Inner Wellness Natural Medicine

31/08/2025

Two of my favourites 🌸 I don’t think many others quite live up to Louise L Hay and Wayne Dyer’s legacy in spiritual empowerment and healing.

Today we pause to honor the beautiful lives and legacies of Louise Hay and Dr. Wayne W. Dyer—two luminous souls who left this world on the same date, two years apart. 💜

Louise and Wayne taught us to embrace self-love, live with purpose, and remember the truth of who we are: spiritual beings having a human experience. Their wisdom continues to ripple through generations, touching hearts and guiding lives with love and light.

As we remember them today, we invite you to carry their teachings forward—speak an affirmation, revisit a favorite passage, or simply share their light with someone you love. 🌻🕊

16/08/2025

One of our herbal medicine expert Simon Mills sharing some important truths! Well worth the watching! 👀

Is the root of every illness your gut? Could 5 simple herbs replace your medicine cabinet? Natural remedy expert Simon Mills reveals the herbal medicines tha...

01/08/2025

Here's the last IWNM news for August - Happy reading!

Clinic Updates

31/07/2025

Drink your green tea 🍵 😃

A new study links drinking green tea with having fewer white matter lesions (WML) in the brains of Japanese seniors, potentially providing a level of protection against dementia. WML are abnormalities in the brain’s white matter (the part of the brain that contains nerve fibres responsible for communication between different brain regions) seen as hyperintense (bright) areas on MRI scans. They generally indicate chronic small vessel (microvascular) disease and are a relatively common finding in an older brain.

Researchers from institutions across Japan teamed up to analyse data on 8,766 volunteers over the age of 65, collected as part of a survey conducted between 2016 and 2018. Self-reported green tea and coffee consumption was cross-referenced against magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans, which measured overall brain volume and features of five different brain regions.

The scientists claimed: “This cross-sectional study found a significant association between lower cerebral white matter lesions and higher green tea consumption, but not coffee consumption, in older adults without dementia, even after adjusting for confounding factors”.

The observed effects were not large. Averaged out, those who had three cups of green tea per day had 3 percent fewer WML compared with those drinking one cup per day. Those who drank seven to eight cups per day had 6 percent fewer lesions, compared to those drinking one cup a day. One cup of tea was equivalent to approximately 200 mL.

WML, indicative of cerebral small vessel disease, are associated with vascular dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD). Larger WML were associated with more severe brain atrophy in patients with AD. Recently, a longitudinal study also identified WML as an independent risk factor for cognitive decline, even after accounting for traditional AD risk factors.

Given previous investigations linking green tea with lower blood pressure, and other studies associating lower blood pressure with a reduced risk of dementia, at least one mechanism responsible for the results could be cardiovascular. Interestingly, the scientists observed a significant relationship between increased green tea intake and decreased white matter lesions in individuals without the ApoE ε4 allele, but not in individuals with the ApoE ε4 allele (p for trend = 0.008 and 0.491, respectively).

I have maintained for some time now that my microcirculation phytonutrient diet will help to protect against brain WML. Now there is clear proof of this for green tea (a key element of the diet). The relatively small protection seen for green tea highlights that, as per the basis of the diet, one single intervention might not be enough on its own.

For more information see: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/green-tea-drinkers-have-fewer-brain-lesions-linked-to-dementia

and

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39774601/

21/06/2025

✨ Winter Solstice ✨
Tonight I’ve taken some time to slow down, tune in, and really feel where I’m at. This is the longest night of the year—a turning point.

I’ve been thinking about what I don’t want to carry with me as we return to the light… the patterns, the weight, the stories that no longer feel like mine.

The solstice is a chance to pause, reflect, and reconnect—to plant new seeds for what’s coming.

31/05/2025

I think everyone feels this!

11/05/2025

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸
Today can bring up all sorts of emotions—joy, love, gratitude, but also heartache and reflection. I feel so blessed to have a beautiful mum who’s not only my anchor, but also my best friend. And for nearly 9 years, I’ve had the privilege of being a mum myself—a journey that’s stretched, grown and shaped me in the most incredible ways.

Motherhood really is sacred. It’s not just about giving birth—it’s about showing up with love, care, strength and softness, in all the ways that matter. To mother is to nurture, guide and hold space—and that shows up in so many different forms.

