Functional Food
Functional Food
Focus Stack for Work and Study: Which Supplements Work Together | Brain & Focus Month
August is back-to-school and back-to-work month. For those interested in supplements for focus, the question arises: which ingredients are often combined, and why? A "focus stack" is a well-considered combination of two or more supplements. In this article: the most discussed stacks, their background, and how to build your own stack based on your situation. Please note: for several of these ingredients, there are no recognized EFSA health claims.
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Omega-3 for your Brain: DHA and EPA for Brain Health | Brain and Focus Month
Your brain is composed of roughly 60% fat—a significant portion of which is DHA, a specific omega-3 fatty acid. DHA is a direct building block of cell membranes in the brain, especially in the synapses where nerve cells communicate with each other. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function (with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA). In this article: what DHA and EPA are, how much you need, and which source—fish oil, cod liver oil, or algae—is right for you.
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Cognitive Blend and Adaptogens: What Nootropics and Adaptogens Are | Brain & Focus Month
"Nootropic" is a term that has been popping up everywhere in recent years: from coffee powders to ready-made focus stacks. At the same time, we're seeing the rise of "adaptogens" — a collective term for certain herbs from various traditional medicine systems. In this article: what is meant by nootropics and adaptogens, where do they come from, and what ready-made formulas are available. Please note: there are no health claims for these substances recognized by the EFSA; therefore, statements about their effects are not permitted.
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Lion's Mane: what it is and what forms it comes in | Brain & Focus Month
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) has been one of the most talked-about mushrooms in the world of nutritional supplements in recent years. It is a white, hair-like fungus that grows on stumps. In this article: what exactly is Lion's Mane, for whom is it interesting, and how do you choose a suitable form.
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Digestive enzymes: when extra mealtime support makes sense
A full feeling that lingers too long, a bloated stomach after a feast, discomfort from beans or onions, digestion that seems to get tougher with age – for many people, this is a familiar experience. In this article, you will read what digestive enzymes are, how they are classified, and which enzyme forms exist for which situations.
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Fibers, prebiotics, and probiotics: what's the difference and when do you choose what?
Fibers, prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics — if you look at the gut health category in supplements, you'll quickly encounter a barrage of terms that will make you switch off. Yet, the difference between these categories isn't complicated once you understand how they work together. In this article, we'll clarify the terms, explain how they reinforce each other, and help you choose which category suits which situation.
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The Gut-Brain Axis: Why Your Gut Health Affects Your Mood and Energy
The gut is sometimes called "the second brain" — and that's not just a marketing slogan. Your gut contains a network of over 100 million nerve cells, its own operating system that is in constant dialogue with your brain via what is called the gut-brain axis. What happens in your gut — which bacteria live there, how well you digest, whether there are inflammatory processes — directly affects your mood, your focus, your energy levels, and even your sleep. In this article, we unravel how this connection works and what practical steps you can take to support both sides.
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Digestive comfort on the go: how to keep your digestion balanced on holiday
Finally, vacation—and on day three, you're stuck in your hotel room with stomach cramps. A disturbed digestion while traveling (commonly known as "traveler's diarrhea") is one of the most frequent holiday discomforts. According to estimates, 10 to 40% of vacationers traveling to warm destinations experience it. Good news: with a few targeted preparations—in terms of food, drink, and gut support—you can support your digestive comfort while traveling. In this article: what can cause travel-related digestive complaints, what you can do before and during your trip, and what role gut support can play in this.
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Wat is nattokinase Herkomst, vormen en waar je op let
Nattokinase is een enzym dat zijn naam dankt aan natto, een traditioneel Japans gerecht van gefermenteerde sojabonen. Het wordt tegenwoordig als geconcentreerd supplement aangeboden, los van de karakteristieke smaak en geur van natto zelf. In dit artikel lees je feitelijk wat nattokinase is, hoe het ontstaat, hoe de sterkte op een etiket wordt aangegeven, hoe het zich verhoudt tot andere enzymen en waar je op kunt letten bij het vergelijken van supplementen.
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Which energy supplement is right for you? B12, magnesium, iron, or Q10
When experiencing fatigue, the search for the right solution can sometimes be confusing. One moment you read that magnesium is the "forgotten energy vitamin," the next that your B12 status is critical, or that Q10 plays an important role in cellular energy. The truth is: all four can play a role, but not always all of them for the same person. Which one suits you depends on your symptoms, age, diet, and any medications you may be taking. This decision matrix will help you find the best place to start in a few steps.
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Magnesium and fatigue: the role in your energy metabolism
Fatigue has many causes. Sometimes the cause is clear—too little sleep, a busy period, illness. But often, fatigue lingers without a clear identifiable cause. In such cases, it's worth examining your nutrients. Magnesium is one of the minerals directly involved in your energy metabolism. In this article, you'll read how magnesium is related to energy and fatigue, how to recognize a deficiency, and which form suits your situation.
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Vitamin B12: function, daily requirement, and the right supplementation
Vitamin B12 plays a role in your energy metabolism, your nervous system, and the production of red blood cells. However, not everyone gets enough of it: your body does not produce B12 itself, and certain groups absorb it less effectively. In this article, you will read what vitamin B12 does in your body, who has an extra need for it, how much you need, and which approach is suitable for maintaining your B12 status.
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