Wellness Insights & Resources

Expert advice, health tips, and wellness guidance from our team of integrated health practitioners

Featured Articles

Unlocking the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Featured

Unlocking the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a highly effective, non-surgical option for problems like leakage, pelvic pain, prolapse symptoms, and sexual dysfunction—an...

Amy Yorke, PT 25 min read
5 Health Benefits of NAD Supplements You Should Know
Featured

5 Health Benefits of NAD Supplements You Should Know

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a vital coenzyme present in all living cells, powering hundreds of cellular actions—including energy production an...

Luminate Co Team 25 min read

All Articles

35 articles

Are shampoo and conditioner bars as good as bottled hair care?

Are shampoo and conditioner bars as good as bottled hair care?

How shampoo and conditioner bars compare with bottles: cleansing and conditioning, less packaging, hair types, value, use and storage.

Luminate Co 6 min read
October 16, 2026
Buying Guides,Personal Care
Matcha at home: find your powder, make your favourite cup

Matcha at home: find your powder, make your favourite cup

Find a matcha powder or latte blend you’ll enjoy, make a hot or iced cup, and work out the clumps, bitterness or watery results along the way.

Luminate Co 7 min read
October 16, 2026
A gluten free grocery starter list for the week ahead

A gluten free grocery starter list for the week ahead

Build a practical gluten-free grocery list with pantry staples, baking basics and easy meal ideas. Learn what to check on labels before you shop.

Luminate Co 7 min read
October 16, 2026
Food & Pantry,Gluten-free
Ceylon vs cassia cinnamon for everyday cooking

Ceylon vs cassia cinnamon for everyday cooking

Compare Ceylon and cassia cinnamon, learn what to look for on the label, and choose a cinnamon for oatmeal, baking and everyday cooking.

Luminate Co 6 min read
October 16, 2026
Cooking guides,Food & Pantry
Where to buy supplements in Halifax: our supplement wall, explained

Where to buy supplements in Halifax: our supplement wall, explained

Luminate Co carries Atlantic Canada's largest selection of natural health supplements at two Halifax-area stores, 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven day...

Luminate Co Team 3 min read
October 2, 2026
local,supplements
The Bedford store and clinic: what is at 486 Starboard Drive

The Bedford store and clinic: what is at 486 Starboard Drive

The original store, open since 2019, with the clinic under the same roof: naturopaths, physios, RMTs, a chiropractor, acupuncture, osteopathy and lactation consulting. Hours, services, pickup.

Luminate Co Team 2 min read
September 30, 2026
bedford,clinic,local
The new Dartmouth store: what is at 590 Portland Street

The new Dartmouth store: what is at 590 Portland Street

Open since September 2026 at the corner of Portland Street and Baker Drive, with the biggest all-organic bulk station in Atlantic Canada. What is there, hours, pickup and what is coming.

Luminate Co Team 2 min read
September 30, 2026
dartmouth,local,stores
Where to buy organic produce in Halifax (and why ours is all organic)

Where to buy organic produce in Halifax (and why ours is all organic)

Not an organic section: the whole department. What we stock, where it comes from, and how to get it delivered the same day.

Luminate Co Team 2 min read
September 30, 2026
local,organic,produce
Direct billing in Nova Scotia: naturopath, massage and physio visits without the paperwork

Direct billing in Nova Scotia: naturopath, massage and physio visits without the paperwork

Bring your benefits card, we submit the claim before you leave, and you pay only what your plan does not cover. Who we bill, what to bring and how to check your plan.

Luminate Co Team 2 min read
September 30, 2026
clinic,insurance,local
Same-day grocery delivery in Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth: how Luminate Express works

Same-day grocery delivery in Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth: how Luminate Express works

Order by 11 am and it arrives between 2:30 and 6 pm. Zones, fees, free-delivery thresholds and what happens if something is out of stock.

Luminate Co Team 2 min read
September 30, 2026
delivery,local
Bulk shopping at Luminate: bring a container, fill what you need

Bulk shopping at Luminate: bring a container, fill what you need

Bring a clean container, weigh it empty and fill the amount you need. Browse bulk foods, herbs, tea and refill options before visiting Luminate in Bedford or Dartmouth.

