Frequently Asked Questions | Fermented Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions

Search below if you have questions about our product, fermentation or its effect on the body.  If you don’t find what you are looking for here, email us at

General Info

How can I reach your customer service department?

You may contact us at 1-877-410-2014 or by email at

What are the Fermented Essentials Customer Service hours of business?


What is your company address?

The parent company of Fermented Essentials is The Nutra Company, Inc. and is located at 515-A St. Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC 27605.

May I purchase Fermented Essentials from The Nutra Company in person?

Fermented Essentials is only available online or through specialty wellness practitioners and select retailers.

Which credit cards do you accept for processing orders?


What is the ship time for products?

Fermented Essentials ships from our fulfillment center in Memphis, TN. Generally, orders will be received within 3 to 5 business days for most of the country, but west coast delivery may take slightly longer. We ship the same day anywhere in the US when the order is received by 12:00 Noon EST. Orders received after 12:00 Noon EST will be processed and shipped the following business day.

What is the Fermented Essentials product guarantee?

At Fermented Essentials we are committed to the service and satisfaction of our customers. We are so confident in the quality and effectiveness of all our products that we provide our customers an industry leading risk free trial.

All products carry a risk free trial for 30 days from the date of your first purchase. If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, please return any unused portion for a refund of the purchase price, less shipping.

Our goal is to make sure you are 100% satisfied with our products, service, and your purchase. If for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please allow us the opportunity to create a better experience for you. For comments and recommendations please contact us at:

What is Autoship?


How can I cancel or adjust my Autoship program?

You can cancel your autoship at any time by visiting the “My Account” section in the website footer section. To adjust your autoship, please contact customer service at (919) 307-3495 or by email at and we’ll be happy to accommodate your request.

What is Fermented Essentials?

What is Fermented Essentials?

Fermented Essentials is a high-performance therapeutic food. Its components work together, in synergy, to activate the major physiologic processes of the body:

  • The probiotics prepare the body to digest and assimilate food efficiently.
  • The enzymes activate digestion.
  • Fermentation enhances the synergy of the ingredients and delivers enhanced health benefits. Fermentation improves the body’s ability to absorb and assimilate nutrients (bioavailability) and introduces probiotics, the good bacteria essential for healthy digestion.
  • The complexity of the whole-foods matrix in Fermented Essentials enhances the ability of the genome to adapt to changes in the environment.
  • The herbal elements can help modulate the inflammatory system.
What is the difference between Fermented Essentials and other nutritional products?

The primary difference between Fermented Essentials and other nutritional products is that Fermented Essentials is specifically designed to fill the nutritional gaps between the diets of the world’s healthiest people and people living in the modern world of fast food, chronic stress and exposure to a variety of harmful chemicals.

Fermented Essentials – our whole food, organic, fermented nutritional supplement – was created to support those with busy lives, enabling you to easily and conveniently incorporate fermented foods consumed by the healthiest people on the planet into our daily lives. The first main differentiator between Fermented Essentials and other nutritional supplements is that Fermented Essentials is a fermented, organic, plant-based whole food. The vast majority of nutritional supplements on the market are synthetic, or at the very least, contain synthetic ingredients. Second, Fermented Essentials includes the specific foods consumed by the world’s healthiest people. Third, Fermented Essentials is USDA Certified Organic, vegan, dairy free and GMO free. And most importantly, Fermented Essentials is fermented. The process of fermentation breaks down the nutrition so it becomes highly bioavailable to the body.

