Welcome to this month's article for The Monthly. Each month, our subscribers receive a free wellness product in their box - chosen by us, for a reason. Here, we break down why we selected it, who made it, and why we think you'll love it
May's theme: Fuel Her
May's free wellness product: Restore by The Absorption Company
ladibug lounge event: Fuel Her: The science of optimizing female performance & fitness. Hosted with internationally recognized sports nutritionist Jaclyn Sklaver, MS, CNS, LDN.
This month, we’re talking about Fuel.
As we move into Summer, the NYC girlies will be out and about, running on West Side Highway, weekend travel, Saturday morning pilates followed by an Aperol in the afternoon. But as we move into a warmer season, it is also key we maintain hydration, focus and energy.
Subscribers to The Monthly will find the Restore Powder tucked inside this month's box and we want to tell you a little about why we chose it.
Restore by The Absorption Company
We sat down with the founders, one of whom is diabetic, and were struck by the simplicity of their mission: to actually fix how well your body absorbs the supplements you're already taking. Because here's the thing most wellness brands won't tell you:
- 77% of Americans take supplements daily, yet over 90% remain deficient in key nutrients - not because the supplements don't work, but because the body isn't absorbing them properly.
- On average, only 16% of a supplement is actually absorbed. The remaining 84% doesn't just disappear - it backs up and places strain on your liver and kidneys.
-
The Absorption Company's proprietary technology is designed to improve absorption by up to 8x.
So what is it, exactly?
A daily powder that rapidly hydrates, supports immunity, and promotes detoxification. Think of it as your multivitamin, electrolyte top-up, and recovery support — all in one.
Why it works:
- Acts as a comprehensive multivitamin with electrolytes, mineral complex, antioxidants, and B vitamins.
- Liposomal Glutathione helps your body clear toxins and recover from stressors more efficiently
-
Glutathione and Vitamin C can support brighter, smoother skin
-
Electrolytes and antioxidants speed up post-workout recovery and reduce soreness
Why we trust it:
- Third-party tested by Light Labs
- Zero sugar
-
Produced in an NSF-certified facility
-
Recommended by 700+ clinicians on FrontRow Health, an independent third-party platform
What happens to your body (and mood) when you're just a little dehydrated?
We've all heard that we should be drinking more water - but most of us assume that unless we're dizzy or parched, we're probably fine. A clinical study published in the Journal of Nutrition suggests otherwise, and the findings are worth paying attention to.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut studied 25 healthy young women to see what mild dehydration - the everyday, barely-noticeable kind - actually does to how we feel and function. Spoiler: even losing just 1.36% of body mass in fluids (think one skipped water bottle during a workout) was enough to measurably shift their mood, focus, and physical comfort.
Women in the dehydrated group reported feeling more fatigued, more irritable, and less energised. They found tasks harder to concentrate on and were more likely to develop a headache — and this was true both at rest and during moderate exercise.
What makes this particularly relevant for us? That 1.36% threshold is not some extreme athletic feat — it's the kind of fluid loss that can happen on a busy day, during a Pilates class, or simply in warm weather if you're not actively drinking. The researchers also flagged that hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle can compound the effects, making women potentially more sensitive to even modest dips in hydration at certain points in the month.
The takeaway is simple but easy to overlook: hydration isn't just a performance tool, it's a mood and wellness tool! Feeling foggy, flat, or off? Your water intake might be the first place to look.