About Essential Stacks

We design foundational formulas for good gut health. 
We call them 'stacks'.

Meet Your

Gut Health Experts

Meet the team that turns late-night research sessions into life-changing supplements. With decades of clinical experience and an obsession with gut science, we don't just read the latest studies - we use them to create formulas that solve real digestive issues. Because your gut health deserves more than marketing hype; it deserves genuine expertise.

With over 40 years of medical experience, Dr. Haines serves as a key medical advisor to Essential Stacks, providing strategic guidance on our supplement approach and educational content. His decades of successfully treating GI problems - focusing on root causes rather than just symptoms - helps shape our philosophy of addressing the underlying factors behind digestive issues. A former senior medical officer and surgeon with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Dr. Haines has treated thousands of patients with digestive problems throughout his distinguished career in both military and family practice settings. An accomplished medical author, he advises our team on evidence-based approaches that help people move beyond the Standard American Diet to achieve lasting gut health.

Dr. Joe Haines MD, MPH

Medical Doctor (MD)

For over 15 years, registered dietitian Richelle has been solving gut health challenges through evidence-based nutrition and practical solutions. At Essential Stacks, she brings her deep expertise in digestive wellness to help formulate research-backed supplements and create educational content that empowers people to understand their gut health journey. Owner of Health-Crush, her Seattle-based dietetics practice, Richelle approaches digestive wellness holistically - combining nutritional science with sustainable lifestyle strategies that actually work in real life.

Richelle Godwin BS, RDN

Registered Dietitian (RDN)

Your Gut Deserves Better

The supplement industry is full of shortcuts that put profits before
your health. Overseas manufacturing with questionable standards.
Lack of independent 3rd party testing to save costs. Products loaded
with fillers that can irritate sensitive digestive systems.

We chose a different path. We take the harder, more rigorous route
because your gut health is too important for industry compromises.
From USA manufacturing to independent testing to
clean formulations - every decision prioritizes your digestive wellness.

Because when you're dealing with gut issues, you need supplements
that actually help, not products that cut corners where you can't see
them.

Why You Can


Trust Us With Your Gut

Why You Can


Trust Us With

Your Gut

We've experienced gut health issues & we know how to fix them. The right way.

To make world class products for you, we formulate our ingredient combinations (‘stacks’) with input from experts across the four key fields of gut health – doctors, dietitians, microbiologists & research scientists. By bringing the views of this diverse collection of authorities together, we are able to design supplements that your gut will love.

Formulated by gut health experts

To make world class products for you, we formulate our ingredient combinations (‘stacks’) with input from experts across the four key fields of gut health – doctors, dietitians, microbiologists & research scientists. By bringing the views of this diverse collection of authorities together, we are able to design supplements that your gut will love.

100% focused on digestive health

We don’t help people lose fat, gain muscle or otherwise become super human.  Instead, our sole focus is to help support your digestion, GI tract and microbiome.  That is it.  And that means we have the time and dedication to produce world class gut health supplements.  Most importantly for you, that means we choose the right ingredients, include them in balanced amounts and use the smartest encapsulation technology.  But even more crucial is what ingredients we say no to.  No to gut irritating fibers.  No to unnecessary fillers.  No to artificial flavors.  And all these no’s add up.

Clinically researched ingredients

We spend 100s of hours diving deep into the research behind every formula we create to make sure it offers real support. For example, when we designed Friendly Prebiotics we spent 30 hours debating the pros & cons of a single ingredient in it, the fiber Larch Arabinogalactan. And even more time scrutinizing another ingredient, Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum. Importantly, we opt for ingredient specificity – especially with regards to prebiotic fibers and probiotic strains.

Free of gut irritants

Since we ‘take what we make’, our team ruthlessly implements the highest purity standards. Meaning no gluten, no dairy, no soy, no GMOs.  Instead, we are focused on creating best-in-class hypoallergenic products. To ensure this high standard is upheld, we use independent 3rd party labs to verify our core digestive health products range. Additionally, extensive purity testing is conducted for heavy metals, pesticides and microbiology. No stone is left unturned in search of purity.

Made for your family, and ours

Our families consume our products and we formulate & operate accordingly. That means open source, transparent labels, with ingredient specificity outlined and amounts clear to see (hello individual enzymes labels, goodbye proprietary enzyme blends).

Designed for a busy life

Perhaps the biggest thing driving us is the desire to make supplements that intelligently combine (‘stack’) complementary ingredients, so you can nurture your gut with less products.  A good example of this is our Upgraded Betaine HCL, which brings together 5 unique ingredients to support the break down of food in both the stomach and intestine via an interplay of HCL, pepsin, bile, digestive bitters and ginger.  We think this approach is not only an amazing time saver, but also a cost effective way to get your daily digestive health supplements.  The way we want it for ourselves.  And the way it should be regardless.

Our People - Their Words

“Bloating has gone way down” “I’m going to bathroom regularly” “I noticed how good I felt after using this product” “Amazing glutamine” “Chose this because it was made in USA” “Finally - something that really works” “Dissolves easily!!” “Bought this product on a recommendation from my brother” “I will always have this on hand!”

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