Why was Fermented Essentials created?
Fermented Essentials was created to bridge the nutritional gap between the Standard American Diet (SAD) and what individuals in Longevity Hot Spots have consumed for millennia. When you take Fermented Essentials as recommended, you give your body the nutritional support to help you reach optimal health—the kind of health enjoyed by Longevity Hot Spot residents.
Where is Fermented Essentials manufactured?
The manufacturing facility is in the US, and the vast majority of ingredients are sourced from organic farmland in US. Depending on availability some ingredients are sourced outside the US from time to time.
Can I buy Fermented Essentials in health food stores?
Currently Fermented Essentials is available online and through select wellness practitioners in the US and soon will be available in select health food stores in the US.
What is the pH of Essentials?
Fermented Essentials has a pH of 8.53.
How does Fermented Essentials go from its natural food state to a powder? Does it go through some sort of chemical process to get into a powder form?
When the foods (fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.) arrive at the manufacturing facility, they are cleaned, dehydrated and run through a specifically calibrated fine mesh screen. Next, the ingredients that will be fermented are placed into the fermentation vat for processing. Once completed, the other ingredients, i.e., probiotics, enzymes and minerals are added and the finished product is placed into containers. There are no harmful chemicals used in the process.
What is Fermented Essentials' ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value?
Fermented Essentials was not created specifically to be a high ORAC product although it has a fairly high ORAC simply because it contains very nutrient dense fruits and vegetables. Some companies play an ORAC game of “how high can we go”. However, most recent studies show that extremely high ORAC products reach a point of diminished returns and can even be counterproductive for health, since we actually need some free radicals in our immune system. Additionally, some antioxidants in supplement form are not natural (synthetic) and can become free radicals themselves, which does not happen when consumed from whole food form (an antioxidant becomes a free radical as soon as it donates its electron to neutralize another free radical. Another antioxidant then comes along and neutralizes the new free radical, and so on in a chain. In a food, the antioxidant power will happen and then it will all get neutralized). However, there is no research suggesting the same of high ORAC food. As per usual, if it’s something that would be part of a natural diet, it’s almost certain to be healthy. Each scoop of Fermented Essentials has an ORAC of approximately 1250, so two scoops would be around 2500. Where Fermented Essentials differs from most HIGH ORAC products is that Fermented Essentials is not an isolated nutrient such as a synthetic vitamin supplement or juice. It is estimated that average ORAC in the Longevity Hot Spots range between 10,000 to 15,000. The RDA recommend daily ORAC amount is 3500-6000.
Is Fermented Essentials FDA Approved?
Fermented Essentials is considered FDA GRAS (generally recognized as safe) which means all of the ingredients in Fermented Essentials are recognized by the FDA as safe for human consumption. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), dietary supplement manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. There is no FDA requirement to register products with the FDA nor get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements. Manufacturers must make sure that the product label information is truthful and not misleading, and the FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement. The FDA does regulate the types of claims that can be made about supplements and food. Two servings of Fermented Essentials qualifies for the FDA's "heart health" claim.
Why is Fermented Essentials fermented?

Fermented Essentials is fermented to maximize absorption of the nutrition. The fermentation process breaks down the nutrients making them easier for the body to digest and assimilate. A good analogy is that of milk and yogurt. Most people who are allergic to milk can have yogurt with no ill effects. Why? After all, what is Yogurt? Fermented milk. The process of fermenting the milk breaks down the nutrition making it easier for the body to absorb. Humans have utilized fermentation to preserve and optimize the nutritional value of food since we have been on the planet. Fifty years ago, with the introduction of modern refrigeration and chemical preservatives, we interrupted the habit of canning and storing fruits and vegetables so we would have something to eat over the winter. In so doing, we mitigated the consumption of fermented foods and deprived our body from of the essential benefits that can only be attained through the consumption of fermented foods. Here are some of the benefits of consuming fermented foods:

  • Probiotics predigest food, taking macro molecules of food turning them into micro molecules that can be consumed by our cells.
  • Probiotics also configure the nutritional molecules contained in food into the right size, shape and form to fit into receptors on the surface of the cells, allowing activation of these receptors; in other words, turn on the cells.
  • Fermentation creates hundreds of nutritional metabolites not in the original food. This greatly magnifies the nutritional density of the food. Fermentation provides the body with nutritional metabolites that cannot be attained through any other means. Our body's access to these nutritional metabolites is essential for optimal biologic function.
Does fermenting the ingredients make them easier or more difficult to digest?
Fermentation makes foods much easier to digest.
What is the shelf life of Fermented Essentials?
Fermented Essentials is very stable and is best used within two years of purchase. Because it contains live food, it should be stored in a cool, dry place. However, Fermented Essentials will not spoil and can be used safely for up to twenty years of manufacture date.
Does Fermented Essentials need to be refrigerated?
Fermented Essentials does not require refrigeration. However, to maximize freshness and maintain the integrity of the live microorganisms, it’s best to refrigerate after opening..
Why is Fermented Essentials provided in powdered form as opposed to a capsule or liquid?
If Fermented Essentials was encapsulated it would require 22, 500mg capsules to equate to one serving (scoop). Some people take two and sometime three scoops per day which would be as much as 66 capsules. That's a lot of great high quality nutrition, but no one would choose to take that many capsules per day. The powder mixes easily in a variety of juices, flavored water and smoothies.
When I mix Fermented Essentials with juice, what is the stuff that seems to settle at the bottom or top?
Fermented Essentials is whole food, meaning it contains all the vitamins, minerals, fiber and co-factors that naturally exist within the whole plant. Any product that is comprised of a blend of whole food ingredients will inevitably result in some visual residue that appears on the bottom of the bottle. This separation is completely normal. Simply shake well and drink immediately. Think of the difference between whole pulverized apples (apple sauce) and apple juice. If there’s no sediment then a lot of nutrition has been extracted. Read the full list of ingredients here.
What's the difference between a green food supplement and Fermented Essentials?
Although Fermented Essentials contains some of the most powerful green superfoods (organic broccoli, organic spinach, organic kale, organic parsley, organic spirulina, organic Chlorella), Fermented Essentials primarily consists of a variety of beneficial ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, cocoa, beta glucans, minerals, enzymes, and probiotics. It is also fermented for maximum benefit, and most green superfoods are not fermented. Please read other FAQ's "Why is Fermented Essentials fermented?" and "How does Fermented Essentials compare to other nutritional supplements (nutrition)?"
How does Fermented Essentials compare to other nutritional supplements for nutrition?

