCOS progression.

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The Truth Most Women Need to Hear

Your symptoms are not fixed. Healing is absolutely possible.

Your body is responding to:

• The way you’re eating

• The way you’re living

• The stress you’re carrying

• The environment you’re in

And when you change those inputs…

Your body can change too.

A Functional Medicine Approach to PCOS

Instead of suppressing symptoms, this approach focuses on:

👉 Balancing blood sugar

👉 Reducing inflammation

👉 Supporting hormones naturally

👉 Addressing root causes

Let’s break that down into what you can actually do.

1. Start With Blood Sugar Balance (This Changes Everything)

If you do nothing else—start here.

Every meal should include:

• Protein

• Healthy fat

• Fiber

This combination:

• Stabilizes blood sugar

• Reduces insulin spikes

• Supports hormone balance

Simple examples:

• Eggs + avocado + veggies

• Chicken salad + olive oil + seeds

• Greek yogurt + nuts + berries

Research consistently shows that diet patterns improving insulin sensitivity can significantly improve PCOS symptoms.

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What to Reduce:

• Refined sugar

• Ultra-processed foods

• High-glycemic carbs (on their own)

What to Add:

• Fiber-rich foods (aim ~25g/day)

• Whole, unprocessed meals

• Anti-inflammatory fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds)

2. Eat in a Way That Supports Your Hormones

One of the most overlooked strategies:

👉 Front-load your day with nourishment

Higher calorie intake earlier in the day (vs. late-night eating) has been linked to better insulin sensitivity and ovulation patterns.

That means:

• Don’t skip breakfast

• Eat balanced meals consistently

• Avoid late-night overeating cycles

3. Move Your Body (But Not Like Punishment)

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools for PCOS.

It improves:

• Insulin sensitivity

• Hormone balance

• Mood and energy

The best approach:

• Strength training (2–4x/week)

• Daily walking

• Moderate cardio

All forms of movement—from resistance training to aerobic exercise—have been shown to improve metabolic health in PCOS.

4. Reduce Inflammation Through Lifestyle

This isn’t just about food.

It’s about your entire environment.

Focus on:

• Whole foods over processed foods

• Quality sleep (7–9 hours)

• Stress reduction (prayer, journaling, time outside)

Inflammation is a major contributor to PCOS symptoms and must be addressed holistically.

5. Support Your Body With Targeted Nutrients

Some of the most researched nutrients for PCOS include:

• Inositol → supports ovulation and insulin sensitivity

• Magnesium → supports stress and blood sugar

• Zinc → supports hormones and skin

• Omega-3s → reduce inflammation

• NAC & Berberine → support insulin regulation

These can be powerful—but should be personalized.

6. Don’t Ignore Your Gut

Your gut impacts:

• Hormones

• Inflammation

• Metabolism

An imbalanced gut (dysbiosis) may contribute to insulin resistance and hormone disruption in PCOS.

Support your gut with:

• Fiber

• Whole foods

• Fermented foods (if tolerated)

7. Address Stress (This Matters More Than You Think)

Stress isn’t just emotional—it’s biochemical.

Chronic stress:

• Raises cortisol

• Worsens blood sugar

• Disrupts ovulation

And here’s the hard truth:

You can eat perfectly… but if you’re constantly stressed…

your body will still struggle to heal.

Refer a friend

What Healing Actually Looks Like

Let’s set expectations clearly:

Healing PCOS isn’t about perfection.

It’s about consistency.

It’s about:

• Eating balanced meals most of the time

• Moving your body regularly

• Prioritizing sleep

• Managing stress

• Supporting your body instead of fighting it

And over time, this can lead to:

• More regular cycles

• Improved energy

• Better mood

• Clearer skin

• Improved fertility markers

Final Thoughts: You Deserve More Than “Just Manage It”

Too many women are told to:

• Ignore their symptoms

• Suppress their hormones

• Accept feeling “off”

But your body was designed for:

• Rhythm

• Balance

• Healing

And when you give it the right inputs…

it responds.

Your Next Step

Start simple:

✔ Build balanced meals

✔ Eat consistently

✔ Move daily

✔ Prioritize sleep

That’s it.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight.

You just need to start.

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If you’re ready to take this deeper:

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I also work with businesses and organizations to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and build healthier systems from the ground up.

Subscribe here to my newsletter to read all my work as soon as it’s released. Also, feel free to share this message with your interested friends and family.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit — together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree Discounts

Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

Have you ever heard the phrases,

“My body is a temple.”

“Your body is a temple.”

If we treated our bodies as temples, what would that invoke within us to do differently?

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit—places of worship, opportunities for service, not warehouses for whatever our culture calls “normal.”​

You were not meant to be a chemical experiment.

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If we believed in our great value deep in our bones, we would see a lot of our modern “conveniences” for what they really are: slow leaks in the foundation of our health.

• Microwaved meals in plastic.

• Non‑stick pans that flake.

• Drive‑through dinners that never rot.

• Lotions, shampoos, and fragrances with ingredient lists that read like a chemistry exam.

None of these are accidents.

They are part of a system built for shelf life, profit, and speed—not for human flourishing.​

Clinically, we see the fallout every day:

• Hormone issues and infertility linked with plasticizers and endocrine‑disrupting chemicals.

• Brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings rooted in pesticide exposure and ultra‑processed foods that inflame the gut.

• Kids struggling with attention, behavior, and sleep while surrounded by dyes, fragrances, and additives their grandparents never encountered.​

Your body is not broken.

It is responding—intelligently—to the inputs it’s being given.

The broken system wants you to believe your only option is another prescription and a shrug.

But your daily choices are not small.

Every meal, every product, every “easy” button is either moving you toward healing or away from it. If it’s not helping you, it’s hurting you.​

This is not about perfection or paranoia. It’s about stewardship.

Stewardship says: “I may not control everything, but I will be faithful with what I can control.”

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So here’s your one thing for this week:

1. Walk through your kitchen or bathroom with a curious eye.

2. Pick one category—plastic food containers, non‑stick pans, fragranced candles, or a single personal care product.

3. Make one clean swap: glass instead of plastic, cast iron instead of Teflon, real food instead of a boxed meal, fragrance‑free or truly clean products instead of synthetic scents.

That’s it.

One intentional pivot in the right direction.

Health is a journey, not a destination.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to begin honoring your body as a temple—you just have to start.​

If you want help choosing smart, realistic swaps for your home and family, hit reply with “CLEAN” and tell me one area you’re stuck in. I read every message.

With you in the journey,

Jonathan Isbill, MS, RD, LD | ZigZag Nutrition

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Subscribe here to my newsletter to read all my work as soon as it’s released. Also, feel free to share this message with your interested friends and family.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

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He is not neutral about your exhaustion.
He is not passive about your anxiety.
He is not shrugging at your chronic inflammation, metabolic chaos, hormonal burnout, or spiritual apathy.
He has not checked out of your life in health and healing… but have you?

the Bible tells us “He will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:15)

So why have we forsaken ourselves? Why have we so willingly walked away from one of God’s promises...?

We have somehow reduced the Gospel to “get saved and wait for heaven,” while neglecting the very bodies and minds God entrusted to us.

But Scripture paints a different picture.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” — 3 John 1:2

That’s not a fringe verse. That’s a blessing. A prayer. A desire.

God cares about your soul — yes.
But He also cares about your body. Your mind. Your nervous system. Your daily habits. Your energy. Your sleep. Your joy.

And if we’re honest?

The modern Church rarely talks about any of that…

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We Don’t Need More Donuts.
We Need Discipleship in Health.

I say this with love.

We don’t need more free donuts and sugary coffee bars in the church lobby.
We need community gardens.
We need shared meals made from real food.
We need moms’ groups meal-prepping together to save time and energy.
We need walking groups after service.
We need sunlight, laughter, shared burdens, and shared ambitions for promoting our infinitely intimate, interconnected health.

We need nourishment — mind, body, and spirit.

Instead, we’ve quietly baptized convenience, hyper-processed food, sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, and environmental toxicity… and then we wonder why anxiety, autoimmune disease, infertility, obesity, and burnout are rampant even among believers.

We pray for healing.

But we ignore design.

And God is a God of incredible design.

He is our creator. And we are His creation.

So, what has He created us for..?

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Your Body Is Not an Afterthought

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…? You are not your own.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

A temple is not disposable.
A temple is not neglected.
A temple is not fed chemicals, deprived of sleep, bathed in artificial light, isolated from community, and chronically stressed.

A temple is stewarded.

We talk about stewardship of money.
We talk about stewardship of time.
We talk about stewardship of spiritual gifts.

But rarely do we talk about stewardship of metabolism.

Or mitochondria.

Or hormones.

Or the microbiome God engineered with breathtaking complexity.

And yet Psalm 139 reminds us:

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Wonderfully made — not randomly assembled.

Your need for:

• Clean water

• Real food

• Sunshine

• Movement

• Rest

• Community

• Purpose

• Time in nature

These are not wellness trends.

They are design features.

The Spiritual Roots… and the Physical Responsibility

Writers like Dr. Henry Wright in Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease and Jordan Rubin in The Maker’s Diet challenge something we often avoid: there are spiritual patterns that affect physical health.

Bitterness.
Chronic stress.
Unforgiveness.
Fear.
Shame.
Pride.

Proverbs 17:22 says:

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

That’s not poetic exaggeration. That’s biology.

Chronic stress dysregulates cortisol.
Unforgiveness fuels inflammation.
Isolation increases mortality risk.
Hopelessness alters immune function.

But here’s the part we must hold carefully:

Not all illness is the result of sin. Jesus made that clear in John 9.

Yet unresolved spiritual strain absolutely affects the body.

And here’s where we need maturity:

Repentance and green vegetables are not enemies.

Prayer and strength training are not opposites.

Fasting and blood sugar regulation can coexist.

Forgiveness and gut healing both matter.

The Church often swings to extremes — either hyper-spiritualizing disease or completely secularizing health.

What if the truth is integrated?

We Ignore What We Know

Let’s be honest with each other.

We know ultra-processed food damages health.
We know sleep deprivation wrecks hormones.
We know screens at midnight destroy circadian rhythm.
We know chronic stress harms the immune system.
We know community is life-giving.
We know sugar isn’t neutral.

We know.

Romans 1 says humanity suppresses truth.

Sometimes suppression looks dramatic.

Sometimes it looks like:
“God understands.”
“It’s just a season.”
“Everyone is tired.”
“This is normal.”

Common does not mean normal.

Chronic disease may be common.
Anxiety may be common.
Obesity may be common.

But they are not God’s design standard.

And deep down, you know it.

Sanctification Includes Your Habits

We love the language of sanctification — becoming more like Christ.

But sanctification is not only moral.

It’s formative.

It shapes how you:

• Eat

• Sleep

• Speak

• Move

• Rest

• Manage stress

• Steward time

• Care for others

Galatians 5 describes the fruit of the Spirit:

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control.

Love includes loving yourself, your whole self — in mind, body, and spirit. Caring about yourself enough to be different… to be radically different than what the world will trick you to believe about yourself.

Self-control includes your plate.

Faithfulness includes bedtime.

Patience includes practicing mindfulness.

Gentleness includes how you speak to your own body.

Joy includes movement.

Peace includes nervous system regulation.

