ION Gut + Microbiome FAQs

Frequently askedquestions

  • ION* Gut + Microbiome

    • Usage Instructions:
      Adults and Children 3 and Over:

      We recommend 1 teaspoon of ION* Gut + Microbiome 3x/day. Optimal gut support is achieved when taken 30 minutes prior to meals, but you can take it immediately before, with, or after a meal, (or on an empty stomach) and still receive benefit.

      Sensitive Adult Usage:

      Results can vary with initial ION* Gut + Microbiome usage, with many customers reporting rapid and profound early results. These results are not the direct effects of the supplement itself, but instead reflect the innate process that occurs in a body as the firewall system is optimally up and running. There is a subset of individuals, however, that can experience symptoms of tiredness, headache, bloating/increased gas, or bowel changes. If you feel you may be sensitive to the changes that can occur as your innate defenses and capacity for water/nutrient absorption are restored, we suggest a slower approach. Start with 1/8 teaspoon of ION* Gut + Microbiome daily, increasing usage slowly, as tolerated, to get to recommended label usage.

    • What is ION* Gut + Microbiome?
      ION* Gut + Microbiome is an all-natural liquid gut health supplement that goes beyond probiotics, helping to support tight junction integrity and diversify your microbiome the natural way. It is soil derived and U.S. sourced. Its active ingredient, humic extract (from ancient soil), is naturally rich in a variety of trace minerals and amino acids. ION* Gut + Microbiome isn't bacteria; it's a family of molecules made by bacteria.
    • What are the ingredients in ION* Gut + Microbiome?

      Humic Extract (from Ancient Soil) and Purified Water.

      Humic extract is sourced from ancient soil (roughly 60 million years old), and contains a blend of bacterial metabolites (aka, fulvate) as well as less than 1% of a variety of trace minerals and amino acids including chloride, sodium, lithium, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, bromide, potassium, iron, antimony, zinc, copper, gold, magnesium, alanine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, methionine, threonine, and valine.

      Please note, all of the trace minerals in our humic extract are naturally occurring, well below the RDI, and not meant to be used as supplementary to any deficiencies. The truly active compound in humic extract is the fulvate, a unique family of carbon molecules with oxygen-binding sites that are produced by bacteria when they digest nutrients. These molecules are the backbone of the ION* blend, helping with critical functions like cellular and microbial communication and chelation of nutrients.

    • Is ION* Gut + Microbiome similar to probiotics or enzymes?

      ION* Gut + Microbiome is not a prebiotic, a probiotic, or a direct source of enzymes. We need a much more diverse microbiome than one can achieve by replicating the same strands of bacteria over and over (this monoculture can happen when we take probiotics).

      ION* Gut + Microbiome is unique in that it strengthens the gut lining to foster a more diverse microbiome, naturally. A strong gut lining helps to defend against environmental and foodborne toxins that harm the microbiome, causing gut and health issues.

      Note: Please consult your healthcare practitioner concerning the addition or removal of probiotics and digestive enzymes in your personal regimen; as each person is unique, we cannot make individual recommendations.

    • Is sediment and variation in colour normal?

      Yes, ION* Gut + Microbiome is all natural and soil derived; the colour, taste, and amount of sediment in each bottle can vary. It is neither abnormal nor harmful.

    • Does ION* Gut + Microbiome need to be refrigerated?

      No, ION* Gut + Microbiome is shelf stable and does not require refrigeration.

    • Are there any contraindications with ION* Gut + Microbiome?

      There are no known contraindications with ION* Gut + Microbiome. However, for maximum efficacy of all products, we do suggest separating by 30 minutes if you are taking ASEA, a thyroid medication, iodine, or a binder supplement.

      Iodine is a highly-charged element that can bind to negatively-charged elements in ION* Gut + Microbiome. Also, certain "binder" supplements (clay, charcoal, and zeolites) recommend taking separately from any nutrition, food, or supplements.

      ION* Gut + Microbiome strengthens healthy gut membranes. This support can return expected drug absorption to normal levels and may improve bioavailability of your supplements and food nutrients. If you are on a medication that requires blood level testing to adjust the dose (such as blood thinners or seizure medications) you should discuss ION* Gut + Microbiome with your doctor, who may want to get testing done within a week of starting ION* Gut + Microbiome, as you would do with a diet change or adding other mineral supplements.

      None of the minerals or amino acids in ION* Gut + Microbiome are present in levels that would be considered adequate to allow ION* Gut + Microbiome to replace other standard mineral therapies, such as Lithium orotate or your regular multi-mineral supplement, in your gut health management.

    • Can I take ION* Gut + Microbiome while pregnant or nursing?

