Celebrating International Women's Day: Female Entrepreneurs in the Nutrition Industry
International Women's Day is a time to honor the achievements of women around the world. It's a day that celebrates women's social, economic, cultural, and political advancements. In the realm of entrepreneurship, particularly in the nutrition industry, women have been making significant strides, breaking barriers, and creating influential brands that are changing the way we think about health and wellness. Today, we spotlight some remarkable women entrepreneurs who have founded or co-founded nutrition brands, inspiring a healthier world.
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Dr. AMY MYERS: A Visionary in Nutrition Wellness
When celebrating International Women's Day, it's crucial to acknowledge women like Dr. Amy Myers, who have revolutionized our understanding of health and nutrition. Dr. Myers is not only a physician; she's a vanguard in the field of functional medicine and a successful entrepreneur.
Dr. Myers is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, wife, mother, and the visionary and CEO behind the influential e-commerce wellness brand, Amy Myers MD®, reaching millions of people in over 125 countries around the world.
As an author, Dr. Myers has contributed significantly to public education on health and nutrition. Her books, including "The Autoimmune Solution" and "The Thyroid Connection," offer insights into managing autoimmune diseases and thyroid issues through dietary and lifestyle changes. These publications have been instrumental in helping thousands understand the connection between their health and the food they consume.
She is a renowned leader in functional medicine, a discipline that takes a holistic approach to health, focusing on identifying and addressing the root cause of diseases. She earned her Doctorate in Medicine from LSU Health Sciences Center and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Maryland. However, her journey into functional medicine began with her health challenges, which conventional medicine struggled to address effectively.
LESLIE KENNY: A Champion of Health and Wellness
Leslie Kenny, Founder & CEO of Oxford Healthspan, leads her company with a unique selling proposition focused on connecting clients with breakthrough molecules that support healthy aging.
In her 30s, she was diagnosed with a variety of autoimmune disorders, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism. Her physicians informed her that there was no cure and that she could only be treated with severe immunosuppressive drugs.
This did not set well with her. Coming from a Taiwanese family, she was nurtured with the belief that it is important to trust your body's natural healing abilities. Why would she suppress her immune system instead of allowing it to function normally?
To improve her health, she returned to school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. Her enthusiasm for health optimization intensified, and her career took a fascinating and unexpected turn when she went to Oxford and began working with Oxford University scientists and clinicians.
In addition to becoming a certified health coach, Leslie began assisting scientists at top European universities, like the University of Oxford, in raising funds for their health research. In a discussion with one of these scientists, she learned about spermidine, a natural component found in natto, a Japanese fermented soybean dish.
Spermidine showed tremendous promise in promoting healthy aging due to its capacity to activate autophagy, our body's cellular renewal mechanism that decreases as we age. The evidence was persuasive; experts referred to it as "an anti-aging vitamin," and it was harmless. However, because it was a natural and food-derived molecule rather than a medicine that would generate more revenue, no one wanted to promote it.
FLEUR SLADEN: From Kitchen to Blooming Blends
Fleur Sladen is the founder of Blooming Blends, a brand that offers a range of herbal tinctures, combining ancient herbal wisdom with modern methods. These tinctures are designed to support, strengthen, and balance the body, with each formula containing six active and powerful herbs. The brand focuses on various aspects of health, such as sleep, digestion, stress, mood, immunity, sex, and general well-being.
Sladen started formulating the blends while working long hours in a kitchen, seeking a natural, herbal product to provide energy, strength, and balance. Her discovery of botanical tinctures and their traditional use in herbal medicine inspired her to create Blooming Blends. She noticed a lack of such tinctures in the UK market, especially those that were easy to use and had clear information available, leading to the foundation of her brand.
In an interview, Sladen expressed her passion for reconnecting people with natural healing methods and traditional ways of taking herbs. She highlighted the effectiveness of tinctures, comparing them to herbal teas but with a much higher potency. Sladen also mentioned her previous experience in the wellbeing industry, running a successful food delivery service, and her observation of a growing appreciation for traditional approaches to health and wellness.
As for the uniqueness of Blooming Blends, Sladen emphasized the careful crafting of the tinctures, ensuring that all the botanicals in each blend work synergistically. The brand's tinctures are alcohol-free while maintaining the highest potency of the herbal benefits. They are also known for their pleasant taste, often compared to 'herbal honey'.