You cannot constantly override biology and expect spiritual vitality to feel effortless.

We are embodied souls.

And embodiment matters.

God Built a Healing World

Genesis begins in a garden.

Revelation ends in a garden.

In between?

We’ve traded gardens for fluorescent lighting, mindlessly eating in front of stress-inducing television screens and casually neglecting our calling to be active participants in the kingdom-building for health and healing here on earth.

God’s creation is not a side note — it is medicine.

Sunlight regulates hormones.
Movement creates anti-inflammatory myokines.
Real food provides valuable blueprints to your cells.
Clean water hydrates, fuels, and detoxifies.
Time in Nature reduces stress, increases oxygen, and calms your nervous system.
Community engagement increases resilience.

Even modern research now confirms what Scripture implied all along:

We were not designed for isolation, artificial light, chemical overload, hyper-processed food, and perpetual hurry. No — we were designed for something so much greater.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says:

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

But we’ve lost rhythm.

We stay up way past our biologically aligned bedtimes.
We wake to alarms instead of natural light.
We stress-eat and mindlessly snack instead of feasting with our friends.
We scroll on our phones for hours instead of connecting with our neighbor.
We numb our pain instead of reaching out for help and repenting of our own self-neglect.

And then we ask God to give us the energy to get through our day….

Repentance Is Not Shame — It’s Realignment

This is where I want to speak gently but clearly.

Repentance is not about beating yourself up.

It’s about realignment with your intelligent design.

If your current lifestyle is harming your body, mind, and spirit, then you have an incredible journey ahead of you. Understanding where you are honestly at today, will help inform you of where you need to start in health and healing. Acknowledgement of today, also helps us imagine where can go tomorrow.

How much greater could my life really be?
How different could my pain really feel?
How much energy could I actually gain?

Romans 12:1 urges us:

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.”

Your body.

Not just your Sunday attendance.
Not just your quiet time.
Not just your theology.

Your body.

When you choose:

• Real food over ultra-processed convenience

• Walking over endless sitting

• Sleep over scrolling

• Forgiveness over bitterness

• Sunlight over isolation

• Community over comfort and convenience

That is worship.

That is sanctification.

That is spiritual maturity.

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Imagine a Different Kind of Church Culture

What if church potlucks featured truly nourishing food as an act of love?

What if small groups included shared gardens, time to meal prep, and trying new foods together?

What if older women discipled younger moms in cooking, budgeting, gardening, and resilience facing a world of toxic-beauty standards and endless comparison?

What if men gathered together t strength train and pray for their families?

What if fasting wasn’t only spiritual — but also a practical endeavor to improve health?

What if church leaders preached about reducing screen time, improving nervous system regulation, and Sabbath rest as spiritual disciplines?

What if we stopped pretending chronic disease was inevitable?

What if we truly believed in healing?

What if we believed that spiritual and physical healing were both part of the Kingdom breaking in?

God Is Not Asking for Perfection

He is asking for your pursuit.

Micah 6:8 says:

“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Walking humbly includes acknowledging when our lifestyle contradicts your design.

It includes asking:

• Where have I normalized dysfunction?

• Where have I outsourced responsibility?

• Where have I ignored what I know?

Let me be clear, this isn’t about biohacking your way to immortality.

It’s about honoring the gift of your body, brain, soul, and spirit here on Earth.

You don’t need perfection.

You need awareness.
Community.
Repentance.
Real food.
Movement.
Sunlight.
Scripture.
Persistence.
And courage.

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A Loving but Honest Invitation

If you feel stirred reading this — good.

That’s not guilt.

That’s conviction mixed with hope.

God clearly does not want to control you.

He wants to invite you into a renewed sense of flourishing.

John 10:10 says:

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Abundant life is not chronic exhaustion.
It’s not preventable disease.
It’s not spiritual apathy wrapped in convenience.

It is vibrancy.
Clarity.
Strength.
Peace.
Purpose.

You are not just waiting for heaven.

You are stewarding a body here.

So let’s stop dismissing His design.

Let’s stop suppressing the truth.

Let’s stop pretending coffee and donuts are acts of discipleship.

Let’s build gardens.
Cook together.
Move together.
Pray together.
Repent together.
Heal together.

God cares about your health more than you think.

The question is — do you?

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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | My Favorite Recommendations

Recently, I stepped on stage at Ignite Columbus—an event hosted by Catalyst Columbus where speakers give rapid-fire presentations in a Pecha-Kucha format: 20 slides, 15 seconds each, auto-advancing whether you’re ready or not.

No pausing. No do-overs. No second to waste.

Just creative, meaningful, and memorable presentations.

This season was the first time that Catalyst Columbus chose to run a themed-event. They promoted this event to be focused on “Health, Wellness, and Longevity,” so naturally the event piqued my interest. For some reason unbeknownst to me - they decided to reach out to me and ask if I would be a presenter for the event.

If I’m honest with you, I avoided their messages for several days in a row. Talked to a close friend about the opportunity, and finally decided to open my DMs and follow up with the event coordinators. Within a few days, I committed to myself and others to submit a presentation.

With a short turnaround time for designing and practicing a presentation of this structure, I was in over my head and I knew it. I still wanted to try. I needed to redeem myself, because last time I stepped on stage I totally fumbled my talk… and I’ll tell you more about that another time.

Things have been BUSY. With vacation travel with 4 kids within reach at all times just a week or two before the presentation deadline, I was deeply distracted from working on the presentation within hours of my initial letter of submission to commit to sending in a presentation. Ironically, I spent dozens of hours on this presentation that lasted only 5-minutes. Seems so anticlimactic, but if I commit to anything, I want to strive towards that goal with excellence.

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I’ve loved this presentation style ever since I first experienced it back at Ball State University, inside the David Owsley Museum of Art. Ever since then, I’ve known that some day I would end up stepping on stage and doing one myself.

These Catalyst Columbus events are led by my local community Chamber of Commerce and their Entrepreneurship development endeavors. The events are always cool, classy, timely, inspiring, enlightening and impactful.

This time around for me…the opportunity came—so I pitched, I spoke, and I won Most Enlightening in my category.

That night, I shared something bold and simple:

We have to unlearn sickness if we want to build a future where people actually thrive.

And today, I want to share that talk with you—expanded, unpacked, and grounded in real-life examples you can use today. What you are about to read are the expanded notes correlating to each slide of the presentation. Each section relates to a slide of the presentation slide deck. Let’s dive in! ⬇️

Ignite Columbus Jonathan Isbill 2025

4.84MB ∙ PDF file

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Download the PDF to follow along with visuals for the expanded notes written below.

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Slide 2: We’ve Confused “Common” With “Normal”

In America, it’s common to have:

• Diabetes

• Autoimmune conditions

• High blood pressure

• High blood sugar

• Lifelong medications

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Digestive issues

• Needing glasses from age 5 to age 85

• Feeling terrible after meals

• A headache a few times a week

But common doesn’t mean normal.

We say:

• “Well, everyone has heartburn.”

• “Everyone gets sick after 40.”

• “Everyone aches when they get older.”

No.
Not everyone.
Just everyone who lives the current American lifestyle.

If your plant is wilting, you don’t medicate it…
You change its soil, its light, its water, its environment.

The human body is no different.

Slide 3: We Spend More on Healthcare Than Any Other Country… and Still Feel Like Crap

America spends more money on healthcare than any other nation in the world.

Yet we’re:

• Heavier

• Sicker

• More chronically ill

• More depressed

• More inflamed

• More medicated

And here’s what boggles my mind:
Half of our lifetime medical costs happen in the last 5–10 years of life—years spent in hospitals, nursing homes, memory care units, or dialysis clinics where we’re just moping around.

That is not healthspan.
That is not lifespan.
That is wealth extraction.
That is a sad existence and a far too common reality.

And most people think that future is inevitable.

It’s not.

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Slide 4: We Don’t Want to Just Live Longer… We Want to Live Better

Ask almost anyone:
“Do you want to live to 100?”

Most say:
“Only if I’m healthy…”

See, human beings aren’t chasing lifespan—
We’re chasing healthspan:

• Clear mind

• Strong body

• Joy

• Purpose

• Mobility

• Connection

• Peace

We want to play with our grandkids—not be stuck in a bed while life happens somewhere else.

If that’s the goal, then we have to do something radical:

Stop living like everyone else.

Slide 5: The World’s Longest-Living People Don’t Have Our Problems - They Are NOT The Average American

Let’s talk about the Blue Zones:

• Okinawa, Japan

• Ikaria, Greece

• Sardinia, Italy

• The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica

• Loma Linda, California

What do these people have?

✅ Real food
✅ Regular movement
✅ Purpose
✅ Time in nature
✅ Low exposure to toxic consumer products
✅ Slower, more meaningful pace of life
✅ A village, not isolation

They don’t have:
❌ Diet culture
❌ Ultra-processed everything
❌ 80+ hour work weeks
❌ DoorDash every night
❌ Sleep deprivation
❌ Chemical-soaked homes
❌ Constant digital dopamine
❌ Loneliness

No binge dieting.
No “biohacking” gadgets.
No $2000 supplements.
No Skittles in every checkout line.

Modern wellness makes health look complicated.
But the truth is stunningly simple.

✅ Want to Go Deeper? Here’s How We Can Connect

If this resonates with you, here are the next steps:

✅ Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly education, inspiration, and research
✅ Follow on social media for daily content and practical tips
✅ Book a discovery call if you want personalized support for yourself or your family
✅ If you’re a business or organization, I consult on workplace wellness, prevention, and cost-saving health strategies that create healthier employees and healthier companies

Because when people thrive, everything around them does too.

Slide 6: Movement Isn’t Just Exercise—It’s Medicine

Every time you move—even a walk around the block—your muscles release proteins called myokines, also known as “hope molecules.”

They:

• Reduce inflammation

• Boost immune function

• Improve mood

• Lower stress

• Support metabolic health

• Enhance brain function

No pill on earth does all that.

Movement is not punishment.
It’s biology.

Movement can be your best friend.

Slide 7: Community Is Medicine

Loneliness increases risk of:

📈 🚨 Heart disease by 29%

📈 🚨 Stroke by 32%

📈 🚨 Depression and dementia significantly

Being alone is more dangerous than smoking.

Humans were designed to belong:

• Shared meals

• Laughter

• Helping each other

• Spiritual community

• Friendship

• Family

• Purpose

You don’t have to heal alone.
You weren’t meant to.

Community is a necessity.
Community is our most powerful tool in preventative medicine.

Slide 8: Purpose Is a Biological Survival Advantage

In the Blue Zones, people wake up with meaning:

• They garden

• They cook for their families

• They care for their community

• They have a reason to get out of bed

Purpose changes physiology:

✅ Lowers stress hormones
✅ Improves immunity
✅ Sharpens the brain
✅ Extends lifespan

Faith, mission, contribution, helping others—
This stuff isn’t “soft.”
It’s physiological medicine.

Slide 9: Maria Branyas Morera – 117 Years Old

Maria didn’t live long because of any expensive fancy medicine. She had an impressive gut microbiome, flooding optimism, and good humor.
She lived long because her life supported her health:

✅ Good food
✅ Movement
✅ Family
✅ Community
✅ Limited toxins
✅ Low stress

If she can do it…
Why can’t we?

