The Reverie
Zinc Is the Quiet Hero of Your Immune System. Here's an Easy Way to Get More of It.
Cold and flu season has a way of sneaking up on you. One week you’re still pretending summer iced coffee makes sense, the next you’re washing your hands like a surgeon and side-eyeing anyone who clears their throat in public. It’s the season of immune system optimization. Elderberry gummies. Vitamin C packets. That one friend who swears by cold plunges. But beneath all the wellness noise, the foundation of a healthy immune system is still refreshingly boring: good nutrition, consistent habits, and making sure your body has the nutrients it needs to do its job. One of the most overlooked? Zinc. Zinc doesn’t get the same spotlight as vitamin C or D, but it plays a surprisingly central role in immune function, tissue repair, and cellular communication. If you’ve ever wondered why zinc lozenges pop up every winter, or whether you’re getting enough of it day to day, this is your crash course. 3 Ways Zinc Supports Your Immune System Here are three ways zinc helps your immune system stay sharp, balanced, and resilient. 1. Cell Development & Defense Zinc is essential for the development and function of T-cells in the thymus, as well as natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages, which act as your body’s first line of defense. These cells identify and eliminate pathogens before they can gain momentum. Research also suggests that when zinc supplements are taken within 24 hours of the first cold symptoms, zinc may help shorten the duration of a cold. Signaling & Regulation Your immune system runs on chemical signals. Zinc helps regulate immune cell signaling and cytokine production, making sure responses are strong enough to be effective, but not so aggressive that they cause excessive inflammation or tissue damage. Think of zinc as part thermostat, part traffic controller. Barrier Function Zinc also supports the integrity of your skin and mucosal barriers—your body’s physical front lines against bacteria and viruses. It plays a role in DNA and protein synthesis, which immune cells rely on to replicate and repair themselves efficiently. When zinc levels dip, those protective systems can weaken. How Much Zinc Do You Need Per Day? According to the Mayo Clinic, adult women age 19 and older who are not pregnant should get 8 milligrams (mg) of zinc per day, while adult men age 19 and older should get 11 mg per day. Needs vary for children and for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it’s always smart to talk with a healthcare professional if you have specific questions. The challenge isn’t knowing the number—it’s consistently hitting it without turning your life into a supplement schedule. 6 Signs You Might Be Low on Zinc Zinc deficiency can be subtle, especially in early stages. Some common signals include: Getting sick more often or taking longer to recover Slow wound healing Changes in taste or smell Dry or irritated skin Frequent mouth issues like inflammation or sensitivity Low appetite or unexplained fatigue None of these automatically mean you’re zinc deficient, but they can be clues worth paying attention to. How to Get More Zinc in Your Diet Food sources are the gold standard. Zinc is naturally found in: Shellfish (especially oysters) Red meat and poultry Pumpkin seeds and nuts Beans and lentils Whole grains and dairy products Supplements are another option, especially for people with dietary restrictions or absorption challenges. The downside? It’s one more pill to remember, and zinc supplements can sometimes cause stomach irritation when taken on an empty stomach. Which brings us to a simpler idea. Skip a Step: Boost Zinc When You Brush Your Teeth Your daily zinc intake doesn’t have to require another bottle on your counter or reminder on your phone? Better & Better’s Detoxify Zinc Toothpaste delivers 3.6 mg of zinc per brush, baked directly into a habit you already do twice a day. It also includes microdoses of vitamin E and vitamin B12, supporting gum health, tissue repair, and overall oral wellness. Instead of treating zinc like a once-a-day supplement you might forget, Detoxify turns it into a built-in ritual. Brush your teeth. Support your immune system. No extra steps required. Beyond micronutrients, Detoxify helps support a balanced oral microbiome for fresher breath and healthier gums, while being powered by hydroxyapatite and calcium to naturally remineralize enamel and strengthen teeth—all without fluoride. It’s oral care that quietly works harder in the background.
