Functional Medicine & Therapist's Guide to Holistic Health Products for Chronic Illness
Natural Treatments for Chronic Gut, Brain, Pain, & Mental Health Symptoms Trusted by Christine Boudreau, LPC, AFMCP
My Go-To Holistic Health Products for Gut, Brain, Pain, and Mental Health
As a functional medicine practitioner and therapist, I know firsthand that the right holistic health products can make all the difference in recovering from chronic illness. Over the years, I’ve tested and personally used a variety of holistic health products.
Below is my handpicked list of non-toxic, functional wellness essentials: from kitchen staples and clean living tools to health tech, sleep support, and more.
These are the items I personally trust and regularly recommend to clients navigating chronic illness, gut health issues, brain health struggles, pain & fatigue, and mental health challenges.
Treats and Eats for Chronic Illness Support
My pantry is full of these foods from trusted brands with ingredients you can pronounce. I try to buy whole foods as much as possible. If you're struggling with unresolved health issues, contact me today. I have a proven track record of successfully treating the root cause of chronic symptoms. I help you succeed when our healthcare system runs out of options. Work with me and uncover root cause of your chronic symptoms.
Garden of Life
Protein Powder
As we age, we need more protein.
This protein powder is always in my smoothie. The added vitamins & minerals round out this product nicely. I prefer the vanilla flavor, but it also comes in chocolate. The Fit version & Sport version of this protein powder are also tasty.
Vital Proteins
Collagen Powder
I add 1 scoop of this collagen powder to my smoothie for an extra protein boost. You can also add it to coffee. There are about 28 types of collagen. This collagen may improve skin elasticity, inflammation, joint health, gut health, sleep, & mood.
Nature's Way
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are used for energy by the body.
It may improve inflammation, brain function, support heart health, and aid in weight loss. I add ~1 TBSP to my smoothies.
Organic Valley Ghee
Ghee is another great fat for cooking & baking. It tastes like nutty, creamy butter. I put ~1 TBSP in my smoothies or in a mug of bone broth. Ghee has fat-soluble vitamins, CLA, & butyrate, which may benefit gut health, inflammation, & brain health.
Spectrum Chia Seed
I add ~1 TBSP of chia seeds to my smoothies and Greek yogurt. I prefer ground chia because it doesn't get stuck in my teeth. Chia is a good source of omega-3, antioxidants, & fiber which may help with constipation. Chia may be beneficial for your heart, gut, bones, & skin.
Spectrum Flaxseed
Flax is great for smoothies & yogurt. It adds some thickness while also ramping up your omega-3 & fiber intake. I prefer to alternate chia & flax in my smoothie for a change. It's a nutrient-dense food & may benefit your heart, bone, skin, gut, & more!
Chocolove 88%
Dark Chocolate
It's important to buy choco that's been tested by 3rd parties, like Consumer Lab, because choco might contain toxins like heavy metals. Quality high-cocoa dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. These bars are divided into squares for easy portion control. The hard part for me is to only eat 1 or 2 squares per day! It helps me when I slather on some coconut oil as healthy fat & makes a more satisfying treat—helps me not eat too many squares!
Endangered Species 88%
Dark Chocolate
These choco bars are another fav of mine. UPDATE 8/17/26: Endangered Species recently changed their ingredients and swapped bittersweet chocolate for semi-sweet, which changed the flavor, and I don't like the new version. I'm hoping the backlash is intense, and they go back to the old recipe. In the meanwhile, stick with the ChocoLove (owned by the same company!) or try Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao Dark Chocolate.
Simple Mills
Sweet Thins
These chocolate crackers hit the choco spot for me. It's hard not to eat the whole box! They're made from seed & nut flours so they're gluten-free & Paleo-friendly. I like that Simple Mills ingredient lists are always clearly printed on the box, which gains my trust. And I appreciate their ingredients are simple and clean. I like many of the Simple Mills products, including their Pumpkin Muffin Mix, Brownie Mix, Protein Pancake Mix, and Sea Salt Crackers.
Siete Tortilla Chips
These tortilla chips will soon be your fav because they're light & crispy. PLUS they're gluten-free & Paleo-friendly. They're made from cassava flour. Cassava is a root vegetable with a mild flavor, similar to yucca.
Siete Tortillas
Like the Siete chips, the tortillas are made with cassava flour. We use them for breakfast burritos, turkey wraps, & bean burritos. Siete also makes great-tasting almond flour tortillas.
