By Emilie Branch - Mane Additcts
We’ve heard of plankton (hello, elementary school science class) but we haven’t given it a second thought since 4th grade. That is until we learned about its wondrous health and hair benefits. Daniella Hunter, the owner and founder of Sanara Tulum and Real Coconut Kitchen restaurant group is a huge plankton advocate. The cookbook author clued us into the untapped world of this ocean delight and it turns out, it’s not just for whales. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of marine phytoplankton for your hair.
“Phytovive marine phytoplankton is nature’s most ancient and potent food source and forms the basis of the ocean food chain. It is packed full of vitamins, trace ocean minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, chlorophyll, and EFAs,” shares Daniella. “In their (microscopic) individual form, marine phytoplankton is five to seven times smaller than red blood cells. Because they do not depend on the digestive system for processing, they are a highly bioavailable source of nutrients, which can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream.”
MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON PRODUCT RECS
To reap the most benefits, you want to get it into your system, not topically. “Phytovive is available in capsule and powder form to best suit your lifestyle needs. For the most potent benefits and to be able to increase the desired intake, we suggest powder form, which may be easily mixed into liquids and drinks. For traveling and for those not so keen on the distinct flavor, capsules are a convenient and simple way to receive the benefits of your daily intake,” she explains.
“The simplest and easiest way to consume Phytovive powder is mixed into a small amount of orange juice or lemon/lime with water (or a mixture of both). We find that the acidity of the orange and lemon juice help to balance the flavor of marine phytoplankton, resulting in a pleasant drink that can become part of your daily routine,” Daniella continues.
HAIR AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Considering all the benefits, it’s easy to see why it extends to its hair. “Phytoplankton offers a broad spectrum of minerals that come from the sea: magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc. These minerals promote good health and can support hair growth,” she shares.
Of course, we’re interested in results, and Daniella is a poster child for them. “I began incorporating marine phytoplankton into my diet over five years ago. After recognizing the incredible benefits and shift in my overall vitality, I decided to introduce our own, carefully-sourced phytoplankton onto our drinks menus at the Real Coconut Kitchen in Tulum, Mexico,” she adds.
“Marine phytoplankton became one of what I call my ‘hero ingredients’, and the only whole food supplement that I personally use. Over the past years, tens of thousands of our restaurant customers in Tulum, and more recently in Malibu, have been able to experience the incredible effects of Phytovive and enjoy the creative recipes we have used to deliver this powerful whole food powder into drinks such as our Phyto Green, and my personal go-to recipe which became known as ‘Daniella’s Daily Dose,'” says Daniella.
To try it yourself, visit a full-service Real Coconut Kitchen in Malibu and Tulum or a delivery/pick-up only location in Culver City. If you’re not in L.A. or Mexico, you can still channel your inner baby beluga as they ship many products within the U.S. We can’t wait to sea your results!