Leesa Webb - Naturopath and Remedial Massage

25/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ADAgPtkFT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thyroid nodules are common and affect half of the general population by the age of 60 years. The causes are believed to be due to hypothyroidism, mutational changes or autoimmunity. They can be associated with over- or underactivity of the gland and may sometimes be malignant.

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) has been used in Turkey to self-treat thyroid dysfunction such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Now a controlled clinical study has evaluated the impact of dill on patients with thyroiditis and benign thyroid nodules. They were divided into two groups: placebo (n =35) and dill group (n = 33). Dried and ground dill (300 mg) was put into capsules and patients on active treatment were given three capsules per day for 90 days. Various tests were conducted at the beginning and end of the study, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg), and C-reactive protein (CRP), and thyroid nodule dimensions were measured by ultrasound.

After 90 days, compared to the control group, the dill group exhibited significantly decreased TSH (by an average of 19% from a mean starting value of 2.69 compared to a 16% increase in the control group, P = 0.009), fT4 (P < 0.001), anti-TPO (P = 0.001), CRP (P < 0.001) and nodule size (by an average of 7.3% compared to a 4.5% increase in the control group, P < 0.001).

The authors concluded that dill suppressed inflammation of the thyroid gland, reduced nodule size, and lowered TSH levels in patients with thyroiditis and nodular goitre. The daily dose used was relatively low and higher doses might deliver a greater magnitude of clinical effects.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40329862/

25/08/2025

A groundbreaking discovery suggests that a simple face and neck massage could help the brain stay cleaner and healthier. Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have identified a network of tiny lymphatic vessels just beneath the skin in the face and neck of mice and monkeys. These vessels drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which removes harmful proteins such as beta-amyloid, a major contributor to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Previously, scientists believed these vessels were located deep in the neck, making them hard to stimulate. But with special dyes and a new type of anesthesia, they found them much closer to the surface. To test their function, the team created a small device that gently stroked the animals’ faces and necks. Just one minute of this massage boosted CSF flow by nearly three times, with older mice showing fluid movement similar to young mice.

Early tests in monkeys reveal similar promise, and researchers have even identified comparable vessels in human cadavers. While more studies are needed, including trials in Alzheimer’s models, this gentle, non-invasive method could one day help people reduce brain waste buildup, potentially slowing age-related decline and lowering disease risk.

22/08/2025

🚶‍♀️ Did you know you have a second heart in your calves? But it only works when you move.

It's why walking is the most powerful health habit you can build.

It turns out your body has a “second heart”—and it’s hiding in your calves. Known as the soleus, this powerful muscle plays a crucial role in circulation by pumping blood back up toward the chest, helping your actual heart overcome gravity. When it’s active, it prevents blood from pooling in the legs, reducing risks of swelling, varicose veins, and even dangerous blood clots. But unlike your heart, the soleus only works when you move.

Experts at the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic warn that prolonged sitting or even standing still can shut down this vital pump. The good news: keeping it active is simple. Walking once or twice every hour is the best way to engage your calf pump, but even toe raises at your desk or on a long flight can help. For those dealing with chronic swelling, elevating legs above the heart or using compression socks provides added support. Ultimately, consistent movement is the secret to keeping your second heart strong—and your overall circulation healthy.

Source: Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic

22/08/2025

New studies show too much sugar is even worse for your heart than high cholesterol.

Here's what you need to know.

A landmark 15-year study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that consuming too much added sugar can more than double your risk of dying from heart disease—regardless of your weight, cholesterol, or exercise habits.

People who got 25% or more of their daily calories from added sugar faced more than twice the risk of heart-related death compared to those consuming less than 10%. Most of that sugar comes from sweetened drinks like sodas and fruit beverages, with desserts and breakfast cereals not far behind. Alarmingly, even a single can of soda can exceed the daily sugar limit recommended by the American Heart Association.

Unlike fat or cholesterol, excess sugar impacts the body in more subtle but equally dangerous ways. It can spike blood pressure and prompt the liver to release harmful fats into the bloodstream—both of which stress the cardiovascular system. With heart disease still the leading cause of death in the U.S., experts recommend taking proactive steps to reduce sugar intake. Simple swaps, like switching soda for fruit-infused sparkling water or choosing fresh fruit over candy, could make a major difference in heart health over time.

Source: Yang Q, Zhang Z, Gregg EW, Flanders WD, Merritt R, Hu FB. Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(4):516–524.

19/08/2025

🧠 Scientists figured out how to *double* brain waste clearance just by massaging the skin.

The discovery may be the future of Alzheimer's prevention.

Scientists have discovered a non-invasive way to enhance the brain’s natural waste-clearing system, which could open new doors for treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) demonstrated in mice that gently stimulating lymphatic vessels beneath the skin of the face and neck significantly boosts cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow—a critical mechanism for flushing out harmful substances from the brain. Using a specially designed mechanical stimulator, the team was able to double CSF outflow and restore drainage levels in aged mice, without drugs or surgery.

This breakthrough offers a potential new approach for safely improving brain health in aging populations.

