Balance Kit

What are the supplements in the kit?

• Berberine - Made from a plant alkaloid extracted from the shrub family Berberis aristata. Berberine has been shown to exhibit potential antimicrobial properties, and may help support healthy blood sugar metabolism. Rootcology Berberine is designed to be highly bioavailable, using a proprietary blend of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, non-soy derived lecithin, and tocotrienols, to improve absorption and delivery.
• Butyrate Balance - Butyrate is a special type of fat that functions as a “Postbiotic,” a compound produced by beneficial colonic bacteria, as a result of the break-down of fibers via fermentation. Butyrate Balance features CoreBiome™, a form of tributyrin (a triglyceride consisting of three molecules of butyrate). CoreBiome™ promotes gut health and immune function by modulating intestinal flora, promoting colon cell health, and supporting proper gut permeability.*
• Carnitine Blend - Combines 400 mg L-carnitine and 100 mg acetyl-L-carnitine, in one convenient capsule. L-carnitine is a derivative of amino acids, and naturally occurs in foods, but significant amounts are only found in dark meats (due to high concentrations of mitochondria). L-carnitine is known for its role in supporting muscle strength, normal fat metabolism, and healthy energy production. Carnitine Blend also contains acetyl-L-carnitine, which has unique brain-supportive properties.* 
• Liver Reset - Contains a natural pea protein isolate to fuel detoxification pathways, as well as nutrients and antioxidants needed to support both phase I and phase II detoxification pathways, for safe and gentle detoxification. It also includes a comprehensive array of herbal hepatics and cholagogues to promote healthy liver function and elimination.*
• Myo-Inositol Powder - Myo-inositol is a form of inositol, a type of natural sugar alcohol that’s present in mammalian cells. It is an important nutrient that serves key functions relating to hormone signal transduction throughout our endocrine system. As such, myo-inositol plays an important regulatory role relating to thyroid health.*
• Paleo Starch - Contains two forms of resistant starch (RS) type II: organic green banana flour and organic potato starch powder. RS is a type of starch that is resistant to digestion, as enzymes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are ineffective against it. Once RS reaches the large intestine, it is fermented into short-chain fatty acids, which are used as fuel for both beneficial microbes and the cells of the intestinal lining.

What are the benefits of the supplements in the Kit?

• Berberine - May support healthy blood sugar metabolism and insulin sensitivity, healthy lipid metabolism and blood vessels, and a normal response to oxidative stress and inflammation. Berberine may also support digestion and promote healthy microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract.*
• Butyrate Balance - Butyrate Balance helps to support the integrity of the intestinal lining, healthy gut flora, and bowel function. Butyrate also supports regular bowel movements, which may be helpful for occasional constipation, contributes to healthy immune function, promotes a healthy inflammatory response in the gut, and serves as the primary fuel source for colon cells.*
• Carnitine Blend - Provides support for people on vegetarian diets, or when dark meats are consumed in small amounts. It also supports exercise performance through encouraging the body to burn fat during exercise, supports normal energy levels by assisting in the transport of fats as a fuel source, and contributes to healthy weight management by supporting the body's ability to build muscle and burn fat.*
• Liver Reset - Ideal for those who would like to safely support the liver while promoting gentle detoxification. It is also ideal for those who have allergies or sensitivities to gluten, dairy or egg proteins, and are looking for a fructose-free, naturally sweetened liver support product made with stevia.*
• Myo-Inositol Powder - Myo-inositol may be helpful in supporting a healthy mind, and promoting relaxation, balanced moods, and restful sleep. It may also be helpful in maintaining female hormone balance, and can support normal insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate metabolism.*
• Paleo Starch - Benefits GI health through its ability to support microbial balance and proper intestinal permeability and integrity. Additionally, this formula may help support optimal blood sugar and insulin metabolism, normal appetite, and cardiovascular health.*

How long can I take the supplements in the Kit?

• Berberine can be taken for eight to twelve weeks.
• Butyrate Balance can be taken long term.
• Carnitine Blend can be taken for three months to two years.
• Liver Reset can be taken for four to twelve weeks.
• Myo-Inositol Powder can be taken for one month to long term, if needed.
• Paleo Starch can be taken long term.

How do I fit all the supplements into my day?
Upon completing your order of the Balance Kit, a guide will be provided to you via email with more information on supporting healthy weight management, as well as a suggested schedule for incorporating the supplements. If you do not receive this guide or have trouble accessing it, please reach out to us at info@rootcology.com.

Can the supplements be taken with thyroid medication?
Berberine, Butyrate Balance, Carnitine Blend, Liver Reset, and Paleo Starch should be taken at least 30 to 60 minutes away from thyroid medications.

Myo-Inositol Powder should be spaced out by at least one hour from thyroid medications.

Why can’t I take the Balance Kit if I have Addison’s, an electrolyte imbalance, or am taking steroids or diuretic medications?
Ingredients (including milk thistle, biotin, green tea, quercetin, and vitamin E) in the Liver Reset may upregulate liver pathways that eliminate medications (specifically, the P450 enzyme). This can be an issue with steroids and diuretics, which can result in electrolyte imbalances due to excess excretion, or keeping the drug in the body too long.

Those with severe adrenal issues, like Addison's, may also be at greater risk for electrolyte imbalance, which may be exacerbated by detoxing.

