Recently, during my standard late-night TikTok scroll, a video popped up on my feed. In it, a woman seemed to speak directly to me, saying: “You’re not ugly, you just have cortisol face.” Bold messaging, but okay. Since then, “cortisol face’ has continued to cross my feeds. The term is all over social media. If we’re being honest, it smacks of Internet wellness talk, which often…well, isn’t necessarily rooted in science or fact. The term “cortisol face” feels new, but online chatter about cortisol is definitely not. People on social media often talk about doing things...

Zara Hanawalt • Sep 16, 2024

If you’ve spent time on social media recently, you’ve probably heard the word “colostrum” — a lot.  From people putting it in their smoothies or coffees, to your favorite influencer sharing an ad, colostrum is certainly trending online right now. According to the Internet, colostrum supplements, often taken in powdered form, are packed with benefits. Many claim colostrum has given their immune system a boost, fixed their gut issues, and even made their skin glow. What is colostrum, anyway? It gets even more interesting when you realize what colostrum actually is. Colostrum is the first form...

Zara Hanawalt • Sep 11, 2024

When I first started seeing content about intuitive eating, I was immediately intrigued. I can’t be the only person who has noticed how extreme (and extremely confusing) messages about what we “should” be eating are.  One day we’re told to avoid carbs at all costs, the next we’re told to go plant-based, and then we're encouraged to just “eat clean”. We hear that we should never skip breakfast…before being told that actually, intermittent fasting may be the “best” eating approach out there. It’s exhausting, it’s overwhelming, and it’s so confusing.  Even the more seemingly moderate approaches,...

Zara Hanawalt • Aug 28, 2024

Are you even a Millennial or Gen Z woman if your entire "for you" page isn't filled with seemingly endless ways to improve your health and wellness? From intuitive eating to somatic workouts, it can be overwhelming, to say the least. The truth is, holistic wellness isn't just about eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. It's a multifaceted approach that considers every aspect of our wellbeing — from our physical health and our emotional state to our relationships and our environment — and even the smallest of changes can make a big difference. Here's our...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Aug 27, 2024

Have you heard of Ovasitol? The supplement has been making waves on TikTok, with proponents touting its ability to improve insulin resistance and support healthy ovulation. But what is Ovasitol, and what are its benefits for women's health? Let’s discuss.  First, what is Ovasitol? Ovasitol is the brand name for inositol, an over-the-counter dietary supplement designed to support healthy insulin and hormone levels, menstrual regularity, and fertility.* It’s a combination of two sugar alcohols, myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol, which are naturally occurring in the body as well as in foods like fruits, beans, grains, and nuts. Myo-inositol...

Erin Pettis • Aug 21, 2024

Recently on social media, millennial women have been reflecting on all the blatant examples of diet culture that were simply accepted as “normal” while they were growing up. They bring to light the magazine covers picking apart female celebrities’ bodies, point out the way food and drinks were marketed to us, and share the types of comments they received from real people in their lives. In so many ways, we’re doing better today. Now, we finally have some understanding of how badly we need to confront diet culture and stop commenting on people’s bodies. We’re finally...

Zara Hanawalt • Aug 7, 2024

Estrogen, often referred to as the "female hormone," plays a crucial role in women's health throughout our lives. From puberty to menopause and beyond, this powerful hormone influences everything from bone density to mood regulation. While it's primarily associated with reproductive health, estrogen's impact extends far beyond that, affecting nearly every system in the body. However, not all women need to be concerned about increasing estrogen. In fact, many women today may experience excess estrogen, especially those of reproductive age. During perimenopause or menopause is when estrogen levels naturally begin to decline. Other scenarios where low estrogen may...

Kristyn Hodgdon • Jul 29, 2024

If you are looking to level up your gut health this year, you have probably heard conventional (and useful!) wisdom, such as prioritizing a balanced, healthy diet full of fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt. But did you know there is a game-changing option to support your gut health and microbiome? Introducing Synbiotic+, Ritual’s gut health solution — and Rescripted’s pick for anyone looking for an easy way to improve their gut health.   Rescripted members get 25% off their first month of Ritual with code RESCRIPTED25! But first, why is gut health so important? Gut health...

Erin Pettis • Jun 5, 2024

You might be familiar with the basic rules for eating during pregnancy — like avoiding raw meat or seafood, waiting to enjoy deli meats until after baby arrives, and making sure you cook those fried eggs all the way through.  Another essential nutrition tip is incorporating foods with omega-3 DHA, which can play a crucial role in a baby's development. We’ll explain why omega-3s are important, how to add foods rich in omega-3s to your diet and recommend some supplements to help ensure you’re getting enough. Because when you’ve got a baby in your belly,...

Blair Sharp • Apr 12, 2024

If you struggle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you have probably tried everything imaginable to help manage your symptoms. But what if an effective treatment for PCOS was already widely available, without any major side effects? It turns out that a decades-old diabetes medication has quietly emerged as a promising treatment for women with PCOS and other "off-label" conditions.  So, what is metformin, exactly, and is it truly a miracle treatment option for PCOS? Let’s discuss.  What is metformin? Metformin is no new kid on the block: it has been used as a first-line treatment...

Erin Pettis • Apr 9, 2024