Living Holistic Health

Living Holistic Health Special interests in gut health, women's health, kid's health autoimmune conditions, hormone imbalances, and fertility

Adrian Stone BHSc (Nutritional Medicine), Moegan Helmling BHSc (Naturopathy), Madeline Sheppard BHSc (Naturopathy) and Olivia Barron BHSc (Naturopathy), are Geelong's naturopathic health experts. Specialists in women's health, children's health, digestive health, fertility, mood and stress disorders and weight loss. Adrian, Morgan Madeline and Olivia are different. They want to tell you the truth about your health options, and help you see the possibilities of how healthy you can be without relying solely on pharmaceutical medications.

07/04/2026

Your gut is your immune system’s command centre 🦠✨
Did you know that around 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut?

This powerful network is called the GALT (Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue) — and it’s constantly working behind the scenes to protect you.

Think of your gut as a training ground. Every day, your immune cells interact with food, microbes, and potential threats.

The GALT helps your body learn what’s harmless (like healthy foods) and what needs to be fought off (like viruses and bacteria).

When your gut is balanced, your immune system becomes smarter, calmer, and more effective — not just in your gut, but throughout your entire body.

But when gut health is off — think bloating, irregular bowels, food sensitivities, or frequent illness — your immune system can become overwhelmed or dysregulated.

This can leave you more vulnerable, especially as we head into cold and flu season.

Now is the time to listen to your gut.

Supporting your gut health isn’t just about digestion — it’s about giving your immune system the best chance to respond, protect, and recover when you need it most.

If you’ve been experiencing gut symptoms, don’t ignore them. Addressing them now can make a real difference in how your body handles the months ahead.

Your gut isn’t separate from your immune system — it is your immune system.

– Madeline, Naturopath at Living Holistic Health

🚨 Could gluten be silently impacting your thyroid?If you’re struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog or stubborn ...
24/03/2026

🚨 Could gluten be silently impacting your thyroid?

If you’re struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog or stubborn thyroid issues… this might be something you haven’t been told 👇

👉 Here’s the connection:

Gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley & rye) can trigger immune reactions in some people.
And when it comes to autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis — this matters.

💥 In Hashimoto’s, the immune system attacks the thyroid.
And here’s where it gets interesting…

➡️ Gluten has a similar structure to thyroid tissue
➡️ This can confuse the immune system (a concept called molecular mimicry)
➡️ Result? More inflammation + more thyroid damage in some individuals

🔬 What does the research say?

✔️ A 6-month study in women with Hashimoto’s found that a gluten-free diet reduced thyroid antibodies and improved thyroid function markers

✔️ Other research shows gluten removal may help reduce inflammation and autoimmune activity

✔️ A pilot study also explored how gluten-free diets can impact thyroid autoimmunity and hormone regulation
BUT — and this is important 👇

⚖️ Results are mixed overall
Some studies show benefits, while others find no major changes in thyroid hormones

🤯 So why do some people feel SO much better off gluten?

Because many people with Hashimoto’s also have:

✔️ Undiagnosed gluten sensitivity
✔️ Or coeliac disease (which is more common in autoimmune conditions)
✔️ Gut inflammation driving immune dysfunction

👉 When gluten is removed → inflammation drops → immune system calms → symptoms improve

✨ The takeaway:

Gluten isn’t the root cause of thyroid disease…
But for the right person, it can be a major trigger.

💡 If you have Hashimoto’s or unexplained thyroid symptoms, a targeted gluten-free trial (under guidance) can be a game changer.

⚠️ Important:
Going gluten-free isn’t for everyone — and doing it incorrectly can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

💬 Final thought:
Your thyroid doesn’t exist in isolation.
It’s deeply connected to your immune system and your gut.

👉 Heal the gut. Calm the immune system. Support the thyroid.

-free

Had an awesome time talking about naturopathic solutions for peri menopause with .batsakis for her upcoming podcast seri...
23/03/2026

Had an awesome time talking about naturopathic solutions for peri menopause with .batsakis for her upcoming podcast series 🙂. Terri is a passionate advocate for women's health issues. A wonderful person invested in an important cause.

Will release details on how you can access our discussion soon.