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Vitamin E for Gums: 3 Reasons You Need This Nutrient In Your Routine
If your gums ever bleed when you floss or brush, you’re not alone. Nearly half of all adults over 30 have some form of gum disease. And while our usual advice to brush and floss daily still applies, there’s one overlooked nutrient that could help: vitamin E. You’ve seen it in skincare. You’ve seen it in supplements. But vitamin E is also an unsung hero for your gums. In this article, we’ll cover: What vitamin E actually does for your gums What science says about its benefits Why we put it in our Detoxify toothpaste Let’s get into it. First Things First: What Is Vitamin E? Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which means it helps protect your cells from oxidative stress—the damage that happens when free radicals go unchecked. These unstable molecules can come from pollution, processed foods, stress, and even your own metabolism. Your body stores vitamin E in fat cells and uses it to reduce inflammation, repair tissue, and boost immune function. The recommended daily intake for adults is around 15 mg per day. When it comes to gum health, vitamin E’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers make it a compelling ingredient to have in your oral care routine. 3 Reasons Vitamin E Is Good for Your Gums Here are three science-backed reasons this antioxidant deserves a permanent spot in your oral care lineup. 1. Helps Reduce Inflammation Gum disease—whether it’s mild gingivitis or periodontitis—is essentially inflammation of the soft tissues around your teeth. That puffiness, redness, and occasional bleeding mean your immune system is reacting to bacteria buildup. Vitamin E has been shown to calm inflammatory markers in the gums. A 2021 study found that vitamin E supplementation actually reduced inflammation and improved periodontal indices, including less attachment loss (which is good, because that’s how teeth become loose). 2. Supports Healing in Gum Tissue Vitamin E is also involved in cell regeneration and tissue repair, helping cells recover and rebuild after stress or injury. In the mouth, that translates to faster healing for irritated, receding, or damaged gums. And because it’s naturally present in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (the liquid between your gums and teeth), the body clearly knows it belongs there. 3. Defends Against Oxidative Stress Your gums are exposed to all kinds of daily stressors: acids from food, bacteria from plaque, environmental toxins, and even your own immune response. Over time, that can lead to oxidative damage. Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals before they can mess with your tissue. In fact, a meta-analysis of 8 studies found that people with low vitamin E levels were more likely to have periodontal disease, suggesting a strong link between this antioxidant and gum resilience. Can Vitamin E Soothe Irritated Gums? Yes, vitamin E may help soothe irritated gums for some people. Bleeding gums are often a red flag for inflammation and plaque buildup, but vitamin E can help soothe and protect irritated areas. Whether you’re flossing for the first time in months or dealing with early-stage gum disease, this antioxidant can help minimize sensitivity and promote healing. How Vitamin E-Infused Toothpaste Promotes Gum Health We made it easy to get your daily vitamin E: just brush your teeth. Our Detoxify Toothpaste is infused with 1.4 mg of vitamin E per brush, which means you're supporting your gums every time you clean your teeth. It's like multitasking, but for your mouth. And that’s not all Detoxify delivers: Vitamin B12: Supports healthy red blood cell formation and may help reduce oral ulcers and inflammation Zinc: Balances bacteria levels, helps control plaque, and neutralizes bad breath without drying out your mouth Hydroxyapatite: A non-fluoride mineral that naturally remineralizes enamel and strengthens teeth Calcium: Works with hydroxyapatite to reinforce tooth structure and protect against erosion Detoxify gives you the best of both worlds: clean teeth and calmer gums. Get Vitamin E, Every Time You Brush When it comes to gum health, the little things matter. Daily brushing. Gentle flossing. And smart ingredients—like vitamin E—that do more than just freshen breath. By adding a microdose of vitamin E to your daily brushing routine, Detoxify does double duty: protecting your enamel and nourishing your gums. No supplements. No mouthwash cocktails. Just one tube that gets it done. Ready to make vitamin E part of your oral care routine? Try Detoxify.
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Is Mouthwash Bad for Your Mouth? Dr. Jacci’s Take
Is mouthwash a part of your oral routine? It may being doing more harm than good.
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Does B12 Give You Energy? Here’s What to Expect When You Take It
Before you drink another coffee or hit “snooze” again, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin B12. Learn how this micronutrient plays a big role in your energy levels.