Luminate Co 8 min read
September 30, 2026
bulk,local,zero waste
Unlocking the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy

Unlocking the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a highly effective, non-surgical option for problems like leakage, pelvic pain, prolapse symptoms, and sexual dysfunction—and it works for both women and men.

Amy Yorke, PT 25 min read
December 18, 2025
Pelvic Health
5 Health Benefits of NAD Supplements You Should Know
Nutrition & Wellness

5 Health Benefits of NAD Supplements You Should Know

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a vital coenzyme present in all living cells, powering hundreds of cellular actions—including energy production and DNA repair—that are essential for human h

Luminate Co Team 25 min read
December 17, 2025
NAD
Can You Take Vitamin B12 Every Day?
Nutrition & Wellness

Can You Take Vitamin B12 Every Day?

Yes, you can take vitamin B12 every day. For most people, daily B12 supplementation is safe and can be beneficial, especially for those at risk of deficiency. This article explains whether you can tak

Luminate Co Team 15 min read
December 17, 2025
Naturopathic IV Treatments: Complete Guide to Intravenous Nutrient Therapy

Naturopathic IV Treatments: Complete Guide to Intravenous Nutrient Therapy

While oral supplements play an important role in wellness routines, research shows that between 10% and 80% of nutrients are absorbed from food and supplements depending on individual digestive hea...

William Oud 21 min read
December 4, 2025
Probiotics For Kids: The Best Natural Probiotics for Kids

Probiotics For Kids: The Best Natural Probiotics for Kids

Kids benefit from probiotics mainly for antibiotic-related diarrhea, occasional constipation and immune support, and fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and miso are the easiest everyday source. ...

Luminate Co Team 7 min read
May 15, 2024
Best Probiotics for Bloating and Gas in 2024

Best Probiotics for Bloating and Gas in 2024

Probiotics can reduce bloating and gas when an imbalance of gut bacteria is the cause, and a few strains (Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus coagulans) have the best eviden...

Luminate Co Team 5 min read
February 6, 2024
Are Probiotics for Babies Safe? (Plus the Best Probiotics for Baby Recommendations)

Are Probiotics for Babies Safe? (Plus the Best Probiotics for Baby Recommendations)

Probiotics are generally safe for healthy, full-term babies, and specific strains (Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium infantis) have evidence for colic, antibiotic-related diarrhea and eczema r...

Luminate Co Team 6 min read
February 6, 2024
Best Probiotics for Constipation in 2024

Best Probiotics for Constipation in 2024

Certain probiotic strains, especially Bifidobacterium lactis, can soften stools and increase how often you go, with most studies showing a benefit within two to four weeks. Pair them with fibre, wa...

Luminate Co Team 5 min read
February 6, 2024
Magnesium For Kids: Magnesium Gummies and Supplements for Kids

Magnesium For Kids: Magnesium Gummies and Supplements for Kids

Children need magnesium for bones, nerves, sleep and energy, and a picky eater or very active child can run short. Food comes first; a children's magnesium (bisglycinate or citrate) at the dose on ...

Luminate Co Team 7 min read
February 6, 2024
Magnesium for Menopause: The Best Choices for Magnesium for Menopause

Magnesium for Menopause: The Best Choices for Magnesium for Menopause

Magnesium can ease several menopause symptoms, including sleep trouble, mood swings, muscle tension and some hot flashes, and it supports bone density as estrogen falls. Magnesium bisglycinate is t...

Luminate Co Team 6 min read
February 6, 2024
Probiotics for Gut Health in Canada: Best For Women and Men

Probiotics for Gut Health in Canada: Best For Women and Men

Probiotics help when the gut's bacterial balance is off, such as after antibiotics, during IBS flares or with ongoing bloating, and the strain matters more than the colony count. Look for a product...

Luminate Co Team 7 min read
February 6, 2024
Vitamin D for Hair Regrowth: Does It Work?

Vitamin D for Hair Regrowth: Does It Work?

Low vitamin D is linked to several kinds of hair loss, and correcting a deficiency can help regrowth, but vitamin D will not regrow hair if your levels are already normal. Get a blood test first; m...