To those celebrating, I see you.
To those grieving, I’m holding space for you.
To every kind of mother and mothering presence—you are so appreciated.

Happy Mother’s Day.

16/03/2025

A recent study has found that common chemicals previously used in cookware, food packaging and cosmetics could be damaging sleep. University of Southern California (USC) researchers found that certain PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in young adults’ blood are linked to poor sleep quality. This study highlights the potential health risks and supports further regulation of these persistent pollutants. Specifically, participants with higher levels of four types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their blood experienced worse sleep. The scientists also delved into underlying molecular mechanisms, identifying possible genes involved.

“Because the body needs sleep every day, if PFAS might be interfering with your sleep, that may affect you more immediately than other chronic health issues,” said first and corresponding author Shiwen (Sherlock) Li, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine. “Long-term, poor sleep has been connected to outcomes including neurological and behavioural problems, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.”

The researchers collected blood samples and information about sleep from 144 participants, aged 19 to 24, who were part of the USC Children’s Health Study. Two sets of measurements were taken years apart, with about half of the participants contributing to both.

Out of the seven types of PFAS examined, four were significantly associated with less sleep or worse quality of sleep: PFDA, PFHxS, PFOA, and PFOS.

For the first three of these, young adults with blood levels in the highest one-third slept an average of about 80 fewer minutes nightly than those in the lowest third. High combined levels of PFAS also correlated with shorter sleep. For PFOS, high blood concentrations were significantly linked to self-reported problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up or feeling tired during waking hours.

All four are considered “legacy PFAS.” Though widely used from the 1950s to the early 2000s, they have since been largely phased out in favour of similar compounds with unknown safety profiles. “It could be a matter of cumulative exposure over time,” Li said. “What we measured in the blood is likely driven by exposure since birth, or even prenatal exposures.”

The team analysed the four types of PFAS using toxicology databases that compile research connecting chemicals, diseases and changes in gene expression. Because no previous research drew together PFAS, sleep and gene expression, the team looked at the overlap between genes affected by the four forever chemicals and genes related to sleep disorders.

The investigators then profiled a panel of proteins from participants’ blood samples. Out of 600-plus candidate genes, seven activated by PFAS seemed to influence sleep. One important factor was an immune-oriented gene called HSD11B1. It helps produce cortisol, which plays an important role in regulating the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness.

“If the expression of the protein encoded by HSD11B1 is disrupted, that means that cortisol levels could also be disrupted,” Li said. “That, in turn, affects sleep.” Another gene seemingly prominent in the PFAS impact on sleep, cathepsin B, is related to cognitive function and memory.

Such studies strengthen the case for the use of natural treatments that enhance detoxification as part of a regular health regime in this current era.

For more information see: https://scitechdaily.com/usc-study-common-chemicals-found-in-cookware-food-packaging-and-cosmetics-could-be-ruining-your-sleep/

09/03/2025

Well, this is worth sharing!

I had an amazing donut today. Woke up craving those cinnamon donuts from Donut King that we used to have as kids. It’s been 25 years since I’ve had a donut worth remembering. Sure, I’ve tried gluten-free ones from bakeries before, but they were always too heavy and more like cake than donuts.

We’re currently staying in Merimbula, and while we were visiting the market in Pambula, we stumbled upon a stand that makes gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and sulphite-free donuts. To my surprise, they were incredible—hot, fresh, and full of that nostalgic flavor. Took me straight back to my childhood.

Rhianna got to enjoy her first “real” donut too! Lucky me, they’re a franchise with locations back home, so I’ll definitely be hunting for them at markets from now on!

22/01/2025

Some interesting research

The standard patient advice is to stop taking fish oil at least five days before surgery. This is because fish oil, ‘like other blood thinners’, is thought to increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. But does this mainstream medical mantra withstand closer scrutiny? No, according to recent analyses of the published evidence.

