Wellness
Bioflavonoids — Do I Really Need Them, or Can I Just Take Vitamin C?
Is your vitamin C doing everything it could? Probably not — unless you’re also taking bioflavonoids.
Roses are red, violets are blue, oranges are orange, and lemons are yellow. Is this a rhyme gone wrong? No, it’s the beginning of a recipe for good health. Each of these and, in fact, almost every plant — whether fruit, vegetable or flower — contains an ingredient that gives the plant its color and helps ward off natural predators. That ingredient is bioflavonoids and, in the human, their function is much the same. Find out why you need bioflavonoids, and how you can get them.
Bioflavonoids, also known as flavonoids, are sometimes called ‘nature’s biological modifiers.’ Their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties boost the immune system to protect us from viruses, carcinogens and allergens, and help fight the free radical damage that can make us ill and old before our time — both inside and out.
What can bioflavonoids do for you?
Studies have shown that bioflavonoids help strengthen the walls of capillaries — the blood vessels that enable hormones, nutrients, antibodies and oxygen to travel to our cells — and help prevent bruising, bleeding gums and hemorrhaging in the brain and retina.
Bioflavonoids also help blood clots, protect us from carcinogens that invade the heart and blood cells, stop or slow the growth of malignant cells, and act as natural antibiotics.
But that’s not all. Bioflavonoids are vital elements in over three hundred different bodily functions. Here’s the rundown on just a few of the most widely known:
- Quercetin provides the quick response to an allergic reaction or inflammation. It’s also a powerful free radical fighter, can inhibit the spread of viruses, treat varicose veins and bruises, and may be helpful in the fight against many diseases including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Your best source of quercetin is apples — yes, an apple a day may keep the doctor away — but it can also be found in onions, blueberries and cranberries.
- Epicatechin is largely used for heart health as it maintains the integrity of the blood vessels. A study published in the January 16 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found epicatechin to be directly linked to improved circulation and other elements of cardiovascular health. Epicatechin is plentiful in blueberries and grapes, as well as some teas and cocoas. (That’s right, chocoloate!!)
- Polyphenols are more powerful antioxidants than both vitamins C and E and are the ingredients that give green tea its reputation as a health drink. In addition to fighting free radicals, studies have also shown polyphenols may boost the immune system, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and inhibit the development of cancer. Polyphenols are found in many foods, including grapes, green tea, soybeans and wine — some are even derived from tree bark.
- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins do just about everything — strengthen blood vessels, fight free radicals, and inhibit the destruction of collagen, the protein that supports many tissues throughout the body, gives us strong bones, hair and teeth, and provides the structure that keeps our skin firm. Where can you get them? The black chokeberry has the highest content found so far, but they are also found in pine bark, grape seeds, grape skin, certain red wines, bilberries, cranberries, chokeberries, black currants, and green and black teas.
Bioflavonoids work in tandem with vitamin C — they are somewhat interdependant. In fact, researchers have found that many of the functions attributed to vitamin C are actually performed by bioflavonoids.
If you’re looking for an overall boost, bioflavonoids are one of the best choices you can make. They’re available as supplements with vitamin C, or by themselves. Many people currently taking vitamin C alone really notice the difference when they add bioflavonoids to the mix. Give them a try. With so much to offer there’s really nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.
News
Surfing’s Greatest Lessons Become a Global Movement
World champion surfer, bestselling author, and leadership speaker Shaun Tomson is marking the 20th anniversary of Surfer’s Code with something bigger than a book launch. He is using the milestone to spark a broader movement centered on hope, purpose, resilience, and personal responsibility.
First published in 2006, Surfer’s Code became one of surfing’s most enduring and best-loved titles, resonating with readers far beyond the beach. Now, with a new 20th anniversary edition set for release on April 28, 2026, Tomson is revisiting the message that made the book so impactful in the first place, while introducing updated reflections drawn from decades of lived experience in and out of the water.
At its core, Surfer’s Code is built around a simple but powerful idea: the promises we make to ourselves shape the lives we live. Tomson’s philosophy, often expressed through the words “I will,” has long encouraged people to live with greater intention, discipline, and courage. In a time when many people feel disconnected or uncertain, that message may feel more relevant than ever.
