The 5 Pillars for Lasting Health - Brenna May Wellness

When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, my protocols ran between $1,200 and $1,800 a month. Parasite stacks, detoxes, thyroid support, nutrient replenishment — you name it, I was on it. And honestly? I needed it. My body was on the edge, and that big, expensive stack kept me afloat.

But here’s the Catch-22: in all likelihood, I was only absorbing a fraction of what I was paying for. Most synthetic supplements are tough for the body to use, so while I was surviving, I was also funding very expensive pee.

Over time, my body started pushing back. The synthetic protocols that once worked began feeling like band-aids. I’d try to wean off, and my body would rebel — but slowly, as I healed, I found myself reaching for deeper nourishment instead of another pill.

Whole-food supplements, nose-to-tail eating, homegrown and foraged foods with those deep taproot minerals… that’s when I finally felt the shift. And it clicked: every synthetic input, whether supplement or pharmaceutical, creates a depletion somewhere else. One band-aid leads to another. The only way off the hamster wheel is back to the foundations.

1. Digestion – the front door of your health

If food isn’t broken down, it’s just expensive compost. Low stomach acid and sluggish bile make your gut like a bad dishwasher: the dishes (nutrients) come out half-clean and still sticky.

2. Blood sugar regulation – why even healthy food can crash you

Ever been hangry two hours after a smoothie? That’s your blood sugar rollercoaster. Stable blood sugar is less about cutting carbs and more about pairing meals with protein, fat, and fiber so your energy lasts.

3. Nutrient-Dense Diet (vitamins, minerals, fats, hydration)

Vitamins keep the lights on, minerals are the spark plugs, fats are the building blocks, and water is the transport system. Miss any one and your body runs like a car low on oil — squeaky, cranky, and not going anywhere fast.

4. Sleep – the hidden healing system

You can swallow all the “sleep support” supplements you want, but if you’re not actually giving your body enough rest, it’s like trying to patch drywall while the construction crew is still hammering.

5. Stress – the foundation under all the others

Stress isn’t just emotional. It’s chemical, physical, environmental. And when your nervous system is stuck in fight-or-flight, it hijacks digestion, blood sugar, and even sleep. Your body can’t heal if it doesn’t feel safe.

Supplements had their place in my story. They helped me survive. But they couldn’t rebuild the house. The foundations did.

Start here. Build from the ground up. Then — and only then — will all the extras actually stick.

With grace & grit,

Brenna May, NTP
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This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

Next Up: 👉 Digestion: The Front Door to Healing