Gut-Brain Products
Natural treatment for OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and more.
Giving Back
When you purchase products below by clicking on the images, you're supporting a
Dallas-area domestic violence counseling center & shelter.
As an Amazon Affiliate, dots wellness earns a small commission (up to 10%).
dots wellness donates all Amazon Affiliate net proceeds to Genesis Women's Shelter in Dallas, Texas.
Food Is Medicine
These products are from trusted brands, and they contain ingredients you can pronounce. Click on the images to buy products via our Amazon Affiliate program.
Remember, count chemicals, not calories! Many of these products passed stringent,
third-party testing and will support your journey to optimal wellness.
Read more about food is medicine here.
Garden of Life
Protein Powder
As we age, we need more protein.
This protein powder is always in my smoothie. The added vitamins & minerals round out this product nicely. I prefer the vanilla flavor, but it also comes in chocolate. The Fit version & Sport version are also full of benefits. Experiment to see which one works best for you!
Vital Proteins
Collagen Powder
I add 1 scoop of this collagen powder to my smoothie for an extra protein boost. You can also add it to coffee. There are about 28 types of collagen. This one is good for improving skin elasticity, inflammation, joint health, gut health, sleep, & mood.
Nature's Way
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are used for energy by the body.
It may improve inflammation, brain function, support heart health, and aid in weight loss.
Organic Valley Ghee
Ghee is another great fat for cooking & baking. It tastes like nutty, creamy butter. I put 1 tsp in my smoothies or in a mug of bone broth. Ghee has fat-soluble vitamins, CLA, & butyrate.
Great for gut health, inflammation, & brain health.
Spectrum Chia Seed
Add chia seeds to smoothies, yogurt, water, & salads. I prefer ground chia because it doesn't get stuck in my teeth! Chia is a great source of omega-3, antioxidants, & fiber. Chia is great for your heart, gut, bones, & skin.
Spectrum Flaxseed
Flax is great for smoothies & yogurt. It adds some thickness while also ramping up your omega-3 & fiber intake. I prefer to alternate chia & flax in my smoothie for a change. It's a nutrient-dense food & great for heart, bone, skin, gut, & more!
Chocolove 88%
Dark Chocolate
Quality high-cocoa dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. These bars are divided into squares for easy portion control. You can slather on some coconut oil for healthy fat & have a satisfying treat! If you crave choco & sugar, read how to finally kick choco & sugar cravings here.
Endangered Species 88%
Dark Chocolate
These choco bars are another fav of mine. They're also divided into squares. It's important to buy choco that's been tested by 3rd parties because choco can be extremely dirty. You can trust these 2 brands are free from heavy metals. Read more about choco toxicity risk here.
Simple Mills
Sweet Thins
These cookies are more like crackers, but they hit the choco spot. It's hard not to eat the whole box. They're made from seed & nut flours so they're gluten-free & Paleo-friendly. Simple Mills makes other flavors and lots of other products. Try them all!
Siete Tortilla Chips
These tortilla chips will soon be your fav because they're light & crispy. PLUS they're gluten-free & Paleo-friendly. They're made from cassava flour. Cassava is a root vegetable with a mild flavor, similar to yucca.
Siete Tortillas
Like the Siete chips, the tortillas are made with cassava flour. We use them for breakfast burritos, turkey wraps, & bean burritos. Siete also makes great-tasting almond flour tortillas.
Try them both!
Siete Taco Shells
Siete taco shells, like the chips & tortillas, are made from cassava flour. All products are gluten-free & Paleo-friendly. My family loves taco night because of these taco shells. We avoid corn & gluten so these shells save Taco Tuesdays!
Kettle & Fire
Beef Bone Broth
I love this bone broth as a snack, especially when it's cold outside.
Pour 1 cup of bone broth into a coffee mug, add 1 tsp of ghee, microwave, stir, & enjoy!
Bone broth has many benefits: great for gut health, inflammation, joints, skin, hair, and nails.
EPIC Wagyu Beef
Steak Jerky
EPIC beef jerky tastes savory & a bit sweet thanks to the added touch of honey. It's a great on-the-go snack to up your protein intake. If you prefer less sweet, try one of their other flavors: venison, bison, chicken, or salmon.
Lesser Evil
Organic Popcorn
Popcorn can be full of toxins because corn is one of the most genetically-modified & heavily-pesticided items on earth. Corn can also be hard to digest. Lesser Evil has your popcorn fix without the toxicity. Try all their flavors! You can't go wrong!
Traditional Medicinals
Green Tea with Ginger
Green tea is beneficial because it is low in caffeine, has EGCG (powerful antioxidant), & L-theanine (calming amino acid). Don't like green tea? The trick is to steep different teas together for a custom blend. I like to blend this one & Yogi Dandelion Detox.
Yogi Tea
Dandelion Detox
This caffeine-free herbal tea pairs well with green tea. I limit myself to 2 cups of green tea/day so herbal teas without caffeine help when I'm bored with water. Note that herbal teas can conflict with prescriptions so check with your doctor before consuming, & confirm dosage constraints.
Tazo Tea
Green Ginger Pear
This Tazo tea is nice because it has a shorter steep time (1-3 minutes) which is helpful for those days you cannot wait for 10-minute tea. I'm looking at you, Monday.
There are too many great teas to list them all here. These brands have a wide variety of flavors for you to explore.
Consult with your doctor before making changes to supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
Supplements
Remember, if your gut isn't absorbing nutrients properly, you're wasting money taking supplements. Read more about importance of gut health &
how gut health affects mental health here.
Ancient Nutrition
Soil-Based Probiotics
With over 500 probiotic species, you can quickly get overwhelmed & confused about which one to take. I simplified it into 3 categories & CFUs, which you can read about here.
This soil-based probiotic satisfies one of the categories.
