Virus & immune system support supplement interview with Damon Sununtnasuk from Natural Care Lab

Coach Sarah Joy: It's so nice to see you. How are you doing?

Damon: Yeah, it's great.

Coach Sarah Joy: Okay, so I'm gonna start with your amazing intro.

On today's new episode of Coach Sojoy Talks, you guys, I'm interviewing the very brilliant man here, Damon. Damon, I'm so sorry, I can't say your last name. I don't want to butcher it.

Damon: No one can, and I don't take offense. It's pronounced Sunun Tennessee, but Damon is totally fine.

Coach Sarah Joy: That's a beautiful last name. He serves as the CEO of Natural Care Labs, operating as Plumera Health and Vital Tales brand supplements. He has an internationally decorated career in health, technology, and leadership. His work and travel have taken him to more than 70 countries across continents. Man, you're busy! He is the founder and president of several award-winning companies, including an industry-recognized strategy consulting firm with a global client base. Damon earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida and his Master of Business Administration with honors from the University of Cambridge, England. I bet your parents are so proud of you.

Damon: It's been a journey, right?

Coach Sarah Joy: If you have any questions along the way, or if you have a question you'd like to drop for us, go ahead and put that in the comment box, and we'll get to it. Okay, you guys, I want to start off with my story because my story feeds into why I'm here with Damon, why I love his supplements, and why I think he's just such a brilliant man, and I appreciate everything he's doing for the world.

Coach Sarah Joy: I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. I was really, really sick for ten years. Over the years, my condition gradually worsened. Like many others, I went through numerous doctors, including endocrinologists and functional medicine specialists, seeking answers and help. In 2015, I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) alongside my Hashimoto's diagnosis. I spent about $5,000 on treatments that included vitamin IVs, B12 shots, and other therapies, but I still felt hopeless.

A year later, my brother was released from prison and was shot 14 times by the police. That was a wake-up call for me. I realized life is short and precious, and I needed to change my miserable circumstances, especially my health. I made radical decisions, including enrolling back in school. I conducted extensive self-testing and discovered severe Epstein-Barr infections, which were contributing to my hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's. By focusing on antiviral protocols with supplements, herbs, minerals, and food, along with healing my trauma and doing energy work, I began to improve significantly for the first time.

My journey led me to become a coach, and I noticed my clients had similar issues with viral infections. I found that addressing these infections was key to improving their health. This is why I appreciate Damon and his unique line of supplements that focus on viral support.

Coach Sarah Joy: So, Damon, how did you get into developing viral support supplements?

Damon: First, thanks for having me. It's such a pleasure to connect with you in this forum. We've been working together for a couple of years now, and it's fantastic to be here with your audience. Your story is really powerful, and I think we should discuss some of the co-morbidities and co-located viruses you mentioned, like Hashimoto's.

My foray into this space began because I worked overseas for a long time. After living in countries with universal healthcare, I returned to the US and faced medication insecurity. I empathized with the millions of Americans who can't afford necessary medications or don't have insurance. I noticed the poor quality of supplements available in stores and thought there had to be a better way.

In 2015, I started focusing on research-based formulas and education, aiming to democratize access to high-quality supplements. We wanted people to feel empowered to seek out information and make informed health decisions. Our company emphasizes providing and sharing research so people can educate themselves.

Coach Sarah Joy: I love that you brought up CVS supplements. I've told my clients many times to avoid those low-quality options from Walmart or CVS. They can actually harm your health more than help it.

Damon: Thank you for recognizing our efforts. Trust is critical when deciding to put something in your body. Apart from education, we focus on trust by ensuring our supplements are high quality and backed by research. We also receive numerous awards, which validate our commitment to excellence.

Coach Sarah Joy: I am so impressed with the number of awards your company has received. It's incredible! Can you talk about that a bit more?

Damon: It's really flattering of you to mention that. When it comes to making personal health decisions, trust and education are crucial. Instead of focusing heavily on advertising, we invest in providing high-quality products and educating our customers. This approach has helped us earn numerous awards and recognition in the industry.

Coach Sarah Joy: Thank you for sharing, Damon. Your dedication to providing high-quality, research-based supplements and educating the public is truly inspiring. I appreciate you taking the time to join us today and share your insights.

Quality and Trust in Supplement Manufacturing

Damon:
For us, it's all about buckling down on education, and research, and focusing on the elements of quality and trust that have defined us over the last nine years. This dedication has manifested through numerous awards. We are very proud to have won seven American Business Awards in the last four years, which is a well-recognized awards body in the United States. These awards highlight our achievements in quality, manufacturing, publications, and innovative formulas.

We don't advertise these awards or put them on billboards, but we believe that people seeking clean-label, trustworthy, quality supplements will appreciate these accolades.