Try them both!
Siete Taco Shells
Siete taco shells, like the chips & tortillas, are made from cassava flour. All products are gluten-free & Paleo-friendly. My family loves taco night because of these taco shells. We avoid corn & gluten so these shells save Taco Tuesdays!
Kettle & Fire
Beef Bone Broth
I love this bone broth as a snack, especially when it's cold outside.
Pour 1 cup of bone broth into a coffee mug, add 1 tsp of ghee, microwave, stir, & enjoy!
Bone broth has many benefits: great for gut health, inflammation, joints, skin, hair, and nails.
EPIC Wagyu Beef
Steak Jerky
EPIC beef jerky tastes savory & a bit sweet thanks to the added touch of honey. It's a great on-the-go snack to up your protein intake. If you prefer less sweet, try one of their other flavors: venison, bison, chicken, or salmon.
Lesser Evil
Organic Popcorn
Popcorn can be full of toxins because corn is one of the most genetically-modified & heavily-pesticided food items. Corn can also be hard to digest. Lesser Evil has your popcorn fix without the toxicity. Try all of their flavors! You can't go wrong!
Consult with your doctor before making changes to supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
Overwhelmed and not sure what to eat for chronic health issues?
You're not alone. With so much competing information out there, it's hard to know what to eat and how to get relief from chronic gut, brain, pain, and mental health issues.
You need a trusted partner to help you connect the DOTS, uncover hidden root causes of your chronic illness, and improve your health.
That's exactly why I created the DOTS Method™ which helps you quiet all the health chaos and noise and focus on the treatment that works for you and your unique body.
Foundational Holistic Health Supplements
I believe we should try to get our nutrients from food, but when chronic illness or other factors reduce our ability to obtain the nutrition we need solely from food, I rely on supplements to make up the difference. Remember, our gut health affects our ability to absorb nutrients properly, including supplements. Take the DOTS Method Quiz to see if gut health might be impeding your body's ability to digest and absorb and discover if gut health is an underlying root cause of your chronic symptoms.
Ancient Nutrition
Soil-Based Probiotics
With over 500 probiotic species, you can quickly get overwhelmed & confused about which one to take. I simplified it into 3 categories & CFUs, which you can read about here.
This soil-based probiotic satisfies one of the categories.
Women's Multivitamin
Some women might not get enough nutrients through diet alone, which is why a good multivitamin helps. Depending on your nutrient deficiencies, Multi For Her 50+ might be a good multivitamin for you, regardless of your age.
Garden of Life
100B CFU Probiotics
This probiotic, which includes 100 billion colony forming units (CFUs), pairs well with the Ancient Nutrition SBO probiotic because of the complementary genera & strains. Read more about my approach to probiotics & their role in gut health here.
Jarrow PS 100
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a type of phospholipid that can be found in high amounts in the brain. It has been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and mood. PS has also been found to reduce cortisol levels and help alleviate symptoms of stress.
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 2X Fish Oil
Nordic Naturals is a trusted brand known for their fish oil. This particular version is high dosage, which is why I prefer it. Fish oil has a variety of benefits for both mental & physical health.
You Theory Collagen
As we age, our collagen production slows down, which might result in joint problems & loss of skin elasticity. There are about 28 types of collagen. This one is for skin, hair, & nails. It provides 6,000 mg of collagen per serving plus a bit of vita C to help with absorption.
Now
Vitamin D3 with K2
Some of us are low in vitamin D because we spend too much time indoors & wear sunscreen when we go outdoors. This D3 comes with K2, which is key for vitamin D absorption. Vitamin D may help with regulating mood as well as decreasing anxiety & depression.
Dr.'s Best High Absorption Curcumin
Curcumin (found in turmeric) may help combat inflammation. Inflammation may lead to symptoms such as anxiety, stress, & depression. Curcumin may also increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps our brains form new neurons. New neurons = ability to deal with trauma + stress.
Natural Vitality Calm
Magnesium
Magnesium is helpful because it's used by every cell in your body, & some people are deficient in it. Low levels may impact brain function & increase susceptibility to stress, which can result in depression & anxiety. This magnesium is easy to take — just add a scoop to your favorite beverage. It comes in an unflavored version as well.
Consult with your doctor before making changes to supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
Does your mind go numb when you walk by the supplement aisle at the store?