Fermented Essentials is an organic, fermented, whole food nutritional supplement derived from the diets of the healthiest people on earth. The vast majority of nutritional supplements on the market are synthetic, meaning their ingredients were manufactured in a laboratory rather than grown on a farm. Even the vast majority of nutritional supplements that are called “whole food” contain synthetic ingredients and are neither organic or fermented. When comparing Fermented Essentials to other nutritional supplements, you must consider three primary factors:

  • Whole Food: The ingredients in Fermented Essentials are derived from whole foods, which means that the ingredients were not created in a laboratory and pressed out millions per day on a conveyor. The ingredients in Fermented Essentials began with a seed which was planted into the ground, nurtured, harvested, taken to market, cleaned, dehydrated, fermented and packaged for delivery.
  • Organic: The vast majority (98%) of ingredients in Fermented Essentials are organic, which means they are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Our farmers use renewable resources and conserve soil and waste. If you’ve ever purchased organic produce from the grocery store, you are aware of the dramatic difference in cost between conventional and organic. Typically, producing organic fruits and vegetables over conventional produce adds approximately 30% to the overall cost.
  • Fermented: The vast majority of ingredients in Fermented Essentials have been fermented for maximum bioavailability. The process of fermentation requires very specialized equipment along with an increase in additional production time and expense.
How does Fermented Essentials compare to other nutritional supplements for cost-effectiveness and value?

Currently there is no organic, completely whole food nutritional supplement (with no synthetics, fillers or sweeteners) on the market, that has a lower price per gram for nutrition delivered. Fermented Essentials is also fermented, which adds an additional layer of expense. Fermented Essentials delivers 11 grams of nutrition in every serving (scoop) and contains no synthetics, sweeteners or binders (all of which are very inexpensive to produce). If Fermented Essentials were delivered in capsule form it would require 22, 500 mg capsules to equate to one serving. There is truly no comparable product on the market. Products that are labeled whole food, usually suggest taking 2 to 4 capsules once or twice daily. This equates to around 1-4 grams of nutrition per day compared to 11-22 grams of nutrition you gain with just one serving of Fermented Essentials. Once volume of nutrition is considered, Fermented Essentials is clearly the best value. We have nothing more valuable than our health and it’s important to spend our dollars wisely. All things considered, Fermented Essentials is a great value when compared with either actual food or comparable nutritional supplementation.

I heard the FDA will soon be regulating all nutritional supplements prior to 1994 (DSHEA). Can you provide more details?
The FDA would like to regulate "supplements" that were developed after 1994 (the year DSHEA was passed), but will have a difficult time doing so. There is a lot of pressure from nutritional supplement manufacturers as well as consumer groups. However, for the moment let;s say the FDA were to regulate nutritional supplements in a similar fashion as they regulate pharmaceuticals. We could tweak Fermented Essentials slightly to become a "food" rather than a "supplement". The only ingredient that makes Fermented Essentials a "supplement" is the addition of minerals. Fermented Essentials is not a synthetic vitamin pill; it is truly a "whole food" supplement. Several products that we are currently developing can be considered food without subtracting or adding anything to them.
I heard that fermentation feeds parasites.
To the extent that parasites eat the food that we consume, yes, it feeds parasites, but nothing further. The healthiest people on the planet eat fermented foods with virtually every meal. Fermentation has been shown to break down nutrition so it is more readily absorbed by the cells.
Is Fermented Essentials heated? If so, to what temperature?
Fermentation requires heat of around 90 degrees Farenheit. Following fermentation, Essentials is heated to 120 degrees to stop the fermentation process.
Why not keep the ingredients in their raw state?
Fermentation requires heat, therefore the ingredients cannot remain in their raw state.
What is the packet inside the can?
The packet is an oxygen absorber containing iron which absorbs oxygen. This is included to keep moisture out so the ingredients stay fresh.
What if I order Fermented Essentials and it doesn’t work for me?