Rather than treating this anniversary as a conventional book tour, Tomson is framing it as a live invitation for people to come together around values that still matter. Through a series of events tied to the release, he aims to create conversations that inspire, uplift, and move people toward action in their own lives.
Tomson has spoken openly about the transformative power of words and ideas, especially during difficult times. For him, books are not just a source of comfort, they are a way to reset the mind and create a new perspective. That belief has helped define his work as an author, speaker, and mentor, and it sits at the heart of this new chapter for Surfer’s Code.
The influence of the book has also been recognized by some of the most respected voices in surfing. Kelly Slater, the 11-time world champion, has praised it as a lasting classic, noting that Tomson’s lessons reach far beyond surfing and into everyday life. That broader appeal is part of what has given Surfer’s Code its staying power over two decades.
Tomson, who won the world surfing title in 1977, has spent much of his life using the sport as a platform for something larger than competition. Over the years, his message has reached audiences in corporations, universities, underserved schools, and prisons, proving that the values forged in the ocean can carry meaning almost anywhere.

What makes this 20th anniversary edition especially timely is its focus on connection and responsibility in a world that often feels fragmented. The book’s message is not about escaping life’s difficulties. It is about meeting them with clarity, commitment, and the willingness to choose a better path.
For readers who love surfing, Surfer’s Code remains a touchstone. For everyone else, it offers something just as valuable: a practical philosophy for navigating adversity, loss, change, and the daily challenge of living with purpose.
Tomson’s message is also extending beyond the page through the relaunch of Instinct, the iconic surf brand he originally founded in 1979. The revived label is being positioned as more than a nostalgia play, reconnecting with the values-driven spirit that has long defined Tomson’s work while introducing Instinct to a new generation. In interviews around the relaunch, Tomson has framed the brand as part of the same larger mission behind Surfer’s Code, one rooted in purpose, character, and positive choices.
Finance
PR and SEO Best Practices for Law Firms, Dentists, Wellness Companies, and Chiropractic Offices
These days, your reputation often begins online before a client ever walks through your door. Whether you run a law office, a dental practice, a wellness brand, or a chiropractic clinic, people are searching the web to find answers, compare options, and decide who they can trust. That is where public relations and search engine optimization come together.
PR shapes your story and builds credibility. SEO makes sure the right people actually see it. When the two are aligned, they create a cycle of trust and visibility that fuels growth.
Why PR Matters for Professional Services
Public relations is not just about getting your name in print. It is about shaping perception. A thoughtful media mention, a quote in an article, or a published expert opinion can position you as someone worth listening to. For a lawyer, this might mean explaining a high-profile case in plain language for the public. For a dentist, it could be offering preventative care tips during National Dental Health Month. Chiropractors might focus on wellness and posture awareness, while wellness companies can shine by connecting their products to lifestyle conversations.
“PR is about storytelling,” says Mike Falkow, CEO at Meritus Media. “For industries like law and healthcare, it is often the difference between being just another listing online and being recognized as a trusted voice.”
How SEO Brings People to You
PR helps you look credible. SEO makes you visible. If you want new clients to find you when they type into Google, you need smart SEO strategies. That includes clear keywords, easy-to-navigate websites, local business listings, and reviews.
A law firm in Los Angeles that wants more personal injury clients has to show up when someone searches for “Los Angeles personal injury attorney.” A Tampa chiropractor has to be easy to find when someone types in “back pain relief near me.” It is not just about ranking higher, it is about meeting people right at the moment they need you.
Blending PR and SEO
Here is where the magic happens. When you land a feature in a credible publication, that mention often includes a link back to your website. Google sees that link as a vote of confidence, which boosts your search rankings. On the flip side, a blog post that is written with SEO in mind can get picked up and shared if it is timely and tied to bigger conversations in the media.
According to Meritus Media, “The mistake many professionals make is treating PR and SEO as separate projects. The truth is they amplify each other. Press mentions bring credibility and backlinks, and optimized content helps that coverage travel further.”
Best Practices for Each Industry
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Law Firms: Build authority through thought leadership. Comment on relevant legal issues and create content around the cases and topics people are searching for.
