Faithful Freedom's Teryn Gregson Interviews David Stelzer, CEO and Founder of Azure Standard & AzureWell, and Susan Booth, Vice President of Living Well Initiatives at AzureWell Modern agriculture and conventional farming practices, particularly the use of synthetic fertilizers, have led to crops that are bigger but less nutrient-dense. This has contributed to a widespread decline in the mineral content of our food compared to what our grandparents consumed and is linked to a variety of health problems including a rise in autoimmune disorders. In this video interview, host Teryn Gregson talks with David Stelzer, CEO and Founder of Azure Standard and AzureWell, and Susan Booth, Vice President of Living Well Initiatives at AzureWell, about why our bodies need organic foods, how important soil health is, and examine the effectiveness of dietary supplements. This nuanced conversation highlights that many dietary supplements contain minerals in forms that are not readily bioavailable to our bodies, and why Azure feels this is an imperative piece of the puzzle of our health.

Susan Booth, Vice President of Living Well Initiatives, AzureWell The AzureWell team is so appreciative of the trust we've been given by our Azure community around the country. If you are familiar with Azure Standard, you may have wondered why they should develop and offer the most pure line of supplements available anywhere. In 2021, Azure Standard CEO David Stelzer's long-time assistant, Susan Booth, became ill with a fast-growing cancer and almost died. By the grace of God and the care of many, she survived. To regain long-term robust health, Susan began searching for better answers and was in touch with some exceptional researchers and practitioners. Once back to work at Azure, she began spearheading efforts to make superior supplements available through, and matching the high product quality standards of Azure Standard. This is the beginning of a series and the stories behind many of the best-in-class supplements offered by AzureWell. While AzureWell products are available to the public via AzureStandard.com, AzureWell has developed specific programs to benefit and partner with health practitioners. If you would like to let your health practitioner know - please have them visit our website for more information.

My Father’s Journey from Diagnosis to Resilience Last year, for the first time, I had to reckon with an experience many of us do as we enter middle age if we are blessed to have our parents still with us. My father, a lifelong runner and one of the healthiest septuagenarians I know, had been recently diagnosed with a heart condition. It was shocking, given he was still a daily runner and seemed to have no symptoms or issues hinting at the diagnosis. I took a walk through my neighborhood to ponder this news, and I found myself reflecting deeply on my own heart health. As a nutritional expert and a father with young children, I felt a responsibility to redefine my approach to heart health. It's a topic that's become deeply personal to me, and I want to share some insights that could help others in their journey toward a healthier heart. Confronting the Silent Threat of Heart Disease Heart disease, a leading cause of mortality in the U.S., often strikes silently, making prevention your most powerful weapon. Growing up with a father who is nothing if not an athlete, I heard “the best defense is a good offense” and other sports analogies that equate to “prevention is key” often. And as I would find about many of his sayings as I grew into a man, he was right. We're lucky to live in a time where nutraceutical interventions and lifestyle changes are making a real difference in the fight against heart disease. These aren't just tools for managing the condition; they're transformative in boosting heart health before concerns arise. Understanding the Stealthy Path of Heart Disease The journey towards heart disease often begins with a silent but progressive condition usually stemming from a diet high in poor-quality, nutrient-deficient foods. Over time, this can lead to damage in the arterial linings. Such damage triggers inflammatory reactions and worsens Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), or Heart Disease, a condition marked by the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Fueling the Fight: The Role of Nutrients in Heart Health A heart struggling with CAD works harder, rapidly depleting its energy. This means the heart often lacks sufficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a critical molecule that fuels healthy heart function. Ensuring our heart gets the right nutrients to maintain ATP levels is essential. It's not just about managing symptoms; it's about energizing and nurturing our hearts at a cellular level so they can remain healthy as long as possible. Empowering Heart Health Taking your heart health into your hands is about more than awareness; it's about action. My dad used to tell me about carb-loading before a big race. While that school of thought has evolved along with our understanding of the specific nutrients required for maintaining heart health, eating the right foods, regular exercise, and integrating heart-supportive nutrients are all still vital parts of a proactive approach to heart health. Heart-Supportive Supplements In honor of February being Heart Health Month, I have pulled together a selection of supplements designed to invigorate and support the cardiovascular system. These include ingredients for circulatory support and plant-based compounds that complement a heart-healthy lifestyle. AzureWell offers supplements like CircuHeart Enzymes and CircuHeart Herbal Liquid Fermented, formulated to aid circulatory health and support heart energy.