How Do I Use Fermented Essentials?

How to Take Fermented Essentials
We recommend mixing Fermented Essentials in a beverage of your choice or blending into a smoothie. Fermented Essentials does not contain sweeteners or flavorings and has a neutral, natural flavor that takes on the taste of your choice of beverage. When mixing with liquid such as water or juice we recommend using 8-12 oz. of liquid followed by additional water. When mixing in juice, it is recommended to dilute with water since fruit juice can spike blood sugar. For diabetics and those wishing to lose weight, this is especially important. Pour just a couple of ounces of juice in the Fermented Essentials shaker bottle and fill the rest with water. This will be enough juice for flavoring without the additional unwanted calories and possible spike in blood sugar
How much Fermented Essentials should I take? Is it OK to take more than is recommended on the container?

We recommend one to two scoops per day as the optimal daily dosage. Since Fermented Essentials is a whole food, individuals can take as much as desired.

When should I take Fermented Essentials?

Ideally Fermented Essentials should be taken first thing in the morning. If taking a second or more scoops, it’s best to spread them out throughout the day when possible. Always follow by drinking an additional eight ounces of water.

Should I take Fermented Essentials with or without other food?
Fermented Essentials can be taken either with food or away from food. Vitamin pills are usually recommend to be taken with food because they are void of many co-factors required to assimilate the nutrition, and synthetic B vitamins can be harsh on the stomach especially taken away from food. Fermented Essentials is fermented whole food nutrition and does not have to be taken with food.
Can I drink Fermented Essentials in coffee or tea?
Fermented Essentials mixes well in most any liquid; however, it is not recommended to mix Fermented Essentials in hot beverages (over 114 degrees) as the high temperature may degrade the living probiotics.
What do you mean by absorption and bioavailability?
Human nutrition is affected by the body's ability to absorb the food, as well as by the bioavailability of the food. Absorption rates may be better or worse, depending upon the individual's capacity to absorb nutrients—which can be determined by the condition of the digestive tract and other factors. Bioavailability is a function of the nutritional element—how ready it is to be digested and assimilated by the body. Fermented Essentials creates the right environment for optimal digestion and provides the nutritional substrate in the optimal form to be digested and assimilated.
Is Fermented Essentials a meal replacement?
Fermented Essentials is micronutrient dense (vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients), not macronutrient dense (carbs, proteins and fats) and contains less than 50 calories. By adding high quality fat such as avocado, flaxseed or coconut and protein such as brown rice protein, pea protein, or hemp protein powder, you’ll enjoy a highly nutritious, high quality, convenient meal.
Juice products vs. Fermented Essentials
Fresh juice from fruits and vegetables are filled with very healthy nutrition such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Unfortunately, the vast majority of juice on the market is pasteurized, which is detrimental to the valuable nutrition. Additionally, the average serving (1/2 cup) of fruit juice contains around 30 grams of carbohydrates, which can elevate blood sugar and contribute to weight gain. Fermented Essentials by comparison, is a whole food containing the entire scope of nutrition including fiber and important co-factors. The best analogy is to consider juicing vs. blending. Lets use an apple for example. When you juice an apple in a juicer, what do you produce? Apple juice. What is missing? A lot of fiber, some vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other vital nutrition (depending on the juicing method). Now in stead of juicing, let's blend the apple in a blender and liquefy it. Now you have the complete nutrition of the apple. When making Fermented Essentials, we start with the whole fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc., and we wash them, dehydrate them (extract the water), then we grind the material down to a powder, ferment, add additional ingredients such as active enzymes, probiotics, minerals and others and then it is packaged for use. The majority of the valuable nutrition is still intact.
Does Fermented Essentials have side effects?
Fiber, probiotics and various nutrients in the digestive tract can have varying effects depending on the individual. For some, the bowels may slow, while others might experience a slight laxative effect. This is a normalization process that should moderate over the course of several days or up to two weeks. Be sure to drink plenty of fresh water in addition to other healthy beverages. Also for those who are not accustomed to eating fruits and/or vegetables, there can be an adjustment period in which it may be best to add Fermented Essentials slowly and gradually.
