This page features some of my favourite health care products and brands that I recommend to my Spoonie sisters. I will occasionally add or remove products depending on the season or if I’ve found something even better or more relevant to share with you and the Spoonie community. If you have more questions about a product or brand, reach out let me know!
Heading into spring and summer, here’s what I have lined up for you!
Products to support sleep hygiene and energy
- Philips SmartSleep with SleepMapper App. If you struggle with falling asleep and/or waking up in the morning (especially in those dark winter months), this alarm clock is the best I’ve found. Not only does it have a wide range of colours to simulate sunrise and sunset to facilitate easing you into or out of sleep, but it has an app to help you to track your sleep habits and quality of sleep. And of course it has all of the other nifty gadgets you’d want in such a clock, like radio, alarm choices, auto-dimming, and more. If you would like a cheaper alternative, the Philips Wake Up light works great, too!
- Nicetown thermal blackout curtains. I’ve owned blackout curtains in my bedroom for well over a decade and it’s made all the difference for my sleep. They are an effective means to block out light (sun, street lamps, car lights, etc) while you’re sleeping, help somewhat in reducing outside sounds, and also help to keep the cold out in the winter (lower hydro bill, yes please!). Blackout curtains are simple to wash as needed. The darker coloured curtains are somewhat more effective in reducing light, but even the paler colours work well too.
- CanPrev Gentle Magnesium Bisglycinate powder. If you have trouble relaxing when you go to bed, have restless leg syndrome or experience spasms, cramping, soreness or even anxiety, I suggest giving magnesium a try before bed. Magnesium bisglycinate works well for musculoskeletal complaints and doesn’t provide a “flushing” effect in the gut like Magnesium citrate does. I prefer to take it in powder form with some water, but it is available in capsule form and liquid form too (at least with the Canadian brand CanPrev). If the sleep issues have to do with anxiety or nervous overstimulation, try a combination of Magnesium and L-theanine. Works great both day and night!
Products for digestive health
- AOR L-glutamine powder. L-glutamine is a common amino acid found in animal products and other protein-rich foods (eggs, fish, meat, dairy, nuts, beans, etc), so consuming L-glutamine in supplement form isn’t generally needed if you follow a whole foods diet with adequate and diverse protein sources. However, it is recommended for the purposes of healing and repair of tissues like joints, muscles, ligaments and has a particular affinity for the digestive tract. So I recommend it often for things like IBS, “leaky gut,” when working out or playing sports, and anytime there’s a round of antibiotics or getting the flu, as examples.
- Vital Proteins bovine collagen powder. Collagen powder is another excellent way to assist with healing and repair of tissues, as well as to support healthy blood sugar balance and gut health. Sometimes with chronic illness we can experience weakened states or inflamed states, such as in our gut, and we need to ease up on heavier, harder to digest foods like beans, meat and raw produce. Collagen is a great short-term substitute, and long-term complimentary supplement. I also recommend making bone broth, an excellent source of collagen and all amino acids, for even greater benefits to digestive health.
- NutraCleanse fiber blend. This is my favourite fiber blend, consisting of fenugreek, dandelion root, burdock root, flax seed and psyllium husk. It basically just tastes mildly of flax seed. This formula is rich in plant-based omega 3 and 6 sources, minerals, anti-oxidants and works to support the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Works great to help with stool transit and bulking (and constipation), detoxification (optimized gut and liver function go hand in hand) and hormone balancing, especially of estrogen. A healthy gut is a healthy Spoonie!
Products to support stress reduction
- AOR Hawthorn ll. Stress can manifest in different ways for everyone, but if you’re someone who experiences palpitations, blood pressure challenges, or working through something emotionally-taxing, Hawthorn might be worth a try (with doctor approval, if you’re on any cardiovascular-type medications). It’s also a great supplement for those who exercise or play sports by improving blood flow and oxygen supply. On a personal note, as a Spoonie who has a sensitive heart prone to big emotions, I’ve always turned to Hawthorn and Rose for heartbreaks and major stress. But hey, that’s just me!
- Phytovie Holy Basil tea. One of my favourite gentle herbs for stress. I love its grounding, zen effect when I consume it as a tea, in capsule, or tincture form, or even when I use its essential oil topically. A number of herbs used for stress and notification can actually stimulate the immune system, which is something us Spoonies need to be careful of. Thankfully, Holy Basil is safe to use and a great tonic for the nervous system.
- AOR L-theanine. L-theanine is simply an amino acid that has a multitude of functions, but is commonly used in isolation for stress relief and nervous system support. It can be used to assist with sleep, reduce heart palpitations (especially if they’re caffeine-related!) and help to reduce the experience of anxiety, without any drowsy, numb or sleepy feeling. If you are searching for stress reduction while also supporting energy and boosting cognitive function, I recommend trying matcha green tea. Matcha naturally contains lots of L-theanine which counteract the effects of caffeine in the green tea. I use it almost every work day and it gives me a lasting mental boost alongside mental clarity, without the caffeine jitters or overstimulation.
Products to keep cool and hydrated
- Ergodyne cooling vest. I have two cooling options for my Spoonies who’s conditions are aggravated by heat (eg. in Multiple Sclerosis). Cooling vests and cooling neck tubes are effective and reusable tools to keep yourself cool during the hottest days, or if you’re prone to overheating regardless of the temperature. They can really help to lessen the symptoms of your autoimmune condition if they’re prone to showing up when you’re exposed to heat, say in the summer months or when traveling to hot places.
- Nuun electrolyte tablets. Staying hydrated is really important, but so is having an optimal electrolyte balance. If you’re often thirsty and you can’t seem to quench your thirst, consider trying some electrolyte formulas, tablets or a multi-mineral supplement. You can also just do a basic homemade formula using a bit of fruit juice (or squeezed lemon, for example), with some pink or grey salt, and water. Coconut water can be a great source of electrolytes for hydration, too. I personally use Nuun tablets when I do a big workout, play sports, use a sauna… basically anytime I expect to exert my body and sweat a lot.
- Yeti rambler steel water bottle. Meet your new best friend. I cannot rave enough about Yeti water bottles, for a few reasons. For one, they are made of thick insulated steel, which makes them indestructible (I drop things constantly, so I appreciate this feature) and keeps liquids hot or cold for several hours. No worries to have your water become warm while you’re outside on a hot summer day! Also, they’re easy to carry around with their handle feature and matte finish (again, less slippery for my numb hands). Also, this particular bottle has a sort of straw-like spout to help reduce spillage if you’re moving, driving or experience some shakiness when holding things. Plus, they come in several sizes and a multitude of colours to choose from.
Want to see some of my all-time favourite products? Check out my Spoonie favourites page, updated seasonally. Feel free to share with us any recommendations to your own favourite products! Leave a comment below. Thank you!