* They contain food-based ingredients like nattokinase and hawthorn berry, all vital for circulatory health.* PQQ & CoQ10 are a power duo, crucial for promoting the heart's mitochondria health and providing antioxidant support.* Coenzyme Q10 specifically supports ATP production, which is essential for heart health.* Additionally, we shouldn't overlook nature's gifts like Organic Fermented Beet Root Powder, Icelandic Cod Liver Oil, AzureWell’s Magnesium G Glycinate, and Taurine Plus. These natural supplements support heart health in various ways, from boosting blood flow to regulating heart rhythm.* A Legacy of Health Over the past year, I have worked closely with my father’s doctors to develop a protocol that incorporates health-supportive supplements into my father’s routine. It goes beyond conventional treatment, focusing on nurturing the heart and circulatory system at the cellular level. His condition, while genetic, has been a journey of learning and adapting, and his results are nothing short of remarkable. This experience has deepened my commitment to heart wellness as a key component to living in wellness. It's no longer just a professional interest; it's a personal crusade. The realization that heart health is not merely about dodging illness but about empowering ourselves to live fully and vibrantly has never been clearer to me. So, as we stand at the crossroads of health and disease, let's choose the path of proactive care. Let's embrace the tools and knowledge we have to make heart health a priority, not just for ourselves but for our loved ones too. It's about creating a legacy of health, vitality, and resilience, one heart at a time. Let's commit to keeping our hearts strong, not just for today, but for all the tomorrows to come.

by Kelly Payne Winter’s beauty is undeniable; nature stills and we enjoy cozy indoor moments. While the weather cools, our quest for health and bolstering the body’s immunity becomes paramount. This season, Azure Standard, America’s premier provider and distributor of organic foods and healthful products, introduces the AzureWell line, arriving just in time to be your family’s winter wellness shield. Here are our four immune favorites, each a reflection of Azure Standard's deep understanding of seasonal shifts and their commitment to promoting natural immunity and comprehensive wellness. AzureWell’s Recover Immune Vitality Complex stands out as an exceptional formula for immune health, thanks to its powerful blend of Beta-Glucans and Nucleotides. These natural ingredients work diligently to support a balanced immune response targeting DNA and RNA in aiding the rapid growth and recovery of immune cells. Complementing these are the nutritional wonders of Organic Turmeric and Lemon Peel, further enhancing the immune-supporting qualities of the blend while promoting overall body wellness. The introduction of the AzureWell line also brings the Next Step Advanced Probiotic. Featuring 18 probiotic strains, including the renowned DE111® Bacillus subtilis. Clinically researched for its gut health benefits, DE111® is resilient, surviving the acidic journey through the stomach to deliver its noted benefits intact in the intestines. DE111® is a potent probiotic that showcases its remarkable immune support capabilities while powerfully addressing the rapid and slow responses of immune cells, making it a valuable addition to your wellness routine. In the journey of embracing winter wellness, AzureWell’s Garlic Immune is indispensable. This blend leverages garlic's potent health benefits, rich in allicin, supporting both immune and cardiovascular systems. Enriched with allicin, a potent organosulfur compound, it provides robust support for the immune system. This advanced formula also features Wild Bear Garlic, further elevating its efficacy in promoting immune health through the winter season and beyond.* Whole Food C Complex champions a holistic approach to vitamin C supplementation. Steering clear from synthetic ascorbic acid, it harnesses the Amla berry, rich in bioflavonoids and antioxidants. This formula emphasizes the unmatched benefits of natural nutrition, setting industry standards for purity, efficacy and the utilization of whole-food vitamin C. AzureWell’s offerings have been meticulously curated with formulas crafted to echo nature's purity. Our evolving product line resonates with Azure Standard's unwavering commitment to toxin-free products for you and your family. Leveraging natural, whole food formulas, every AzureWell supplement ensures you receive nutrients, minerals and enzymes as nature intended. Winter might be a season of hibernation for nature, but with AzureWell, it's a time for rejuvenation and wellness. Embrace the season with AzureWell - a promise of wellness, purity, and a healthier tomorrow.