Does Fermented Essentials cause any digestion problems or discomfort?
Fermented Essentials helps maintain healthy digestion. The soluble fiber in Fermented Essentials adds bulk to assist movement through the digestive tract. Always drink plenty of water to ensure proper hydration and to avoid any slowing of the bowels due to this increase in fiber. In some rare circumstances, individuals predisposed to upper GI issues may experience minor heartburn when taking Fermented Essentials. Should you experience this symptom, reduce the amount and then increase slowly over time to allow your body to get used to the quality nutrition found in Fermented Essentials. Immediately consult your physician if you experience a negative reaction to Fermented Essentials. We encourage you to consider any diet or nutrition program as an adjunct to your physicians care.
Is Fermented Essentials safe for kids? How much should my child take?
Fermented Essentials is a whole food, so there is no problem with giving it to children. Graduated dosages should be considered for children. Children over 12 can enjoy one scoop per day while children under 12 may enjoy 1/2 scoop per day mixed with their favorite juice or smoothie. Toddlers may enjoy a third of a scoop per day.
I am currently taking a high quality green supplement, should I continue or stop taking it?
Fermented Essentials is vastly different from a greens-based supplement. Fermented Essentials contains a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, beta glucans, minerals, enzymes and probiotics. It is also fermented, and most greens based products are not fermented. If you enjoy taking a green superfood, continue taking it. However, make certain that it is organic. Whole food nutritional supplements are highly concentrated, which means a non-organic product may contain concentrated amounts of toxicity.
If I take Fermented Essentials, do I need to take anything else?
Fermented Essentials is perhaps the most comprehensive nutritional matrix ever created. Nevertheless, each of us are biochemically different. There may be individuals in such a depleted state that, in the beginning, additional supplementation may be beneficial. In the US it is estimated that up to 70% of people are deficient in vitamin D and most are deficient in omega 3 fatty acids. Supplementation of these specific nutrients should be carefully considered.
Is Fermented Essentials safe to take with prescription medications?
Fermented Essentials is a whole food and in most cases is safe to take with medication. However, if you are taking prescription medication, please check with your physician before taking Fermented Essentials.
I currently take medications for my chronic condition. If I take Fermented Essentials, should I stop taking those medications?
Please do not stop taking medications prescribed by your physician without a physician’s supervision.
Will Fermented Essentials prevent, cure, or eliminate this chronic condition?
We encourage you to seek the advice of your physician regarding any chronic illness or condition. Fermented Essentials is a very comprehensive nutritional supplement designed to bridge the nutritional gap between the Standard American Diet (SAD) and the diets of individuals living in the Longevity Hot Spots. We encouraged you to adapt a healthy lifestyle and nutrition regimen to support your health and include Fermented Essentials to support your overall health.
I've heard that people lose weight on Fermented Essentials. Any advice on how to take Fermented Essentials for weight loss?
Fermented Essentials was not formulated specifically to be a weight loss product. However, some people have reported great results. If weight loss is desired, take Fermented Essentials as a meal replacement, snack replacement or consume just before meals. Also if weight loss is desired, be sure to take Fermented Essentials with water or diluted juice, but NOT with a full serving of fruit juice. When weight loss is desired, you should avoid the extra calories and the blood sugar spike that may result when drinking a large volume of fruit juice.

What’s Inside Fermented Essentials?

Is Fermented Essentials 100 percent vegetarian?


Is Fermented Essentials organic?

Fermented Essentials uses the freshest and very best ingredients available. Fermented Essentials contains 98% organic ingredients.

Is Fermented Essentials gluten-free?


What are superfoods? Which ones are included in Fermented Essentials?

Superfoods are a nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. Fermented Essentials includes the following superfoods in every serving: black garlic, turmeric, cacao, ginseng, resveratrol, turmeric, green tea extract, ginger, blueberry, chlorella, spirulina, broccoli, spinach, kale, parsley, carrot, cranberry and apple.

What is cacao?