Why isn’t the Balance Kit recommended for those with kidney, blood sugar, or bleeding issues?
Myo-inositol may not be properly cleared when the kidneys are overworked, such as in kidney disease, or if taking supplements (such as cleavers) or medications (such as diuretics) that can affect the kidneys or the lymphatic system.

People with diabetes taking myo-inositol should watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as myo-inositol may lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels. Rarely, myo-inositol has been associated with nausea, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue. 

Some people have reported increased bleeding with the use of myo-inositol, so it is not recommended for those with a history of heavy bleeding, or for those taking blood thinners.

What if I am sensitive to one of the supplement ingredients in the Kit?
If you are sensitive to one of the supplement ingredients, but still want to utilize one or more other supplements in the Kit, you can order them individually:

Berberine

Butyrate Balance

Carnitine Blend

Liver Reset

Myo-Inositol Powder

Paleo Starch

Please Note: The Warnings and Precautions below include those for all supplements within the Balance Kit. For information in regards to a specific product within the Kit, please refer to the individual product page.

Not to be used by those with Addison's disease, peripheral vascular disease, high blood pressure, liver disease due to alcoholism (cirrhosis), diabetes, a history of electrolyte imbalance, a history of seizures, or by those who have kidney disease or who may be already taking supplements, such as cleavers (a diuretic herb), that can affect the kidneys or the lymphatic system.

Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a corn allergy or sulfur sensitivity, if you plan to consume alcohol, or if you are allergic or sensitive to pork or any of the ingredients in these supplements.

If you have an allergy to bees, do not take Berberine, or any other product containing beeswax. While rare, it is possible to have an allergic reaction.

Consult with a doctor before using if you have a history of heavy bleeding.

DO NOT TAKE if taking the following medications: anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, antidiabetic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, AZT, blood thinners, CNS depressants, cyclosporine, cytochrome P450 substrates (2C9, 2D6, 3A4), dextromethorphan, diuretics, doxorubicin, immunosuppressants, isotretinoin (Accutane), losartan, metformin, midazolam, pentobarbital, steroid medications, succinylcholine, tacrolimus, thrombolytic drugs, and/or valproic acid (Depakote).

Do not use without consulting your practitioner if you are currently taking the following medications: ACE inhibitors, activated charcoal, adenosine, alkylating agents, aluminum, aminoglycoside antibiotics, amiodarone, amphetamines, angiotensin receptor blockers, anion-transporting polypeptide substrates, antacids, antipsychotic drugs, antithyroid drugs, antitumor antibiotics, atazanavir, barbiturates, beta-adrenergic agonists, bisphosphonates, bortezomib, calcipotriene, calcium channel blockers, capecitabine, carbamazepine, ceftriaxone, cephalexin, chloroquine, cimetidine, cisplatin, clozapine, cocaine, contraceptive drugs, cytochrome P450 1A2, 1B1, 2C8 substrates, diclofenac, digoxin, diltiazem, dipyridamole, disulfiram, dolutegravir, elvitegravir, ephedrine, estrogens, 5-fluorouracil, fluphenazine, fluvoxamine, fosphenytoin, glucuronidated drugs, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, hepatotoxic drugs, indinavir, insulin, integrase inhibitors, koselugo, levothyroxine+, levodopa, carbidopa, lithium, methotrexate, midazolam, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, morphine, nadolol, niacin, nicotine, nitroglycerin, NMDA antagonists, organic anion-transporting polypeptide substrates, penicillamine, p-glycoprotein substrates, phenobarbital, phenylpropanolamine, phenytoin, primidone, pyrimethamine, quinolone antibiotics, raloxifene, raltegravir, retinoids, riluzole, ritonavir, sirolimus, skeletal muscle relaxants, sotalol, statins, stimulant drugs, sulfasalazine, sulfonylureas, tamoxifen, tetracycline antibiotics, theophylline, thiazide antibiotics, verapamil, warfarin.

People with diabetes taking myo-inositol, should watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as myo-inositol may lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels. Rarely, myo-inositol has been associated with nausea, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or sleeplessness. If you experience these effects, discontinue taking it.

While research has shown that myo-inositol seems to have a normalizing effect on testosterone in women with PCOS, myo-inositol has been shown to increase testosterone in men with low levels of this hormone. Thus, myo-inositol can be used by both men and women. However, a word of caution for men who are sexually active: myo-inositol can increase sperm quality, leading to surprise pregnancies in partners of men who were previously thought to be infertile.

Carnitine may affect Hormone Replacement Therapy, and may increase or cause an imbalance in testosterone levels.

Please note: Liver Reset uses corn derived ingredients and may contain a protein component that could cause an allergic response in those with corn allergies. 

Myo-Inositol Powder contains ingredients derived from corn, but does not contain a protein component which could cause an allergic response in those with corn allergies. While it is generally well-tolerated by those with corn sensitivities, please consult with your practitioner before use if you have a corn allergy or other individual concerns.

⁺Note regarding levothyroxine: As liver supportive supplements may increase thyroid hormones, specifically T4 to T3 conversion, Liver Reset is not recommended for those with active hyperthyroidism. As recommended with any lifestyle interventions, individuals with hypothyroidism and normal thyroid function should monitor their levels of thyroid hormones while taking this supplement, and test thyroid hormone levels every 30-90 days to see if a medication adjustment is needed.

References for each of the supplements within the Balance Kit can be viewed through the links below:

Berberine

Butyrate Balance

Carnitine Blend

Liver Reset

Myo-Inositol Powder

Paleo Starch