Answers to 6 common questions about vitamin D By Kimberly Kubitza, Guest Author We all know how important it is to get our daily requirements of essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, but when it comes to Vitamin D it’s not as simple as it seems. Here are six common questions and answers about this wonderful, yet mysterious substance. What does Vitamin D do for the body? More than we thought One of the most important roles of Vitamin D is to manage the absorption and function of calcium and phosphorus, which makes it a key factor in bone and muscle health.* It is also known to boost the immune system function and improve mood.* New evidence is also showing that it plays a big part in maintaining proper gut health by strengthening intestinal cells and supporting the gut microbiome.* Is it actually a vitamin? Yes and No One of the things that complicates this is that it partly depends on how the word “vitamin” is defined. Most definitions state that vitamins are organic substances needed to sustain life that must be obtained through food because they cannot be produced in the body. That is where Vitamin D sets itself apart since it is actually a hormone that the body can make enough of on its own with adequate sun exposure. When it’s not being made by the body, it can be consumed, like a vitamin, to be converted into what the body needs. Vitamin D is technically an essential steroid hormone that has a large impact on the endocrine system with receptor sites possibly in every human cell.* Understanding it as a hormone is an important key to properly navigating the often conflicting information about it. Does the form matter? Absolutely When discussing Vitamin D, the forms D2 and D3 are the most important to understand and the most commonly discussed. Primary: D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form of Vitamin D that is most bioavailable. This is the form that the skin produces in the sun and is found in animal sources such as cod liver, fatty fish, egg yolks, and beef liver. D3 can also be harvested from special lichens and algae. Secondary: D2 (ergocalciferol) is found in a small amount of plants and is not as efficiently used by the body. Certain mushrooms and yeasts are common sources of D2 in supplements. Should Vitamin D levels be tested? Not necessarily There are two issues that make this a tricky question. First of all, vitamin D blood levels don’t give all the information needed. Standard Vitamin D blood tests are only measuring 25-OHD which is only the precursor to active D. This test is not reflective of the active form of Vitamin D, but instead is showing what the body has available to create the hormone in the liver and kidneys. The blood is also not the only place that Vitamin D is stored. When the body synthesizes it through sun exposure, it gets stored in fat tissue which can be used months later. Additionally, not only is it unclear whether the blood tests are a true indicator of the actual Vitamin D level, there is no true consensus on how much is ideal. Due to the nature of steroid hormones, a precise balance is crucial and that level is different for everyone. Measuring and establishing optional levels has been highly debated among scientists and medical researchers for decades. Even though testing for Vitamin D has become increasingly popular, it is generally not recommended for people who do not have high risk factors for deficiency. Many doctors are concerned with the lack of reliability and uniformity of such tests as well as the tendency to over use supplemental D. What is the best way to make Vitamin D? Sun exposure God created our skin with the most efficient way of creating Vitamin D and it is the only way to get it without the risk of making too much. Studies show that even 5-30 minutes a day of sunshine, without using sunblock, is enough for the body to produce all it needs and build up stores for winter months. Although the sun is the best source, Vitamin D supplementation can be used to help those who can’t get outside or who live north of the 37 parallel (think Atlanta). What are the keys to using Vitamin D supplements? Source and moderation. Most commercially available Vitamin D supplements are byproducts of irradiated yeast (D2) and irradiated lanolin (D3) which is the waxy substance that coats sheepskin. AzureWell has chosen to use foods such as lichen, mushrooms, fatty fish, cod and beef liver as the sources of Vitamin D in our products. D3 is a fat soluble nutrient that pairs well with Vitamin A (retinol). In fact, the foods that are high in D3 also have high amounts of Vitamin A. Using a food based supplement like AzureWell’s Icelandic Cod Liver Oil or Beef Liver Capsules will provide the right ratio and create a synergistic effect. Knowing that artificially high levels of Vitamin D can cause calcium imbalances and place too much stress on the kidneys, it is important to supplement with moderation. High dosages over an extended period should be treated with caution. Whole Foods & Natural Processes AzureWell’s commitment to whole food, naturally occurring Vitamin D allows the body to convert D2 and D3 into Vitamin D in a way that respects the body’s ability to regulate the hormones it needs and the natural biological processes it uses to do so.*