Luminate Co Team 9 min read
February 6, 2024
The Best Magnesium for Period Cramps and When To Take It

The Best Magnesium for Period Cramps and When To Take It

Magnesium relaxes the uterine muscle and lowers prostaglandins, and studies show it can reduce the intensity of period cramps and menstrual migraines. Magnesium bisglycinate (glycinate) is the best...

Luminate Co Team 9 min read
February 6, 2024
Best Omega-3 for Hair and the Benefits of Taking Omega-3 for Your Hair

Best Omega-3 for Hair and the Benefits of Taking Omega-3 for Your Hair

Omega-3 fats support hair by nourishing the follicle and calming scalp inflammation, and small studies link supplementation with less shedding and better density. Results take months and work best ...

Luminate Co Team 7 min read
February 5, 2024
Best Omega 3 For Kids: Types and When To Take It

Best Omega 3 For Kids: Types and When To Take It

Children need DHA and EPA for brain, eye and immune development, and most do not get enough from food. A kids' fish oil or algae oil, dosed by age on the label, is a safe way to fill the gap; check...

Luminate Co Team 7 min read
February 5, 2024
Is Omega 3 Good For Weight Loss? The Best Omega 3 for Weight Loss

Is Omega 3 Good For Weight Loss? The Best Omega 3 for Weight Loss

Omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) are not a weight-loss supplement on their own, but research suggests they can modestly improve body composition and insulin sensitivity when added to a diet and exercise ...

Luminate Co Team 8 min read
February 5, 2024
Physiotherapy for Sciatica: What Physiotherapy Exercises Can Help?

Physiotherapy for Sciatica: What Physiotherapy Exercises Can Help?

Sciatica is nerve pain running from the lower back down the leg, and physiotherapy is a first-line treatment: a physio finds what is irritating the nerve and gives you specific exercises, manual th...

Luminate Co Team 8 min read
February 5, 2024
Reiki for Weight Loss: Does Reiki Help With Weight Loss?

Reiki for Weight Loss: Does Reiki Help With Weight Loss?

Reiki will not burn calories or change your metabolism; what it can do is lower stress and improve sleep, which makes it easier to stick with the eating and movement habits that drive weight loss. ...

Luminate Co Team 5 min read
February 5, 2024
Reiki For Pregnancy: Benefits of Reiki While Pregnant

Reiki For Pregnancy: Benefits of Reiki While Pregnant

Reiki is considered safe in pregnancy because it involves only light touch or none at all, and expectant parents mostly use it for relaxation, sleep and easing everyday aches. It does not replace p...

Luminate Co Team 6 min read
February 5, 2024
Reiki for Fertility: How Can Reiki Help With Fertility?

Reiki for Fertility: How Can Reiki Help With Fertility?

Reiki does not treat the medical causes of infertility, but it can lower stress and improve sleep during a demanding time, which is why some people add it alongside fertility care. Treat it as supp...

Luminate Co Team 6 min read
February 5, 2024
Reiki for Anxiety: Can Reiki Therapy Help With Anxiety?

Reiki for Anxiety: Can Reiki Therapy Help With Anxiety?

Reiki can help people with anxiety feel calmer and more settled, mainly through deep relaxation, and some small studies report lower anxiety scores after sessions. It is not a treatment for an anxi...

Luminate Co Team 6 min read
February 5, 2024
Benefits of Reiki Therapy

Benefits of Reiki Therapy

Reiki is a hands-on or hands-over relaxation practice; people most consistently report feeling calmer, sleeping better and coping with stress more easily afterward. Research on other claimed benefi...

Luminate Co Team 4 min read
July 26, 2023
What is naturopathic medicine

What is naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic medicine is primary care from a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) that looks for the cause of a problem and treats it with nutrition, lifestyle, botanical medicine and other low-interv...

Luminate Co Team 8 min read
July 26, 2023
Acupuncture Therapy Benefits

Acupuncture Therapy Benefits

Acupuncture is best supported for pain relief, including migraines, back pain and menstrual cramps, and many people also use it for stress, sleep and digestion. Sessions are low-risk when done by a...

Luminate Co Team 4 min read
July 26, 2023