Foods and supplements to power up your health journey

Here’s a handy roundup of de-stressing supports from this issue of sage . Read through this list and make a note of the ones that make sense for you and your family. Then breeze through the grocery store, confident that you’re filling your cart with seriously healthy star power.

Rhodiola rosea (p.24)

Rhodiola rosea , traditionally used across Europe to improve endurance and work performance, is an adaptogen that may help increase the body’s resistance to stress and boost cognitive performance for those experiencing stress-induced fatigue.

B-complex vitamins (p.14)

B-complex vitamins may strengthen the nervous system and may also help reduce stress. One study found B-complex supplementation to improve mood and mental health in adults living with depression.

Ashwagandha (p.24)

Ashwagandha, an evergreen plant used in Ayurvedic medicine originating from Asia and Africa, may help reduce cortisol, stress, and anxiety.

L-theanine (p.24)

L-theanine may help reduce heart rate during times of acute stress and improve cognitive performance. The amino acid can be found in a simple cup of tea; black tea has been shown to boast the highest levels.

Lavender (p.24)

Lavender essential oil diffused as aromatherapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and promote alpha and theta brain waves associated with relaxation and meditation, respectively.

Vitamin C (p.20)

A long-time go-to supplement for colds and flu, vitamin C has been found to reduce the duration and severity of colds, which can peak in times of holiday stress. Vitamin C comes in a number of forms, including chewables, tablets, capsules, and effervescent drink powders.

Oil of oregano (p.20)

Oil of oregano has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and potential cancer-preventive properties. Carvacrol, an active ingredient in the oil, is high in antioxidants, which have been linked to stress relief.

Shape the future of natural health

Before long, we’ll have surfaced from the busy holidays and New Year’s cheers with—hopefully—a little more time on our hands and a little more love in our hearts. And with the month of love and romance on the horizon, in the next issue of sage, we’ll be delving into what it takes to nurture and care for your beating heart.

We’ll explore how we can strengthen our physical well-being to support this vital organ, from limiting inflammation and staying active in ways that we enjoy to using foods and supplements in harmony to support a heart-healthy life. We’ll also dive into how emotional health impacts our heart health, as well as strategies to better navigate the ups and downs we all encounter.

And because no issue of sage is complete without seasonal recipe inspiration, we’ll bring you sweet and savoury chocolate pairings and recipes featuring heart-healthy, red-hued foods to savour to your heart’s content!

We look forward to bringing you an inspiring issue with all the love. See you there!