Garden of Life
100B CFU Probiotics
This probiotic, which includes 100 billion colony forming units (CFUs), pairs well with the Ancient Nutrition SBO probiotic because of the complementary genera & strains. Read more about my approach to probiotics & their role in gut health here.
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 2X Fish Oil
Nordic Naturals is a trusted brand known for their fish oil. This particular version is high dosage, which is why I prefer it. Fish oil has a variety of benefits for both mental & physical health. Read more here.
Women's Multivitamin
Most women do not get enough nutrition through diet alone, which is why a good multivitamin helps. Depending on your nutrient deficiencies, Multi For Her 50+ might be a good multivitamin for you -- regardless of your age.
Jarrow PS 100
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a type of phospholipid that can be found in high amounts in the brain. It has been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and mood. PS has also been found to reduce cortisol levels and help alleviate symptoms of stress.
You Theory Collagen
As we age, our collagen production slows down, resulting in joint problems & loss of skin elasticity. There are about 28 types of collagen. This one is for skin, hair, & nails. It provides 6,000 mg of collagen per serving plus a bit of vita C to help with absorption.
Now
Vitamin D3 with K2
Many of us are low in vitamin D because we spend too much time indoors & wear sunscreen when we go outdoors. This D3 comes with K2, which is key for vitamin D absorption. Vitamin D is known to help with regulating mood as well as decreasing anxiety & depression.
Dr.'s Best High Absorption Curcumin
Curcumin (found in turmeric) is widely used to combat inflammation. Inflammation leads to many symptoms such as anxiety, stress, & depression. Curcumin may also increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps our brains form new neurons. New neurons = ability to deal with trauma + stress.
Natural Vitality Calm
Magnesium
Magnesium is crucial because it's used by every cell in your body, & many people are deficient in it. Low levels impact brain function & increase susceptibility to stress, which can result in depression & anxiety. This magnesium is easy to take -- just add a scoop to your favorite beverage. It comes in an unflavored version as well.
Biocidin Botanicals
Biocidin
To improve your gut health, my two fav products are GI Detox and Biocidin from the company Biocidin Botanicals. Gut health repair is a multi-step process, & I strongly recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner to successfully guide you through the process. Biocidin is one of the first steps towards repairing leaky gut & removing microbes & biofilm. Read more about gut repair here.
Biocidin Botanicals
GI Detox
GI Detox is another great product, from the company Biocidin Botanicals, to assist with detox. Detoxing is a multi-step process, & I strongly recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner to help you successfully navigate the process. GI Detox has zeolite clay & activated charcoal to help bind to toxins to flush them from your system. Learn more about the importance of detox here.
Apex Energetics
Adaptocrine
Adaptogens, like ashwagandha, Asian ginseng, rhodiola, & holy basil, are effective at regulating the body's stress response, reducing cortisol levels, & balancing adrenals. All of that equals less anxiety. I've tried several adaptogenic products, & this remains my favorite. You can read more about adaptogens, HPA axis, and how the body handles stress here.
Consult with your doctor before making changes to supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
Calming Hacks
These items are some of my favorite ways to induce calm and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), aka rest & digest mode. If you've ever been stuck in one of the 4 Fs (fight, flight, fawn, or freeze), your sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is activated. Calm only happens when the PNS is activated. Learn more about how to activate your PNS here.
Sunrise Alarm Clock
with Natural Sounds
This clock is less jarring because it mimics dawn & allows your body to gently awaken. Loud, jarring alarms can trigger your stress response, thus inducing flight/fight. The nature sounds are a bonus benefit!
Polyvagal Card Deck
Based on the Polyvagal Theory, which explores the nervous system's role in regulating emotions & behavior, these cards help you understand and work with your autonomic nervous system to promote self-regulation and well-being. There are simple exercises to follow on each card.
Acupressure Mat &
Pillow Set
Acupressure mats stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), promoting relaxation & reducing stress. This activation fosters better sleep, pain relief, muscle tension release, & an overall sense of
calm & well-being.
Anxiety Coloring Book
Coloring can be a soothing and meditative activity. It engages your mind and hands in a repetitive, rhythmic task, which can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. It can distract you from anxious thoughts and worries as it redirects your attention away from stressful situations.
Aura Cacia Lavender
Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil offers PNS benefits by inducing relaxation & reducing stress. Its calming aroma can promote better sleep, alleviate anxiety, ease muscle tension, & enhance well-being.
Be sure to buy a quality oil that's been 3rd party tested for purity.
Epsom Salt
Maximize your bath with Epsom salt, aka magnesium sulfate. As the magnesium is absorbed thru the skin, calm feelings will envelop you. A common mistake is not adding enough Epsom salt. Use 4 to 5 cups per 30 gallon tub.
Soak for 20 - 30 minutes.
Hug Sleep
Hooded Sleep Pod
This Shark Tank product was developed by a therapist. As it swaddles you in a cocoon, it creates the feeling of a gentle hug. Adults can benefit from swaddling just like infants! It provides a sense of security, thus inducing calmness. It can lower the stress response & reduce cortisol levels, which leads to less anxiety.
4 Pound Weighted Shoulder Wrap
You've probably heard about weighted blankets by now. This shoulder wrap is like a mini weighted blanket. The benefit to a shoulder wrap is the deep pressure on the shoulders can have a calming effect on the nervous system. It's also easier to pack than a blanket. Each body is different so experiment to see what's right for you.
Shiatsu Neck & Shoulder
Massager with Heat
Like the shoulder wrap, this massager targets key pressure points, thus inducing calm as it stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. It promotes relaxation and helps release tension & anxiety. 10 min works wonders! It's a great way to practice self-care & allow ourselves time to rest & digest.
Consult with your doctor before making changes to supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
Learn More...