Answer:
Because America has built a life that slowly poisons us.

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Slide 10: We’re Living in a Toxic Soup

Let’s get real.

Our “normal” environment is full of:

❌ Endocrine disruptors
❌ Carcinogens
❌ Hormone disruptors
❌ Neurotoxins
❌ Inflammatory chemicals

It’s in:

• Detergent

• Candles

• Lotions

• Deodorant

• Cookware

• Plastic

• Cleaning products

• Toothpaste

• Water

You don’t need to live in fear.
Just stop pretending that what we put on our body and in our home has no impact on our health.

Because it does.

And it all adds up…

Slide 11: The Myth of “Clean” Scents

Fall candles.
Room sprays.
Car air fresheners.
Plug-ins.
Perfumes.
The list goes on…and on…

They smell cozy—but many contain:

• Formaldehyde

• Phthalates

• VOCs

• Endocrine disruptors

• Immune irritants

We say we want to “detox”…
But we fill our homes with chemicals our grandparents never encountered.

Clean should mean healthy.
Not “smells like pumpkin spice with a dash of endocrine dysfunction.”

More insights on Natural Health and Wellness.

Slide 12: Your Mouth Is the Gateway to Your Brain, Heart, and Immune System

Mouthwash commercials lie. And we’ve all fallen for it.

Most conventional mouthwash:

• Destroys your oral microbiome

• Raises risk of cavities

• Harms gum health

• Increases inflammation

• Even messes with nitric oxide production (which affects blood pressure and circulation)

Health isn’t about killing everything.
It’s about creating balance, cultivating abundance, and nourishing the soil.

Slide 13: Your Eyes Are Muscles, Not Fate

And what about your vision? Most of us were told our eyesight can only get worse with age. But the truth is — your vision can actually improve with the right training.

What you’ve been told about vision is FALSE.

Your eyes:

• Respond to training

• Improve with natural light exposure

• Decline with screen-heavy, indoor life

Vision is connected to brain health, sleep cycles, hormones, and metabolic well-being.

Staring at artificial light until midnight and wondering why you’re exhausted is like watering a plant with soda and wondering why it dies.

Slide 14: Light Is Medicine

Morning sunlight sets your circadian rhythm.
Nighttime light disrupts it.

Common in Modern Life:

• Screens at night

• Artificial light

• Indoors all day

Commonly Destroys:

• Sleep quality

• Hormones

• Appetite regulation

• Mental health

You don’t need melatonin gummies.
You need to see the sunrise.

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Slide 15: Your Body Is Not Broken—It’s Speaking

Your body is not stupid.
Symptoms are not failures.
They’re communication.

• Acne

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Bloating

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

They aren’t random.
They’re messages.

Your body doesn’t sabotage you.
It protects you.]

Symptoms are not failures.
They’re communication.
But are you listening?

Slide 16: You Don’t Need Perfection—You Need Awareness

Small changes matter:

• Swap plastic for glass

• Get sunlight each morning

• Walk daily

• Cook with real food

• Use cleaner household products

• Go to bed earlier

• Spend time outside with humans, not just surrounded by screens

These are not “silly little things” that you should dismiss about your health and wellness. These are foundational, fundamental principles of living your best life.

You need these routines They are biological signals for a better you.

Slide 17: Imagine If We Built Our Lives Around Staying Well

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We’ve all heard it before—but what if we actually built our lives, our families, businesses, and communities around that idea? What if we worked upstream to design for a future where people actually thrive…

What if we:

• Designed workplaces that support health

• Built communities where families thrive

• Prioritized belonging

• Valued clean food

• Made movement part of daily life

• Reduced our toxic burden

• Taught kids how to care for their bodies, minds, and spirits

We treat sickness like destiny.
But the truth?

Most chronic disease is driven by environment and lifestyle—things we can radically change for the better, adding years to our lives and life to our years.

Slide 18: This Isn’t a Fantasy, It’s An Opportunity

Imagine if we truly invested in keeping ourselves well, not just waiting for chronic health conditions to slowly take our life away.

What if we took prevention, early intervention, and optimization to the next level?

We could live long, happy lives… aging well, with wisdom intact, bones and muscles strong, and our lives overflowing with experiences, joy, and freedom.

This isn’t just a fantasy. It’s a choice and opportunity we all get to make…

Slide 19: When People Get Healthy, the World Changes

• Families transform

• Generational patterns shift

• Communities thrive

• Businesses become more resilient

• Healthcare costs drop

• Quality of life skyrockets

It is a rising tide—and everyone rises with it, in mind, body, and spirit.

This is the mission behind my work—
as a dietitian, educator, consultant, and speaker.

I help people and organizations unlock real health—not the pharmaceutical version of it, not the trendy Instagram version of it—the deeply human, deeply powerful version of it.

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Slide 20: You Deserve to Live an Uncommon Life

Not a life of slow decline…
Not a life managed by prescriptions…
Not a life spent exhausted and calling it “normal.”

Your body is capable of extraordinary things.

Health is not a destination—it’s a journey.

You don’t need to do everything.
Just start something.
Your future self will thank you.

If this message resonates and you want support, collaboration, or coaching, reach out.
I’d love to help you live a little more… uncommon.

✅ Want to Go Deeper? Here’s How We Can Connect

If this resonates with you, here are the next steps:

✅ Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly education, inspiration, and research
✅ Follow on social media for daily content and practical tips
✅ Book a discovery call if you want personalized support for yourself or your family
✅ If you’re a business or organization, I consult on workplace wellness, prevention, and cost-saving health strategies that create healthier employees and healthier companies

Because when people thrive, everything around them does too.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree

The truth is, more than 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. That means the vast majority of us are walking around with hidden imbalances in blood sugar, insulin resistance, or other metabolic issues — often without even realizing it.

As I often tell my clients: “Most people have no idea how food or lifestyle experiences are impacting their blood sugar, their energy, or their hormones.” But that’s changing, thanks to new tools that allow us to see and respond to these hidden patterns in real time.

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The Problem: Why We’re Missing the Big Picture on Blood Sugar

For decades, conventional medicine has relied on lab tests like fasting glucose and A1c to assess blood sugar control. These tests are important, but they only provide snapshots. They can’t tell you how your blood sugar fluctuates after lunch, during your workout, or when you’re under stress.

Meanwhile, the consequences of poor blood sugar regulation show up every day in ways people often dismiss:

• Afternoon crashes and fatigue

• Intense sugar cravings

• Brain fog or irritability

• Difficulty losing weight despite “eating healthy”

• Hormonal imbalances that impact sleep, mood, and energy

Left unchecked, these patterns contribute to the rising rates of prediabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health challenges. But by the time these conditions are diagnosed, the underlying dysfunction has often been building for years.

The Functional Medicine Lens: Connecting Blood Sugar, Energy, and Whole-Body Health

Functional medicine takes a different approach. Instead of waiting for disease to show up, it asks: what’s happening at the root level of your metabolism?

Blood sugar balance isn’t just about diabetes — it’s about how your body produces and uses energy. When blood sugar is unstable, it drives inflammation, disrupts hormone signaling, and strains your cardiovascular system. Over time, this can lead to:

• Chronic fatigue and low energy

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Increased risk for cognitive decline

• Sleep disruption and poor recovery

• Higher baseline inflammation

That’s why I often describe blood sugar as a “north star” for health optimization.

By learning how your daily choices impact your glucose response, you gain insights that ripple across your entire health picture.

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The Solution: Real-Time Blood Sugar Feedback with Glucose Biosensors

This is where technology comes in. For the first time, we now have access to wearable glucose biosensors that allow us to monitor blood sugar in real time.

The Stelo Glucose Biosensor, designed by Dexcom, is the first FDA-cleared over-the-counter glucose biosensor available without a prescription. Worn on the back of the arm, it continuously measures glucose levels day and night.

But data by itself doesn’t create change — insights do. That’s where Levels comes in. Levels is a general wellness program that provides access to the Stelo Glucose Biosensor and integrates the data into an app that tracks your food, exercise, sleep, and stress patterns. It helps you connect the dots between your lifestyle choices and your metabolic health.

Instead of wondering why you feel sluggish after a meal or why you can’t shake cravings at night, you can see the impact of your choices and adjust in real time.

My Clinical Experience: Why I Chose to Partner with Levels

I’ve been working with clients using glucose biosensors for the last five years, and I can confidently say these insights have been an absolute game-changer.

One client who comes to mind came to me with an A1c of 10.3 — well into the diabetic range. By combining nutrition coaching, lifestyle support, and real-time insights from a glucose biosensor, he was able to lower his A1c to 5.3 in just six months. That’s a remarkable transformation that not only changed his lab results, but his energy, confidence, and overall quality of life.

Stories like this are why I decided to partner with Levels. This partnership supports our shared mission of helping people improve their metabolic health, prevent disease, and achieve optimal wellness.

If you’re interested, you can check out the program here:
👉 https://levels.link/JONATHANISBILL

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Beyond Diabetes: Metabolic Health for Everyone (Including Biohackers) 🌱

While blood sugar tracking is incredibly helpful for people with prediabetes or diabetes, it’s not limited to those groups. I’ve seen athletes, biohackers, and everyday health-seekers benefit from wearing a glucose biosensor.

Benefits include:

• More stable energy throughout the day

• Improved workout performance and recovery

• Fewer mid-afternoon slumps and sugar crashes

• Better mood regulation and focus

• Clearer insights into which foods truly support (or sabotage) your goals

If you’ve ever wondered why the same “healthy meal” makes you feel great one day and sluggish the next, blood sugar monitoring helps solve that mystery. Everyone’s body responds differently — and this technology makes it visible.

Technology Innovations: The Future of Preventive Health

We’re living through an exciting shift in healthcare. For decades, medicine has been reactive — waiting for disease to appear before intervening. But with tools like the Stelo Glucose Biosensor and the Levels app, we’re moving toward proactive, personalized wellness.

This is part of a bigger trend in healthcare:

• Remote patient monitoring

• Wearable health data

• AI-driven habit tracking

• Personalized nutrition and lifestyle insights

Instead of guessing, we can now use data to optimize energy, performance, and long-term health. That means prevention isn’t just about “hoping for the best” — it’s about taking action today, with real feedback guiding the way.

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Practical Steps: How to Start with Levels

Getting started with Levels is simple:

1. Sign up through my link here: https://levels.link/JONATHANISBILL.

2. You’ll get access to the Stelo Glucose Biosensor.

3. Use the Levels app to log your meals, workouts, and lifestyle choices.

4. Watch your glucose data in real time and learn how your unique body responds.

Over time, you’ll begin to notice patterns — like which breakfasts give you steady energy versus which ones spike your blood sugar and leave you crashing. These insights allow you to make smarter choices that align with your goals.

Conclusion: Blood Sugar as a Compass for Better Health

Blood sugar isn’t the only factor in health, but it’s one of the most powerful levers you can pull. By improving blood sugar balance, you improve energy, weight management, hormones, inflammation, and long-term resilience.

If you’re ready to see how your daily choices are impacting your metabolism — and want a tool that helps you take control of your health — I encourage you to try Levels.

👉 Sign up here: https://levels.link/JONATHANISBILL

Because when you understand your blood sugar, you can navigate toward better energy, better health, and a better future.