      While we know of no contraindications during pregnancy, we would recommend consulting your healthcare provider, before continuing, or starting ION* Gut + Microbiome while pregnant or nursing.

    • What does ION* Gut + Microbiome do?

      ION*Gut + Microbiome supports the body's natural production of beneficial enzymes through redox signaling (cellular communication). Those beneficial enzymes support the tight junctions (the seals between cells) in our gut lining - the barrier protecting us from toxic substances like glyphosate and gluten while allowing the entry of beneficial nutrients.

      As demonstrated in our peer reviewed articles, toxins like glyphosate and gluten can degrade tight junctions in the epithelial layer of the gut lining. ION* Gut + Microbiome has been shown to promote the strengthening of the gut barrier, thereby bolstering the first line of defense against everyday exposure to toxins. With a strong gut lining, both digestion and immune function are improved. Further, by acting as a carrier molecule, ION* moves nutrients into the cells where they are needed the most.

    • How does ION* Gut + Microbiome work?

      The gut lining is a barrier, our first line of defense, working to protect our bloodstream (and the rest of our body) from toxic substances such as glyphosate, gluten, and other foreign particles. But just as importantly, it functions to allow the passage of beneficial nutrients. Preserving the integrity of this gut barrier is key to health.

      Instead of feeding your microbiome with various bacterial strains, ION* Gut + Microbiome works via carbon-based redox signaling to help the body's natural processes that maintain tight junction integrity in the epithelial layer of the gut lining. Think of ION* Gut + Microbiome primarily as a signal, not a nutrient. It provides a framework of communication for the gut bacteria, because of the ancient soil/bacteria carbon molecules it is derived from which, when stabilized, contain the same carbon-based redox signaling molecules produced by gut bacteria. ION* Gut + Microbiome supports innate communication channels between our microbiome, the cells that line our intestines, and other parts of the body.

    • Why should I be taking ION* Gut + Microbiome to maintain optimal gut health?

      Currently, 86% of the population suffers from gas, bloating, indigestion, and heartburn, with a good majority stemming from poor gut health. But when you factor in inflammation that is caused by poor gut health, those are just the tip of the iceberg. Given the number of issues that chronic inflammation is responsible for, maintaining gut health is vital.

      So why do we suddenly need help maintaining our gut health? To start, overprescribed antibiotics, glyphosate damage, and a lost connection with our environment. Our microbiome is not thriving as it should, and neither are we. Rather than address a specific medical condition with a narrowly-targeted supplement, ION* Gut + Microbiome takes a holistic approach and helps the body naturally maintain a strong immune system to, in turn, create an environment that supports total body and mind health.

    • What are tight junctions?

      Tight junctions are the seals between cells which help to create a defensive barrier in the epithelial layer of your gut lining. They function to keep toxins and foreign particles out of the bloodstream while also allowing nutrients to enter. Tight junction integrity is at the foundation of health.

      Tight junctions are protected by the carbon and mineral metabolites of bacterial digestion. When the intestinal bacteria are balanced and thriving, this matrix of metabolites produces a strong enzyme defense system that protects the tight junctions from the toxin zonulin.

      Over the last sixty years, there has been a steady loss of biodiversity in our bowel bacterial ecosystem. Factory farming, processed foods, and widespread antibiotic use have all played major roles in this decline. However, the most potent of triggers for zonulin impact at the gut barrier is glyphosate, the most commonly used herbicide. Gluten is the most potent of naturally occurring triggers for zonulin production in our modern diet.

      ION* Gut + Microbiome functions as the answer to glyphosate and gluten impact at the gut lining by promoting increases in production of the enzymes that break down zonulin and thereby strengthen tight junctions.

    • What is the gut-brain connection?

      Recent science has called the gut our "second brain," or "Enteric Nervous System" (ENS). It consists of two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells that line our gastrointestinal tract, from our sinuses all the way to our rectum, and serves as a vast communication network. We now know that the majority of neurotransmitters, or "chemical messengers," such as serotonin and dopamine, are made in our gut lining, with very little being made in the brain comparatively. However, the production of these chemical messengers is dependent on the right bacteria, fungi, and even parasites and viruses (collectively known as the microbiome), being present in our gut.

    • What is glyphosate and why is it harmful?

      Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the most commonly used weed killers, including Roundup. These weed killers are used broadly in agriculture and found in varying quantities throughout our environment. The volume of usage of this herbicide has led to reports of significant levels of glyphosate in water, air, rainfall, and even human breast milk. The World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen", and it is implicated in a wide variety of human health disorders.