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Liquid Vitamins: How They Work and 4 Reasons They’re Better than Standard Supplements
Liquid vitamins are micronutrients that you take as a mouth spray, beverage, or liquid drops. They tend to be absorbed faster into your body, since they don’t need to be broken down by your digestive system. Despite the $35 billion dollar supplement industry, it’s estimated that one out of every three Americans has at least one nutrient deficiency (the most common ones are Vitamins A, C, and D). Even with mega-doses, injections, and infusions, it can be hard to fill nutritional gaps. What gives? It turns out that it might not be the dosage of vitamins you take, but rather how you take them. For decades, vitamins have come in the form of pills, powders, capsules, and gummies. However, a growing body of research suggests that liquid vitamins are the superior way to supplement. From faster absorption rates to higher potency, liquid vitamins offer several big advantages over the sea of supplements in your local supermarket. In this article, we’ll explain how liquid vitamins work and examine four key benefits. What Are Liquid Vitamins? Liquid vitamins are micronutrients that come in the form of a liquid solution—usually as a mouth spray, beverage, or liquid drops. Liquid vitamins tend to be more bioavailable than pills, meaning they’re absorbed faster into your system. They can also be more convenient for people who have difficulty swallowing pills. Liquid vitamins often contain a combination of essential nutrients such as vitamins B12, C, D3, and E as well as minerals such as zinc. Vitamins are made into a liquid form through solubilization, which involves using water or glycerin to dissolve the nutrients. Some liquid vitamins require emulsifiers, especially fat-soluble vitamins like D and E. Emulsifiers disperse fat-soluble substances in water, creating a stable mixture. From here, flavorings or sweeteners may be added to make the liquid more palatable. How Do Liquid Vitamins Work? When you ingest liquid vitamins, the nutrients enter your digestive system where they get absorbed into your bloodstream. Since liquid vitamins are already dissolved, your body can absorb them more quickly than pills or capsules (more on this later). If you take liquid vitamins as a mouth spray, the nutrients are absorbed sublingually, meaning bypass your digestive system altogether and go straight into your bloodstream. (Check out this ultimate guide to sublingual vitamins). From here, your bloodstream carries the absorbed nutrients to the tissues and organs throughout your body, where they support crucial functions. For example, vitamin B12 boosts your energy levels, vitamin C offers immune support, and vitamin D can boost your mood. Are Liquid Vitamins Better? Liquid vitamins offer four key advantages over traditional vitamin supplements: Faster absorption rate Easier to ingest Better synergistic qualities Fewer fillers and additives Let’s break down each of these advantages in detail so you can see for yourself why liquid vitamins are better. Liquid Vitamins Absorb Faster Liquid vitamins are highly bioavailable, meaning they’re quickly absorbed into your system. When you swallow a pill or capsule, your digestive system has to break down the coatings and additives before it can access the nutrients inside. By the time that process is finished, you may only be left with a fraction of the advertised dosage of vitamins. By contrast, liquid vitamins are pre-dissolved, so your body can soak them up as soon as you ingest them. Liquid Vitamins Are Easier to Take Up to 40% of adults have difficulty swallowing pills, according to a 2018 study. If you’re in that camp, liquid vitamins are a convenient alternative. Rather than gulping down a handful of bulky pills and capsules every day, you can simply spray or swallow liquid multivitamins and get the same benefits. Liquid Vitamins Have Better Synergism With a liquid vitamin formula, you can achieve a higher level of nutrient density than you can with most pills or capsules. This enables better “synergism,” or the ability for the vitamins to increase the net effect of each other. Standard Vitamins are Full of Fillers The vast majority of dietary supplements are loaded with preservatives to increase their shelf life. Ironically, the ingredients used to preserve vitamins are linked to serious health issues. For example, sodium benzoate has been linked to liver damage, oxidative stress, and some cancers. Solid-form vitamin supplements are also notorious for containing binding agents (like gelatin), coating agents, and artificial colors—none of which have health benefits. No matter what type of vitamins you buy, always look at the ingredient list, not just the nutritional facts. This list will tell you exactly what’s in your vitamins, nasty additives and all. How to Take Liquid Vitamins Each liquid vitamin product will have its own unique set of instructions, but here are a few general guidelines: Shake the Bottle: Before taking liquid vitamins, shake the bottle well. This ensures that the nutrients are evenly distributed, especially if there is any settling. Measure the Proper Dose: Liquid vitamin sprays are pre-measured, but if you have a cap or dropper, follow the instructions for the proper dose. Take Your Vitamins with Food: Not all vitamins require food for proper absorption. However, there’s strong evidence that fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and E are better absorbed when taken with some dietary fat. Stay Consistent: When it comes to taking vitamins, small habits are better than mega doses. Keep a steady stream of nutrients in your system by incorporating them into your everyday routine. Spray Your Way to Better Health The market is flooded with liquid vitamins (pun definitely intended). But there’s only one formula designed to deliver a daily dose of essential vitamins and optimize your oral microbiome. Meet Balance: Our vitamin mouth spray that boosts your vitamin levels, fights dry mouth, balances your oral pH, protects against cavities, and freshens your breath—all without pills. Balance provides a daily dose of six essential vitamins and minerals, packed into one tiny glass bottle. A powerhouse combination of vitamins C, D3, E, B6, B12, and zinc teams up with xylitol and our oral prebiotic health blend to promote whole-body harmony. We’re proud of what we included in this formula, but we’re equally proud of what we left out. Balance is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It’s also gluten-free and 100% vegan—no animal products or testing. Put away the pills and spray your way to perpetual wellness.