Get more from Jonathan Isbill MS, RD, LD in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree

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You’re not alone.

Many women I work with describe it as “always tired but wired,” “foggy but restless,” or “dragging through the day with no reserves.” This cluster of symptoms has been called adrenal fatigue—a controversial but meaningful term in functional medicine that points to how stress, lifestyle, and nutrition can drain our body’s energy systems.

The truth? Your adrenals, mitochondria, and nervous system are constantly communicating about energy, safety, and balance. If you’re low on fuel—or burning through it too fast—your body will let you know with fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, cravings, and sometimes even anxiety or depression.

So let’s break down what might really be happening when you feel “burnt out,” and how nutrition and holistic strategies can restore resilience.

What Are the Adrenals, Really? 🤔 💭

Your adrenal glands are two small walnut-sized organs that sit on top of your kidneys. Don’t be fooled by their size—they’re mighty regulators of stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and DHEA. They also play a role in blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, inflammation control, and even sex hormone balance.

Think of your adrenals as the body’s stress thermostat. When stress hits (whether it’s from work deadlines, poor sleep, infections, toxic exposures, or emotional turmoil), the thermostat cranks up cortisol. Over time, if stress never lets up and nutrients aren’t replenished, the system can get “stuck”—leading to either low output (fatigue, brain fog, low motivation) or dysregulated swings (wired at night, crashing mid-day).

Signs Your Adrenals May Need Support

• Feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep

• Mid-afternoon crashes that leave you desperate for sugar or caffeine

• “Wired and tired” at night, struggling to wind down

• Brain fog or poor concentration

• Salt or sugar cravings

• Feeling overwhelmed easily

• Low libido or irregular cycles

• Increased susceptibility to colds or allergies

If you’re nodding along to a few of these, it might be time to nourish your adrenals more intentionally.

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Nutrition as Your First Line of Energy Support

Food is information. Every bite is a signal to your mitochondria (your cellular power plants) and adrenals about whether to ramp up or cool down.

Food is the first line of medicine for tired adrenals. Here’s where to focus:

1. Steady Blood Sugar = Steady Energy

Blood sugar spikes and crashes can be kryptonite for adrenal health. High sugar intake forces the adrenals to release cortisol and adrenaline to stabilize energy, creating a roller coaster effect.

• Favor protein-rich meals (organic chicken, turkey, grass-fed beef, legumes, hemp hearts).

• Include fiber-rich carbs (sweet potatoes, quinoa, lentils, berries).

• Pair carbs with protein or fat to prevent spikes.

Think of blood sugar balance like a seesaw—you don’t want dramatic ups and downs; you want a gentle, steady sway.

2. Minerals: Your Natural Electrolytes

The adrenal glands regulate sodium, potassium, and magnesium balance. When they’re stressed, minerals get depleted quickly.

• Magnesium-rich foods: pumpkin seeds, dark leafy greens, avocado.

• Potassium: bananas, coconut water, cooked beets.

• Sodium (the right kind): Celtic sea salt or Himalayan pink salt (especially if you crave salt).

A pinch of mineral-rich salt in your water can sometimes make a bigger difference than another latte.

3. B-Vitamins: Energy Spark Plugs ⚡️

B-vitamins (especially B5, B6, and B12) are essential for adrenal hormone production and mitochondrial energy.

• Found in: wild salmon, pastured eggs, grass-fed meats, lentils, sunflower seeds, and leafy greens.

• For some women, a high-quality methylated B-complex supplement can be a game-changer.

4. Vitamin C: The Adrenal Antioxidant

Your adrenals hold one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C in the body and use it constantly to produce cortisol and counteract oxidative stress.

• Best sources: bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, citrus, broccoli.

5. Adaptogenic Herbs: Nature’s Stress Soothers

Adaptogens gently nudge your body back toward balance, whether you’re running too hot or too cold.

• Ashwagandha – helps with calming, sleep, and thyroid support

• Rhodiola – supports focus and stamina

• Licorice root – can extend cortisol’s half-life (helpful for very depleted people)

• Ginseng – energizing and restorative

Always check with a practitioner before starting herbs, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medications.

Here are the key nutritional insights:

• Protein first. Aim for 20–30g of protein per meal. Quality sources like pasture-raised chicken, grass-fed beef, turkey, or plant proteins stabilize blood sugar, which keeps cortisol steady. Low blood sugar = adrenal stress.

• Cut the sugar & refined grains. Simple carbs spike blood sugar, which forces cortisol to play “cleanup crew.” Over time, this rollercoaster ride burns you out. Research shows lower-glycemic diets improve mitochondrial function and reduce fatigue

• Electrolytes matter. The adrenals help regulate sodium and potassium. If you feel dizzy when standing or crave salty foods, you may need more electrolytes. Coconut water, mineral drops, or a pinch of sea salt in water can help.

• Micronutrient must-haves:

  • B vitamins (especially B5 & B6) for adrenal hormone production

  • Magnesium for calming the nervous system

  • Vitamin C (concentrated in the adrenal glands, burned up under stress)

  • Iron & Vitamin D for oxygen transport and mood support

• Plant allies. Adaptogens like ashwagandha, rhodiola, licorice root, and ginseng have been used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Modern research confirms their role in improving stress resilience, energy, and focus.

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Lifestyle Factors: Protecting Your Energy Bank

Think of your energy like a bank account. If you’re making constant withdrawals (stress, poor sleep, overexercising, toxic exposures) without enough deposits (rest, nutrition, joy, sunlight), your adrenals eventually throw up a red flag.

• Honor your circadian rhythm. Morning sunlight and reduced evening screen time help reset cortisol and melatonin.

• Move wisely. Gentle strength training, yoga, or walking supports mitochondria without draining reserves. Skip punishing HIIT workouts if you’re already depleted.

• Watch the stimulants. Caffeine is like borrowing tomorrow’s energy. Use it sparingly, not as a crutch.

• Identify hidden stressors. Mold exposure, food intolerances, chronic infections, and even seasonal allergies can weigh down the immune system and adrenals. If you feel especially foggy or fatigued after meals, this may be a clue.

Analogy Time: Seeing the Bigger Picture

1. Your adrenals are like phone batteries. If you constantly run on 1% with too many apps open (stressors), eventually the system crashes. Nutrition and lifestyle are the charging cord you can’t live without. Chronic stress is like having 25 apps open at once while your screen brightness is on full blast. Eventually, the battery can’t keep up, and everything starts glitching.

2. Think of cortisol like an emergency generator. It’s meant to kick on in storms, not run 24/7. If you never reset the system, the generator burns out.

3. Your mitochondria are the spark plugs. If the fuel (food quality) or oil (micronutrients) is off, you’ll hear the engine sputter. Supporting your adrenals keeps the whole car running smoothly.

Root Causes to Explore

Sometimes adrenal depletion is a symptom of something deeper—hidden inflammation, mold exposure, gut dysbiosis, food intolerances, or chronic infections. If fatigue persists despite healthy habits, functional medicine testing can uncover the hidden drain on your system.

The Functional Medicine Difference

Conventional medicine might overlook “adrenal fatigue” as a diagnosis, but functional medicine zooms out:

• Is your stress bucket overflowing?

• Is your diet fueling or draining you?

• Are hidden imbalances (like thyroid dysfunction, nutrient depletion, or gut issues) at play?

We don’t just patch up symptoms—we uncover why the body is struggling to make and regulate energy in the first place.

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A Sample “Adrenal-Support” Day on Your Plate

Here’s what one day of adrenal-friendly eating could look like:

• Morning: Warm lemon water with a pinch of sea salt. Scrambled pastured eggs with sautéed spinach and avocado. Herbal tea (rooibos or ashwagandha).

• Snack: Pumpkin seeds + a handful of blueberries for magnesium and antioxidants.

• Lunch: Quinoa bowl with roasted chicken, steamed broccoli, and tahini dressing. Side of fermented veggies for gut health.

• Snack: Coconut yogurt with chia seeds and sliced strawberries.

• Dinner: Grilled salmon with roasted sweet potato and asparagus. Drizzle of olive oil.

• Optional evening tonic: Chamomile tea with magnesium glycinate.

Closing Thought

If you’ve been dragging yourself through the days, know this: your body isn’t broken. It’s sending signals that it needs a reset, nourishment, and rhythm. Supporting your adrenals with nutrient-dense foods, mindful stress management, and a touch of herbal wisdom can help you shift from surviving to thriving.

Your energy isn’t gone—it’s waiting to be reclaimed.

Get more from Jonathan Isbill MS, RD, LD in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree

That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to BioRay—an herbal tincture company that blends traditional Chinese herbalism with modern clinical insight. I've trusted their formulations in my own home for years, and in this post, I’ll walk you through what makes their products stand out, how the plant-based science works, and how you can use them safely and confidently for your family.

About BioRay’s Philosophy & Craftsmanship

BioRay’s philosophy is simple but profound: “Awaken your body’s inner healer.”

For over 35 years, founder Dr. Stephanie Ray, a board-certified naturopath, has created clinician-grade tinctures that honor the ancient wisdom of Chinese herbalism while being rooted in scientific rigor. Their formulas are made in the U.S. using wild-crafted, organic herbs, crafted via time-honored extraction methods, and packaged ethically—think recycled glass and cotton labels.

They’ve pioneered micronization (for better absorption) and fermentation of botanicals to increase potency and bioavailability — techniques that bridge tradition with breakthroughs in herbal science. Whether you’re supporting digestion, detox, emotional resilience, or immunity, their formulas deliver with integrity.

Learn More

What Makes Their Herbs So Powerful

Let’s unpack a few standout ingredients (you’ll find many more in their online Ingredient Glossary):

• Micronized Chlorella: This algae is tiny but mighty — designed to bind heavy metals, BPA, chlorinated compounds, and escort them safely out of the body.

• Magnolia Bark: A centuries-old stress soother from TCM, it supports digestion and calms the nervous system.

• Maitake Mushroom: Revered in Eastern medicine for preserving vitality (“Jing”), supporting cardiovascular health, and balancing immunity.

• Tonic Herbs like Astragalus and Alfalfa: Astragalus strengthens the body’s defenses and energy; alfalfa nourishes blood, digestion, and broad vitality.

Analogy #1: Think of these herbs like a symphony—each playing its unique melody, but together they create harmony in the body.

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Kid-Safe, Parent-Approved

One of the things I’m most grateful for is how thoughtfully BioRay designs their Kids and Teens lines—gentle yet effective. Formulas like NDF Happy® help children through emotional imbalance, sugar cravings, or mood swings by clearing unwanted organisms and calming the nervous system. Their take on detox is nurturing, not harsh—a parent’s dream.

For teens, the All Systems Glow® tincture is a daily fill-up of vitamins, trace minerals, fermented superfoods, and flower essences to support growth, gut health, immunity, and emotional clarity.

Analogy #2: Think of these herbal blends as supportive playlists for your child’s nervous system—lifting rather than flattening, guiding rather than replacing.

My Personal Experience + Affiliate Perk

In my family, I rely on NDF Happy® during stressful transitions—like the first week of school—or when meltdowns seem more frequent than usual. We've also used NDF Pooper® and NDF Tummy® during sensitive digestion seasons—between stomach pains and unexpected sickness and constipation—where a little daily resilience matters. These formulations have become part of our home wellness toolkit.