20/03/2026

Still starting your day with sugar? 👀
It might be time to flip the script…
Switching from a sweet breakfast to a savoury one does more than just “feel healthier” — it actually supports your body on a deeper level:
📉 Helps stabilise blood sugar — fewer spikes, fewer crashes, and more consistent energy
🥑 Keeps you fuller for longer — protein + healthy fats = real satisfaction
🧠 Sharper focus — balanced glucose = clearer thinking
🌱 Feeds your gut microbiome — veggies rich in prebiotics help nourish the good bacteria your gut loves
Think beyond toast and jam…
Add spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, avocado, or even leftover roasted veggies to your morning plate 🍳
Your gut (and your energy levels) will thank you.
✨ Try a savoury breakfast for a week and notice: fewer cravings, better focus, and a happier gut.

🧬 What is MTHFR… and why does it matter for your health?You may have heard people talking about MTHFR and wondered what ...
09/03/2026

🧬 What is MTHFR… and why does it matter for your health?

You may have heard people talking about MTHFR and wondered what it actually means.

In simple terms, MTHFR is an enzyme in your body that helps activate folate (vitamin B9) so your body can actually use it.

Think of it like a key that unlocks folate. Without the key, the door doesn’t fully open.

When MTHFR works properly, it converts folate into 5-MTHF — the active form your body needs for important processes like:

✔️ DNA repair and cell growth
✔️ Detoxification
✔️ Brain chemistry and mood balance
✔️ Hormone regulation
✔️ Healthy pregnancy and fetal development
✔️ Keeping homocysteine (an inflammatory marker) under control

⚠️ The catch?

Some people have genetic variations in the MTHFR gene. The most common ones are called C677T and A1298C.

If you carry one or two copies of these variants, your body may not convert folate efficiently.

This can mean your body struggles to produce enough active folate (5-MTHF).

💡 What can this affect?

When the folate pathway isn’t running smoothly, it can influence many areas of health, including:

• Fatigue and low energy
• Mood issues or anxiety
• Hormone imbalance
• Fertility and pregnancy health
• Cardiovascular health (through higher homocysteine levels)
• Detoxification capacity

🧠 The important thing to know:
Having an MTHFR variant is not a disease — it just means your body may need extra nutritional support or the right forms of B vitamins.

With the right testing and guidance, these pathways can often be supported very effectively.

✨ This is why understanding your genetics can be powerful — it helps personalise your health care rather than guessing.

07/03/2026

Insulin resistance is something I see so often in clinic, yet many people don’t realise it could be at the root of their symptoms.
When your cells stop responding properly to insulin, your body has to produce more of it to keep blood sugar stable. Over time this can impact many areas of health, not just your metabolism.
Some common signs I see include:
• Persistent fatigue or energy crashes
• Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain
• Sugar and carbohydrate cravings
• Brain fog or poor concentration
• Hormonal imbalances (including PCOS)
• Poor sleep
• Increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The good news is that insulin resistance can often be improved with the right support.
As a naturopath at Living Holistic Health, I take a nutritional medicine and root-cause approach to help rebalance blood sugar and support metabolic health.
This may include:
🌿 Personalised nutrition strategies to stabilise blood sugar
💊 Targeted nutrients to improve insulin sensitivity
🌱 Herbal medicine to support metabolic and hormonal balance
🧠 Support for stress, sleep and lifestyle factors that influence blood sugar
Every treatment plan I create is individualised, because no two bodies are the same.
If you’ve been struggling with symptoms like these and feel like you haven’t found answers yet, insulin resistance could be a piece of the puzzle.
✨ If you'd like personalised support, you can book a consultation with me via the link in bio or send a DM to learn more.
– Madeline
Naturopath | Living Holistic Health