Balancing her business with personal life, Sladen tries to spend as much time outdoors as possible, stepping away from the pressures of work to focus on family and life. She maintains her wellbeing through an active lifestyle, a healthy diet, a rigorous skincare routine, and, of course, her own tinctures, along with other supplements.
ALISON LEIGHTON: A Beacon of Holistic Health
“I’m on a mission to help as many people as possible to improve their health, I have combined my many years of professional knowledge and personal experience to create the most effective castor oil packing treatment available”
Alison Leighton- founder of Castorvida - her journey in the realm of health and nutrition are both inspiring and commendable. As a registered nutritional therapist and colonic hydrotherapist, she embodies the essence of holistic healthcare — treating the whole person, not just symptoms. Her educational foundation at the Institute of Optimum Nutrition, known for its rigorous and comprehensive approach, has equipped her with an extensive knowledge base that she brings to her practice.
Alison's practice in Brough, Hull, is more than just a clinic; it's a sanctuary for those seeking to improve their digestive health and overall well-being. Recognized for its remarkable success, her approach combines scientific knowledge with a deep understanding of the human body and its connection to nutrition and lifestyle.
As a member of RICTAT (The International Register of Integrative Colon Therapists and Trainers), Alison stands among professionals who are committed to the highest standards in colon therapy. This affiliation further highlights her dedication to providing safe, effective, and evidence-based treatments.
Alison's work in promoting digestive health is a testament to the critical role nutrition plays in our overall well-being. She has not only helped numerous individuals through her practice but also serves as a role model for aspiring nutritional therapists.
Dr. TORI HUDSON - Vitanica
Dr. Tori Hudson, a Naturopathic Physician, graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 1984 and has served the institution in a variety of roles, including Medical Director, Associate Academic Dean, and Academic Dean. She is now a clinical adjunct professor at NUNM, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University, and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Hudson has been in practice for over 36 years. She is the medical director of her clinic, "A Woman's Time" in Portland, Oregon, co-owner and director of product development and education for VITANICA, and program director for the Institute of Women's Health and Integrative Medicine. She is also the founder and co-director of NERC (Naturopathic Education and Research Consortium), a non-profit organization that supports recognized naturopathic residencies.
Dr. Hudson has been named a Fellow in Integrative Health and Medicine by the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine.
Dr. Hudson received the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians President's Award in 1990 for her research on women's health, the prestigious Naturopathic Physician of the Year Award in 1999, the NUNM Alumni Pioneer Award in 2003, the Natural Products Association Pioneer Award in 2009, and induction into the NUNM Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2016, she received the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians' "Living Legends" honor.
She is a nationally known author (The Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Second Edition, McGraw Hill 2008), speaker, educator, researcher, and physician. Dr. Hudson is on various editorial boards, advisory panels, and consults for the natural goods business. She publishes monthly columns and freelance articles for many newspapers.
Emma Cannings - Co-founder Thera Nordic
THERA Nordic is a next generation gut health company. They design products that deliver what they promise. THERA Nordic products will never contain unnecessary fillers and contain only the highest quality functional ingredients.
Emma has dedicated over two decades to the health and wellness sector. Her deep understanding of nutrition and wider interest in overall health led her to focus heavily on the connection between the gut and overall well-being. Much of her drive also comes from a lifetime of struggling with gut issues. As a teenager in the 1990’s there seemed very little awareness of gut issues and very few options available. So, a significant amount of her personal learning has been developed in navigating a complex landscape to help fix her own gut health problems.
This passion ultimately inspired her collaboration with Joni to establish THERA Nordic UK. Emma is a huge advocate for their product range, REZCUE and Triple Digest in particular, not just because of the impact that they are demonstrably having on so many people’s lives, but because they finally resolved the issues that she had been struggling with for so many decades.
This passion ultimately inspired her collaboration with Joni to establish THERA Nordic UK. Emma is a huge advocate for their product range, REZCUE and Triple Digest in particular, not just because of the impact that they are demonstrably having on so many people’s lives, but because they finally resolved the issues that she had been struggling with for so many decades.
As we conclude our celebration of these remarkable women in health and wellness, it's evident that their contributions extend far beyond their individual achievements. Each of them embody the spirit of innovation, dedication, and compassion that drives progress in holistic health and functional medicine. They have not only transformed their own lives but have also empowered countless others to take control of their health through education, advocacy, and direct action.
In honor of International Women's Day, let's support and uplift the voices of women everywhere who are making a difference in health and wellness. Together, we can continue to break barriers, challenge the status quo, and build a future where holistic health is accessible to all.
