Surthrival

by Carly Neubert, BA, NC on March 30, 2022

Our bodies are incredible. If you really think about it, our bodies can do almost anything. From creating life to the natural aging process, our bodies are complicated vessels of change and growth. We have the potential to do anything we put our minds to, and SurThrival brings that into their business. SurThrival focuses on the here and now as well as what we will be tomorrow. Preparing our bodies for long and healthy lives starts at some of the most basic internal functions our body does without us even realizing it. Digestion and overall emotional wellbeing are involved in complicated matrices of our body’s functions. The two products that I will be highlighting in this post deal with these two foundational concepts in analyzing your overall mental, physical, and emotional health.

Much like other high-end nutrition companies, SurThrival focuses a lot on highlighting their quality standards as well as the natural qualities of their ingredients. The ingredients they utilize have been used by generations of people. The goal is not to change the way that medicines were used in these ancient generations, but to simply enhance the qualities and build off of the natural elements.

SurThrival also strives to make these products available to all, and by extension, the knowledge that corresponds with using whole food supplements and formulations. The blog portion of their website does something that stands apart from other companies. Most companies have exclusively product knowledge on the blog section of their website. While this may be nice for professionals in the science field, for the general public it is not applicable or interesting. SurThrival manipulates their complex product knowledge into fun recipes and timely recommendations for seasonal allergies. This not only makes the information more absorbable and relevant to all, it makes it more fun to learn about their scientific backing and the strong quality levels they maintain.

Colostrum Powder

If you’ve been keeping up with the ever-changing supplement world as of recently, you’ll notice that there are many different forms of supplements on the market. One of the most complex ones to deal with, and the one I get the most questions on, is powder. How much do you take? How do you take it? I’ve heard all the questions you may be asking yourself right now.

SurThrival recommends taking 1 teaspoon twice daily on an empty stomach with an 8oz glass of juice or water. However, there are some new innovative ways to get your colostrum boost, like:

As a skin mask: Mix powdered colostrum supplement with a little water and/or honey, apply to skin, and rinse after mask fully dries.
As a topical ointment: Mix colostrum with sterile water of choice to form a paste. Cover the wound with the paste to assist with healing. Cover with a bandage and/or sterile gauze and re-apply with dressing changes.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth look at what colostrum is, click here to read my Colostrum blog post.

Surthrival colostrum is sourced manufactured in a GMP facility which assures there are no contaminants.

Did you know that colostrum has been used for thousands of years? Ever since cows were first domesticated approximately 10,000 years ago, colostrum has been used to give extra nutrients to those who are suffering from illnesses related to gastrointestinal issues or E-coli-related-infections.This is yet another example of how SurThrival is basing their business offerings off of the ancient scientific knowledge and theories of the generations that came before us.

Benefits

Colostrum is known as an immune booster. It is also used for stubborn digestive problems including diarrhea. SurThrival’s colostrum, however, has increased benefits that may blow your mind. Colostrum can increase lean muscle mass, and improve joint function.

I use colostrum in warm beverages and cold smoothies. I use a whisk or a fork to break up the little clumps. Colostrum has a sweet flavor and tastes fine when taken alone. If I am in a hurry, I throw a teaspoon in the back of my throat and follow with a gulp of water.

Here is one of my favorite recipes with colostrum powder:

Immune Power Bars

2 cups almonds, raw

1/2 cup golden flaxseed meal

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup creamy roasted almond butter

1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt

⅓ cup of colostrum powder

1/2 cup coconut oil

4 drops stevia

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Place almonds, flax meal, shredded coconut, almond butter, salt and colostrum in a food processor

Pulse briefly, about 10 seconds

In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil over very low heat

Remove coconut oil from stove, stir stevia, and vanilla into oil

Add coconut oil mixture to food processor and pulse until ingredients form a coarse paste

Press mixture into an 8x8 inch Pyrex baking dish

Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, until mixture hardens

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate over very low heat, stirring continuously

Remove from refrigerator, cut into bars and serve

This is based on a recipe from ElenasPantry.com

Not interested in a powder? This comes in capsule form too!

Pine Pollen

You may not have heard of this superfood supplement, but it’s a trend that’s picking up steam! Derived from trees, this supplement was originally seen in ancient Chinese cultures. Today, it has been referred to as a “male supplement,” but it can be used by anyone, regardless of gender, as women can benefit as well. A study done in 2009 analyzed the levels of arthritis present in mice with the addition of pine pollen. Daily pine pollen intake for 49 days decreased arthritis symptoms in mice. Inflammation molecules were also decreased. Want more information on pine pollen and why it’s the “bee's knees?” Check out my blog post here on pine pollen and why it may work for you.

Side Effects

Pollen is considered to be one of the most common allergens. While some people can have a mild to moderate reaction seen in the form of sneezes and sniffles, some rare instances can occur in which an individual can have a more severe reaction. Due to this connection with the common allergen, pollen, the side effects can resemble hay fever (runny nose, cough, itchy eyes). Another potential source of side effects may be due to the testosterone boosting activity of the formula. Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in the male body. It controls much of what happens in the male body during the course of their lives, from physical growth to sexual maturation. High levels of testosterone in males can lead to high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, possible damage to the heart muscles, and aggressive behavior. While these side effects may not happen to an individual if they start taking pine pollen, it is a great idea to get a baseline analysis done with your doctor to determine your levels of testosterone and if a boost is needed.

FAQ’s

How does Pine Pollen act as a good Testosterone supplement?

You may be wondering how something that comes from a tree can boost your levels of testosterone. Pollen found in the Scots Pine has been believed to be a good source for a testosterone boost. While there hasn’t been much work done into determining how much your testosterone levels will boost, it has been found to boost levels. It will be interesting to see the studies done in the future regarding Testosterone, with the increased knowledge coming out about Testosterone therapy, who would benefit from it, and the resulting effect on your Testosterone levels.

How much should you take?

The recommended dosage for the 50 mL tincture is 30 drops held under the tongue for 90 seconds (or 9 rounds of the “Happy Birthday” song) and then swallowed. For the powder, the recommended dosage is 1.5 teaspoons per day. SurThrival recommends that you dissolve the powder into a juice, blended smoothie, or water.

Conclusion

You’ve read me gush about gut health and mental health, but now I’ve thrown something else at you - hormone health! This is just one piece of the puzzle, however. In order to have a sturdy grasp on your health you need all the information on your own body and what is available on the market to try. If you have any inquiries at all about the topics I mentioned today, I’m only a click away! Schedule a consult with me, Carly Neubert BA, NC.