Technology and modern life have afforded much of the world many advantages: access to plentiful variety of food, medicines, safe and comfortable homes, running water, and overall a very clean and sanitized life, largely free from the dangers that our ancestors faced. These modern miracles have significantly extended the average lifespan and eradicated many acute infectious diseases that previously affected millions.
However, there have been some trade-offs in the process. As society has transitioned from agrarian to largely urban, we spend much less time with our hands in the dirt, out in the fresh air and sunshine. Instead, as the ‘Indoor Generation’, as much as 90 percent of us spend about 22 hours a day indoors 1. In exchange for convenience, safety, and longer lifespans, we have seen a considerable rise in chronic diseases, including allergies and chronic inflammatory conditions.
There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that our lack of contact, especially at an early age, with the soil and the many microorganisms it hosts has contributed in part to the rise in allergy, inflammation and autoimmunity. This ‘old friends’ hypothesis suggests that our passive consumption of soil microbes early in life helped train our immune systems and seeded our gut microbiome with friendly bacteria and other beneficial compounds. With over-farmed soils depleted of minerals of trace elements, we may also be missing out on certain factors in our diet that support health.
In some herbal medicine traditions, mineral rich soil compounds have been used for centuries as a restorative tonic for many health concerns. Shilajit, from the Ayurvedic tradition, gathered from high mountain rocks, is the longest used of these preparations.
This month’s featured product, Mother Earth Labs’ Humic Fulvic, formerly known as ‘the Gift’, is a modern variation of these traditional remedies sourced from mineral rich ancient seabeds in the western United States.
As its name indicates, this formula contains main active ingredients Humic and Fulvic acid, compounds found naturally in soil, decayed plant material and mineral deposits. In addition, the formula also contains over 74 naturally occurring macro & micro-nutrients and trace minerals in highly absorbable form. Humic and fulvic acids aid in the delivery of these nutrients, and the potential benefits do not stop there.
Cell, animal, and some human studies show that humic and fulvic acid may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune supportive qualities. Other potential benefits include improved cognitive function, mitochondrial/energy support, gut function and integrity, muscle strength, and much more. More human clinical trials are needed, but between its long history of traditional use and current research, there is good reason to consider humic/fulvic acid compounds as general restoratives.
It is very important to note that, because of the growing popularity of remedies containing humic and fulvic acid, not all products are equal. As some manufacturers rush to cash in, they aren’t always careful to obtain raw materials from clean sources or test thoroughly for potential contaminants such as heavy metals, pathogens, or toxic mold and fungi. This is especially important for any product derived from soil or mined from rock deposits.
Fortunately, Mother Earth Labs has years of experience sourcing and processing quality raw materials in their state-of-the-art facility, testing for potency, uniformity and purity, and following strict cGMP manufacturing and testing standards. With advanced processing techniques, Mother Earth Labs has been able to highly concentrate humic and fulvic acid into highly absorbable liquid, and now, capsule forms.
It is recommended to take Humic and Fulvic with non-chlorinated water, as directed on the bottle, or with the guidance of a practitioner experienced with its use. While research suggests a good safety record, do not exceed recommended dosages. While this formula may offer many benefits as a general rejuvenative, immune tonic, antioxidant and more, it is not a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle.
References:
1. Walden, Stephanie. ‘The “Indoor Generation” and the health risks of spending more time inside’. Published online. May 15, 2018. 2. Kubala, Jillian, MS, RD. “What is Fulvic Acid, and Does It Have Benefits?” Published online. April 24, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fulvic-acid#...
