The Health Continuum

Chlorella Pyrenoidosa vs. Chlorella Vulgaris: Practitioner Insights on Strain Differences, Purity, and Daily Resilience By Michele Milligan, BS, Herbal Science, Bastyr University Introduction The story of chlorella is not new, but its relevance is sharper than ever. In today’s clinical landscape, people live in constant contact with environmental and lifestyle stressors. Heavy metals are present in air, soil, and water. Persistent pesticide residues — including glyphosate, now detected in the urine of the majority of U.S. adults — circulate through food systems.¹,² Microplastics and industrial byproducts add a quiet but continuous burden. Nutrient density in agricultural soils has declined, further...

When we think of nutritious foods that promote wellness, broccoli is at the top of the list. Broccoli sprouts (young broccoli plants) are a phytonutrient-rich powerhouse loaded with beneficial bioactive compounds, including sulforaphane, which research indicates offers significant overall wellness benefits. (1)  What is sulforaphane, and why is it important?  Sulforaphane is a potent phytonutrient that supports robust immunity and brain and neurocognitive function. Tapping into sulforaphane's potential starts with glucoraphanin, an inactive sulfur-packed phytochemical. This naturally occurring "inactive" compound requires "activation" from myrosinase, an enzyme released in plants after being damaged, cut, or chewed. Transforming glucoraphanin into sulforaphane is...

Discover herbal insights and take an up-close look at plants, dietary supplements, and wellness solutions with our in-house herbalist, Michele Milligan.   We asked Michele to answer some of our customers' frequently asked questions. Check out her latest response below!  Q: What are your favorite immune-supportive herbs, and which BioPure formulas contain them?   A: My favorite immune-supportive herbs are turmeric and ginger. These two herbs have a gastrointestinal focus, which is, in my opinion, critical for supporting all other systems of the body.   Turmeric and ginger support the GI tract, healthy liver function, and the body's oxidative pathways. Fortifying the focus...

Garlic is a wellness-boosting powerhouse and go-to strategy for supporting immune, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal functions. But what makes this pungent bulb so beneficial?  The simple answer is a potent compound called allicin. When garlic is crushed or chewed, the enzyme alliinase converts alliin to the more active compound, allicin. It passes through the digestive tract and makes its way through the entire body, providing highly potent biological effects.  Allicin is also responsible for garlic’s pungent taste and aroma. One of the best ways to increase your allicin intake is to consume raw garlic cloves that have been crushed or sliced....