Leesa Webb - Naturopath and Remedial Massage

15/10/2025

https://firm-n-fold.com.au/6-massage-myths-debunked/

Firm N Fold/Newsletter Articles/Articles/6 Massage Myths Debunked6 Massage Myths Debunked October 14, 20251. Massage isn’t good unless it’s deepMany clients think that massage has to be deep to be effective—but deep pressure is subjective.Proper communication is necessary to ensure safe appl.....

14/10/2025

13/10/2025

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13/10/2025

🧠 A new study shows essential oil can actually increase brain volume in just one month!

Wearing rose-scented essential oil daily may do more than uplift your mood—it could actually increase your brain volume.

A groundbreaking study from Kyoto University has found that continuous inhalation of rose essential oil for just one month led to measurable growth in gray matter volume (GMV) across the whole brain, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)—a region linked to memory and emotional processing.

Using MRI scans to assess changes, researchers observed significant structural brain gains in women who wore the scent daily, while those who wore unscented water showed no such effect.

Notably, while the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex—regions traditionally associated with olfaction—didn’t show structural change, the PCC did, suggesting a deeper cognitive or emotional link to scent exposure. The findings open new doors for non-invasive, scent-based brain health strategies, particularly in dementia prevention. Previous research has associated PCC atrophy with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The authors suggest that this simple, pleasant intervention could potentially help maintain brain structure as we age—a compelling reason to rethink how we use scent in everyday life.

Source: Kokubun, K., Nemoto, K., & Yamakawa, Y. (2024). Continuous inhalation of essential oil increases gray matter volume. Brain Research Bulletin.

08/10/2025

A recent study aimed at investigating the effects of pomegranate juice (POMJ) consumption on inflammatory biomarkers and gene expression in patients with IBD in clinical remission, but at high risk for relapse (baseline faecal calprotectin ≥100 µg/g). In this randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel trial, 16 people with IBD (CD 6 (38%) UC 10 (62%)) consumed POMJ or placebo for 12 weeks. The active to placebo allocation was 2:1, given the low number of participants.

POMJ consumption significantly reduced faecal calprotectin (by around 2.4 times) and plasma endotoxin levels. Transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed upregulation of genes involved in mucosal immunity, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), neutrophil cytosolic factor 4 (NCF4) and nuclear factor, interleukin 3 regulated (NFIL3).

Urolithin metabotypes are classifications of individuals based on their gut microbiota’s ability to metabolise the phytochemicals ellagitannins and ellagic acid (found in pomegranate, berries and walnuts) into urolithins, bioactive metabolites with anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial benefits. Urolithin metabotypes in the trial participants were predominantly of the B type, associated with intestinal dysbiosis.

The dose of the 100% pomegranate juice was 125 mL twice daily (~>700 mg/day ellagitannins). This is a therapeutically significant amount of actives that can be readily replicated by using an extract of pericarp in tablet or liquid form.
The significance of the finding is limited by the very small sample (n = 16) and the 2:1 randomisation, conferring limited power, especially for between-group comparisons and subgroup (UC vs CD) inferences. Also, it was a short trial (12 weeks) with no assessment of clinical endpoints or histological healing; endoscopic and mucosal cytokine panels did not change. But there is mechanistic plausibility: the upregulation of AHR/NCF4/NFIL3 and pathway modelling align with improved barrier/immune homeostasis, and are biologically consistent with the faecal calprotectin/endotoxin findings. It is, as the authors noted, a proof-of-principle study, with the observed benefits likely due to a modulation of the gut microbiome.

For more information see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40255128/

30/09/2025

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Studies reveal that sleep duration dramatically changes how your body responds to diet. In one trial, people sleeping only 5.5 hours lost 55% less fat and 60% more muscle than those who slept 8.5 hours, despite identical diets. Lack of sleep disrupts hormones like ghrelin and leptin, fueling hunger even when calories aren’t needed, while cortisol rises, signaling the body to conserve energy. At the same time, insulin resistance develops, driving calories into fat storage instead of energy or muscle repair. In short, poor sleep rewires metabolism, making the same food more likely to become fat and less likely to support muscle.

📚 Source: Nedeltcheva et al., Annals of Internal Medicine

29/09/2025

🦷 A natural compound found to help fight gum disease — without the harsh side effects of traditional treatments.

A natural compound found in fruits, teas, and nuts may soon become a powerful new tool in the fight against gum disease.

Brazilian researchers have developed a controlled-release powder made from morin, a flavonoid found in guava leaves, apple peels, figs, and almonds. In lab tests, this morin-based powder showed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects against the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease.

The powder can be incorporated into oral care products and may serve as a gentler, plant-based alternative to antibiotics, especially for people who cannot easily maintain oral hygiene.

Developed by scientists at São Paulo State University, the powder is designed to stick to the mouth’s surfaces and slowly release morin over time, resisting the natural cleansing effects of saliva. Researchers say this delivery system could reduce common side effects of current treatments, such as tooth staining and altered taste, while still fighting gum disease effectively. Early lab tests showed the treated bacterial biofilm was visibly less stained and potentially less disruptive to the natural balance of oral bacteria. Human trials are still ahead, but the researchers are optimistic that morin could offer a safe, scalable, and accessible solution for one of the world’s most common chronic diseases.

Source: Sales, L. S., Brighenti, F. L., et al. (2025). “Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial evaluation of morin.” Archives of Oral Biology, 24 June 2025.

15/09/2025

Liquid herbal extracts are one of the most popular ways to take herbal medicine. Quick, effective and easily absorbed into the bloodstream, they deliver the full spectrum of plant medicine in a form that the body can readily use. 🍃

14/09/2025

New research shows vitamin B3 can trea fatty liver disease!

Scientists in South Korea have discovered that vitamin B3 could hold the key to reversing metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), the world’s most common liver condition affecting nearly 30% of people globally.

Researchers at UNIST, Pusan National University, and Ulsan University Hospital identified microRNA-93 (miR-93) as a genetic trigger that drives fat buildup, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver by suppressing the gene SIRT1, which regulates lipid metabolism. In both patients and animal models, miR-93 levels were abnormally high, worsening liver damage. When researchers blocked miR-93 in mice, liver function improved, and fat accumulation declined.

In a screening of 150 FDA-approved drugs, niacin—also known as vitamin B3—emerged as the most effective at suppressing miR-93. Treated mice showed lower levels of the molecule, increased SIRT1 activity, and restored liver metabolism. Since niacin is already widely prescribed for hyperlipidemia, scientists see strong potential for repurposing it as part of targeted therapies for MASLD. The breakthrough not only provides insight into the molecular origins of fatty liver disease but also suggests a simple, safe, and accessible treatment option may soon be possible.

Source: Lee, Y. H., Lee, J., Jeong, J., Park, K., Baik, B., Kwon, Y., Kim, K., Khim, K. W., Ji, H., Lee, J. Y., Kim, K., Kim, J. W., Dao, T., Kim, M., Lee, T. Y., Yang, Y. R., Yoon, H., Ryu, D., Hwang, S., Lee, H., & Choi, J. H. (2025). Hepatic miR-93 promotes the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by suppressing SIRT1. Metabolism.