I’ve been reflecting on the three months my spouse and I spent in Europe final 12 months.
Roseann and I bounced between Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Germany—visiting household, exploring new cities, and touring the Fluidinova manufacturing unit the place we supply the nano-hydroxyapatite for Fygg.
Right here’s what I packed for oral well being and general wellness—what labored, what didn’t, and what I’ll positively skip (or carry) subsequent time.
The Non-Negotiables (Would Pack Once more Each Time)
1. CoQ10 – Your mitochondria want this to operate. CoQ10 helps mobile power manufacturing in all tissues, together with metabolically energetic gum tissue. Whenever you’re coping with journey stress, totally different meals, and unfamiliar beds—CoQ10 retains your power and gums wholesome. I take 200mg day by day. That is the one I take.
2. Vitamin D3 + K2 – We spent hours indoors—museums, cafes, eating places. D3 helps take up calcium, however with out K2, that calcium leads to arteries as a substitute of bones and enamel. That is the one I take.
3. Magnesium Complement – Jet lag, time zones, strolling 20,000+ steps day by day. Magnesium helped me sleep, recuperate, and preserve saliva movement. I take it 1-2 hours earlier than mattress. That is the one I swear by.
4. Xylitol Gum – After each espresso (and there have been many), I chewed xylitol gum. It stimulates saliva, reduces cavity-causing micro organism, and neutralizes pH. Simply 5 grams day by day can scale back cavities by 30-70%. As for which of them I like, I simply attempt to purchase something that doesn’t comprise microplastics! Search for manufacturers that use chicle as a substitute of artificial gum base—most standard gum is actually produced from plastic polymers.
5. Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste – Journey stress, totally different water, inconsistent food plan—all improve sensitivity and enamel erosion. Nano-hydroxyapatite fills micro-cracks and strengthens enamel. (Do you know I’m one of many co-founders of Fygg toothpaste?)
6. Floss Stick – I particularly don’t wish to be placing my fingers in my mouth when touring and staying in motels. On in a single day trains, string floss would’ve been unimaginable. That is the one I exploit which has gum sweeps that I like.
7. Plastic Tongue Scraper – Virtually like a bit of piece of paper—so transportable. I scrape each morning earlier than brushing. Reduces unhealthy breath, lowers bacterial load, helps oral microbiome. Takes seconds. That is the one I introduced.
8. Xylitol Nasal Spray – Planes dry out your sinuses. Whenever you nostril breathe the entire flight, you’re much less prone to get sick. Your nostril is sort of a fly lure—it catches viruses earlier than they attain your lungs, partly attributable to nitric oxide on nasal surfaces. Patrick McKeown talks about this extensively. I used xylitol nasal spray earlier than each flight. That is the model I exploit.
9. Oura Ring – At residence, my sleep routine is automated. However bouncing between time zones? A sleep tracker confirmed me precisely how unhealthy the jet lag was—or how properly I used to be recovering. The readiness rating guided my day by day depth.
10. Method Footwear – Good footwear are important when strolling 8–14 miles day by day. I wore black method footwear good sufficient for eating places however supportive for all-day excursions. These are those I wore.
11. CO2 Sensor – Indoor air high quality varies wildly in European motels and Airbnbs. Excessive CO2 means poor air flow and poor sleep. I adjusted home windows and doorways primarily based on readings. That is the one I’ve.
12. Digestive Enzymes – Your abdomen may not acknowledge European meals. Digestive enzymes make it easier to break down unfamiliar meals and take up vitamins—avoiding bloating that may wreck a visit. That is the one I take.
What I Skipped (Or Want I Had)
1. Electrical Toothbrush ❌ – I like my Sonicare at residence, however for 3 months of journey? Too cumbersome. Subsequent time I’m bringing my Radius “Transformer” journey toothbrush as a substitute (hyperlink). It folds into itself, takes up nearly no area, and has additional mushy bristles, which is a should (please don’t use something aside from additional mushy bristles!)
2. Omega-3 Fish Oil ❌ – We ate recent fish 4–5 instances every week. Grilled sardines in Lisbon, seafood paella in Barcelona, recent catch alongside the Amalfi Coast. And in Italy and Spain, they all the time serve you a bottle of olive oil on the desk. I’d simply take a spoonful straight. Olive oil is primarily oleic acid (omega-9), which is anti-inflammatory and doesn’t displace omega-3s like omega-6-heavy seed oils do. Most Individuals have an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio round 20:1 when it needs to be nearer to 4:1—that drives systemic irritation. Between the fish and olive oil, I didn’t want dietary supplements.
3. Oil Pulling Mix ❌ – I’ve been oil pulling for over 20 years, and I genuinely find it irresistible. At residence, I exploit an MCT oil mix each morning. However right here’s what I didn’t account for: someplace between Lisbon and Porto, the glass jar exploded in my bag. I spent a day in a Portuguese Airbnb cleansing oil out of my garments, toiletry bag, and by some means, my footwear. It wasn’t enjoyable. Right here’s my new rule: oil pulling stays at residence. On the highway, TSA liquid restrictions make it impractical anyway. A tongue scraper is all you want. That is the mix I exploit at residence.
Three months in Europe jogged my memory how our ancestors lived—with so little in comparison with all of the devices and kit we pack into our properties and garages. Residing out of a suitcase for 90 days, I felt lighter. You don’t want all the pieces. You want the correct issues. The necessities that really transfer the needle in your well being, your power, your longevity.
What are your must-have journey necessities?
– Mark
