Chiyo, a pioneering food-as-medicine company, is expanding its maternal nutrition offerings with two new programs aimed at improving women’s health during key stages of their life journeys. The company’s founder, Irene Liu, was inspired to launch Chiyo after witnessing the stark differences in postpartum care between cultures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience highlighted gaps in care in the U.S. and fueled Liu’s desire to make holistic, culturally-informed nutritional support more accessible to women.
Liu’s background in addressing food deserts and promoting nutrition education, combined with her exposure to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), informed the development of Chiyo. The company blends Eastern Food Therapy with modern nutritional science to create tailored nutrition plans designed to support women’s health in unique ways.
Chiyo quickly gained traction after launching a pilot program that became one of Google’s top organic search results within weeks. The company received media attention from The New York Times and Bon Appétit within just two months and achieved six-figure revenue in its first year—without spending on marketing.
Now, Chiyo is addressing critical health gaps with two new programs: the Hormone Balance and Fertility Enhance programs. The Hormone Balance program, launched in December 2023, targets women navigating the transition off birth control, managing PMS, or dealing with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. Liu notes that many women use birth control for extended periods to manage symptoms like acne or PMS, but long-term use can deplete vital nutrients like vitamins B6, B12, and folate—nutrients that are essential for hormone production, metabolism, and fertility.
The Fertility Enhance program is designed for women looking to conceive, whether naturally, via IUI, IVF, or egg freezing. Liu highlights that research indicates 90% of women trying to conceive are deficient in nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy. This program offers a comprehensive approach that not only addresses nutritional needs but also takes into account genetics, mitochondrial health, environmental toxin exposure, and lifestyle factors.
Chiyo’s service offers a customized, straightforward process. Customers select a program based on their health stage and specific conditions, such as PCOS or endometriosis. After providing information about their cycle, dietary preferences, and energy needs, they receive personalized meal plans that integrate TCM principles. These meals—100% gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free—include breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, broths, and herbal tonics, all tailored for specific nutritional profiles. Customers also have access to a digital nutrition hub and support from registered dietitians and TCM practitioners.
In its mission to expand maternal health nutrition across the U.S., Chiyo has raised $3.4 million in funding from prominent investors, including actress Sophia Bush and influencer Aimee Song. Liu, who holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Harvard Kennedy School, and Wharton, envisions Chiyo as a catalyst for transforming generational health, emphasizing that “improving women’s health starts with taking care of mothers.”
Through its innovative approach, Chiyo aims to bridge gaps in women’s health care, offering not just meals, but a comprehensive, holistic solution to support women through their hormone and fertility journeys.
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