Are you suffering from winter blues - cold air, snowy roads, and endless gray skies are enough to make anyone wish they were hibernating until that first Spring bloom … don’t gloom just yet! Here are five effective strategies designed to increase energy naturally and keep your metabolism from entering hibernation this wintery season! 1. Unlocking Cellular Energy with Mineralized Hydration* Unleash your cells' full energy potential with mineralized water.* Purified water may lack key minerals necessary for efficient cell absorption and energy production. Whereas mineralized water, packed with essential elements, fills this void, hydrating the cell and acting as a catalyst to support optimal cell performance.* By replenishing your reserves with mineralized water, you not only ensure proper cell hydration; you are increasing the ability to produce energy too!* 2. Power Up Your Morning with a Protein Boost Begin each morning on the right note by eating at least 20 grams of protein as soon as you awake. This little trick will help balance blood sugar levels by providing essential amino acids that keep those energy lows at bay and mental clarity at its highest. By adopting this small lifestyle change it sets you up for an excellent and fulfilling day that's not only balanced but mentally and metabolically sharp too! 3. Alkalizing for Energy Alkalizing your diet and supplementing with functional superfoods (like Pure Chlorella, AzureWell's Whole Food Multi-Vitamin, Organic Greens, Super Greens Pro pH) is integral for maintaining your best energy at a cellular level, producing optimal units of cellular ATP.* Promoting an alkaline pH, your body can achieve maximum rates of energy output without making you feel exhausted at the end of the day.* 4. Unleashing Cellular Energy Supplements like magnesium, copper, B vitamins, and whole-food multivitamins act as high-grade fuels that boost mitochondrial performance while simultaneously increasing ATP production - the currency that powers our bodies with energy!* Adding these supplements to your daily routine can significantly boost energy levels over time for sustained and increased vitality for the long-term.* 5. Your Sleep Prescription The significance of getting an average of eight hours of restful ZZZs every night affects concentration, memory, immune function as well as lifespan. Lack of enough quality sleep is also linked with serious illnesses if left unattended for too long. Sleep's restorative power allows energy replenishment and tissue repair. Regardless of our age, sufficient sleep is paramount at every point in our lives. It’s time to embrace the power of self-care and wipe out those winter blues. Wake up tomorrow and start your day with a protein-packed morning, mineralize your water and fuel your energy with some high-octane supplementation for your day.* The next day, you’ll wake up to a more vibrant you! Thrive! Achieve! Transform your winter from a period of gloom to a season of rejuvenation and vitality.

by H.R. Payne A New Year, A New You…One Step At A Time As we step into the new year, many of us aim to become better versions of ourselves by improving our well-being and restoring balance. Often, we start the new year with pushy goals like losing weight or wanting to detoxify our bodies. Though being in the “now” is ambitious, before diving into any weight loss program or “detoxing” it's crucial to prioritize a preparation phase to nourish the body at the cellular level. Our body stores extra fat to shield us from harmful toxins we encounter every day, like pollution and chemicals. This fat acts like a protective barrier, keeping those unwanted toxins away from our important organs and tissues. Over time, as this fat accumulates these stored toxins can slowly creep back into our bloodstream, causing many health problems. When you lose weight, thus fat, this is actually a very advanced form of detoxification and can put a heavy burden on the body if it is not prepared.  So, jumping right into a weight loss program or starting with a detox is maybe not the best idea. Prepare This Winter For A Spring Cleansing Strategically nourishing the body and boosting cell energy, especially a molecule called ATP, is a key step before starting any detox or weight loss plan. ATP is like the body's battery that powers detoxification. Without adequate ATP levels, detoxification (including weight loss), may become overwhelming, leading to incomplete toxin removal and the redistribution of toxins. Detoxing with insufficient cellular energy can result in oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, compromised immune function and potential harm to the body's overall balance. To get your body ready for that spring detox, this winter focus on a balanced diet with nutrients and antioxidants, exercise regularly to enhance energy production, and supplement with nutrients targeted to promote cellular energy. This preparation phase ensures a safe and effective detox come spring-time, making your body more capable of handling the challenges of detoxification. So embrace the new year with a prepared and motivated mindset – the start of your journey to living well and restoring balance begins with energy and determination! Fuel Your Transformation: Fire Up Your Cell’s Mitochondrial Energy* Supplements targeting mitochondrial function, such as magnesium, copper, B vitamins or even a comprehensive whole-food multivitamin can play a pivotal role in promoting optimal mitochondrial performance and the production of ATP for cellular energy.* Ensuring a comprehensive program is essential as these supplements actively participate in energy generation and contribute significantly to maintaining the stability of mitochondria's electron transport chain reactions, thereby further enhancing ATP synthesis.* Integrating a foundational supplement program into your regimen can provide the necessary building blocks to “fire up” your mitochondria, promoting heightened energy levels and fueling your transformation into the next phase of your new you.*

