You eat well.
You still might be missing this.
This page is not for people trying to lose weight. It's for people who already make thoughtful food choices — and who deserve to know something most nutritionists never mention.
What this page covers
Your food is less nutritious than it used to be
In 2004, researcher Donald Davis and colleagues published a landmark study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, analyzing USDA nutritional data for 43 garden crops comparing 1950 to 1999. The findings were striking: statistically reliable declines in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamin C — with some nutrients declining by as much as 38%.
To get the same vitamin A as one orange from the 1940s, you'd need to eat eight oranges today.
Widely cited from nutrient density analyses comparing USDA data across decades. Modern oranges are also lower in iron (up to 37% less), vitamin C (up to 30% less), and calcium (up to 27% less) than their 1950s counterparts.
A 2024 follow-up study published in Foods (Bhardwaj et al.) confirmed the trend continues: an alarming decline in food quality over the last 60 years, driven primarily by soil degradation from modern agricultural practices. The same soils have been farmed repeatedly without adequate replenishment. Three inches of topsoil — the kind that took 1,000 years to build — can be depleted in just a few farming seasons.
Crops are now bred for yield and shelf life, not nutrient density. This affects all produce — including organic. The soil is the same regardless of whether pesticides are used.
Sources: Davis et al. (2004), J Am Coll Nutr; Bhardwaj et al. (2024), Foods; CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
You are what you absorb — not what you swallow
Most people who try supplements are underwhelmed. That's not a coincidence — it's chemistry. Conventional tablets and capsules must survive stomach acid, intestinal enzymes, and the digestive process before any nutrient reaches your bloodstream. A significant portion never makes it. As dōTERRA's Dr. Damian Rodriguez, DHSc, MS, puts it: if nutrients aren't bioavailable, they create "colorful and possibly expensive excretions."
"Think of conventional supplements as rowboats struggling across a river. Most of the passengers — the nutrients — don't make it across. Liposomal delivery is the sturdy ferry that gets them there safely, and keeps them there longer."
— Analogy from dōTERRA VMG+ bioavailability research
This is why many health-conscious people have tried supplements, felt nothing, and concluded they don't work. The problem isn't the nutrients — it's the delivery system.
Liposomal technology — nutrients that actually reach your cells
dōTERRA's VMG+ (part of the Foundational Wellness Bundle) uses liposomal technology — a delivery method that encapsulates nutrients inside tiny fat-soluble spheres called liposomes. These spheres mimic the structure of your own cell membranes, allowing nutrients to bypass digestive breakdown and be absorbed directly at the cellular level.
A published clinical study (dōTERRA, July 2025) tested VMG+ in human trials with healthy adults aged 20–60, as well as in lab testing using the Caco-2 cell model (the gold standard for intestinal absorption research). The results were significant:
- Vitamin C: 4× higher blood levels
- Vitamin E: 5× better absorption
- Iron: 6× higher levels
- Calcium & potassium: Also absorbed better
- Vitamin D: Improved ~22%
- Calcium: Increased 53%
- Inflammation (hs-CRP): Dropped 26%
- Cellular aging clock: Measurably improved
Nutrient levels stayed elevated in the bloodstream for up to 8 hours
Compared to conventional supplements, which drop off significantly within 1–2 hours. This is published research from dōTERRA's clinical study on VMG+ (July 2025).
Participants also reported better mental clarity, more energy, improved digestive comfort, and better sleep quality after 6 weeks of daily use.
Essential oils for stress — ancient medicine, modern science
Chronic stress is one of the most underaddressed health factors in modern life. It disrupts cortisol, impairs sleep, suppresses immunity, and accelerates cellular aging. Essential oils work through the limbic system — the brain's emotional center — making them one of the fastest-acting natural tools for stress relief available.
One of the most researched essential oils in the world. Shown in multiple studies to reduce anxiety, lower heart rate, and promote a sense of calm within minutes of inhalation.
Used for thousands of years in meditation and prayer. Supports a grounded, focused mental state and is one of the most valued oils in dōTERRA's lineup.
dōTERRA's grounding blend of spruce, ho wood, frankincense, blue tansy, and blue chamomile. Designed specifically for emotional steadiness during stressful periods.
A blend formulated specifically for modern stress — wild orange, lavender, copaiba, spearmint, magnolia, rosemary, neroli, and sweetgum. Supports calm focus without drowsiness.
Cold-pressed from the rind of the bergamot orange. Widely used in aromatherapy for mood elevation, emotional release, and reducing feelings of tension and sadness.
How to use: Diffuse in your home or workspace, apply topically to pulse points (wrists, neck, temples) diluted with a carrier oil, or simply inhale directly from the bottle. The effect is often felt within 60–90 seconds.
Better sleep — the foundation everything else depends on
Sleep quality affects every system in the body — metabolism, immunity, mood, cognitive function, and cellular repair. Most people accept poor sleep as normal. It isn't. And it doesn't require medication to address.
dōTERRA's restful blend — lavender, cedarwood, ho wood, ylang ylang, marjoram, roman chamomile, vetiver, and sandalwood. Diffuse at bedtime or apply to the bottoms of feet.
A deeply grounding oil from the roots of the vetiver grass plant. Known for its ability to quiet a racing mind and support deep, restorative sleep.