The researchers also identified previously unknown drainage routes from the brain to superficial lymph nodes through facial lymphatics—routes that remain functional even in older animals. These findings complete the anatomical map of CSF outflow and suggest the feasibility of wearable or clinical devices to enhance brain waste clearance. While more research is needed to determine its long-term effects and application in human patients, the team is optimistic that this gentle mechanical approach could be developed into a therapeutic tool to prevent or slow neurodegenerative disease progression.

paper
Nature. Increased CSF drainage by non-invasive manipulation of cervical lymphatics, June 4, 2025.

06/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CJGCR98UT/

Mediterranean Egg Muffins with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Olives (entire recipe):

Calories: 682 kcal

Protein: 42.6 g

Fat: 50.0 g

Carbohydrates: 10.4 g

Fibre: 1.7 g

Sodium: 920 mg

Calcium: 400 mg

Iron: 5.3 mg

Vitamin A: 2700 IU

Vitamin C: 6.0 mg

This recipe makes about 6 muffins (1 egg per muffin), so per muffin: ~114 kcal, 7.1 g protein, 8.3 g fat, 1.7 g carbs.

🌿 Health Benefits:
High in protein – supports muscle repair and satiety.

Healthy fats – from eggs, olives, and goat cheese for brain and hormone health.

Low in carbs – suitable for low-carb or keto-style eating.

Rich in micronutrients – including calcium, iron, Vitamin A and C.

Anti-inflammatory ingredients – olives, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach.

Mediterranean Egg Muffins with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Olives
Warm, savory, and full of protein - these low-carb egg muffins are loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, spinach, and creamy goat cheese. A quick, flavorful start to your day.

What You’ll Need:
• 6 large eggs
• ¼ cup goat cheese or vegan feta, crumbled
• 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), chopped
• 2 tbsp Kalamata olives, sliced
• ¼ cup baby spinach, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Non-stick spray or olive oil for greasing

How to Make It:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly grease a muffin tin.
3. In a bowl, whisk eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Stir in spinach, tomatoes, olives, and goat cheese.
5. Pour evenly into muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
6. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until eggs are set and tops are golden.
7. Let cool slightly before removing.

Meal Prep Tip:
These store well in the fridge for 4 days. Just reheat in the microwave for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.

25/07/2025

Dementia patients generally show a mixed pathology, and it has been found that patients diagnosed with Alzheimer disease (AD) often have other pathologies, such as white matter lesions, vascular dementia and LATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy). A recent large cross-sectional study from Sweden has now shown the reverse: based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, an AD pathology was relatively common in people diagnosed with other dementias.

Specifically, an Alzheimer biomarker profile was seen in unspecified dementia, Parkinson's dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Moreover, biomarkers indicating an Alzheimer-like pathology were negatively tied to cognitive function.

While most patients clinically diagnosed with AD had evidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid and tau pathology, those biomarkers also emerged in people with other dementias, said Tobias Borgh Skillbäck of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Molndal, Sweden, and co-authors.

In nearly 14,000 adults, a clear, Alzheimer-like profile based on three CSF biomarkers: amyloid-beta 1-42, total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181) was seen in 68% of people with early-onset AD, 65% of late-onset AD, and 52% of people with mixed Alzheimer and vascular dementia.

Among people without an AD diagnosis, the Alzheimer profile emerged in 25% of people with unspecified dementia, 9% of people with Parkinson disease dementia, and 8% of people with frontotemporal dementia.

In several dementias, scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were associated with CSF biomarkers. MMSE scores were linked with amyloid-beta 1-42 in late-onset AD, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and unspecified dementia. MMSE scores also were tied to t-tau in late-onset AD, early-onset AD, and unspecified dementia; and linked with p-tau181 in early-onset AD.

This study highlights the complex nature of dementia, with a mixed pathology evident in most people. To my thinking, such findings question the value of trying to find a single drug treatment and imply that a multifactorial approach (as for example via Functional Herbal Therapy) is more rational.

In particular, I feel that Ginkgo biloba is highly underestimated in this context by most clinicians. Its inherent multifactorial activity makes it the best starting point for a complex dementia pathology. Clinical studies have shown that it is neuroprotective and boosts BDNF and Nrf2, is anti-inflammatory, and promotes microcirculation and mitochondrial function. In addition, it is neuroregenerative (used for stroke recovery in China).

For more information see:
http://bit.ly/4kXVmz9

and

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40293734/

24/07/2025

Researchers have discovered the brain uses fat the same way muscles do — as an alternative fuel to glucose — going against nearly a century of accepted science. http://ms.spr.ly/6180sEhhI

24/07/2025

This easy, homemade hummus recipe is made even healthier because you sprout the chickpeas first. And that means better nutrition. The recipe for sprouted hummus is pretty simple and straightforward: chickpeas, lemon, garlic, tahini and olive oil. And it's so worth your time.

24/07/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/maryannedemasi/p/is-the-war-on-saturated-fat-finally?r=1oev5l&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

They called us fringe. Dangerous. Irresponsible. But we were right about saturated fat. Is the medical establishment finally ready to admit it?