03/03/2026

Hormone imbalances are not random.
They are not “just your age.”
And they are not a life sentence.
One of the biggest drivers I see in clinic?
👉 Chronic stress.
When your body perceives stress — whether it’s emotional, physical, inflammatory, lack of sleep, overtraining, under-eating, or daily mental load — it activates your stress response system.
This means cortisol production increases.
Now here’s where it gets important…
Your body makes cortisol and your s*x hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone) from the same building blocks.
When stress is acute, cortisol rises temporarily to help you respond — and then it should come back down. This is normal and healthy.
But when stress becomes chronic, your body prioritizes survival over reproduction.
It diverts resources toward making cortisol.
This is what’s often referred to as the “cortisol steal.”
👉 More demand for cortisol
👉 Fewer resources available to make progesterone and other s*x hormones
👉 Hormonal imbalance begins
Over time, this can contribute to:
• Irregular or painful cycles
• PMS
• Oestrogen dominance
• Low progesterone
• Low testosterone
• Fertility challenges
• Fatigue and burnout
• Poor sleep
• Weight changes (especially around the midsection)
If the underlying stress response is not corrected, symptoms will keep cycling.
You can take medications.
You can try quick fixes.
But if the nervous system is stuck in survival mode, your hormones will continue to struggle.
True hormone healing requires:
✨ Regulating the stress response
✨ Supporting adrenal function
✨ Restoring safety in the body
✨ Rebuilding hormone production from the foundation up

Your body is not broken.
It’s adapting.
The question is — are we addressing the root cause?
— Madeline
Living Holistic Health 🌿

Your gut isn’t just about digestion. It’s your body’s control centre.Inside your gut lives trillions of bacteria — your ...
02/03/2026

Your gut isn’t just about digestion. It’s your body’s control centre.

Inside your gut lives trillions of bacteria — your microbiome. These microbes don’t just help break down food. They constantly communicate with your brain, immune system, hormones, metabolism, and even your skin.

When your gut is healthy, your whole body functions better. When it’s not, symptoms can show up almost anywhere.

Here’s how deeply connected your gut really is:

✨ Brain & mood: Your gut produces over 90% of your serotonin — your “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Gut imbalances are now strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and brain fog.

🛡️ Immune system: Around 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut. Poor gut health can drive chronic inflammation, allergies, and autoimmune conditions.

⚖️ Hormones: Your gut regulates how hormones like oestrogen, cortisol, and thyroid hormones are metabolised. Gut dysfunction can contribute to fatigue, PMS, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance.

🔥 Metabolism & weight: Your gut bacteria directly influence blood sugar control, fat storage, appetite, and insulin sensitivity.

Groundbreaking research is changing how we understand disease.

Scientists have discovered that conditions like Parkinson’s disease may actually begin in the gut years before brain symptoms appear. Researchers are also showing that changing gut bacteria can improve mood, metabolic health, and inflammation.

This is reshaping modern medicine.

It means many chronic symptoms aren’t just random — they often have a gut-level cause.

This is why working with practitioners who understand gut health is essential.

Practitioners trained in modern functional and integrative approaches know how to:

• Identify underlying gut imbalances
• Use advanced testing where appropriate
• Restore microbial balance
• Reduce inflammation
• Support true, long-term healing

Instead of just managing symptoms, they address the root cause.

Because when you fix the gut, everything else can improve — energy, mood, hormones, immunity, and overall health.

Your gut isn’t separate from your health.
It is your health.

01/03/2026

Struggling with ADHD symptoms like poor focus, emotional overwhelm, impulsivity, or constant fatigue?

What if the answer isn’t “try harder”… but look deeper?

🌿 A naturopathic approach to ADHD goes beyond symptom management. It asks: *Why* is your brain struggling in the first place?

Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, we look at the whole picture:

✨ Nervous system regulation – calming the stress response so focus becomes easier
✨ Gut health support – because brain chemistry starts in the microbiome
✨ Targeted nutrient therapy – correcting common deficiencies linked to attention and mood
✨ Blood sugar balance – reducing crashes, irritability, and brain fog
✨ Sleep optimisation – improving dopamine function naturally
✨ Personalised herbal & nutritional support – tailored to your unique biochemistry

ADHD isn’t a character flaw.
It’s not laziness.
And it’s not something you just have to “live with.”

When we support the brain and body together, many people notice:
✔️ Better focus
✔️ More emotional stability
✔️ Fewer energy crashes
✔️ Improved resilience to stress
✔️ Greater clarity and productivity

This approach can work alongside conventional care or as part of a broader integrative plan — because your health isn’t one-dimensional.

If you’re ready to understand your ADHD on a deeper level and explore a personalised, root-cause approach…

👉 Send us a DM with the word “FOCUS”
or
🔗 call via the link in bio.