The Serenity blend in softgel form, with added L-theanine and lemon balm. Designed for people who want internal support for relaxation and sleep onset.
Consistent, quality sleep is not a luxury — it's a biological requirement. These tools work best as part of a consistent wind-down routine: dim lights 60 minutes before bed, diffuse Serenity or Vetiver, and avoid screens in the final hour.
The chemicals in your home — and what to do about them
The average American home contains over 62 synthetic chemicals in cleaning products alone — many of them classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). These chemicals interfere with hormonal signaling, affect thyroid function, and accumulate in the body over time. This isn't a fringe concern: the EPA lists indoor air quality as one of the top five environmental health risks.
You don't have to overhaul everything at once. The most impactful approach is to replace products one at a time, starting with the ones you use most frequently.
Bleach, synthetic surfactants, artificial fragrance
dōTERRA On Guard Cleaner Concentrate — plant-based, effective, no synthetic fragrance
Parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate in shampoos, lotions, deodorants
dōTERRA Spa line and essential oil–based personal care products
Synthetic air fresheners, scented candles with paraffin and artificial fragrance
Diffusing pure essential oils — purifies air and provides therapeutic benefit simultaneously
Optical brighteners, synthetic fragrance, fabric softeners with EDCs
dōTERRA On Guard Laundry Detergent — plant-based, fragrance-free option available
The one-at-a-time approach: When a product runs out, replace it with a cleaner alternative rather than throwing everything out at once. This makes the transition sustainable and affordable. Most people complete the transition within 3–6 months.
Move more. Recover faster. Naturally.
Whether you exercise daily or are just getting back into movement, recovery is where the real gains happen. Sore muscles, joint stress, and inflammation are universal — and doTERRA's Deep Blue line offers plant-based relief that works topically and internally without the side effects of over-the-counter pain medications.
The flagship soothing blend — wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, German chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus. Apply topically to sore muscles and joints before or after activity.
The blend in a convenient cream formula with added moisturizers. Ideal for post-workout application to large muscle groups — legs, back, shoulders.
Roll-on convenience for targeted application. Perfect for on-the-go use at the gym, on a trail, or at work. No mess, no residue.
A powerful internal support oil that works on the body's endocannabinoid system to support a healthy inflammatory response. Take internally in a capsule or under the tongue.
How to use: Apply Deep Blue Rub or Blend to sore areas immediately after exercise. For internal inflammatory support, take Copaiba in a veggie capsule daily. The Deep Blue Stick is ideal for joints — knees, elbows, wrists — during activity.
Other natural supports — for everyone
Pain, immune resilience, and overall vitality are universal health concerns. These surveys help identify which doTERRA products are the best fit for your specific situation.
Pain & Discomfort
Natural solutions for sore muscles, joint discomfort, and everyday aches — powerful plant-based alternatives to over-the-counter pain relief. Deep Blue Blend, Deep Blue Rub, Copaiba, Frankincense.
Take Pain & Discomfort Survey
Immune System Health
Strengthen and support your body's natural defenses with doTERRA's immune-boosting products — On Guard Blend, On Guard Softgels, Oregano, Frankincense.
Take Immune Health Survey
Digestive Health
Gut health affects everything — immunity, mood, energy, and nutrient absorption. PB Assist+, GX Assist, DigestZen, and TerraZyme support a healthy microbiome and digestive function.
Take Digestive Health Survey
Metabolic Health
Support healthy weight management, blood sugar balance, and sustained energy. MetaPWR Blend, MetaPWR System, Mito2Max, and TerraZyme work together to support cellular energy and metabolic function.
Take Metabolic Health Survey
"I started using the Foundational Wellness Bundle because I was desperate — 330 pounds, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and borderline diabetes. It changed everything for me. But looking back, I wish I had started it years earlier, when I was eating well and exercising and thought I had it figured out. I didn't know what I was missing."
— Jason Todd, lost 130 lbs at age 55 without medication or surgery
Read Jason Todd's full storyThe Food Industry's Best-Kept Secret
Even if you avoid processed food entirely, the soil depletion and absorption challenges covered on this page still apply. The food industry has engineered products to override even the most disciplined eater's brain chemistry.
Three videos from Dr. Mark Hyman, the BBC, and CBS cover the full science — including the suppressed history of how this happened.
Know someone who takes their health seriously?
This page was written specifically for people who already eat well. If you know someone who cares about their health and would want to know this — share it with them.
Suggested message to send a friend
"I thought of you when I read this. You already eat well and take your health seriously — but there's something most people don't know about that affects everyone, even those who eat clean. It's about the soil our food is grown in and why even organic produce has lost most of its nutrition since the 1950s. There's a solution I found really interesting. Worth a read: https://natureguidedhealth.com/healthy-living"
You've already done the hard work.
This is the last piece most people miss. Start with the free health survey — it takes one minute and helps identify what your body may be missing.
Or book a free consultation — best after completing the health survey.
Even a clean diet has gaps.
Soil depletion means the nutrients in whole foods today aren't what they were 70 years ago. The doTERRA Foundational Wellness Bundle is how I addressed that gap — and it's the most natural next step for people who already eat well.
Add stress support, sleep support, and a cleaner home environment, and you've addressed the four layers that affect everyone — regardless of diet.
Or book a free consultation — I can walk you through which products are the best fit for where you are.