Coach Sarah Joy:
Absolutely. Finding a good quality, clean-labeled supplement company is hard nowadays. Many companies might have a cool-looking label or sound amazing, but truly recognizing and trusting a good supplement can be difficult. I love that you have your awards on your website; they speak for themselves. That was the first thing I noticed. After seeing the research and talking to you, I knew I found a winner.

Criteria for Choosing a Good Supplement

Damon:
Later in our conversation, I'd love to discuss the decision-making criteria for choosing a good supplement. I prefer to provide general information rather than explicitly promoting our products. Our main mission is to empower people to make educated decisions about their lifestyle choices. If that includes supplements, great. If it includes our supplements, that's fantastic. I believe in the idea that a rising tide lifts all ships, so I like to give general advice on what to look for in supplements without pointing explicitly to our products.

Coach Sarah Joy:
I love that. Very humble, Damon. Now, let’s start getting into the nitty-gritty, shall we?

Exploring the Connection Between Viruses and Health

I find myself pioneering the connection between viruses like HSV-1 and HSV-2 and other health conditions, such as hypothyroidism or Graves' disease. Often, people see these as separate issues, but I see them as interconnected.

When I started coaching, I focused on identifying root causes through testing. I use hair tissue mineral analysis and state-of-the-art gut tests by Microbiome Labs called BiomeFx. I don’t focus much on blood work because it’s not always definitive. Instead, I look at mineral deficiencies, gut imbalances, and infections, integrating these aspects into my holistic approach.

Integrating Lysine and Monolaurin into Health Programs

I've been using your lysine, monolaurin, and other products for years with great success. Many people don’t even know what lysine and monolaurin are, so let's start with the basics.

Damon:
The lysine and monolaurin combination has quickly become one of our top products. Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning your body cannot produce it and it must be consumed through diet or supplementation. It supports bone density, muscle repair, and vitamin synthesis, among other things. Our lysine is vegan, sourced from non-GMO organic corn, and is clean label.

Monolaurin, on the other hand, is synthesized from lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid found in the mother's breast milk, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil. Lauric acid converts to monolaurin in the body, but the conversion rate is not fully understood. Monolaurin is known for its potential impacts on digestive health, skin health, and immune support. It’s used in various industries, including cosmetics and food production, due to its natural antimicrobial properties.

Coach Sarah Joy:
Wow, I didn’t know most of that. It’s really informative. Thank you. In my practice, I use monolaurin specifically for its antimicrobial properties, helping with antibacterial and antiviral needs, much like lysine.

If anyone has questions or wants to learn more, please drop them below!

Coach Sarah Joy: I used to eat a lot of potatoes to get tons of lysine daily as part of my antiviral regimen against Epstein-Barr and HSV-1. I love potatoes and could eat them constantly!

Damon: That's great to hear!

Coach Sarah Joy: I want to dive into a different topic now. Some of my clients react to coconut products, not just supplements but coconut water as well. I often switch them to a clean lysine product. Could you explain the difference between your lysine monolaurin blend and a clean lysine blend?

Damon: Absolutely, I’d be happy to. First, a quick note on arginine. It’s often avoided in diets because it counterbalances lysine, and people rely on supplements to maintain the lysine-arginine balance.

Regarding coconut allergens: While coconuts aren't a top allergen according to the FDA, we do include a warning on our labels. Our allergen testing shows no coconut allergen in the final product because we use medium-chain fatty acids extracted from coconut oil—capric, caprylic, and lauric acids. These are processed with glycerol to create monolaurin, so the final product has minimal contact with the coconut’s potential allergens.

Coach Sarah Joy: Interesting. So, is it generally safe for those with coconut allergies to use the product?

Damon: It’s always safer for those with coconut allergies to avoid the product. Although our testing shows no detectable allergens, I recommend finding alternative sources.

Coach Sarah Joy: Got it. What about the differences between the monolaurin lysine blend and the clean lysine blend?

Damon: The monolaurin lysine product contains equal parts monolaurin and lysine, while the clean lysine product contains only lysine. The clean lysine formula is designed with minimal ingredients—just lysine, a vegetarian capsule, and a small amount of organic rice powder to ensure uniform fill in high-speed production.

Coach Sarah Joy: So the organic rice powder helps with the encapsulation process?

Damon: Exactly. It helps maintain consistency and uniformity in the capsules.

Coach Sarah Joy: Great explanation! Now, how can someone determine the best mix of these supplements for their needs?

Damon: Excellent question. Supplements aren't a cure-all but can complement a healthy lifestyle. To find the right mix, I recommend using resources like PubMed, which offers a wealth of gold-standard research studies. You can search for studies related to specific ingredients and their effects.

Coach Sarah Joy: Thanks for the detailed insights!

Damon: You’re welcome!

Coach Sarah Joy: I actually haven’t used PubMed that in-depth for supplements. I’ll have to try that. I want to add that I base my supplement recommendations on test results.

Coach Sarah Joy: One of the things I used to do when I was very ill was go to health food stores and pick the multivitamins with the most ingredients, thinking that more meant higher quality. But I've learned that blind supplementation isn't effective.