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Dentists: Focus on education. Share preventative care tips, encourage reviews, and make sure your practice shows up in local searches like “dentist near me.”
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Wellness Companies: Lean into education-driven PR. Announce new research, highlight expert voices, and optimize for lifestyle searches such as “natural ways to boost energy.”
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Chiropractic Offices: Become the go-to local expert. Host workshops, engage with local press, and use SEO to highlight treatments tied to specific conditions and locations.
The Takeaway
A strong digital presence requires more than just a website. It requires being seen, being trusted, and being remembered. For law firms, dentists, wellness companies, and chiropractic offices, the smartest approach is one where PR and SEO are not competing, but working together.
As Meritus Media puts it, “It is not enough to have an online presence. You need to be discoverable, credible, and memorable. That is the sweet spot where PR and SEO intersect.”
Wellness
Andropause: The Silent Hormonal Shift Men Can’t Afford to Ignore
Men do not have a menopause moment. There is no dramatic, all-at-once hormonal cliff like women experience in midlife. Instead, there is a quieter, slower change, a gradual decline in testosterone that can take decades to unfold. For many men, it creeps in so subtly that it is brushed off as “just getting older.” But this stage of life has a name, and it can carry serious consequences: andropause.
Testosterone levels naturally drop about 1% a year starting in a man’s 30s or 40s. That might sound insignificant, but over time it can mean a major difference in energy, mood, strength, and overall health.
Dr. Anju Mathur, Medical Director at Angel Longevity Medical Center and a specialist in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, says the misconception around “male menopause” keeps too many men from seeking help. “Andropause is real, but it is not the male equivalent of menopause. It is a gradual process that can span decades, which is why so many men suffer in silence. They notice they are not feeling like themselves: less energy, decreased motivation, changes in body composition, but they are told it is just part of getting older. The truth is, optimal hormone levels are crucial for men’s health and vitality at every age.”
Beyond the Bedroom
While loss of sex drive is often the headline symptom, andropause affects much more than libido. Men may experience:
- Decreased muscle mass and strength
- Increased belly fat
- Lower bone density
- Fatigue and poor sleep
- Mood changes, depression, or irritability
- Brain fog and memory issues
Some men even get hot flashes and night sweats, symptoms they never expected to share with women in menopause.
Why It Matters for Long-Term Health
Untreated low testosterone is not just uncomfortable. It is linked to higher risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and even premature death. A large Veterans Affairs study found that men who restored testosterone to normal levels had a lower risk of heart attack or stroke, while those left untreated faced a 56% higher mortality rate.
The Diagnostic Gray Zone
Pinpointing andropause can be tricky. Symptoms overlap with stress, depression, poor sleep, and chronic illness. Blood tests help, but testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day and can be affected by illness, medications, and lifestyle. The best evaluations go beyond total testosterone to include free testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), and other hormone markers that influence function.
Treatment: More Than a Prescription
For some men, lifestyle changes such as more exercise, better sleep, and improved nutrition can make a meaningful difference in hormone balance. When testosterone therapy is necessary, it is available as gels, injections, patches, or pellets.
Dr. Mathur stresses a whole-body approach. “I do not just prescribe testosterone and send men on their way. I look at adrenal function, thyroid health, insulin sensitivity, vitamin D levels, and lifestyle factors. Sometimes optimizing those areas can naturally improve testosterone production. When replacement is needed, I use bioidentical hormones and monitor closely to ensure we are achieving optimal levels safely.”
The Functional Medicine Edge
Addressing andropause from a functional medicine perspective means getting to the root of hormone decline and addressing overall wellness. That can mean correcting nutrient deficiencies, improving sleep, reducing inflammation, and managing stress. Zinc, vitamin D, and magnesium play a particularly important role in testosterone production.
Reclaiming Vitality
Andropause does not have to signal the beginning of decline. With proper diagnosis, targeted treatment, and smart lifestyle shifts, men can maintain strength, focus, and energy well into later life.
If you are feeling unusually tired, unfocused, or unlike yourself, do not chalk it up to age. It could be your body’s way of telling you something important. Addressing andropause is less about turning back the clock and more about making the years ahead some of your best yet.
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