      ION* Gut + Microbiome functions as a response to glyphosate and gluten impact by improving the gut lining's ability to keep out these detrimental elements and promoting increases in production of beneficial enzymes. ION* Gut + Microbiome promotes a healthy "firewall" in the gut and blood-brain barrier, to support a beneficial shift in the gut ecosystem as well as normal immune function. ION* Gut + Microbiome improves gut resilience to glyphosate within 16 minutes.

    • Is ION* FDA approved?

      Dietary supplements are never FDA approved. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements fall under a different regulatory framework. The FDA does, however, regulate dietary supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), and ION* adheres strictly to these guidelines.

      Further, as the regulatory landscape changes, we are constantly working to stay up-to-date with industry standards.

    • Is ION* vegan?

      Yes! All products in the ION* suite are vegan, naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, latex-free, sulfite-free, preservative-free, non-GMO, and certified glyphosate residue free. They are all produced in a facility free of allergens, including peanuts and tree nuts.

    • Could I be allergic to ION* Gut + Microbiome?

      ION* Gut + Microbiome has numerous naturally occurring trace minerals and amino acids in it. We are aware of the vulnerability to some of these elements that certain individuals have. However, the concentrations of these trace minerals are far below the concentrations seen in the daily intake of a healthy plant-based diet and never in the metallic form typically associated with sensitivity. Cucumbers, for example, are high in naturally occurring aluminum.

      Sensitivity to the ionic and organic minerals found in ION* Gut + Microbiome, therefore, is not common. Additionally, ION* Gut + Microbiome is sourced from plant-derived fossils and is routinely tested for contaminants. However, if you have an allergy to trace minerals, we recommend starting slowly with ION* Gut + Microbiome, as detailed under "Usage Instructions". If you believe you are experiencing an allergic reaction to ION* Gut + Microbiome, stop taking the product immediately, and consult your healthcare practitioner.

      As ION* Gut + Microbiome begins to strengthen the tight junctions in the gut lining, it is not uncommon to experience mild, temporary side effects such as constipation as full hydration is promoted. In these cases, the first and best response is to increase consumption of water and herbal teas. It may also be beneficial to take a slower approach. See under "Usage Instructions" for sensitive individuals.

      "Detoxing"

      The clinical spectrum of signs and symptoms that have been attributed to the word "detox" are vast. If we consider the full term, "detoxification", we can bring some clarity to the process. The need to remove toxins is part of the body's natural defense, and a healthy body has vast mechanisms for toxin removal.

      Many people starting ION* Gut + Microbiome have noted almost immediate signs of toxin clearance from the body. Urine, sweat, breath, and skin in the case of mineral foot baths, can all reveal toxin clearance. This is the result of the extremely rapid changes in tight junction integrity as ION* Gut + Microbiome promotes functional tight junctions in the gut, blood vessels, kidney tubules, etc.

      ION* does not detox your system in the way that most products marketed as a detox do. Instead, ION* Gut + Microbiome provides a gentle, constant cellular detox that chelates to metals and other unwanted cellular waste and helps to remove them from the body. The body's natural systems, once back online with intelligent membranes, produce all the natural detoxification pathways. If tight junction restoration throughout the system is the reason for the mobilization of toxins and subsequent removal (detoxification) from the body, there is no redistribution of the toxin to other tissues. The toxins are instead trafficked to appropriate clearance sites of urine, breath, and sweat.

    • For how long should I take ION* Gut + Microbiome?

      You should take ION* Gut + Microbiome as long as you are getting exposure to those environmental factors known to impact the tight junctions in the gut lining, including gluten, glyphosate, and antibiotics. Organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free foods are great. However, avoiding exposure to glyphosate is the bigger challenge, as it has been shown to be contaminating even our rainwater.

      So why do we suddenly need help maintaining our gut health? To start, overprescribed antibiotics, glyphosate damage, and a lost connection with our environment. Our microbiome is not thriving as it should, and neither are we. Soil depletion has led to a loss of nutrients in our foods, and commonly used herbicides like glyphosate are wreaking havoc on our health. Thus, toxin protection and optimal nutrient absorption are essential. By acting as a carrier molecule, ION* helps to move nutrients from your daily meals into the cells, and move toxins out of the body.

      Rather than address a specific medical condition with a narrowly targeted supplement, ION* Gut + Microbiome takes a holistic approach to wellness, helping to maintain the strength of our digestive and immune systems for whole-body health.

    • Does ION* Gut + Microbiome expire?

      Through third-party stability testing, we know that ION* Gut + Microbiome is safe and efficacious for up to 3 years.

    • Is ION* Gut + Microbiome similar to other fulvic or humic extracts/substances?