Because BioRay supports what I stand for, I’m proud to be an affiliate. Use code ZZN10 at checkout for extra savings when you try any of their tinctures through my link: Visit BioRay here.

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Curious about where to start? Take the quiz available on their website, learn more about your options. Let that spark your curiosity to explore more. Share with me how it impacts your home rhythm or your children’s day—because health isn’t just science, it’s story.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone, but you shouldn’t have to settle for less than empowered, clean-abiding wellness either.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree

Get more from Jonathan Isbill MS, RD, LD in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

What if your body’s aches, joint stiffness, and flare-ups were more than just a result of age or bad luck? What if your arthritis was your body’s way of asking for help — a signal flaring up from deeper dysfunctions rooted in your food, your stress, your environment, and your microbiome?

If you heard the smoke alarm, you would think there must be smoke somewhere inside your home. This signal is used to alarm you of potential danger. If you heard the firetruck siren outside, you would think there must be a house fire nearby. Arthritis — whether it’s gout, osteoarthritis, or another of the six common types — is not simply a disease of wear and tear — it is a much more intimate signal of the body.

These symptoms are a result of a downstream effect of inflammation, immune imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, and unresolved trauma or toxicity.

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So, let’s dive in.

Because today, we’re not just talking pain relief — we’re talking root-cause resolution.

A Tale of Two Arthritises: Gout vs. Osteoarthritis

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis triggered by a build-up of uric acid that crystallizes in joints, often in the big toe. It’s deeply tied to metabolic health — especially how we handle purines (from protein-rich foods), fructose, alcohol, and insulin resistance.

Osteoarthritis (OA), on the other hand, is often labeled as a “wear-and-tear” disease. But more research is revealing that inflammation plays a greater role than we thought. Inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and even poor gut health can accelerate cartilage breakdown.

In both conditions, inflammation is the match and the fuel.

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The Garden, the Fire, and the River: 3 Analogies That Illuminate the Root Causes

1. Inflammation is like a fire. If you’ve got gout or OA, your joint pain is the smoke — but the fire is coming from deeper metabolic and immune imbalances. Instead of just blowing away the smoke (with pain meds or steroid injections), functional medicine teaches us to find the fire and put it out at its source.

2. Your body is a garden. And chronic inflammation is the overgrowth of weeds. To heal, you need to cultivate the soil — not just cut the weeds. That means feeding your microbiome, reducing toxin exposures, and giving your body the nutrients and support it needs to regenerate.

3. The Lymph is your internal river Your lymphatic system is like a river that removes cellular waste. If it's stagnant, toxins build up and inflammation brews. Gentle movement and hydration are like unblocking a dam and letting the river flow again.

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Functional Medicine Foundations for Gout and OA

Functional and integrative medicine offers powerful insights:

✅ Identify triggers. High purine foods, processed meats, sugary drinks, alcohol, and environmental toxins all can provoke gout and OA flares. For some, even nightshades (like tomatoes or peppers) worsen OA symptoms.

✅ Balance uric acid naturally. Tart cherry juice, quercetin, and vitamin C have been shown in studies to help reduce uric acid levels.

✅ Cool the inflammatory fire. Omega-3s (like EPA/DHA), turmeric (curcumin), ginger, boswellia, and magnesium are powerful anti-inflammatories with robust evidence.

✅ Support detox pathways. Sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions, broccoli), glutathione, clean hydration, castor-oil packs, and sauna all help your liver clear out excess toxins and uric acid.

✅ Gut healing and microbiome modulation. Dysbiosis can drive systemic inflammation. Include probiotics (fermented foods, supplements), prebiotics (fiber), and polyphenol-rich plants to help rebalance your gut-brain-immune axis.

✅ Address metabolic roots. Blood sugar balance and insulin resistance are often hidden drivers of both gout and OA. A lower glycemic diet, intermittent fasting, and strength training can be powerful tools.

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Traditional Medicine Insights: Ancient Roots, Modern Wisdom

Across Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), joint disease is seen as a blockage of energy (prana or qi) and accumulation of toxins (ama).

From Ayurveda:

• Guggul, ashwagandha, and triphala support inflammation and detox.

• A Vata-pacifying diet (warm, cooked foods with healthy oils) helps joint lubrication and digestive fire (agni).

From TCM:

• Acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbs like turmeric, rehmannia, and corydalis are used to ease pain and unblock meridians.

• Foods like black sesame seeds, bone broth, and goji berries nourish the kidneys and bones — seen as the source of joint vitality.

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PubMed Publications

• Omega-3s

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892583/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442909/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28900017/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37606147/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38922552/

  • https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/16/3362

• Tart Cherry Extract

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31037275/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37679816/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30255184/

• Curcumin

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29018060/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27533649/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33500785/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34312922/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35010916/

Food as Medicine: 1-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan

Here’s a simple day of eating designed to cool inflammation, support joint health, and stabilize uric acid:

🌞 Breakfast:

• Warm turmeric quinoa porridge with coconut milk, cinnamon, and berries

• Green tea or golden milk with ginger and black pepper

OR

• Warm lemon water with pinch of sea salt

• Omelet with pasture-raised eggs, spinach, turmeric, and sautéed mushrooms

• 1/2 avocado and a handful of berries

🌿 Lunch:

• Salmon or tofu bowl with wild rice, steamed broccoli, avocado, fermented sauerkraut, and pumpkin seeds

• Olive oil + lemon vinaigrette

OR

• Wild salmon salad with mixed greens, shredded carrots, red cabbage, cucumber, olive oil, and lemon

• Side of quinoa with parsley and olive oil

• Herbal tea: ginger or nettle

🥥 Snack:

• Celery sticks + almond butter + tart cherry juice shot

OR

• Tart cherry smoothie: unsweetened tart cherry juice, frozen blueberries, flax seeds, collagen peptides, and coconut milk

🌙 Dinner:

• Bone broth-based vegetable stew with sweet potato, kale, garlic, ginger, and lentils

• Side of sautéed spinach with sesame oil and hemp seeds

OR

• Your choice of stew with bone broth, carrots, celery, onions, garlic

• Steamed broccoli with olive oil drizzle

• Small sweet potato with sprinkled cinnamon

🌿 Extras:

• Hydration with lemon water, nettle tea, or dandelion root tea

• 10-minute walk after meals

Final Thought: Pain is a Messenger

Gout and OA are not just joint issues. They’re messengers. In functional medicine, we listen closely to those messengers and respond with root-cause healing — not quick fixes.

When we look beyond the surface and ask better questions, we get better answers. Gout and osteoarthritis don’t have to be lifelong burdens. With the right tools, foods, movement, and support, we can rebuild the terrain and turn down the inflammation.

Healing is possible.

The body is wise. It’s not attacking itself—it’s asking for help.

And the best news? The answers are often already in your kitchen, your garden, and your daily rhythm.

You don’t have to settle for flare-ups and stiffness. You can reclaim resilience. You can write a different story for your joints — one where every bite you take, every breath you breathe, and every root you dig into makes a difference.

Let’s keep going.

— Jonathan 🫡

Interested in personalized support? I help clients uncover the root causes of inflammation and chronic symptoms with precision lab testing, nutrition protocols, and coaching that works. Reach out or subscribe to get weekly insights like these!

Join my ZigZag Nutrition private coaching program, where we tackle the science of healing through food and functional lifestyle change—together.
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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

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It’s true. 💯

The gut is often called your "second brain" for a reason. And the foods you eat have a powerful influence on how you feel, think, sleep, and handle stressful events.

In my last story, “Healing the Traumatized Brain,” I discussed the role of nutrition in PTSD recovery. Today, I’m going to focus on the Gut-Brain Connection more broadly, and spotlight particular foods and nutrients you want to include in your diet to support an optimal brain and optimal mental health.

Let’s dive into how nutrition affects the gut-brain axis, which nutrients reduce anxiety, and how gratitude itself may be influenced by what you eat. (Spoiler: the path to peace might be more delicious than what you ever imagined.)

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The Gut-Brain Connection: Why It Matters 💡

Your gut and brain are in constant communication via the vagus nerve, a major highway of information running between your digestive system and your central nervous system.

Here’s what’s wild: around 90% of your serotonin—your feel-good, mood-regulating neurotransmitter—is made in the gut, not the brain. Add in 50% of your dopamine, and it becomes clear: your emotional chemistry starts with your microbiome.

Think of your gut like a garden. The soil (microbiome) determines what grows (neurochemicals). Junk foods are like invasive weeds and pests. Whole, colorful foods are support the garden’s beauty and blooming emotional resilience. 🌱

When your gut microbiota is balanced, your brain receives signals of calm, focus, and happiness. When it’s out of balance—thanks to processed foods, sugar, stealth infections, antibiotics, or stress—it sends out signals of anxiety, brain fog, and mood instability.

Refer a friend

Nutrients That Nurture Your Mood 🌱

Let’s break down the top nutrients shown to impact both gut and brain health—and how they might just be your natural allies in the fight against anxiety and low mood:

1. Fiber (Prebiotics)

• Feeds beneficial gut bacteria (think Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus)

• Found in: apples, oats, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus

• Linked to: improved digestion, lower cortisol levels, and better emotional regulation

According to a 2022 meta-analysis in Nutrients, prebiotic fiber supplementation significantly reduced anxiety scores across several randomized control trials (Nutrients, 2022).

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Reduce inflammation in both the brain and gut

• Enhance neurotransmitter function (especially GABA and serotonin)

• Found in: wild-caught salmon, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts

3. Tryptophan

• Precursor to serotonin

• Needs B6, B9, and magnesium to convert to serotonin

• Found in: turkey, eggs, tofu, seeds, oats

4. Magnesium

• Regulates nervous system and stress response

• Calms the HPA axis and supports vagal tone

• Found in: leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, avocado

5. Polyphenols and Antioxidants

• Reduce oxidative stress that impairs mood

• Found in: berries, green tea, turmeric, dark chocolate

Leave a comment

Gratitude and the Gut: Is There a Link? 🔗

Let’s get a little philosophical—can food help you feel more grateful?

In some ways, yes. Gratitude is linked to increased vagal tone, improved mood, and reduced inflammatory markers—many of the same outcomes that a healthy microbiome promotes.

Think of gratitude as the emotional output of a well-fed nervous system. When your gut is balanced and nourished, your body feels safer. And when you feel safe, gratitude naturally flows much more easily.

In the world of research, we continue to find countless results showing the positive benefits achieved by way of practicing gratitude.Practicing gratitude can be as simple as prayer before meals or a 3-minute gratitude journal practice in the morning or right before you go to bed. When you pair that with gut-supporting foods? You create a powerful feedback loop for healing.

• Gratitude, as one of the positive emotions associated with self-transcendence, is also a moral and pro-social emotion with a pro-social nature.

• Gratitude can help promote healthier eating habits, and I would argue better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Teens who expressed gratitude reported healthier eating behavior over time.

Gratitude can have pro ground effects on health, professional development, overall happiness, friendships and relationships, stress resilience, and much more... And I really like the visuals posted here at PositivePsychology.com

What Most People Get Wrong about Food + Mood 😳

• They treat food as pleasure, not fuel or important information to the brain. In truth, food is a form of communication between your gut and brain AND supplies the vital nutrients to make sure your entire systems-biology is turned on and attuned for health and healing.