Coach Sarah Joy: Instead, I rely on hair tissue mineral analysis, gut test results, and blood tests for specific viruses. I use a doctor's letter with specific virus tests, such as Epstein-Barr antibodies and thyroid antibodies. These tests help gauge the severity of infections.

Coach Sarah Joy: For example, Epstein-Barr antibody levels can indicate the severity of an infection. If results are significantly above the lab range (0-21), it suggests a more severe infection. I also consider other tests and physicals to get a comprehensive view.

Coach Sarah Joy: Based on these results, I choose supplements. For severe cases of Epstein-Barr, frequent HSV breakouts, or chronic infections, I might use stronger supplements like lysine or monolaurin. It’s important to address both the virus directly and support the immune system.

Damon: That’s a great explanation. I also recommend Google Scholar as a resource for research studies, which can be more focused than traditional search engines.

Coach Sarah Joy: Yes, Google Scholar is fantastic. And I appreciate you mentioning dosage considerations. When starting supplements, an introductory dose helps the body adjust and can prevent a Herxheimer reaction, which is an inflammatory response to die-off of pathogens.

Damon: Exactly. Introductory dosing can avoid overwhelming the body. For ongoing maintenance, a daily moderate dose might be appropriate, but it’s important to adjust based on individual needs and stress levels.

Coach Sarah Joy: I agree. For clients, especially women who experience immune system drops before menstruation, increasing dosages during that time can help manage symptoms. I’ve found high doses of vitamin C and lysine effective during such periods.

Coach Sarah Joy: Additionally, I use juicing and hydration strategies to flush out dead pathogens from the system, as they can cause symptoms and inflammation even after they are killed. Cleansing the liver and supporting detoxification is crucial.

Coach Sarah Joy: So, it’s not just about killing viruses but also about supporting the body’s ability to eliminate them and recover effectively.

Detox Pathways and Fiber

To keep our detox pathways functioning optimally, it’s essential to support our body’s natural processes. This means not only focusing on high-lysine supplements but also ensuring we're consuming enough fiber through fruits and vegetables. Fiber helps with bowel movements, which is crucial for toxin elimination. It’s also vital for maintaining healthy glucose levels and overall gut health.

Damon: I couldn’t agree more about fiber being a hero here. I recently heard in a podcast with Dr. Andrew Huberman that up to 95% of Americans don’t get the fiber they need—around 25 grams a day. Fiber is essential for digestion and maintaining healthy glucose levels. Nicholas Taleb, in his book Black Swan, even mentions that fiber helps remove potentially precancerous cells from the intestinal lining.

Coach Sarah Joy: Absolutely! Fiber is critical not just for digestion but also for feeding good gut bacteria. There are many types of fiber, and diversifying sources—like legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits—can greatly benefit our health. When detox pathways are open, as seen in a recent case, insufficient fiber can lead to toxin buildup and skin breakouts. Increasing fiber intake can help resolve these issues.

Biofilm and Its Impact

Coach Sarah Joy: Let’s talk about biofilm. It’s essentially a protective layer that bacteria or microbes form, making it harder for treatments to be effective. Biofilms can form in various parts of the body, including the mouth, digestive tract, and vaginal canal.

Damon: Right and biofilms can significantly impact the efficacy of antibiotics and antiviral medications. They form a shield that prevents these treatments from reaching their targets. To address biofilm, we need to break down this protective layer so that our body’s natural defenses or medications can work effectively.

Coach Sarah Joy: Green tea is a great natural biofilm buster, and I also recommend the Biofilm supplement from Natural Cure Labs. Combining this with lysine and monolaurin can be very effective in managing infections.

Damon: Absolutely, and Andrographis is another excellent herb for immune support. It has a rich history in traditional medicine and extensive research supporting its benefits.

Coach Sarah Joy: For those starting with supplements, I recommend a regimen including Eliza, monolaurin, Biofilm, and an immune blend. Andrographis is also a great addition for comprehensive support. If budget is a concern, consider integrating it later.

Damon: I’d love to explore a before-and-after analysis with your clients to assess the impact of these supplements and lifestyle changes on health markers.

Coach Sarah Joy: The results are often remarkable. For example, a client of mine saw significant improvements in her thyroid markers after addressing infections and optimizing her diet.

Damon: That’s fantastic to hear. We appreciate your support and dedication to holistic health.

Coach Sarah Joy: Thank you for your insights, Damon. For anyone interested in these supplements, you can find them through my affiliate link here. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance on choosing the right supplements for your needs.

Damon: It’s been a pleasure. Thank you all for joining us!

Coach Sarah Joy: Yes, thank you, everyone! Follow Damon on TikTok for more insights, and feel free to contact me for personalized advice.

For more information, you can visit our YouTube channel or Instagram for educational content and updates.

@Coachsarahjoy @naturalcurelabs

Watch the full Podcast HERE