Cocoa is the bean from which chocolate is derived. Raw cacao has been found to provide strong health benefits, including powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. Raw cacao powder contains 955 ORAC units per gram. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is a rating scale the USDA uses to measure the ability of antioxidants to absorb cell-damaging free radicals. Tryptophan, a naturally occurring substance in cacao, enhances relaxation and promotes better sleep. Researchers have discovered that phenylethylamine (PEA) has a positive effect in enhancing feelings of affection and love. And cacao is an excellent source of PEA. Cocoa also contains more magnesium than any other common food. Magnesium is the number one mineral that assists and supports healthy heart functioning. Arginine, the aphrodisiac-like amino acid believed by body builders to build muscle and aid in recovery, also occurs naturally in cacao.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant from the ginger family. Various nutritional studies have shown turmeric to have a positive effect on liver and cardiovascular function well as being anti-inflammatory.

What is ginseng?

Ginseng is an herbal medicine that has been taken for thousands of years as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, and nourishing stimulant.

What are micro-algae chlorella and spirulina?

Spirulina is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. This form of blue-green, single-celled super-algae offers a concentrated source of complete, balanced protein. Spirulina also offers high levels of the antioxidants beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, plus unique immune-supportive elements. Spirulina has also been shown to offer potent blood-purification properties. It is one of the only sources of the anti-inflammatory, joint-strengthening super Omega-6 fatty acid, GLA (Gamma-linolenic acid). Chlorella is a genus of single-celled green algae. Studies have shown that chlorella has anti-tumor properties in mice. Another study found enhanced vascular function in hypertensive rats who were fed chlorella. Chlorella is a complete protein. It is also packed with calories, fat, and vitamins.

Are there any allergens in Fermented Essentials?

Fermented Essentials contains NO soy, yeast, egg, preservatives, MSG, glutamate derivatives, artificial flavoring, salt, starch, dairy and is GMO free. Nevertheless, individuals can be allergic to virtually anything. If you think you are having an allergic reaction to something in Fermented Essentials, stop taking the product immediately. If you are having difficulty breathing, call 911 and get immediate medical attention. If you believe you are having some other reaction and it causes you concern, please discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention. And please consult your physician before taking Fermented Essentials.

Are there any tree nuts or tree nut derivatives in Fermented Essentials?

There are no tree nuts or tree nut derivatives in Fermented Essentials.

What sweeteners/sugars does Fermented Essentials use? Are they natural?

No sugars or sweeteners are added to Fermented Essentials.

What vegetables are included in Fermented Essentials?

Fermented Essentials uses only organic vegetables including: broccoli, spinach, kale, parsley and carrots.

What fruits are included in Fermented Essentials?

Fermented Essentials uses only organic fruits including: apple, blueberry and cranberry.

How many servings of fruits and vegetables do I get when taking Fermented Essentials?

Our daily recommendation of 2 servings (scoops) of Essentials has the ORAQ (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) or antioxidant equivalent of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables as well as the probiotics of 6 servings of yogurt, the Oat Beta Glucans of 8 servings of oatmeal and the resveratrol of 28 glasses of red wine.

What herbs and/or spices are included in Fermented Essentials?

Fermented Essentials contains organic ginger, organic turmeric, organic parsley, black garlic and ginseng.

What are beta glucans and why are they in Fermented Essentials?

Beta glucans are polysaccharides. They occur most commonly as cellulose in plants, the bran of grains, the cell wall of bakers' yeast, certain fungi, mushrooms, and bacteria. Beta glucans have been shown to be very supportive to the immune system. Studies have found they have a role in balancing blood sugar and regulating blood lipids as well as providing a host of additional positive effects on health.

What are phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients are nutrients contained within plants. They have been shown to be very beneficial to a wide variety of biological processes. Many pharmaceuticals use phytochemicals as models upon which drugs are designed and produced. When you consume the phytonutrient in its natural state, as you do with Fermented Essentials, the plant source still contains all the surrounding molecules that help modulate the effects of the photochemical. This benefit is why herbal and nutritional medicine has very few side effects when taken properly.

Where are the ingredients grown?

Fermented Essentials is manufactured in the US and the vast majority of ingredients are grown in the US. Some ingredients are sourced abroad from time to time depending on growing seasons and availability.

Is Fermented Essentials considered raw?

Fermented Essentials is fermented, which requires heat, so it is not considered to be raw although the probiotics are live cultures. We believe the process of fermentation increases the nutritional value of the foods in Fermented Essentials.

Can I get a list of the amount of each ingredient?

Every ingredient is listed on the packaging and website; however, we do not provide the amount of each ingredient. That essentially would be disclosing our proprietary formula.

What vitamins are contained in Fermented Essentials and do they meet RDA requirements?