• They eat for comfort instead of nourishment. Ironically, those processed “comfort” foods worsen gut imbalance and leave you feeling worse. When we “stress eat” or end up grasping for ice cream, alcohol, sugar, sweets, and candies to elevate our mood, we neglect our real needs and further train our brain to think it wants and needs the very items that are harming it.

• They ignore their microbiome. But your gut bacteria may be the missing ingredient in your mental health toolkit. We have more microbial cells inside our bodies than we have human cells. In reality, we are hosts for a diverse ecosystem that includes hundreds of trillions bacteria, fungus, viruses, molds, and parasites living inside of our systems.

Picture your brain as a radio tower. Your gut sends out the frequency. A healthy gut gives you jazz and sunshine. ☀️
A dysregulated gut? Static and storms. ⛈️

If you’re tired of riding the anxiety rollercoaster and ready to rebalance your mood from the inside out—start with your gut.

Join my ZigZag Nutrition private coaching program, where we tackle the science of healing through food and functional lifestyle change—together.
👉 Click here to get started and take the first step toward mental clarity and calm.

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1-Day Meal Plan to Support a Healthy Gut and Healthy Brain

☀️ Breakfast

• Pasture-raised eggs with spring mix salad greens, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Served with organic overnight oats with chia seeds, blueberries, walnuts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

• Green tea with lemon

🥗 Lunch

• Mixed greens salad with grilled salmon, quinoa, avocado, and a fermented veggie (sauerkraut or kimchi)

• Olive oil + lemon juice vinaigrette

🍫 Snack

• A square of 85% dark chocolate with a handful of grapes and almonds

• Herbal tea (chamomile or peppermint)

🍲 Dinner

• Lentil stew with carrots, garlic, onions, cumin, coriander, and turmeric

• Steamed spinach and roasted sweet potatoes

• Kefir or probiotic yogurt for dessert

⬇️ Download your free Eating the Rainbow Guide 🌈

Infographic Eat The Rainbow Eating Guide

2.88MB ∙ PDF file

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If you found this helpful, share it with someone who could use a bit of hope and a lot of healing.

—Jonathan 🫶

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

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Frequently Asked Question:

Q: Can nutrition help anxiety and mood disorders?
A: Yes. Nutrients like omega-3s, magnesium, and probiotics support the gut-brain connection and have been shown in studies to reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve emotional resilience.

Let me begin with something bold but true: your brain is not broken. If you’ve been through trauma—whether from a single acute incident or long-term chronic stress—your nervous system may be stuck in a loop of hypervigilance, fatigue, and emotional overwhelm. But there is hope, and healing is possible.

And that healing doesn’t just come from talk therapy or medication. What you put on your plate can either soothe or sabotage your recovery.

Welcome to the science of nutritional psychiatry, where diet and brain health collide in powerful and promising ways.

Why Trauma Changes the Brain 💥

When we experience trauma, the brain’s stress systems go into overdrive. The amygdala—the fear center—gets louder. The hippocampus, which helps store and organize memories, can shrink. And the prefrontal cortex, the rational part that helps regulate emotions, often dims.

All of this affects not only mood and memory but also appetite, digestion, and inflammation. You might notice sugar cravings, skipped meals, gut issues, or extreme fatigue. This is your brain trying to adapt and survive.

But adaptation doesn’t equal optimization.

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The Role of Nutrition in PTSD Recovery

Now here’s the good news: nutrition can help rebalance a dysregulated brain. In fact, certain nutrients are foundational to the repair and resilience of the nervous system. Think of them as the raw materials your brain needs to rebuild itself after the storm.

Let’s use an analogy:

If trauma is like a house fire in your nervous system, then nutrition is the team of electricians, plumbers, and carpenters sent in to help you rebuild. Skipping key nutrients is like trying to reconstruct the house with duct tape and broken tools.

Refer a friend

Key Nutrients for Healing from Trauma 🧠

Here are some of the most researched, evidence-backed nutrients shown to support the brain after trauma:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA)

• Help reduce neuroinflammation

• Support neurotransmitter function

• Found in: wild-caught salmon, sardines, walnuts, flaxseed, algae oil

A 2014 randomized control trial found that omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in survivors of traumatic events (Matsuoka et al., 2014).

2. Magnesium

• Calms the nervous system

• Regulates the HPA axis (stress-response system)

• Found in: leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, almonds, black beans, dark chocolate

Many individuals with PTSD show signs of magnesium deficiency, which may worsen symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and hyperarousal.

3. B Vitamins (especially B6, B9, B12)

• Help with methylation and neurotransmitter production

• Reduce homocysteine (a marker linked to mood disorders)

• Found in: liver, eggs, spinach, lentils, nutritional yeast

4. Zinc & Selenium

• Key minerals in modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation

• Zinc supports GABA (a calming neurotransmitter)

• Found in: oysters, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, eggs

5. Vitamin D ☀️

• Regulates serotonin synthesis in the brain

• Supports immune function and inflammation reduction

• Found in: sunlight, egg yolks, salmon, fortified foods

Low vitamin D levels are consistently associated with depression and PTSD severity.

6. Amino Acids (like tryptophan & tyrosine)

• Precursors to serotonin and dopamine

• Found in: turkey, chicken, eggs, tofu, pumpkin seeds

Leave a comment

What Most People Get Wrong About PTSD and Diet ⬇️

• They treat the brain as separate from the body. In reality, the brain is fully dependent on the nutrients circulating in your blood.

• They rely only on therapy or meds. These are helpful tools, but when your cells are nutrient-deprived, healing will be limited.

• They eat foods that trigger inflammation. Highly processed foods, seed oils, sugar, and alcohol can worsen anxiety and crash blood sugar—two big no-nos in trauma recovery.

Think of it like this,

Healing from trauma without nutrition is like trying to patch a leaky boat while ignoring the hole beneath the waterline. Until you fix the root, you’ll keep sinking.

Lifestyle Habits That Accelerate Recovery

• Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours in a dark, cool, quiet environment

• Practice grounding: Daily movement, walking barefoot, or yoga

• Breathe deeply: Intentional breathwork stimulates the vagus nerve

• Connect: Safe social support improves oxytocin and regulation

Ready to take your health & healing journey further?

Join in ZigZag Nutrition’s private coaching community for guided support, personalized strategies, and accountability.

👉 Join here and start rebuilding your brain and resilience today!

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Sample 1-Day Healing Meal Plan 😋

Focused on brain repair, blood sugar balance, and anti-inflammatory support

🥣 Breakfast:

• Scrambled pasture-raised eggs with spinach and mushrooms (rich in choline, magnesium, and B-vitamins)

• 1/2 avocado (healthy fats and potassium)

• Green tea or matcha (gentle L-theanine boost)

🥗 Lunch:

• Wild-caught salmon salad with olive oil, lemon, arugula, sweet potato, walnuts, and red cabbage

• Herbal tea (e.g., chamomile or lemon balm)

🍫 Snack:

• Handful of pumpkin seeds + a square of 80% dark chocolate

• Mixed berries (antioxidants and fiber)

🍲 Dinner:

• Grass-fed beef or lentil stew with turmeric, carrots, celery, and bone broth

• Steamed broccoli with olive oil and lemon

• Quinoa or wild rice on the side

Download your free Eating the Rainbow Guide 🌈

Infographic Eat The Rainbow Eating Guide

2.88MB ∙ PDF file

Download

Download

Final Thoughts 💭

If you or someone you love is navigating the aftermath of trauma, remember this: healing the brain is possible. 🙏 It takes time, intention, and yes—nutritional support.

You don’t have to do it alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck.

Give your brain the building blocks it needs to rest, recover, and rise stronger than before. 💙

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who could use a bit of hope and a lot of healing.

—Jonathan 🫶

You getting “all worked up” about what you see, hear, or read in the news is not helping you, your friends, family, or your community.

Humans are not Zebras.🦓

We experience life through the state of our nervous system.

We remember.

We store memory, emotions, experiences, all of it.

Inside the body.

⬇️

We have approximately 100 trillion cells within our body.

🧬

Our cells store memory of our life experiences, like a detailed inventory of all the events that have ever happened to us - and possibly even to our ancestors.

⬇️

Overtime, those stored emotions, perceptions, experiences, are stored (or trapped) inside the body.

This can end up leading to chronic pain, unexplained symptoms, manifesting as autoimmunity, chronic tension, and persistent health challenges.

⬇️

True Healing requires their release from the body.

We cannot carry everything.

True Healing requires us to experience, process, and move forward, letting go of the past.

⬇️

We learn. We grow. We adapt.

But we cannot get wrapped up in (or trapped within the addictive cycle of staying “stuck” in the trauma/drama.

Reigniting the same “danger response” from watching the news is NOT helping you.

⬇️

The way I see it... 👀

If something, (anything, the news included) purposely provokes you into FEAR,

then it is NOT for you.

It is NOT serving you.

So don’t carry it with you.

⬇️

It may be easy to care about ALL the things...

But we physically cannot hold space for ALL the things.

We each have only so much

we can hold on our plates as we strive to survive and strive to thrive in this life.

We are not meant to carry ALL of it. We are not meant to carry EVERYTHING.

You will break if you try.

Maybe not today, but eventually... you will break. 💥

Refer a friend

Each day, you get to decide what you choose to put on your plate and what you choose to hold in your mind, heart, and carry within your body.

So, it’s up to you to protect yourself and let go of what no longer serves you.

Your growth requires you to let go. 🌱

Your healing has been waiting for you to let go.

Letting go of things that do not serve you allows you to pick up new things that actually support your health, wellness, and joy.

⬇️

Stay Beautiful.

Don’t hand over your health sovereignty to something you see on the news.

You, protect you. You, heal you.

You can.

You are worth protecting. ❤️‍🩹

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💙 I’m only here to help promote the authentic healing of the world around me. 💫

I’ve seen the pain.

🔺 I'm sure you have too.

I’ve heard the concerns.

🔺 I'm sure you have as well.

I’ve seen what it does to people.

🔺 I'm sure you've witnessed the same.

I also know it’s not what they are meant for.

🔺 I'm sure there's something inside you that longs to see your tribe thrive.

💚 I believe in something more meaningful, more real, more beautiful than what we do often get caught up in while “living life online” these days.

So here’s your Ps. 🚨

Because ps. I love you and I want you to succeed in life, find joy, relish in peace, and cherish your opportunities to thrive.

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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

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You’ve probably heard whispers (or maybe even some hype) about how genetics play a role in your health. And maybe you’ve wondered… Do my genes determine everything?

The good news? They don’t. Not even close.

This post is here to pull back the curtain on a fascinating—and often misunderstood—area of your biology: methylation. It’s just one piece of your genetic puzzle, but it’s a powerful one. From mood and memory to detox, energy, and even how well you age, this process touches just about every system in your body.

But here’s the thing:
➡️ Your genes may load the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger.
➡️ Understanding your unique blueprint helps you take charge—not be held hostage.

This isn’t a prescription. 💊 It’s an invitation to get curious, feel empowered, and start connecting the dots between your genetic makeup and your everyday choices. Think of this as your friendly recipe mix to better understand how the cake is made, except your health is the cake 🍰 in this scenario (how ironic).