by David Stelzer, Founder & CEO, Azure Standard You know that we at Azure are always learning, innovating, and improving—it’s one of our core values, and we consider it an essential part of serving our customers. Growth, flexibility, and openness to change (for the better!) are crucial for personal well- being, too! We have been steadily working toward an exciting and entirely new venture for Azure Standard. We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to AzureWell. At launch, AzureWell is primarily a collection of high-quality, practitioner-grade dietary supplements formulated for general wellness and to support an array of health concerns. Each carefully formulated, whole-food based, non-GMO product makes it convenient to add concentrated amounts of nutrients (that some of us may not get enough of) to our diets. AzureWell is an expanding line, and will grow to include a wide array of products, not just supplements. We know that there are many supplement brands out there. We have examined, tested, and tried many of them through the years. There is a great amount of impurity, fillers, and frankly, ineffective products. This is one of the key reasons we developed AzureWell—to bring you potent and pure supplements that can be trusted. If you have been around Azure for any length of time, you know we are very selective about what we offer. We have a lengthy list of unacceptable ingredients, and we remain vigilant about inspecting the entire supply line of everything we bring to you. Every supplement in our curated collection meets the Azure standard for quality, purity, transparency, and traceability. In fact, we’re going beyond our already high standards for supplements by ensuring that this Azurewell line of supplements is free of harmful excipients including magnesium stearate. We'll be sharing more about our pledge for purity in our supplements in the coming months. You might wonder why we are so passionate about supplements. David Stelzer, our founder and CEO, put it this way, “I have always believed that organic, whole foods form the foundation for wellness, and that most disease and sickness can be avoided with a rich diet of plenty of unprocessed foods grown in living, healthy soil. I’m not veering away from my belief that the key to health is in food. Considering supplements, we are still talking about food—getting very high concentrations of the most powerful constituents of food to help your body regain balance. When your body has gone rogue because of inadequate nutrition, ultra-powerful supplements can more rapidly help you return to balance, which leads to being well again. High quality supplements are an incredibly powerful piece in the toolkit for wellness.” David has seen it firsthand. Susan Booth, who has worked closely with David at Azure for many years, underwent treatment for cancer in 2021. She credits her lasting healing, in large part, to a regimen of professional-grade supplements. Time after time, Azure has seen the incredible impact that proper supplementation can have on restoring balance and promoting the right conditions for the body to heal itself. Susan shares, “It was amazing to me how God led me to just the right people and the answers I needed at just the right times. I learned so much from my experience, and from the people who helped me and educated me along the way. Pure supplements have played a major role in my recovery. To be able to offer the best-of-the-best supplements being manufactured today, and offer them as part of our Azure family of products, is really exciting. I’m very eager to share what I’ve learned about all aspects of regaining my health. My journey changed everything for me. My greatest privilege is to empower others with the knowledge I gained, to use the experience God gave me to educate others who are on a journey to healing.” Susan worked with select Azure-aligned health professionals using cutting-edge technology to learn what was out of balance in her body. Her personal experience, knowledge, and research led to a partnership with H.R. and Kelly Payne, as well as a team of naturopathic practitioners skilled in using supplementation for healing. Azure is pleased to have H.R. and Kelly, a husband-wife duo, on our team as we continue to develop and add to our AzureWell line. H.R. comes to Azure with over 20 years of high-level leadership experience in the health and supplement industry. “Over the past several decades, I've journeyed through the world of holistic health and wellness, on a path of knowledge and nurturing a deep-rooted passion to understanding limitless healing. Joining the Azure team was a choice that goes beyond the label, but is a serendipitous alignment of our shared values and mission. I cherish the Azure family and what it stands for, not just its commitment to crafting the highest quality natural products, but its ethos: the purity of nature, the integrity of honest work, and the promise to do right by our bodies and our planet,” H.R. remarks. Kelly adds, “Coming to the AzureWell family isn't just about being part of a team committed to curating a premium supplement line to bring to the Azure community. It is also about continuing a legacy of health and balance for my own family, a path I have pursued for the past twenty-plus years. Joining AzureWell was a natural progression, a merging of my passion with a platform that mirrors my dedication to enhancing well-being across generations.” The AzureWell supplement line was developed in consultation with trusted practitioners to bring potent, superior botanical supplements to customers seeking to integrate supplements into a balanced approach to abundant health. We are thrilled to introduce it to the Azure family this December. Susan will be sharing more of her astounding journey, and H.R and Kelly will be bringing you much more detailed information about AzureWell and the partnerships we have in the works! In the coming months, this venture will expand to bring you more resources and offer connections to a network of holistic health practitioners in all areas of the country. We hear from so many of our customers, family, and friends who are looking for another way to wellness. Our vision is to facilitate those connections and get you back on the road to enjoying life, doing meaningful things, and eating great food along the way—to experience abundantly vibrant health! *This is a repost from our feature article appearing at azurestandard.com, our parent company.