In the most recent study, electronic databases were searched through to May 2023 to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of patients receiving omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Overall bleeding events, including fatal and central nervous system events, were identified and compared with those of a control group. A total of 120,643 patients from 11 RCTs were included. There was no difference in the pooled meta-analytic events of bleeding among patients receiving omega-3 PUFAs and those in the control group (rate ratio [RR], 1.09 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-1.31]; P=0.34). Likewise, the incidences of haemorrhagic stroke, intracranial bleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding were similar. A prespecified analysis was performed in patients receiving high dose purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which demonstrated a 50% increase in the relative risk of bleeding, but only a modest increase in the absolute risk of bleeding (0.6%) when compared with placebo. Bleeding risk was associated with the dose of EPA (risk difference, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.05-0.43]; P=0.02) but not the background use of antiplatelet therapy (risk difference, -0.01 [95% CI, -0.02 to 0]; P=0.056).

The authors concluded that omega-3 PUFAs were not associated with an increased bleeding risk. However, patients receiving high dose purified EPA may incur a additional bleeding risk, although its clinical significance is very modest.
These conclusions were backed up by an earlier analysis that examined the effect of fish oil supplements on haemostasis and bleeding risk and aimed to update recommendations on whether it is necessary to discontinue fish oil supplementation prior to surgery. Studies were identified through PubMed and Embase searches and by reviewing the reference lists of the included papers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used.
In total, 52 publications were included: 32 publications on healthy people and 20 on patients undergoing surgery. The majority of the included studies were RCTs or included a control group. Overall, fish oil supplements reduced platelet aggregation in healthy people. However, fish oil exposure in surgical patients did not increase bleeding or blood transfusions, either during or after surgery.

The authors concluded that while fish oil supplements reduced platelet aggregation in healthy people, this biochemical effect was not reflected in an increased bleeding risk during or after surgery, as evaluated by 20 RCTs. Consequently, this systematic review did not support the need for discontinuation of fish oil supplements prior to surgery or other invasive procedures.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38742535/
and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28552094/

31/12/2024

As we close out another year, it’s a moment to reflect with gratitude for the growth and lessons we have experienced. Some moments tested our faith, while others brought pure joy. It’s easy to focus on the challenges and view the new year as a fresh start. Will 2025 be better than 2024? The truth is, how we respond to each moment—good or bad—shapes the year ahead and experiences you attract. 🌱✨

As we welcome 2025, let’s do so with optimism and a clear sense of purpose. The new moon tonight offers a powerful opportunity to set intentions and realign with what truly matters. 🌙💫 Whatever this new year brings, may you find wisdom in every experience—whether it’s growth from the struggles or gratitude for the highs. Here is to embracing it all with an open heart and mind. 💖

Happy New Year! 🎉

#2025”

This version adds relevant hashtags and some emojis to make it feel more engaging.

28/12/2024

Antioxidant levels in the brain affected motivation endurance.

Motivation allows us to overcome the perceived cost of effort in pursuit of desired outcomes (i.e., rewards/incentives).A very important and critical part of the brain's reward/motivation circuitry is the nucleus accumbens. Interestingly, growing evidence points to accumbal mitochondrial function and metabolism in the regulation of motivated behavior. Indeed, alterations in nucleus accumbens function have been implicated in disorders that are routinely accompanied by motivational impairments (e.g., depression).

It is well known that the brain is subject to constant oxidative stress (build-up of waste product) due to its relatively high metabolism. In addition, compared to other high-energy turnover tissue, the brain has relatively lower amounts of glutathione, one of the body's chief internal antioxidants. Thus, the human brain is susceptible to “metabolic stress”.

Research published eLife (PMID: 36345724) sought to answer the questions “Do differences in metabolites in the brain affect our capacity for motivation?”, “If that is the case, could nutritional interventions that affect metabolite levels be an effective vehicle to improve motivated performance?”

The researchers measured levels of the antioxidant glutathione in the nucleus accumbens of humans and rats and compared these levels to performance in effort-related tasks that assessed motivation. They found a correlation between higher nucleus accumbens levels of glutathione and better motivation in task performance. When the researchers injected animals with a glutathione blocker, poorer reward-incentivized task performance was observed, indicating reduced motivation, especially over time. Interestingly, after giving animals the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine, glutathione levels in the nucleus accumbens increased and performance endurance was improved.

N-acetylcysteine is a prodrug for cysteine which is the rate-limiting substrate in glutathione synthesis and is typically found as a dietary supplement. Dietary cysteine is found in high-protein foods such as meat, chicken, fish, or seafood

Continued in comments⬇️