Fermented Essentials is a whole food. It contains all the vitamins and minerals that occur naturally in the fruits, vegetables, and herbs contained in Fermented Essentials. RDAs, or recommended daily allowances, are simply generalized measurements of the minimum amounts of nutrients needed—not to be optimally well—but just not to fall ill. The power of Fermented Essentials is not so much the gross amount of vitamins and minerals—but it is in the unique manner in which the key elements have been combined. Fermented Essentials creates a nutritional matrix of profound complexity and bioavailability, meaning the nutrients can go to work for the body almost immediately. In this case, the sum of the parts is much greater than the whole.

Why aren't the daily amounts of vitamins and minerals listed on the label?

The way most companies are able to display the exact amounts of each nutrient on the label is because they are synthetic ingredients manufactured to specification in the laboratory. The ingredients contained in Fermented Essentials are derived from food which vary from plant to plant, season to season and from each production run. It would be virtually impossible to list the exact level of each vitamin and mineral for every production run of Fermented Essentials.

Should I continue to take my multi-vitamin?

The approach with Fermented Essentials is philosophically and fundamentally different than the concept of taking high doses of isolated vitamins. Vitamin supplementation was popularized in the 20's and 30's based on a couple of factors: First, the concept that nutrition from food contributes greatly to health (which was a new concept at that time) and the other is the discovery that molecules could be isolated from foods and taken in high doses. The thinking at that time was that if vitamin C, for example, is good for you, then high doses of vitamin C will be really good for you. Over time these isolated molecular structures or "isolates" became mass produced by chemical companies rather than extracting the actual molecules from food. Believe it or not, most vitamins today are synthetic and the vast majority are derived from cornstarch, petroleum extracts, coal tar derivatives, and chemically processed sugar. Fast forward to the present day and we have experienced mixed results. There are studies that indicate that high doses of concentrated synthetic vitamins can be effective. However, there are also studies that indicate that the vast majority of vitamin supplements are not absorbed by the body and are simply passed in the urine. There's an expression that surfaced – "expensive urine" – because people are paying a lot of money for supplements that simply pass through the body without being absorbed. Some studies have indicated that we absorb as little as 5% of these nutrients. Most recently there have been studies that conclude that not only do we not absorb these synthetics substances very well, but they can actually cause harm. Among others, a very well respected study on vitamin A showed that vitamin A consumed from foods containing high amounts of vitamin A can lower the risk of cancer. However, vitamin A taken in pill form (synthetic) has the opposite effect. It can actually elevate the rate of cancer.

There are two things to consider when discussing the absorption of vitamin supplements. First is that "isolates" are just that; they are isolated molecules. They are isolated from a great deal of other nutrition that we haven't even begun to understand. All food has other plant chemicals which are loosely referred to as 'cofactors' that work synergistically to allow the body to absorb and utilize the nutrition. In nature, vitamins are always bound with cofactors. Vitamin C, for example, is found in fruit along with bioflavonoids. These cofactors enhance the bioavailability of the vitamin – bioflavonoids, for instance, increase the bioavailability of vitamin C by 30 percent. With multi-vitamins these co-factors are absent, which is why it is recommended that multi-vitamins be taken with food. The assumption or hope is that if taken with food, the co-factors in the food will help allow the body to absorb the isolated molecules.

Rather than concentrated synthetic molecules, Fermented Essentials is concentrated fermented Superfoods (actual food.) Many nutritional experts on the cutting edge of nutritional supplementation do not prescribe vitamin supplements for their patients. They instead recommend whole food supplementation, unless someone is severely deficient or has a specific "disease" that needs to be addressed. Fermented Essentials helps to support a healthy diet by providing supplementation to those who are eating healthy. Taking Fermented Essentials to enhance one’s diet is simply a personal choice. The results speak for themselves.

Does Fermented Essentials contain vitamin K?

Isolated Vitamin K is not added to Fermented Essentials; however, Fermented Essentials does contain vitamin K to the extent that vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli spinach and parsley.

Why do I need minerals for good health? Which minerals are in Fermented Essentials?



These plant derived minerals provide your body with a strong pool of minerals to draw upon. This blend of minerals also encourages your body to draw nutrients deep within its cellular structures.

What are probiotics? Which ones are included in Fermented Essentials?

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing live bacteria that replace or add to the beneficial bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract. They are, in many ways, the essence of life. These microbes are the only thing in nature with the capacity to turn inorganic elements into organic, life-giving nutrients. Without probiotics, digestion would be impossible.

Fermented Essentials contains the following probiotics: Lactospore Bacillus coagulans, L. acidophilus, B. longum, L. casei, and L. rhamnosus.  