That's totally normal! Supplements are a $160 billion dollar industry with countless products. It's hard to know which brands to trust, let alone which products will actually help you. Maybe you've tried a few and didn't get results.
Either way, I'm here to help. You need a trusted expert who teaches you how to use supplements to overcome that annoying health problem that 7 doctors haven't figured out.
Hop on a 15-minute DOTS Method™ Intro call and see if the DOTS Method™ is right for you.
Holistic Calming Hacks
These items are some of my favorite ways to induce calm and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), aka rest & digest mode. If you've ever been stuck in one of the 4 Fs (fight, flight, fawn, or freeze), your sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is likely activated. Induce calm by activating the PNS.
If you consistently live in "fight or flight" and find it difficult to unwind and relax, the DOTS Method™ might be right for you. It integrates functional medicine and psychotherapy for root cause healing. Connect the DOTS and learn why you feel the way you do and why you struggle to get well. Most importantly, treat the root cause of your issues and feel your best.
Sunrise Alarm Clock
with Natural Sounds
I use this clock because it's less jarring because it mimics dawn & allows my body to gently awaken. Loud, jarring alarms may trigger your stress response, thus inducing flight/fight. For me, the nature sounds are a bonus benefit!
Polyvagal Card Deck
This is one of my favorite card decks. It sits near my desk, and I pull a card from it when I'm feeling stressed, and follow the directions. Based on the Polyvagal Theory, which explores the nervous system's role in regulating emotions & behavior, these cards help you understand and work with your autonomic nervous system to promote self-regulation and well-being. Each card has simple exercises to follow.
Acupressure Mat &
Pillow Set
Acupressure mats may stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), promoting relaxation & reducing stress. This activation may foster better sleep, pain relief, muscle tension release, & an overall sense of
calm & well-being. I use this acupressure mat at least once per week. While it looks like a medieval torture device lol, it is surprisingly calming.
Anxiety Coloring Book
I love the simple calm of coloring. Coloring can be a soothing and meditative activity. It engages your mind and hands in a repetitive, rhythmic task, which may help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. It may distract you from anxious thoughts and worries as it redirects your attention away from stressful situations. I keep this coloring book nearby and spend a few minutes coloring in it whenever my mind needs a break.
Aura Cacia Lavender
Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil may offer PNS benefits by inducing relaxation & reducing stress. Its calming aroma may promote better sleep, alleviate anxiety, ease muscle tension, & enhance well-being.
Be sure to buy a quality oil that's been 3rd party tested for purity.
Epsom Salt
I like to maximize the benefits of my bath with Epsom salt, aka magnesium sulfate. As the magnesium is absorbed thru the skin, calm feelings envelop me. A common mistake is not adding enough Epsom salt. Use 4 to 5 cups per 30 gallon tub.
Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. This is one of my treats after a long day of work. Although, I find I enjoy it more in the colder weather.
Hug Sleep
Hooded Sleep Pod
This Shark Tank product was developed by a therapist. As it swaddles you in a cocoon, it creates the feeling of a gentle hug. Adults can benefit from swaddling just like infants! It provides a sense of security, thus inducing calmness. It can lower the stress response & reduce cortisol levels, which leads to less anxiety.
4 Pound Weighted Shoulder Wrap
You've probably heard about weighted blankets by now. This shoulder wrap is like a mini weighted blanket. The benefit to a shoulder wrap is the deep pressure on the shoulders may have a calming effect on the nervous system. It's also easier to pack in a suitcase than a blanket. Each body is different so experiment to see what's right for you.
Shiatsu Neck & Shoulder
Massager with Heat
Like the shoulder wrap, this massager targets key pressure points, thus it may induce calm as it stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. It may promote relaxation and help release tension & anxiety. I find that 10 min works wonders! It's a great way to practice self-care & allow ourselves time to rest & digest.
Consult with your doctor before making changes to supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
Are you stuck in fight or flight?
If you're consistently in a high stress state and unable to unwind and relax, that's a chronic problem.
Stress may damage the gut, brain, and body.
Your body is a biochemical factory.
Nutrients are the tools the factory workers use to do their jobs.
When your body is in "rest & digest" it more easily absorbs nutrients (tools) from food in order to do stuff, like... memorizing things, solving problems, sleeping well, digesting food, and much more.
You need a trusted expert who knows how to help your factory workers get the tools they need so you can feel your best.
Contact me today.
Improve memory, cognition, sleep, digestion, and more.
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