Your Genes + your Lifestyle + Environment + Experiences = your Story.

So let’s explore what methylation is, what it means if it’s over- or under-active, and how to support your body in striking the right balance. Because once you understand this process, everything from fatigue to focus to inflammation starts to make a whole lot more sense.

Ready to unlock the power of your personal blueprint?

Let’s dive in. 🔍

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Methylation 🧬

Methylation is one of the most critical, yet misunderstood biochemical processes in the body. This is your body's "switchboard"—regulates detoxification, neurotransmitter synthesis and uptake, DNA repair, inflammation and so much more. This is a really important interconnected piece of your unique individual genetic profile.

🔬 What is Methylation?

Methylation is a biochemical process where your body adds a small chemical group—a methyl group (CH₃)—to molecules like DNA, proteins, and hormones. This process is happening billions of times every second in your body and affects:

• 🧠 Neurotransmitter balance (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine)

• 🧬 Gene expression (epigenetics—whether genes are turned “on” or “off”)

• 🛡️ Detoxification (phase II liver detox; removal of heavy metals, estrogens, histamine)

• 💥 Inflammation regulation

• ❤️ Cardiovascular health (via homocysteine metabolism)

• 🧪 DNA synthesis and repair

• Immune system modulation

• Energy production

• Reducing homocysteine, which is a marker for cardiovascular risk

It’s like your body’s genetic volume knob and cleanup crew combined.

Poor methylation = foggy brain, poor detox, fatigue. Also important to note is that too much and too little can be a problem. Some people experience challenges with over-methylation while other people are challenged with under-methylation.

⚖️ Why Methylation Balance Matters

You want methylation that’s just right — not too slow, not too fast. Both under-methylation and over-methylation can cause health issues.

🚨 Under-Methylation (Hypomethylation)

This means methylation is inefficient or sluggish, often due to:

• Genetic SNPs (like MTHFR, MTRR, CBS, COMT)

• Low intake of B vitamins (especially B6, B9/folate, B12)

• High stress (which depletes cofactors)

• Poor protein or choline intake

Common symptoms:

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Anxiety, OCD, perfectionism

• Low serotonin, low dopamine

• Poor detox (chemical sensitivities, headaches)

• Histamine intolerance (migraines, allergies)

• Elevated homocysteine (cardiovascular risk)

• Hormone imbalances

• Infertility or miscarriage

• High homocysteine (risk for heart disease)

🧠 Think of it like a dimmer switch stuck too low — not enough methyl groups to energize and regulate all systems properly.

💡 Root Causes:

• MTHFR or other SNPs

• Low intake of B vitamins, choline

• Poor liver function

• Chronic stress or inflammation

• High toxic load

  ---

🔥 Over-Methylation (Hypermethylation)

This means excessive methylation activity, possibly due to:

• Taking high doses of methyl donors (like methyl-B12, methylfolate) without need

• Certain genetic SNPs that speed up methylation

• Too much SAMe or TMG supplementation

🚨 Symptoms/Signs:

• Anxiety, agitation, irritability, panic attacks

• Sleep disturbances, insomnia or racing thoughts; feeling “wired but tired”

• Joint pain or inflammation

• High Histamine, histamine excess symptoms (flushing, itchiness, hives)

• Lower dopamine levels (from overactive COMT breakdown)

🧠 In this case, the dimmer switch is too high — everything's firing fast, but it creates instability and stress.

💡 Root Causes:

• Excessive supplementation with methyl donors

• COMT slow variants (slower dopamine breakdown)

• Poor clearance of methyl groups due to nutrient imbalances

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⚙️ The Key Genes Involved in Methylation 🧬

Some of the main genes to know in methylation:

• MTHFR: Converts folate into the active form (5-MTHF) for methyl donation; Common Variant Effect = Reduced function = need for active folate

• MTR/MTRR: Recycle B12 into its active form for use in homocysteine regulation; Common Variant Effect = Affects methyl cycle speed

• COMT: Breaks down neurotransmitters like dopamine and epinephrine (methylation helps clear these); Common Variant Effect = Slow = mood sensitivity, overmethylation

• CBS: Regulates part of the sulfur/ammonia detox cycle — if upregulated, can deplete methyl groups

• BHMT: Provides an alternative methylation pathway, using choline

🔍 Striving For & Finding Balance ✅

Now, let me tell you more about just a few blood labs we can use to better understand our potential methylation status, these are just correlated signs to help connect more dots.

Blood Labs

Helpful labs to assess methylation-related health:

• Homocysteine (high = under-methylation; low = possible over)

• MMA (methylmalonic acid): tests B12 status

• B12, Folate, SAMe/SAH ratio (if advanced labs available, often through Fx. Med practitioners)

• Histamine levels (blood or plasma)

• Heavy metals, Lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and others (high = not properly detoxifying)

• Organic acids test (OAT): shows methylation and detox status (urine test)

🥗 Diet Strategy:

• Include natural methyl donors: leafy greens, eggs, beets, mushrooms, legumes, seeds, liver, and cruciferous veggies.

• Reduce processed foods and environmental toxins that overburden detox pathways.

• Support your gut (methylation depends on the microbiome too).

💊 Supplement Wisely:

• Start low and go slow if supplementing with methylated B12 or folate.

• Use non-methylated or hydroxy-B12 if sensitive.

• Adaptogens (like rhodiola or ashwagandha) can stabilize the nervous system if overmethylated.

💪 Lifestyle Tips for Methylation Health

• Sleep well (methylation happens at night)

• Manage stress (cortisol burns through B vitamins)

• Avoid processed foods and alcohol (which disrupt methylation enzymes)

• Minimize toxin exposure (they create methylation demand)

Leave a comment

🧠 Key Nutrients Supporting Methylation

These are known as “methyl donors” or cofactors, and they’re required to keep the cycle running:

• Folate (methylfolate, not folic acid) - Primary methyl donor - Food Sources: Leafy Greens, Legumes

• Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin) - Cofactor for MTR/MTRR - Food Sources: Eggs, Meat, Fish

• Vitamin B6 (P5P form) - Cofactor in Multiple Steps - Food Sources: Tuna (clean, tested for heavy metals), Turkey, Chickpeas, Beef, Salmon

• Choline - Alternative methyl donor via BHMT - Food Sources: Eggs, Sunflower Lecithin

• Betaine (TMG) - donates methyl group to homocysteine - Food Sources: Seafood, Quinoa, Wheat Bran, Wheat Germ, Oat Bran, other Whole Grains

• Magnesium - Needed for enzyme activation - Food Sources: Greens, Nuts, Seeds, Avocados, Salmon

• Zinc - Cofactor in MTR function - Food Sources: Pumpkin Seeds, Meat, Oysters

🧠 “Knowing Thyself” 💭

Signs you might need to adjust your personalized supplement regimen to support your methylation needs:

• Scenario 1 - You feel wired, anxious, overstimulated. You feel “revved up” and unable to slow or calm down inside.
  You might be over-methylating.
  Consider reducing your methyl donors (to slow the methylation processes), trying niacin (B3) to “mop up” or “soak up” some of the excess to help your body find greater homeostasis.

• Scenario 2 - You feel foggy, flat, and fatigued, dry, apathetic. You feel “down”and unable to find your “spark plug.”
  You might be under-methylating.
  Consider increasing methylated B-vitamins (e.g. methylated B-complex), add choline (consume more eggs), and make sure your gut health is going well to promote absorption of nutrients and microbiome balance.

• Scenario 3 - You experience recurrent mood swings and/or histamine flares. Your body seems to be bouncing around between highs and lows and your allergy/immune system seems to be overactive.
  You might be out of methylation balance. Remember, the goal is balance, especially important if you have particular genetic SNPs that are particularly vulnerable for methylation imbalances.
  Consider using a detailed log to track and journal your histamine triggers, daily symptoms, explore additional DAO support to calm down excess histamine, and seek support for mind, body, spirit calm for your nervous system.

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🌱 Putting it All Together - “Day in the Life of…”

☀️ Morning

• Start your day hydrated: 16–20 oz water with a pinch of sea salt + squeeze of lemon (helps bile flow and detox).

• Methylation Support Smoothie:

  • Handful spinach, kale, mixed greens (folate)

  • 1 cup blueberries (polyphenols, antioxidants)

  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed (methylation and hormone support)

  • ½ avocado or 2-3 Brazil nuts (choline, selenium)

  • Protein powder (especially if using a methylated B-complex)

• Supplement (optional):

  • Methylated B-complex (if tolerated) or hydroxy-B12 + P5P + folate

  • Magnesium glycinate/threonate (200–300 mg)

🍽️ Midday / Lunch

• Meal: Grass-fed protein or legumes + leafy green salad + cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower) + healthy fat (olives, olive oil, avocado).

• Choline source: Add hard-boiled egg or hummus with tahini.

🌿 Afternoon Reset

• Go for a 15+min walk outside or do 5 mins of deep breathing to support vagal tone.

• Optional: Adaptogen tea (rhodiola or ashwagandha if energy is low or anxiety is high)

🌙 Evening / Dinner

• Light, low-histamine meal: baked chicken or lentils + roasted sweet potato + sautéed greens.

• Detox support: add garlic or onions to support sulfur pathways.

• Supplement (optional):

  • Magnesium (second dose if split dosing)

  • Gentle liver support: NAC, milk thistle, or herbal tea like dandelion

• Sleep hygiene: no screens 1-2 hours before bed, keep your room cool, consider a short meditation or gratitude journaling before bed.

3x4 Sample Blueprint Report

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💙 Final Thoughts 💭

Methylation is not just a “gene issue” — it’s a lifestyle-dependent system. Your genes may set the blueprint, but your habits decide the outcome. Think of methylation like a thermostat. You can adjust the temperature with diet, supplements, stress management, and toxin load.

This is all about you finding proper balance and nourishment for your body, brain and full biology. The goal is “Balance, Not Bombardment”

• The goal isn't to mega-dose methyl donors based on your genes.

• It’s about contextualizing your genes with your symptoms, labs, and lifestyle.

• Supporting methylation means nourishing the whole system, not just patching for one gene.

ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

Thank you for being here. Please consider sharing this story with a friend or use it as a catalyst for conversation. See you next time! 🤙

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For a long time I’ve recommended checking out Epic Bars (if the price point makes sense for you) if you’re looking for better ingredient meat-based protein. Grab them when they are on a super sale if you can. Otherwise they are likely $3/bar.

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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Linktree

I would encourage you to leave your expectations at the door, your emotions, worries, and concerns about whatever headlines you may have read or heard about him in the last several years. Today we’re going to sit down and discuss some of his history, actions, and positions to get to know him a bit more and finally look at some of his statements and actions since stepping into office.

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His name is worth our attention and shouldn’t be ignored if you care about health and healing for real people - mainly because he is leading a grand collaborative effort to overhaul and massively reform the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The health of this country is not a rural or urban issue, white, black, or hispanic issue, red, blue, pink, purple, or yellow issue… this is an issue affecting every single family in America.

The health of this country is a FAMILY issue and that’s why this matters.

The slandering of his name since he spoke out against Anthony Fauci, Big Pharma, Big Ag, and the Military Industrial Complex has been disgusting to watch - mainly because I care about truth at a deep level and I greatly dislike ignorant, emotional outcries that lack fundamental foundations to stand on.

