Tools for Health

So many of us aren’t feeling great even though we believe we are making really healthy choices.

Maybe it’s restless sleep or your workouts just feel harder than usual, and/or you might be gaining weight you never had before or can’t shed those extra pounds no matter what. Especially now, in these unsettling times, we need our body to be at its best to handle all that is going on.

When your gut health is out of balance, the effect is more than just a stomach ache—it affects your immune response, it changes how you feel, how you sleep, how you recover, how you respond to stress, how much energy you have, and even the types of foods you crave.

And this is why we connected with the company called Ixcela.

There are thousands of companies out there vying for the public’s attention. Because of this, we are super selective in our endorsement of products. It rarely happens.

Ixcela’s philosophy aligns with our foundations and, like us, Ixcela doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits all approach. Ixcela is a simple finger prick blood test done at home. Results include scores and guidance on how to improve the gut environment.

Personalized recommendations include foods to eat, supplements, mindfulness activities to explore, and exercises to do that are specifically selected for your unique results. We took the test and got surprising results that caused us to shift our behaviors. Listen to our Nourish Podcast here as we share our results.

We believe the science behind this tool, combined with our personalized coaching approach makes for an ideal next step in feeling your best.

About Ixcela

Scientists Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle and Dr. Wayne Matson explain who Ixcela is and why gut health matters.

How it all works

Purchase Program of Choice (see below).
You’ll receive an email from Ixcela including a link be prompted to complete Ixcela’s Health Profile Questionnaire.
Receive your test kit from Ixcela, collect your sample and ship it back (watch this video for keys to obtaining a successful sample).
When the results are ready, Nourish Coaches will receive your complete results and you will receive a notification.
Schedule an Initial Consult with Nourish Coaches to review your results and discuss your action steps for optimal health. (You will be prompted to complete the Nourish Coaches Health History form.)

Program of Choice Options

Basic Package: $494

Includes test kit
2 Personalized Health Coaching Sessions

Gold Standard Package 90 Day Program: $1997

- Includes two test kits (initial kit and 90 day follow up test kit)
- 9 Personalized Health Coaching Sessions over 3 months
- 3 months custom supplements

Ixcela Package Options

Ixcela Program Offerings

Still interested in the Test Kit but don’t know if health coaching sessions are for you? Contact us and we’ll get you connected with our ProCode discount.

What is Ixcela?

Ixcela is a whole person, data-driven platform that provides insight into specific foods, fitness, mindfulness activities to improve your health based on a simple finger prick sample done at home. The Ixcela test identifies imbalances in key small molecules associated with the gut microbiome, and our goal – through individualized therapy – is to restore these molecules to their proper levels with a personalized program. Ixcela has identified important gut microbial metabolites that are detectable in blood.

What’s a metabolite?

In simple terms, a metabolite is the by-product of a breakdown process in the body (e.g., digestion or another chemical breakdown process). Metabolites can come from the breakdown of consumed food, ingestion of medicines, or tissue breakdown. These metabolites then travel to different areas of the body and can serve in various functions including growth, reproduction, and health maintenance. The test Ixcela has developed to assess these metabolites can help to describe an individual’s Gastrointestinal Fitness, Immuno Fitness, Emotional Balance, Cognitive Acuity, and Energetic Efficiency.

Who is this test for?

- - Are you committed to lifelong wellness and want a tool to track your internal health?
  - Are you struggling with bloating, cramping, constipation, and other GI discomforts?
  - Are you facing a weight-loss plateau?
  - Do you constantly battle cravings?
  - Are you an athlete on a quest for improved recovery and performance?
  - Are you a professional who needs to be at peak cognitive ability and effortlessly manage stress?
  - Are you seeking a natural way to manage anxiety and/or depression?
  - Do you suffer from disrupted or poor sleep?
  - Are you in a hormonal transition phase of your life and want to feel better?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, taking the Ixcela test could help to take the guesswork out of where to start to optimize your health.

So, you got the test! Here are tips on collecting your sample:

Ixcela Instruction Video (finger prick)

- - Refrain from taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for 72 hours prior to collecting your sample.
  - Take the test before breakfast and before consuming any caffeinated beverages.
  - For easier collection, take the test right after you take a shower.
  - Make sure to use the lancet while the top of your hand is pressed down against something (it prevents the flinch reflex).
  - Keep to your normal routine.
  - Do not drink excess alcohol the night before taking the test.
  - Be sure to fill out (or update) your online health profile questionnaire in your Ixcela account.
  - Please drop your sample in the mail within 24 hours of collection.

Testimonials

As a professional Ironman athlete, whose livelihoods depend on my best performance. I need an edge to stay competitive. I’ve struggled with gut discomfort for years and through the Ixcela program, I was able to transform my dietary choices to feel better during training and racing. Other benefits I saw include improved sleep, and less sickness.”
—Sarah Piampiano | 4x Ironman Champion

Before starting the program I felt like a generally healthy person (no major issues, no diagnosed conditions, etc.) so I didn’t necessarily think I needed a program to make myself “better”. However, when I took the first test, my scores were quite low. This made me realize that I wasn’t paying enough attention to the possible imbalances in my body. I begin taking the recommended supplements (included in the subscription), and three times a week I incorporated strength training workouts into my regular cardio workouts. This change in my workout routine has made me feel stronger both physically and mentally. I feel empowered mentally as it feels great to know I am taking care of myself, and I feel healthy and more energized from a physical standpoint.”
— Alicia

I wasn’t sure about the cost and what I would get out of the program. As a result of the program, I feel more healthy, alert, and present. I’ve been surprised by the effect this had had on my mind and not just my body. It was easy for me to take the vitamins and follow the health recommendations. I also enjoyed the effects on my mental acuity, the effects on my mood, and the encouragement to pursue a mindfulness exercise every day. It’s totally worth it.”
— Greg

For my whole life, I struggled with regularity. But I was able to achieve this within a couple of months (and continue to maintain the regularity) with the Ixcela program! It also helps me manage my IBS better. Being on the program for more than two years has allowed me to monitor how my own measurements are trending. The information helps me make health changes accordingly.”
“I’m grateful that I can still dance and sing, research and write professionally, enjoy traveling, gardening, as well as lockdown time with my family—all in my 70s! To continue to enrich life, I need to focus more on daily health and wellness, and the Ixcela program is one of my choices to include in this endeavor.”
—Lillian