Health by Bianca

04/05/2026

LOW ZINC - even when someone is already taking supplements; shows up a LOT in my clinic.

And this is where it gets interesting….

It’s often not that ‘you need more zinc’
Instead it shows an absorption problem

When I see this pattern, it tells me:
🍃 The gut isn’t absorbing nutrients properly
🍃 There may be underlying inflammation of dysbiosis
🍃 or the body isn’t utilising zinc efficiently

So what do I do differently?
Instead of just increasing the dose… I change the FORM of zinc.

One of the ways I do this is by using a TRANSDERMAL ZINC CREAM (applied to the feet at night)

🍃this bypasses the gut completely
🍃Helps gently build zinc levels
🍃Supports the body without stress to digestion

Why this matters…zinc is essential for;
✨Gut lining repair
✨Stomach acid production
✨Immune function
✨Hormone balance
✨Skin health

So when zinc is low, digestion and absorption can actually get worse over time

Testing is available in clinic 💚
Please use the link in my bio to find a time that suits you

29/04/2026

Your body clears histamine through two main pathways.

DAO (diamine oxidase) works in the gut, breaking down histamine from food before it enters circulation.

HNMT works inside your cells, clearing histamine systemically - and this pathway relies directly on methylation.

When methylation isnt functioning well (for example if you have MTHFR variations) HNMT can't keep up.
This shifts more of the load onto DAO.

The problem is DAO is often already under pressure from;
Gut inflammation
SIBO
Alcohol
Certain medications and
Nutrient deficiencies like copper and B6 can all reduce DAO's activity.

So instead of having two balanced pathways, the body is left relying heavily on one that may already be compromised.

This is why many people don't improve long-term when they focus on lowering histamine exposure. If methylation isnt supported, the underlying clearance issue remains.

To truly support histamine balance, both pathways need to be considered not just what's coming in, but how the body is processing it.
DNA testing offers valuable insight into your unique biochemistry, helping us understand how your body responds and tailor targeted support

27/04/2026

Discount days this Friday & Saturday with 20% off all supplements - makes it a good time to come in for a health check up 💕

I have a few times available for consults
🌟Monday & Tuesdays at flannerys Miami
🌟Thursday & Friday at flannerys Benowa
This Saturday by appointment only

Each consult includes dark field microscopy 🔬
Which helps to see the health of your cells, inflammation, liver stress, immune dysregulation and sometimes parasites or candida 🦠

At the moment my prices are still low- $150 for initial consult, $95 for children, $85 for follow ups. I’ve kept them low to help make health accessible for everyone, but unfortunately I’m needing to increase my fees soon - this will happen in June.

So if you’ve been on the fence about coming in for a consult NOW IS YOUR TIME
Jump on the low cost consult and discount on supplement days 🌟

Boom through the link in my bio or by ringing the Flannerys stores

Let’s stay healthy this winter 💚

13/04/2026

Did your child have a tongue or lip tie as a baby?

Tongue ties can make breastfeeding more difficult, especially when it comes to latching, feeding efficiency and maternal discomfort

But there’s something many parents aren’t told 👇

There may be a connection between tongue ties and genetics - particularly the MTHFR gene.

MTHFR plays a role in folate metabolism (B9) which is essential for early fetal development- especially midline structures (like palate, face, and oral tissues)

When this pathway isn’t functioning optimally, it may contribute to structural variations, including;
Tongue ties
Lip ties
Other midline developmental differences

MTHFR variations are very common - affecting up to 50% population.

If you’re thinking back to your pregnancy - what form of folate did you take?
Many prenatal supplements contain FOLIC ACID, which is a synthetic form of vitamin B9. For some people - particularly those with the MTHFR gene variations - the body may not convert folic acid efficiently into its active form.

This is why many practitioners prefer using Activated folate (5-MTHF / Mathylfolate) or folinic acid

These forms are more readily used by the body and may better support healthy folate status during pregnancy

If your child had a tongue tie, it doesn’t mean something went wrong, but it can be a clue worth exploring, especially if there are other signs like;
🌟 digestive issues
🌟 skin conditions
🌟 mood or focus challenges
🌟 family history of MTHFR or methylation issues

Understanding your genetics can help you support your child’s health in a more personalised way 💙

Book a consult to learn more or test your DNA. Link in the bio

06/04/2026

Health Rebates for Naturopathy are back 🙌 check with your insurance provider to see if you’re covered.

If you’ve been putting your health on hold, this is the time to come in for a check up.