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Dr. Jacci’s Tips for Staying Healthy for the Holidays
It can be hard to avoid germs and stay healthy when traveling and spending time with family over the holidays. Some ways I recommend for boosting your immune system and keeping yourself and loved ones safe are getting your annual flu shot, as well as balancing holiday food with healthy food, and taking your daily vitamins. Incorporating exercise into all the holiday family fun will also help boost your immune system! Schedule Your Annual Flu Shot Getting your annual flu shot should be at the top of your list when protecting your immune system from viruses this cold and flu season. There are around a billion cases of seasonal influenza annually, and as Covid continues to circulate after the pandemic, it is best to be proactive and get you and your family vaccinated. As the flu shot reduces morbidity and mortality, high risk individuals, such as the elderly and those with diabetes and pre-existing health issues, should consider getting vaccinated more than their counterparts. It’s not too late to receive a flu shot. Cold and flu season is fast accelerating as the holidays and colder months approach, and being prepared with your flu shot is the best way to protect you and your family from illnesses. Balance decadent holiday foods with healthier options: Indulge during the holidays! Whichever holiday you celebrate, food is a way to connect with those we love and share our love with them. Everyone gathers to eat homemade food and talk about good times and memories, so make sure you let yourself revel in it all. However, you can balance decadent holiday foods with healthier options by opting for the fruit and vegetables rather than mac and cheese, for example. Holiday party invites are circulating from friends and family, as well as for office parties, and there will surely be food and cocktails at these events. If you decide to attend them all, perhaps only indulge at some of them and not all of them, or drink plenty of water in between cocktails.There's nothing wrong with treating yourself! Take Your Vitamins Daily Vitamins will also protect your immune system against illnesses this season, and build up resistance to infections that may enter your body. As a doctor, I like to make sure my patients know that there are other ways to take vitamins besides swallowing a pill — and they can be even more effective. Liquid vitamins can reach your bloodstream faster and be used more efficiently by your body. One way to get liquid vitamins is through a spray — like Better & Better’s new Balance Oral Spray. As a surgeon and an oral care practitioner, I like this prebiotic spray because it’s great for your mouth and your whole body heath. With a few sprays per day, it restores balance to your oral microbiome, and fuels your body with a daily dose of six key vitamins and minerals. The vitamin-packed spray balances your oral microbiome, fighting dry mouth, balancing your oral pH, and protecting against cavities, canker sores, and gum disease. It also freshens breath while you’re on the go throughout the day. In the spray, the six key vitamins and minerals include a combination of vitamins C, D3, E, B6, B12 and zinc, as well as xylitol and oral prebiotics. Make Exercise Part of Your Family Fun Lastly, it's difficult to maintain your fitness routine while the kids are out of school for holiday break, and kids, too, aren't exercising as much as they might be at school. If you’re away from home, too, it can be hard to maintain the regimen you work so hard to keep. You can do home workouts instead by looking them up online or by using an app. With these workouts, you don’t need a program or gym — all you need is your body to move around at families’ houses, or wherever you’re traveling to. Getting the kids involved in exercises could include going outside to engage in snowboarding or sledding, or simply going on a nature walk to look at decorations and play in the snow. If you work remotely, then you probably know how hard it can be to incorporate a fitness regimen, whether it's the holidays or not. Again, using an app or home workout video on your lunch break or in between work is a great way to keep up a routine. If the kids are home while you're working remotely, get them involved in your workout and make it a game to see who can demonstrate the best pose or finish first! The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, but it's also a time when illnesses are taking their course. That's why it is best to defend yourself by getting your flu shot while also maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine. Getting your daily dose of vitamins to protect your immune system is critical, and can be as easy as spraying a vitamin spray, like Better & Better’s Balance, throughout the day. And remember: with all those parties you’ll be attending, there will be many opportunities to indulge, so do it! Just me sure to take care of yourself as well. Dr. Jaclyn Tomsic, MD, DMD, FACS, is a board-certified Oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMF) based out of Cleveland, OH. OMF involves extensive dental and medical education and training to achieve surgical expertise and an unparalleled understanding of esthetics.
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Is There a “Best” Time to Take Vitamin D? Science Says “Maybe”
Research suggests there's a way to "hack" your vitamin D absorption by up to 50%. Here's when to take your supplement for maximum impact.
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Dr. Jacci’s Guide to The Best Vitamins for Oral Wellness
We all know that vitamins are crucial for our whole body health. But do you know what key micronutrients do for your oral health? Our resident expert, Dr. Jacci, explains.
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A Doctor Explains: The Best Way to Get Your Vitamins
Dr. Jaclyn Tomsic, MD, DMD, FACS, is a board-certified Oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMF) based out of Cleveland, OH. OMF involves extensive dental and medical education and training to achieve surgical expertise and an unparalleled understanding of esthetics.
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