We caught up with MoonJuice founder Amanda Chantal Bacon and had a few questions about SuperPower, how we can continue to support our immune systems in our daily habits, and how to find the best ingredients when choosing natural supplements.
Amanda Chantal Bacon launched MoonJuice in 2011, after a lifetime of studying the power of raw plants and herbs while working in the culinary industry and using her knowledge to heal an autoimmune disorder. MoonJuice “bridges the world of alchemy and biology for functional benefits”, and is known for ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients. With packaging that sits just as beautifully on the night stand as in the medicine cabinet, we are fairly certain it really belongs in the pantry, if not on our kitchen counters. With a collection of adaptogenic dusts, powders, concentrates, and a potent skincare line, MoonJuice promises daily support for balanced moods, a clear mind, better libido, glowing skin and now, immunity.
SuperPower uses organic U.S. sourced ingredients like Vitamins D and C, Beta-Glucan from California reishi mushrooms, and fabled immune booster Zinc, from Georgia that all employ liposomal and chelated technology, which means our bodies can easily absorb higher amounts of these key ingredients for a more effective and concentrated dose of immune power support.
JVBCOM: Tell us a little bit about the story behind SuperPower, was there a defining moment that made you decide to create this offering?
Amanda Chantal Bacon: I’ve been taking Vitamins C, D, Beta Glucans, & Zinc daily for years – cocktailing the best I could find. I wanted to create a formula with these four immune fundamentals in their best source, dose, & form. It took two years to get 100% US sourcing, organic ingredients, vegan sources of D and Beta Glucans (mushrooms), and to find a patented dehydrated liposome C.
JVBCOM: In addition to high quality supplements like SuperPower, what are other ways in which we can support our immune system?
ACB: Daily factors like sleep, stress, and nutrition either support or compromise your system. Aim for eight or more hours nightly, low glycemic, nourishing foods, daily habits to destress, and supplementation to support any deficiencies.
JVBCOM: We love the simple, transparent ingredient list, but not all supplements are created equal. Could you give us some pointers to consider when shopping for immune support?
ACB: This is a huge focus of ours! Marketing can be misleading but if you know how to read the supplement facts panel (SFP) you can determine for yourself if it’s clean and potent.
For immune supplements, start with the dose. You want intense doses to ensure potency. Look at the SFP for % DV (percentage of daily value). For example, SuperPower is packed with 1,000% DV of Vitamin C. Cells need high concentrations of C to initiate the first line of defense and 4,000 IU of vitamin D.
Next up, you want to examine the source. Where are your ingredients coming from? The source determines the purity and quality of the ingredients. You can see where the vitamin is sourced from in the brackets after the vitamin name on the supplement facts panel, and the company should provide a clear location of origin on the product site. An unlisted origin is an indication of a commodity ingredient — commodity ingredients are typically the cheapest forms on the market and aren’t 100% traceable.
Then, form. We only formulate with bioactive and bioavailable ingredients. Simply put this means your body can absorb and put them to use (rather than peeing them out!). Look for adjectives like methylated, chelated, and liposomal forms. For example, our Zinc in SuperPower is chelated which means it’s bound to an amino acid to improve bioavailability and reduce discomfort in the gut.
Last but not least, look at “other ingredients.” Watch out for agents, additives, binders, or coatings. As they can negatively affect bioavailability and could be harmful to consume (for example Magnesium Stearate, pharmaceutical glaze, stearin, corn starch).
JVBCOM: If there is one practice we could commit to in our daily lives to help make our minds and bodies more receptive to immune support, what would it be?
ACB: Stress and sleep! High levels of cortisol can suppress immune response and impact the number of white blood cells in the body. Getting less than six hours makes you more likely to catch a cold and slows recovery.