      ION* Gut + Microbiome is a balanced formula, comprised of a very unique family of carbon molecules with oxygen-binding sites that are produced by bacteria when they digest nutrients. We extract our primary ingredient from ancient, soil that contains humic and fulvic substances.

      Fulvate (what ION* utilizes) has not been acidified like fulvic acid and exists naturally in our source material, Leonardite.

      Oxygen atoms in fulvate molecules are partnered (chelated) with metal ions. Metal bridges between molecules allow electron transfer both within and across molecules which helps facilitate the communication aspect of ION*, what we refer to as redox signalling. This ability to enhance communication at the cellular level is what differentiates us from your average fulvic acid.

      When fulvate is acidified, oxygen atoms in fulvic acid are bound to hydrogen instead of metals. Hydrogen does not support electron transfer between molecules and therefore may not facilitate redox signaling.

    • Where can I purchase ION* Gut + Microbiome?

      ION* Gut + Microbiome is available in our online store (uk.intelligenceofnature.com), on Amazon.co.uk, from many healthcare practitioners, and in many retail stores in the UK.

    • If I have more questions, who do I contact?

      More questions? Let’s connect! Email us at uk.info@intelligenceofnature.com.

  • Shipping & Returns

    • UK shipping costs

      We offer free standard UK delivery for orders over £72, shipped to addresses in the UK.

      Standard UK delivery is £3.49 and aims for delivery in 3-5 working days.

      Express UK delivery is £8.50 and aims for delivery in 1-2 working days.

    • EU shipping costs

      For orders being delivered to the EU: VAT is not collected at checkout and will be charged by Customs on arrival in destination country.

      When shipping to Europe, delivery costs are based on order weight and shipping method selected.

      Standard EU delivery starts at £7.90 and aims for delivery within 21 working days.

      Express EU delivery starts at £19.49 and aims for delivery within 5 working days.

    • Do you ship from the EU?

      All orders through our UK site are shipped by our exclusive distributor partners at YourHealthBasket. They are located in the UK and ship our products from the UK to customers in the UK and EU.

    • How are my orders shipped?

      All orders through our UK site are shipped by our exclusive distributor partners at YourHealthBasket. They are located in the UK and ship our products from the UK to customers in the UK and EU.

      We use Royal Mail, DHL, and other carriers depending on where your order is headed and which delivery method you chose for your order.

    • When will my order ship?

      Orders are dispatched Monday – Friday. Wherever possible, we aim to ensure same-day dispatch for orders placed before 2pm.

      On Mondays and any day following a public holiday, we experience a backlog of orders. In these situations, same-day dispatch may simply not be possible. Thank you for your understanding.

      Dispatch times provided are targets but on occasion, delays are inevitable. In such cases, we’re genuinely very sorry and will try to expedite your order as soon as possible but we cannot be held liable for carrier failure.

    • How can I check my order status?

      Please refer to the tracking links in the email you received with your shipment information to track delivery of your package. If you need additional assistance, please contact our Customer Support Team at YourHealthBasket located in the UK at uk.info@intelligenceofnature.com.

    • Returns & exchanges

      It is our hope that you and your family are able to fully experience the benefits that ION* gut health products have to offer. This is why if you are not satisfied with any of our products, we offer a 100%, 60-day, money-back guarantee on your first bottle purchased (any size) from our website.

      Please Note: Your original shipping costs will not be refunded. Our 100% guarantee applies to purchases made through our UK site, uk.intelligenceofnature.com, only. Product purchased through any of our distributors is subject to their return terms and conditions. For more information, please contact our Customer Support Team in the UK at +44 (0) 1245 905505 or e-mail us at uk.info@intelligenceofnature.com.

    • My order arrived damaged. What do I do?

      If your order arrives and it is clearly damaged, if it is possible to sign for the delivery as damaged, please do so as this speeds up the claim process. Please take photos of both the exterior and then the subsequent damaged items as without these, we cannot offer a refund or replacement. All damages must be reported within 48 hours of receipt by email or phone. Please do not open the damaged product until you have been in communication with us.

    • Do you deliver to hotels?

      We accept orders with a hotel as the delivery address, however, we will ensure a fully tracked signature delivery service is used. We will not be held responsible for any successful delivery to a hotel that is not received by the hotel guest.

    • Selected Shipping Method

      We reserve the right to amend the shipping method chosen to give your order the added security of tracking and/or a signature. If you specifically request we send an order without tracking, you agree to waive your right to a replacement or refund if the parcel is lost. This also applies if you specify a “safeplace” and tracking indicates successful delivery.

  • Partnership

    • How can I get more information on becoming a reseller?

      Please visit our Reseller page, answer a few questions, and a member of our exclusive distribution partner team at The Supplement Warehouse will be in touch with you shortly.

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