Make 2026 the year you get your health back on track 🙌

Book a consult using the link in my bio
I’m at flannerys Miami on Monday & Tuesday, flannerys Benowa Thursday & friday. I can also consult via Telehealth / online

Naturopathy + rebates = better health 🍃

18/03/2026

I’m taking a break from coffee ☕️
Which usually means I get bad headaches for a few days. To stop this from happening I’m getting my caffeine intake in other forms 😅 until my body gets used to not having any ☕️
Made these Cacao energy bites to have for breakfast ❤️ 1 cup of cacao packs a punch 👊🏼
Sweetened only with banana and vanilla and lots of eggs for protein - these cacao bites have been my breakfast all week.
No headaches so far 🙌
Great high protein snacks or breakfast idea from Luke Hines cookbook Eat Clean.
Enjoy xx

11/03/2026

If you ask your Doctor to test your hormones with a blood test please test on Day 21 or 7 days before your period is due for menstruating women 🩸

Day 21 is the best time to assess Progesterone which is often the main hormone needing support especially in Perimenopause

Your hormones cycle during the month so it’s very important to know WHEN to test!

I prefer to use Dutch testing to get a closer look at how your hormones are broken down, assess stress hormones and some nutritional markers. Dutch testing is the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to hormone testing and is a urine test. It is also tested on Day 21 or 7 days before your period

So please when testing your hormones (blood or urine) make sure you are doing it at the right time x

26/02/2026

Always known to avoid dairy / casein for ASD kids but here another explanation why

08/02/2026

I love diving - being an observer in an underwater world 💙

06/02/2026

Good to remember!

One of the most common explanations for irregular periods (or missing periods) is not enough food.

That could be what’s going on if:

• Your LH is lower than FSH

• You don’t have strong androgen symptoms (e.g. facial hair)

• You’re quite physically active

• You restrict your diet in some way (including plant-based or low-carb)

• Other explanations, like thyroid issues or high prolactin, have been ruled out

⚠️ Note: You may have been mistakenly told you have PCOS when you actually have undereating.

For more, see my podcast/video/article:
“Irregular periods: Is it PCOS, hypothalamic suppression, or something else?”: https://www.larabriden.com/irregular-periods-is-it-pcos-hypothalamic-suppression-or-something-else/

And drop your question, story, or advice 👇🏽

06/02/2026

Great advice! Keep offering food to children because taste buds change! But if they don’t see you eating healthy why would they want to

From picky to plateful 🥦✨

If mealtimes feel like a battle, take a breath, you’re not doing it wrong. Picky eating is often part of the process, not the problem.

Top tips that can help:
🥕 Repeated, pressure‑free exposure – offer the food without forcing a bite
🍽️ Model eating – kids’ mirror neurons fire when they see you enjoying food
👩‍🍳 Involve them – chopping, stirring, or choosing activates curiosity over fear
🥪 Pair new foods with safe foods – familiarity reduces threat perception in the brain
😌 Stay neutral – pressure increases stress hormones, which shut down appetite
⏳ Think the long game – variety develops gradually, not overnight

Progress isn’t measured in bites eaten, but in confidence built. One meal at a time 💛

Log in with your practitioner account to view more tips in our new kid's flyer on Bio Concepts Engage 🔗 https://bit.ly/4b7V0Vt

28/01/2026

Sodium bicarbonate is something I look at clinically far more than people realise!

When I review blood results, I always check bicarbonate and the anion gap. These markers give insight into how acidic the body’s internal environment is.

Chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis is common and can contribute to increased inflammation, reduced detoxification efficiency, and added pressure on the kidneys.

Enzymes are pH sensitive so if your tissues become acidic it can affect digestive enzymes, detoxification enzymes and mitochondria enzymes.

Acidic tissues = increased inflammation = reduced detox efficiency + kidney stess

Blood pH stays tightly regulated but tissue, intracellular and micro-environment pH can shift

Over time, I’ve noticed a declining kidney function (eGFR) in many people coming to clinic, which led me back to the research on kidney health and acid balance.

A seminar by Dr Patana Teng-umnuay (MD, PhD) was particularly influential, highlighting the role of bicarbonate in supporting kidney function and SLOWING CKD progression when used appropriately!

Bicarbonate is also helpful in sports performance as it helps buffer exercise- related acid load and helps reduce muscle fatigue.

In Cancer support bicarb helps to buffer tumour micro environment acidity, supports metabolic resilience and helps reduce treatment related acidosis

And it’s SO CHEAP!

Best to buy bicarb that’s aluminium free from flannerys health food stores (not from supermarkets) I will share some in my stories

Book in through the link in my bio if you would like me to assess your blood results and check your acidity levels