Supplement Glossary

A botanical or compound described as helping the body maintain a steadier stress response without acting like a stimulant or sedative.

AMP-activated protein kinase ... the cell's energy sensor that shifts metabolism toward glucose uptake, fat oxidation, and repair when energy is low.

A supplement ingredient used to bind unwanted compounds in the gut so they are carried out rather than reabsorbed.

The fraction of a nutrient or compound that actually reaches circulation and tissues in a usable form after you swallow it.

Colony-forming units, the standard probiotic label estimate for how many viable microbes a serving contains.

A mineral bound to another molecule, usually an amino acid or organic acid, to improve stability and sometimes improve absorption or tolerability.

Chinese yam, often referenced in TCM as Shan Yao, is a traditional herb and food material associated with digestive resilience, fluid balance, and restorative formula use.

An imbalance in the gut microbiome where the overall pattern of microbes is less supportive of digestion, barrier function, or immune balance.

The early breakdown a compound goes through in the gut wall and liver before much of it reaches circulation.

A nutrition-first idea that treats everyday eating patterns as a major lever for inflammation, blood sugar control, recovery, and long-term health outcomes.

The use of whole plants, plant parts, or standardized botanical extracts to support physiology, recovery, and long-term health goals.

A whole-person approach that looks at health through interacting systems such as sleep, stress, nutrition, inflammation, movement, and recovery capacity.

Indian quassiawood, often listed in TCM references as Ku Mu, is a bitter traditional herb name that still appears in archived herb indexes and cross-site citations.

A delivery format that wraps a compound in phospholipid spheres to improve absorption and protect it through digestion.

A core biochemical process that moves single-carbon methyl groups onto other molecules to support gene regulation, neurotransmitter handling, phospholipid production, and homocysteine balance.

A methylated form of vitamin B12 that can directly participate in remethylation reactions tied to homocysteine and folate cycling.

The biologically active folate form used directly in one-carbon metabolism and many methylation reactions.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ... a coenzyme required for cellular energy production, DNA repair, and sirtuin activity.

A clinical framework that combines lifestyle medicine, nutrition, botanical strategies, and targeted supplementation to support physiology and recovery.

A botanical compound complexed to phospholipids to improve absorption, especially for poorly absorbed plant actives.

Plantain seed, often referenced in TCM as Che Qian Zi, is a traditional herb associated with fluid balance, urinary support, and heat-clearing formulas.

Red peony root, often called Chi Shao in TCM, is a traditional herb associated with circulation, heat-clearing, and blood-related formula work.

Seed of Chinese arborvitae, often called Bai Zi Ren in TCM, is a traditional herb name most often associated with calming and restorative formula contexts.

A family of NAD+-dependent enzymes involved in stress response, gene regulation, mitochondrial function, and cellular repair.

A plant extract manufactured to deliver a defined amount of one or more marker compounds in each dose.

A long-established East Asian medical system that interprets herbs, formulas, symptoms, and body patterns through a distinct traditional framework often shortened to TCM.