One of the best gifts we can give to our self or a loved one this holiday season is a pathway toward optimal health and a thriving, happy life. It is difficult to be at our best when we are stressed, having trouble getting a good night’s sleep, or experiencing digestion and elimination problems, hormonal imbalances or chronic allergies. We might intuitively know our diet needs improvement, but require guidance on what to eat, what to avoid and how to change our lifestyle to match our wellness goals.

Those that think they have no time to improve their health and wellness will sooner or later have to find time to deal with their illnesses. This age-old adage is what drives the fitness industry’s New Year’s resolution marketing campaigns. But without appropriate direction and support from knowledgeable experts to help address the underlying barriers to peak health, our well-intended resolutions often fall flat.

Giving the gift of health, in the form of a wellness gift card, can help get someone started on the road to good health. It has been a financially trying year for many people and working on their health has taken a back seat as a result. A gift card can be used for a consultation, the purchase of wellness products, even lab testing, or in other ways that would be most helpful to the recipient. 

Some popular tests available to assist in figuring out what support is needed for better health and a healthier future include:

GI-Map – helpful uncovering problems with digestion and elimination 

Organic Acid Test – helpful uncovering detoxing and metabolic issues

DNA Testing – a deep dive into areas that could be behind many chronic symptoms

Nutreval – a great tool to assess micronutrient levels

Dutch Adrenal Test – helpful understanding high stress levels, low energy, sleep issues

Dutch Complete Test – looks at the adrenals and a deep dive into female and male hormone levels, and how the body is using them

When unsure of where to start, earmark the gift card for a consultation with a functional dietitian or with someone trained in naturopathic therapies. This way the practitioner can help determine what the correct testing, supplements and lifestyle changes will be most beneficial. Their expertise can help the recipient start the new year with fresh information for improving one’s diet, health and overall well-being.

Check with a local practitioner or wellness center about discounts on gift cards for the holidays. Everyone benefits from a gift of health.

Dr. Gary Kracoff is a naturopathic doctor and registered pharmacist at the Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center, located at 577 Main St., Waltham. For more information, call 781-893-3870 ext. 2 or visit  NaturalCompounder.com. Gift cards are available.