To my friends, who feel something hostile and worrisome about this man, I encourage you to actually listen to his long-form podcasts, read his long-form writings, and NOT get stuck listening to only what you hear and see in sound bytes fed to you by an intrinsically motivated algorithm. I encourage you to question your biases, and develop your own opinions, free from presupposition and freer from preconceived notions motioned to you from whatever news and media channels you’ve been following.

Though I don’t talk about him often, I’ve followed him for at least the last 15 years, starting with my journey to reconsider the world of vaccines when I was in high school and possibly even before that with his work cleaning up the environment. And even within the last half-decade, the Monsanto lawsuits. Find more information about his career case history here.

There was a time, in fact that many people forget in our era of fickle attention spans and 4-second memory boxes, where RFK Jr. was seen as a national hero.

Time Magazine, and the public at large, held his name in high esteem after his work cleaning up the Hudson River and involvement within an organization called Riverkeeper. For many years, he stood as acting president for an organization he helped found, the Waterkeeper Alliance. His leadership with Waterkeeper Alliance was where his legacy would live reside before formally entering the political world.

“Waterkeeper is my life’s work and will always be my proudest achievement.”

But that’s not where his legacy would end. That’s for sure.

Today, Kennedy Jr. is serving as the 26th Secretary of the HHS. The mission and vision of this larger-than-life campaign has been coined as “Make America Healthy Again.” Kennedy, a lifelong democrat, decided to work with the Republican Party leader, Donald Trump, to take on this very important issue of America’s Health. This, a topic in which it seemed that NO ONE was willing to take on with an honest, authentic, empathetic, intelligent, and courageous mission.

“Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership, your confidence in me, and your deep concern for the health of the American people,” Secretary Kennedy said. “You have truly heard the calls of the millions of mothers who simply want the tools – and the truth – so they can make informed decisions for their children.”

Don’t forget, Kennedy is an environmental lawyer and knows how to dig for details, find the truth, and bring justice to light while serving the greater good for the American people. He has stood up against some of the largest chemical companies and environmental polluters.

“I have prayed each morning for the past two decades for God to put me in a position to solve the childhood chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy continued, “and now, thanks to you Mr. President, we will make this promise a reality.”

The world of human health includes the environment of course, and also the environment includes the topic of food, water, agriculture at large. Kennedy himself has been longtime friends with notable leaders in fighting for America’s health, people like Dr. Mark Hyman who speaks before congress to advocate for change and honest reform on a regular basis. Kennedy is not unintelligent when it comes to real health matters, real nutrition, or real world experiences.

Robert went through a period in his life where he battled with addiction to heroin, starting as a teenager, along with his younger brother, after their father was assassinated. Thankfully he came out on the other side to be the man he is today. The New York Times has done a few pieces on his life and how his perspective has been shaped through recovery that I recommend you read.

• Kennedy's Plan for the Drug Crisis: A Network of 'Healing Farms'

• How Addiction and Trauma Shaped Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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It is often said that great men are formed not by the great things they achieve but by the trials they have faced. Having my own personal interest in the world of addiction and recovery, this is yet but another reason why I have followed his work and perspectives over the years that he has become more openly vocal about his past. I think this is a notable piece of his history and speaks to the transformation of healing that can happen in a human’s life.

If we are honest, most of us face our own demons. Some of us hide from them. Some of us run from them. Others walk right alongside them. But it is the inspirational hero’s journey that beckons a man to believe in something better and choose to face the demons, to slay the dragon, and live a better, more freer life because of it.

The way I see it, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a complex man with a complex history who holds multitudes of complexities within his mind - some he has chosen to share with the public and some that rightfully stay private to his family and his own mind and heart.

Yes, he has opinions about vaccines, WiFi, 5G, environmental pollution, hunting, fishing, conservation, and falconry (yes, falconry), drugs, alcohol, recovery, integrative mental health, functional medicine, hiking with friends, spending time in nature, and honoring our God gifted creation all around us.

No man will agree with all men in all things. But many things that Kennedy speaks about and will continue to speak about have foundational principles to consider and explore for further discovery, whether that means finally having an open-book open-dialogue discussion about vaccines (without smear campaigns and censorship), or the possibility that chemicals in our environment are changing the rates of puberty in young females.

If we are here because we care about honest opportunities for health and healing, we ought to care about the leadership guidance coming from places like the HHS, FDA, and USDA. Both the FDA and USDA are conversations beyond the scope of today’s story, but come with their fair share of concern, controversy, and of course corruption.

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So, now let’s take a look at what the Department of Health and Human Services and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have focused on since taking office.

Since Taking Office - HHS Press Releases

• HHS, FDA Announce Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool for Foods (CCT Tool)

• Secretary Kennedy Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address National Opioid Crisis

• HHS, FDA Announce Operation Stork Speed to Expand Options for Safe, Reliable, and Nutritious Infant Formula for American Families

  • Starting the nutrient review required by law by issuing a Request for Information in the coming months to start the first comprehensive update and review of infant formula nutrients by the FDA since 1998

  • Increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants in infant formula and other foods children consume

  • Communicating regularly with consumers and industry stakeholders as significant developments occur to ensure transparency, including information regarding nutrients and health outcomes

  • Collaborating with the National Institutes of Health and other scientific bodies to address priority scientific research gaps regarding short- and long-term health outcomes associated with formula feeding in infancy and childhood across the lifespan

• HHS, DOJ Move to End Sexual Abuse and Harassment of Unaccompanied Alien Children in Shelters Operated by Southwest Key Programs

• HHS Secretary Kennedy Directs FDA to Explore Rulemaking to Eliminate Pathway for Companies to Self-Affirm Food Ingredients Are Safe

  • “For far too long, ingredient manufacturers and sponsors have exploited a loophole that has allowed new ingredients and chemicals, often with unknown safety data, to be introduced into the U.S. food supply without notification to the FDA or the public,” said Secretary Kennedy. “Eliminating this loophole will provide transparency to consumers, help get our nation’s food supply back on track by ensuring that ingredients being introduced into foods are safe, and ultimately Make America Healthy Again.”

  • To revise its Substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Final Rule and related guidance to eliminate the self-affirmed GRAS pathway. This will enhance the FDA’s oversight of ingredients considered to be GRAS and bring transparency to American consumers.

• Measles Outbreak is Call to Action for All of Us

• HHS’ Civil Rights Office Takes Action to Support President Trump’s Executive Orders to Protect Minors and Restore Biological Truth

  • OCR’s action is part of a larger initiative to defend women and children and restore biological truth to the federal government.

  • OCR’s rescission of the 2022 OCR Notice and Guidance is available here:

And in most recent news

• RFK Jr. has declared his dedication to end the solar geoengineering campaigns, such as chemtrails, spraying reflective particles in the sky to deflect sunlight, aka “lines in the skies.”

• Openness to Raw Milk, Regenerative Agriculture, and Informed Consent in all medical matters.

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Find more information about his work within the MAHA movement here.

Priority Areas of Focus for the MAHA Movement

• Tackling the Chronic Disease Epidemic

• Advancing Regenerative Agriculture

• Protecting Natural Habitats

• Exposing Corporate Corruption

• Eliminating Environmental Toxins

In collaborative efforts of a larger groundswell going on in our culture, another organization you might be learning more about as they continue to work with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as well as the MAHA movement.

• Moms Across America (MAA) - Moms Across America is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with national networks, reaching millions of people every month, working to create healthy communities. Our international sister project, Mothers Across the World collaborates with many countries around the world to create healthy countries.

  • Danger in the Dough: Unveiling the Toxic Contaminants in Girl Scout Cookies

  • They have been a longtime leader informing the public about the dangers and concerns about GMOs, Pesticides, and environmental toxins negatively affecting our children.

• Environmental Working Group (EWG) - Our mission is simple: To empower you with breakthrough research to make informed choices and live a healthy life in a healthy environment.

  • Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen List

  • Skin Deep Program for Healthy Skincare Products

  • Guide to Sunscreens

  • Understanding the Use and Harms of Toxic Chemicals

  • Toxic Food Chemicals

I also recommend the following fellow Substacks you can check out below for more content with similar values as that of RFK Jr. and MAHA if you’re interested.

In Conclusion:

I would hate for us to miss the opportunity to appreciate leadership in real time while we stay stuck in the quicksand that is most modern media conglomerates and search engines that continue to control the knowledge and information sharing about any particular person or event. RFK Jr. is a complex man and a yet a simple man, a common man one should say.

He cares about this country dearly and his career proves this to be true. He is serving to solve for complex problems with simple ideas formed from first principles thinking. He can weave freely without political bargaining chips. He understands his principles, he understands his mission and the speed needed to push to activate the magnitude of real change that is required to take place and is significantly overdue.

The chronic disease epidemic is something we all must care about and must come to grips with whether we like it or not, because this country has been spiraling out of control down the drain of monolithic corporations holding hands within government agencies to keep the same old broken system perpetuating sickness, disease, increasing costs and distractions from the truth. We have been desperately in need of someone to finally stand up and stop the train going off the rails.

Censorship is still alive and still controls most of our pathways of learning and dictates how we engage with new ideas, so we must be careful to not grow cold with dissension based on what we see, hear, and are told to believe from television or the internet. Thankfully, that is why environments like and Rumble and X (fka Twitter) have become so popular in recent years, where free speech remains a priority, and open dialogue & open conversations in pursuit of the truth can still exist.

When I wrote this post after the election, I wanted us to hold on to hope - hope for a healthier future, for all of us. I still hold that hope for us today as we move forward with the future health of this country, to address the fundamentals driving the chronic disease epidemic, cleaning up the environment, and reestablishing America’s roots and pursuits towards creating a happier, healthier world for all of our neighbors and communities.

So regardless of what you have been told, I encourage you to hold on to hope and hear him out as we continue to move forward.

Brief Bio of RFK Jr. Published by the HHS.

Mr. Kennedy’s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment and children’s health stems from hundreds of successful legal actions. A trailblazing environmental lawyer, he has fought corrupt corporations, forced dozens of municipalities to comply with the Clean Water Act, and won many cases against corporate giants.

Over his 40-year career, Mr. Kennedy established two groundbreaking organizations. He founded the world’s largest clean water advocacy group, Waterkeeper Alliance, and served as its longtime chairman and attorney. It now protects 5.9 million square miles of waterways with more than 300 Waterkeeper groups and 1 million volunteers in the United States and 46 other countries.

He also founded Children’s Health Defense, a mass membership organization where he served as chairman and chief litigation counsel in its campaign to address childhood chronic disease and toxic exposures.

Mr. Kennedy is an award-winning writer whose articles have appeared in many national media outlets. Among his published books are two New York Times’ bestsellers: “Crimes Against Nature” (2005) and “The Real Anthony Fauci” (2021). His highly acclaimed autobiography is “American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family” (2018).

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ZigZag Nutrition represents the pursuit we share as we strive to live this life as best as we can, learning and growing, flexing and adapting along the way to better align ourselves to the most nutritious life and lifestyle that meets our needs and nourishes our body, mind, and spirit - together.

You Can Find Me on the socials for more engaging content, health hints, and sharing stories on all things holistic health and wellness:

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