These have been shown to be the most beneficial organisms in supporting optimal digestive and overall health. To keep the probiotics alive and functioning, please refrigerate Fermented Essentials after opening. Also, do not cook with Fermented Essentials as the heat will kill the probiotics.

Are the probiotics in Fermented Essentials coated or protected to survive the hydrochloric acid in the stomach? I heard that stomach acid can kill probiotics.

Some people believe that probiotics taken in supplement form are destroyed by hydrochloric acid in the stomach. We believe this concept originates with some probiotic manufacturers who manufacturer proprietary capsules that are said to be resilient enough to make it through the harsh stomach acid to the colon. If this were true, how would we ever get probiotics into our digestive tract? We naturally receive our probiotics from the foods we consume. We ingest living probiotics from a variety of foods that we eat like yogurt and pickled vegetables. The majority of our probiotics live in our colons which is further down the digestive tract than the stomach. If stomach acid destroys probiotics, how would they make it all the way through the digestive tract (and stomach) to the colon? Physicians commonly recommend eating yogurt after taking antibiotics to replenish our probiotics. This would be ineffective if probiotics were killed in the stomach. We believe live probiotics DO make their way through the stomach to the small and large intestines. Additionally, a UCSF (University of California San Francisco) study found that probiotics don't even need to be alive to have an effect, since they have an immunostimulative role (like dead viruses used for a vaccine).

The probiotics, enzymes and minerals in Fermented Essentials are not labeled as organic. How are they obtained?

There is no true classification for "organic" probiotics, enzymes and/or minerals. The probiotics and enzymes used in Fermented Essentials are sourced from one of the world's leader in enzyme and probiotic production. Similarly, there is no organic certification for minerals as they are a natural substance.

What is the source of the probiotics that are included in Fermented Essentials?

The probiotics and enzymes in Fermented Essentials are sourced from one of the world's leaders in enzyme production.

How do the probiotics in Fermented Essentials stay alive?

The probiotics in Fermented Essentials are produced by cryo-freezing and freeze drying under tightly controlled conditions. The cryo-freezing process maintains and preserves the integrity of the bacterial cells, while freeze drying then removes any remaining moisture through evaporation, which increases the stability of the live cultures.

How can the probiotics stay alive having been exposed to heat during shipping and over a long period of time, considering a two year shelf life?

We are experiencing tremendous results with Fermented Essentials all over the country, so we are very pleased with the efficacy of our product. Heat is introduced during the process of fermentation, therefore any additional heat exposure during shipping can only possibly effect the ingredients added after fermentation, which are probiotics and enzymes. For living organisms such as probiotics to be affected, the temperature would need to be over 114 degrees, which would rarely happen, if ever. Additionally, a UCSF (University of California San Francisco) study found that probiotics do not need to be alive to have an effect, since they have an immunostimulative role (like dead viruses used for a vaccine).

Is dairy used during the production of the probiotics?

No dairy is used in the production of Fermented Essentials. The probiotics used in Fermented Essentials are grown in a non-dairy medium. Fermented Essentials is completely dairy free.

What are enzymes? Which ones are in Fermented Essentials?

Enzymes are mainly proteins that catalyze (i.e., increase the rates of) chemical reactions. Almost all processes in a biological cell need enzymes to be present at significant rates. Enzymes are known to catalyze about four thousand biochemical reactions within the body. You need enzymes to assist in the digestion of your food—to break down what you eat to its constituent parts (amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc.). Fermented Essentials contains the following enzymes: Protease, Amylase, Bromelain, Cellulase, Lactase, Papain, Lapase. These enzymes are essential for optimizing the digestive process.

  • Protease breaks proteins down to amino acids.
  • Amylase breaks starches and carbohydrates down into simple sugars.
  • Bromelain is a protease enzyme found in the juice and stem of pineapple and is essential for the digestion and breaking down of proteins.
  • Cellulase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down the tough “roughage” found in fruits, vegetables, and grains.
  • Lactase breaks down lactose, making it readily absorbed by the body.
  • Papain is taken from the fruit of the papaya tree and contains enzymes that help break down proteins.
  • Lipase breaks fats and oils down into fatty acids.
Why does Fermented Essentials contain enzymes?

Enzymes are added to aid in digestion as well as to aid in the digestion of other foods that are consumed, as most people eat very few live foods.

What is the source of the enzymes that are included in Fermented Essentials?

Fermented Essentials contains plant based enzymes which are created as a byproduct of fermentation.

