Wellness

Should We Take Our Supplements With or Without Food?

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aa-8.jpgAlthough most anti-aging supplements can be taken any time, some have special requirements, and others might make us feel a little queasy unless we eat something first.

If you’re like most people, taking your once-daily, regular mealtime and occasional special-time supplements can be a bit of a pain. Trying to remember what should be taken with or without food is an annoyance.

The solution is a quick guide to when to take the most common supplements for maximum benefit and minimum discomfort, with a little background info tossed in for good measure.

When to Take Anti-Aging Supplements

  • Hydrochloric acid supplements and Betaine hydrochloride should be consumed immediately before a meal. As we get older, we produce less of this essential digestive juice, and we all can benefit from a little extra to help us get the most out of our foods. On an empty stomach, it can actually start to burn — natural because it’s stomach acid — but a little food right away solves this.
  • Digestive enzymes such as bromelain, or any of the enzymes derived from pineapple, papaya and many other sources, work fine on an empty stomach, although most container directions suggest taking it with a meal — after all, they’re intended to digest protein, prevent gas and bloating, and aid the breakdown of our food into a digestible form. But when used to help reduce inflammation, they should be taken in between meals on an empty stomach. Otherwise, they’ll use themselves up as digestive enzymes instead of working their way to the inflammation.
  • Probiotics, the supplements that contain helpful bacteria like those found in yogurt, are best consumed on an empty stomach. Acidophilus and the dozen or more other probiotics available help maintain a healthy intestinal environment. They are especially beneficial, even necessary, for replacing the intestinal flora that prescription antibiotics rapidly kill off. Probiotics are a great treatment for a Candida yeast overgrowth, which also depletes our natural supply.

Vitamins are not all the same, but as part of an anti-aging program they are absolutely essential. Some are water soluble, others a fat soluble, and the rest don’t care one way or the other.

  • Vitamins A, D and E are fat-soluble vitamins, so they’re all best taken with a meal that includes at least some fat or oil. Some people find that taking these vitamins with just a glass of whole milk does the job — but don’t use skim because it doesn’t have the needed fat.
  • B Complex vitamins can cause some stomach upset, so it’s not a bad idea to take them with at least a snack. Most are water soluble, so anything really greasy will interfere with absorption. If you are taking folic acid or B12 (cyanocobalimin) separately, its best to take them on an empty stomach. When part of your B complex, though, they’re fine with the light snack.
  • Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that many people concerned with anti-aging rely on at the first signs of a cold, flu or infection as well as its antioxidant properties. Vitamin C is acidic, but even taken on an empty stomach with lots of water doesn’t upset most tummies. Non-acidic forms of the vitamin are available as supplements, which can guarantee there’s no stomach or digestive upset.
  • Iron supplements alone to treat anemia are best on an empty stomach, and not in combination with other supplements, especially vitamin E and calcium. The small amounts of iron in most multivitamin-mineral pills is ok with a snack.
  • Bioflavonoids, more correctly called flavonoids, are substances derived from plants that many people take as supplements. These are best taken on an empty stomach. Flavonoids are known for antioxidant activity, but research now shows that their health benefits against cancer and heart disease are the result of the body’s rejection of them as foreign substances, triggering a response that attacks other unwanted substances such as cancer cells.
  • Phytochemicals, like flavonoids, are another group of plant-derived chemicals best taken on an empty stomach. Phytochemicals have been used for thousands of years for their therapeutic benefits, but today, instead of having to eat the actual plant, or a tea made from it, science has found ways to extract a few of them into pills. We have lots to look forward to, because there are thousands and thousands of potentially therapeutic phytochemicals, and only a tiny fraction have been fully researched.

Once we have these basics down, we can continue to comfortably pursue our day without worrying whether we did it right or wrong, knowing we’re getting the most from our vites. And it’s also good to know we don’t have to suffer an upset or painful stomach from our anti-aging supplements — at our age, we’ve probably got all the aches and pains we can take!

Finance

PR and SEO Best Practices for Law Firms, Dentists, Wellness Companies, and Chiropractic Offices

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PR and SEO best practices for law firms, dentists, wellness companies, 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

  • Law Firms: Build authority through thought leadership. Comment on relevant legal issues and create content around the cases and topics people are searching for.

  • Dentists: Focus on education. Share preventative care tips, encourage reviews, and make sure your practice shows up in local searches like “dentist near me.”

  • 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.”

  • 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.”

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Wellness

Andropause: The Silent Hormonal Shift Men Can’t Afford to Ignore

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andropause

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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Wellness

The Shift Toward Holistic Medicine: Why Preventative Care Is Gaining Ground

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A woman meditating in a peaceful natural setting, representing holistic wellness

The modern patient is changing. Walk into any health clinic today, and you’re just as likely to hear questions about inflammation, hormone balance, or gut health as you are about blood pressure and cholesterol. What’s driving this shift? A growing desire for healthcare that doesn’t just treat symptoms, but aims to prevent illness altogether.

Holistic medicine, once seen as alternative or fringe, is now finding its place in mainstream conversations. More and more people are asking not just, “What’s wrong with me?” but “How can I stay well in the first place?”

Dr. Anju Mathur, founder of Angel Longevity Medical Center in Los Angeles, sees this change every day in her practice. “People are tired of quick fixes and long-term prescriptions that don’t get to the root of their health concerns. They want a path that looks at the full picture: lifestyle, nutrition, stress, and environment. Not just a pill for the problem,” she says.

Functional and integrative medicine clinics are growing in number, and with them, a shift in mindset. Patients are prioritizing sleep, hormone balance, stress management, and immune support. They’re investing in regular lab work and diagnostic screenings not because something feels wrong, but because they want to make sure things stay right.

It’s not just a personal health decision. It’s a financial one too. Preventative care has the potential to reduce the long-term costs of chronic conditions that develop silently over time, like diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders. And with more wearable tech, at-home tests, and functional health platforms available than ever before, people have the tools to take control of their health in a way that wasn’t possible a decade ago.

One standout area drawing increased attention is peptide therapy. Peptides, short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body, have become a key tool in regenerative and preventative wellness. Medical-grade peptides are used to support muscle growth, improve cognitive function, repair tissues, and modulate immune response. At the same time, plant-based peptides are being explored for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-aging properties.

Dr. Mark Bartlett, Chief Science Officer at MAKE Wellness, sees peptides as a natural evolution in the holistic health movement. “Peptides offer highly targeted support for the body’s own healing mechanisms,” he explains. “Whether derived from natural sources or produced synthetically, they can play a powerful role in optimizing performance and restoring balance, especially when combined with foundational practices like proper nutrition, sleep, and movement.”

This isn’t about turning away from traditional medicine. It’s about expanding the definition of what care looks like and when it starts.

As Dr. Mathur puts it, “The best medicine is proactive. If you wait until your body is yelling at you, you’ve already missed the quiet signs it was giving all along.”

The future of health isn’t just in the treatment room. It’s in the choices we make every day, and in a growing number of people, those choices are leaning toward a more holistic path.

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© 2025 Good Life Guide | The information provided on Good Life Guide is for general informational and editorial purposes only and is not intended as professional or medical advice. Readers should consult appropriate professionals before making any decisions based on the content. Site by Meritus