Your brain deserves real support. 🌿

Think all probiotics are the same? Think again.If you’re spending money on a probiotic, you deserve one that actually wo...
12/02/2026

Think all probiotics are the same? Think again.

If you’re spending money on a probiotic, you deserve one that actually works. Let’s bust a few myths 👇

❌ MYTH: All probiotic strains are created equal

✅ FACT: Only a handful of strains have been clinically shown to support human health.
Not all bacteria are beneficial — and not all “Lactobacillus” are the same. Strain specificity matters. Research matters.

❌ MYTH: Better quality probiotics don’t need temperature control

✅ FACT: Storage conditions depend on the strain, formulation, and packaging — and should be backed by stability studies.
Heat, moisture, and light can kill live organisms. A quality brand tests for this.

❌ MYTH: The higher the CFU, the better the results

✅ FACT: The dose should be based on published scientific and clinical data on specific strains.
More isn’t always better. The right strain at the right dose is what counts.

❌ MYTH: Guaranteed potency at production = guaranteed potency at expiry

✅ FACT: Only products that guarantee potency at expiration ensure reliable dosing from start to finish.
If it’s not guaranteed at expiry, you may not be getting what the label promises.

❌ MYTH: Probiotics must be enteric-coated to survive

✅ FACT: Most probiotic studies were conducted without enteric-coated capsules.
Survival depends on strain resilience and formulation — not just coating.

Bottom line?
Choosing a probiotic isn’t about hype, high CFUs, or fancy packaging. It’s about clinically studied strains, correct dosing, proper storage, and guaranteed potency.

If you want help choosing a probiotic that actually supports your health goals, send us a DM and let’s make sure you’re not wasting your money.

Your hormones aren’t “broken.”Your body is inflamed.And that changes everything.If you’re dealing with irregular cycles,...
11/02/2026

Your hormones aren’t “broken.”
Your body is inflamed.

And that changes everything.

If you’re dealing with irregular cycles, PMS, heavy periods, low progesterone, oestrogen dominance, acne, fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or fertility struggles… chronic inflammation may be the hidden driver.

Here’s what most people don’t realize:

When your body is inflamed, it goes into survival mode.

Survival mode tells your brain:
👉 “Now is NOT a safe time to reproduce.”

So what happens next?

• Your body diverts resources away from ovulation
• Progesterone drops
• Cortisol rises
• Oestrogen clearance slows down
• Blood sugar becomes unstable
• Thyroid function can downshift

Inflammation doesn’t just cause pain.
It disrupts the entire hormonal symphony.

🔥 High inflammatory load stresses your adrenal system
🔥 Stress hormones steal the building blocks of progesterone
🔥 Insulin spikes stimulate excess androgen production
🔥 Gut inflammation impairs oestrogen detox pathways

The result?
Hormone chaos.

And here’s the frustrating part — you can eat “healthy,” exercise, and still struggle if inflammation is simmering under the surface.

Common inflammation triggers I see every day:

• Ultra-processed foods
• Blood sugar swings
• Poor gut health
• Environmental toxins
• Chronic stress
• Lack of sleep
• Food sensitivities

The good news?

When you lower inflammation, hormones often rebalance naturally.

Ovulation improves.
Cycles regulate.
PMS softens.
Energy returns.

Because the body finally feels safe again.

If you’ve been chasing hormone fixes without looking at inflammation, this could be your missing piece.

Ready to calm the fire instead of fighting the symptoms?
Start with what lowers inflammation — blood sugar stability, omega-3 fats, gut repair, stress regulation, and deep sleep.

Your hormones don’t need to be forced.
They need to be supported.



You know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Well, your gut isn't like that. It's your interface between your e...
10/02/2026

You know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Well, your gut isn't like that. It's your interface between your environment and your internal body systems. All of them. Even your cardiovascular system and your nervous system, (including your brain 🧠). So if you have a problem with your gut, chances are you've also got a problem elsewhere. Inflammation in your gut doesn't stay put, it flows through your gut wall and into your circulation activating your immune system along the way. This process stirs up inflammation and immune responses in other body systems that are susceptible. Think ADHD, anxiety, thyroid, endometriosis, arthritis, psoriasis...the list goes on. Always start with your gut health first, it is essential to sort out other issues in your body. Give us a DM or email if you need help with this.

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